Designer Living: Timothy Jensen's family fortress on the edge of a fjord

The chief executive officer of Jacob Jensen Design, known for their Bang & Olufsen products, has called the company headquarters in Denmark his home since he was a child.

Timothy Jensen's house is also the office of Jacob Jensen Design Studio. Thomas C K Priskorn / www.priskorn.com
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The furniture and industrial designer Timothy Jensen is the chief executive officer of the prestigious Jacob Jensen Design, which was set up by his father in 1964. He lives with his family in Hejlskov, Denmark.

Where do you live and how long have you lived there?

In 1966, we (my father, mother, sister and brother) moved to the Jacob Jensen Design studio's present location, Hejlskov on the Limfjord in the north of Denmark. The house is a modern fortress, built by Jacob Hermann, one of my father's former teachers at the School of Arts and Craft. It is situated in a beautiful and isolated landscape on the edge of the fjord.

I've lived here ever since, with only a four-year break in between when I spent time working in Copenhagen, Milan and Melbourne. When my father asked me to take over the company back in 1989, I moved back again and now live here with my wife and two daughters.

What made you choose the property?

The move to Hejlskov from Copenhagen was partly related to my father's new client, Bang & Olufsen, which is located 50 kilometres from Hejlskov. The relationship started in 1964 and continued in various forms until 1991. During this period, we designed more than 200 products for Bang & Olufsen, creating the exclusive classical form that has become globally accepted as a design aesthetic.

What does your home say about you?

That I don't take anything 100 per cent seriously and that I like harmony and natural materials.

Is there anything you would change about it, or anything you wished you had done differently?

I would like a taller mountain on the other side of the bay and possibly a geyser to the east. Please remember that I'm located in one of the best areas and houses in Scandinavia.

What is the key to creating a happy home?

Mentality, staying in bed until happiness has arrived, nature, space, animals, children, good food and good music.

Which items would no home of yours be without?

A view, a great kitchen, music and animals.

Where do you like to shop for pieces for your home?

The internet - I don't like shopping.

Do you incorporate elements of your work into your home, or do you like to keep your domestic environment separate?

It's a mix. When our designs fit into my home I incorporate them, but it is not a big must.

Are there any particular projects or products of which you are especially proud?

Since we've been in the business for 55 years, it would be difficult to pinpoint just one project. Obviously the 27 years that we worked for Bang & Olufsen were very inspiring. Building up the Jacob Jensen Brand with our partners was also interesting and, personally, being the chief designer for Gaggenau for seven years was a great experience. But as far as the most interesting project we've worked on, well, we haven't done that yet.

What are you working on right now?

A lot of projects in our studio and for our brand, which are all confidential.

What inspires your work?

We get inspiration from a variety of angles - the world we live in, nature and culture. We believe that nearly all things can be done better and we have the drive and willpower to spend the resources to act on them.

Who are your favourite designers?

Apart from my father, Ferdinand Porsche, Wally design and William Towns.

How would you describe your interior style?

A cosy Scandinavian aesthetic.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

Norway and Hong Kong.

How do you like to relax?

Yachting, mountain biking or walking in nature, hiking in the mountains or cooking.

What is the best way to simply and instantly update a room?

Take half of the things out, light a candle and play Johann Sebastian Bach.