The house in the woods

Peter Lieps Hus is located just outside the amusement park Dyrehavsbakken north of Copenhagen, beautifully set among the beech trees and steeped in history. The iconic restaurant has recently been carefully renovated, which has highlighted the charm and history of the place.

Photo: Helene Høyer Mikkelsen, architect, MAA

The thatched roof and antlers on the plaster facade create a heightened sense of expectation on stepping through the door, and guests are not left feeling disappointed, with the surrounding woods filling the small windowpanes, and the black beams in the ceiling testifying to the restaurant’s age.

Anders Busk Faarborg from All That Matters Design says that a key aspect of the interior design project was removing fittings and furnishings to reveal the fine original interior. In other words, showing respect for the qualities of the place, and not least strengthening the sense of connection between the restaurant and its surroundings. With the new decor, the rooms have become significantly brighter, and now appeal in many ways to a broader clientele.

Wooden materials

Peter Lieps Hus has two large rooms on the ground floor, one on either side of the entrance. The smaller of the two restaurants is an incredibly charming space with striped wallpaper and a built-in alcove seat. It is furnished with wood tables and chairs in a Nordic design that perfectly complements the venue. In the larger restaurant, pale wood furniture has been chosen for its lightness and homogeneity. Here, a large fireplace testifies to the building’s history.

In recent years, the restaurant has become very aware of customer expectations regarding the acoustics, which were therefore very much addressed as part of the renovation project. Troldtekt line in natural wood has been installed between the black beams, accentuating the lines of the room. As a result, the ceiling has its own role to play as part of the coherent interior, with Troldtekt’s wood structure and colour beautifully matching the woven webbing of the chair seats.