Nana Hagel is a freelancer working with words and images for various print and digital outlets, as well as providing visual consulting and branded content for selected international brands.

Meet Nana

How old are you?

I’m 36 years old.


Where do you live, and with whom?

I live in a 120 m² villa apartment in the northern part of Copenhagen with my partner and our two children (4 and 7). Our home is on a quiet residential street, just a 10-minute bike ride from inner Nørrebro, which is perfect for us.

We have the living room, basement, and a private garden, along with our own entrance in a mason’s villa from 1934. The villa has been extended over time, creating space for two families.


Instagram profile:

@nana_ha

What do you do for a living?

I am a freelance photographer and writer. I have been working for 10 years creating stories for both Danish and international media (RUM, Berlingske Tidende, The New York Times, Monocle, among others), as well as for brands and organizations, primarily within design, interior, architecture, and travel.


I also do various content creator tasks, creating content for select projects. Most recently, I worked on a project for Visit Switzerland, where we traveled by train from Copenhagen all the way to Ticino in southern Switzerland. It was such a great project!

What does interior design mean to you?

It is important to me that I feel relaxed and comfortable in my physical surroundings and home. However, I might care about it less than you might think.


There are periods, such as during our kitchen renovation, when my partner and I spend a lot of time and energy finding the right solutions and seeking inspiration. In everyday life, though, things are relatively quiet on the interior design front; I'm not the type to constantly add new items to the home.

How would you describe your interior design style?

We have a lot of Danish design in our home, with plenty of wood and a strong emphasis on recycling. Our dining table, coffee table, daybed, desk, and Cadovius bookcase in the conservatory are all vintage (I love dba.dk, the Danish version of Craigslist!).


I don’t strictly follow a particular style or trend; I choose what I like and what resonates with me. And, of course, what my partner is on board with.

Which item in your home do you cherish the most?

Oh, it's difficult to choose. Can you say a whole kitchen? Or perhaps more accurately: the space created by our renovation.


In the summer of 2023, we finally realized our dream of removing a huge (!) kitchen island and redesigning our kitchen-dining area so that it feels like an entirely new space, with room for dancing on the floor, plenty of guests, and a different aesthetic focusing on natural materials and warmth.

What have you recently bought for your home?

It has been a long time since I bought anything new. Last summer, I went a bit wild at Swedish flea markets and bought a lot of blue ceramics and pots.


However, my latest addition is my own limited edition photograph, 'Sommersind,' which hangs on the wall by the window in the kitchen. I use it to display for those interested, and I also think it looks really nice there.

What is good craftsmanship to you?

I value durable materials, high-quality craftsmanship, and multifunctional designs that can adapt to different settings and serve multiple purposes.

How do you use your SÆTTER?

I use it for all my coffee cups. They are from Japan and Danish ceramicists, many of whom I know personally. My friend Sherin creates beautiful pieces at @studio_shalma , another friend Louise makes her ceramics at @af.jord , and I also love everything from @sakura.copenhagen , which is run by the lovely Ninna.


Besides the cups, you’ll often find a Lego figure, a small homemade item from the kindergarten, or something delicate from the kitchen counter that needs to be kept out of reach from little hands.

Follow Nana Hagel at @nana_ha and explore her work at nanahagel.com.