Together Now: HAY

How did you meet?

M: Rolf and I met while we were working together in the same office at a design company in Copenhagen.
R: You could say that we met professionally before we met romantically. One day it suddenly happened, and we have lived together ever since. 

When it comes to design, are two heads really better than one?

M: YES! That has been the case for us. Many ask how it is possible to work together as a couple, but we have never done it any other way! We have also found that it’s very important to divide our responsibilities, so we did that at an early stage – Rolf is the creative director for furniture and lighting, and I am the creative director for accessories.
R: There are many days when we don’t see each other at the office because we work with different teams. Yet, overall, I’d say that one of the most positive sides of working together with your partner is seeing each other in action.
M: I think many couples would be enriched by that experience. It makes you feel proud and it’s impressive to see your partner being so amazing at his job!

How has your collaboration developed over the years?

M: It has been a very natural flow for us. It’s never been something we tried for; it’s simply there because we both appreciate the same kind of aesthetic. It just works.
R: We have similar sensibilities, so the collections we produce usually end up working very nicely together.
 

How would you describe where you are right now?

M: We started HAY in 2003, and our daughter was born in 2004 – she kind of grew up with HAY. We also have a son, Bjørn, who was born five years after.
R: We have a company that is growing and thriving, and family-wise we are at a place where life is a bit more stable as our kids are older now. Travelling is also different with older kids than it was when they were small. As a couple, as a family, and as partners in the company, we’re always looking forward to the next step; we’re never stagnant. That’s our current set-up: we’re always moving ahead and looking forward.

What makes a house a home when you’re working there, too?

M: I feel a house is always nicer when people are there. If you’re travelling a lot, or if you go to your country house a lot during the summer period, your house is less alive. I’ve always felt a home is much nicer when you’re in it a lot.
R: During these times, I think many people have spent a lot of time realising how important a nice home actually is to their overall wellbeing.
M: Every morning, I make a really good cup of coffee with good coffee beans in my George Sowden coffee pot. In the afternoon, I make a nice cup of tea. In times like these, it’s important to think about good coffee, good ingredients – it’s about making the basic moments of your life feel a little bit more special.