Four years at her home and Serene Sorensen is still not done with it. She’s put up her own Chinese calligraphy and dot paintings, and would love to add quirky art pieces like a chubby little horse sculpture from Fernando Botero.
For our new column on happy faces and spaces, we drop in on the Sorensens and find her baking away in the kitchen. Now, that’s bliss.
“The brief to our architect K2LD was a home filled with warmth, love and happiness. My husband Lars is from Denmark and I’m Chinese, hence we opted for a clean and minimalistic Scandinavian look, with touches of Asian elements.
It is quintessential that every Danish home exudes ‘hygge’, which translates to cosiness and conviviality, and I wanted a place where family and friends can spend time and partake in great food. We got a custom barbecue pit and buffet table so we can tuck into a barbecue meal while lounging by the poolside. There’s a 3-metre-long island table in the kitchen for casual family meals, and in the dining room the iconic Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner are extremely comfortable.
My favourite time at home is sunset, when the shadow of the house is cast over the pool.”
Serene Sorensen
“Welcome to my happy place at home! Every afternoon, my four boys are in the pool performing their somersault plunges (all at the same time) and from the kitchen, I can watch them having fun. I enjoy being here because I bake a lot; we have four ovens.
When the cakes are out, we get to have tea by the pool. We’re trying to get Spartacus, our two-year-old Maltipoo, to get into the water but he doesn’t seem to fancy it.”
Serene Sorensen
“For a personal touch, I did dot paintings for our home. You can call it my dream project. I draw influences from aboriginal art, and Yayoi Kusama for her ostentatious use of colours and forms.
I always feel a sense of pride; every work tells a story of joy and happiness and these make for great conversation with guests. On several occasions, they’d express interest in buying an artwork. I get such a kick out of seeing their surprised faces whenever I go, ‘You are talking to the artist now.’”
Serene Sorensen
This story first appeared in the January/February issue of A Magazine.