A kitchen with history and Silestone: the renovation by Josephine Malling

In Denmark, they know that good things never go out of style. And when a house designed by an architect in the 1970s falls into the hands of someone with taste (and patience), the best thing to do is not ruin it. Josephine Malling, an interior designer, and her husband Christian Villars Risby Petersen bought an original villa in Gentofte three years ago, featuring yellow brick, mahogany carpentry, oak floors, and vintage tiles. Everything was intact. Everything was original. And they had the good sense not to be swayed by impulses for a quick renovation.

“The idea from the beginning was to carry out a slow, sustainable, and respectful renovation,” says Josephine. The goal: to preserve the architectural character of the house, reuse as many elements as possible, and when something had to be replaced, choose versions true to the era.

In the kitchen, the intervention was very precise. Everything that worked was kept: the cabinets, the backsplash tiles, even part of the original steel worktop. Only the handles were replaced with raw brass ones, the tiles were painted burgundy (they were too garish), and classic Dornbracht taps were installed.

But the jewel of the transformation was the new Silestone Victorian Silver worktop. Why that choice? Josephine explains: “Silestone perfectly reflects our ideas and ambitions about sustainability. We do everything possible to preserve the original, but the old laminate worktop was very worn. It was natural to choose a responsibly produced material that could also fit perfectly into our kitchen.”

The result is an elegant and understated surface that blends seamlessly with the 1970s structure. “Silestone Victorian Silver pairs beautifully with the original grey of the kitchen elements. It brings light, has a classic and clean look, with an exclusive and elegant touch when viewed up close,” she states.

One of the most interesting aspects of the project was the meeting of the new and the old. In this case, between the Silestone worktop and the old backsplash tiles. “It is, without a doubt, the most interesting architectural and decorative detail of the project. This personalised union highlights that this is an old kitchen, updated sustainably and with respect for the original design,” Josephine notes.

The technical work was carried out by the stonemasons at Marmor & Granit, who, according to her, were key throughout the process: “Their expertise was invaluable, from measuring the worktop to installation, taking care of every detail.”

Everything here is cooked from scratch, with real ingredients, and the hob is used without fear of damaging anything. That’s why they needed a surface that could withstand daily use. “Silestone is much more practical than natural stone. We have marble on our Poul Kjærholm and Fredericia Furniture tables, and while it’s beautiful, it’s too delicate for everyday use,” Josephine admits.

This balance between aesthetics, functionality, and environmental commitment is no coincidence. It is part of the couple’s philosophy of life. Josephine avoids fleeting trends and the “use and throw away” culture, aiming to create spaces that last and make sense now and in twenty years. Their home features inherited furniture, prototypes impossible to buy, pieces by Koch and other Danish designers, and a colour palette as neutral as it is effective: pure white walls and ceilings to highlight the original woods.