Office Edition: At Home with Sune Palner

Behind the walls of a former Fiat factory in Copenhagen’s Islands Brygge neighbourhood, Sune Palner has created a workspace that is as much a space for calm as it is a stage for ideas. Stepping into the office, you’re greeted by the hush of concrete floors and sleek metals, alongside a curation of objects, artworks and books that bring the space to life.

“I wanted the space to be creative but also to offer a break for the mind,” Sune explains. “There’s not too much going on visually. It’s serene, yet inspiring.” It’s an aesthetic that reflects Sune himself: meticulous yet playful, grounded but always hunting for what’s new. His office is an open, lofty room washed in daylight, framed by industrial textures and softened by carefully chosen details.

While Home Stories often explore how people cultivate comfort in their private homes, Sune’s office demonstrates that workspaces, too, can be deeply personal. “I’m a very neat, organised person,” he admits.

“Clean lines and practical surfaces matter to me. But it’s also about grounding. I have books, magazines, small art objects, and design pieces I’ve collected over time. They’re grouped on shelves so that the eye can rest, or wander as needed. The palette is muted because I prefer my brain to create its own colours and sparkles.”

This balance between clarity and curiosity defines the space. It’s calm but alive, full of tactile materials like steel, stone, wood, and glass. And while the palette is restrained, the atmosphere feels warm and human. Objects here aren’t merely decoration. They’re catalysts for thought and conversation. Sune is especially drawn to pieces by emerging artists, which often become lasting companions in his workspace.

Even the simplest items carry significance. Sune lights up when describing his aluminium Lager Trolleys. “They’re impossible to overstate. They roll around the space and let us transform the room at a moment’s notice.” Almost everything in the office is on wheels, including Made to Order Rico Dining Chairs used as office chairs. “I love that the room isn’t static,” he says. “It’s like a set that can always change.”

A standout feature is a set of industrial-inspired aluminium Lager Shelves filled with Oli Glassware arranged in repeating forms. “It becomes like a giant art piece. People take photos of it because it’s so impactful. Even though it’s functional storage, it’s beautiful in its imperfection, stacked or scattered.”

Despite the calm setting, the office buzzes with activity as Sune juggles meetings, location scouting, and creative ideation. His secret to staying grounded is rituals, both aesthetic and communal. Every morning, the first person arriving at the office puts out glasses and pitchers of water on the long table, a gesture that, for Sune, symbolises shared care. “It’s a small sign that someone thought of you. It reminds us we’re all one team.” When it comes to dining, beauty remains paramount.

“No plastic. No Tupperware. We eat on metal plates with beautiful cutlery and glasses. Even our bottle openers are design pieces from Ferm Living. Everything I touch in my everyday life has to be aesthetically pleasing.”

Sune sees little divide between home and office. “I often use this space as an extension of my home,” he says. The office has hosted birthday parties, intimate dinners, and spontaneous gatherings. The space transforms with ease. Tables are cleared of work tools and joined to form a dining surface. Trolleys become mobile bars stocked with marble boards, steel cups, and lemon slices for cocktails. “It’s our clubhouse,” Sune shares with a grin. “It still feels like me, but it’s less precious than my home, so it’s easier to welcome people in.”

The office has been designed to keep creativity close at hand. Boxes of materials like clay, textiles, vintage mobile phones, and even building materials line the shelves, ready to spark a new concept.

“Inspiration can come from the strangest places. The colour palette of an old computer or a photo in a magazine can kickstart an idea. When you’re working under pressure to generate creative concepts fast, having objects around you that ignite curiosity is essential.”

Materiality is the office’s silent hero. Brushed and galvanised steel, glass in varied textures, concrete, and mixed woods combine to create an industrial elegance. Yet, despite the hard surfaces, the space feels serene, thanks largely to natural light pouring through skylights and windows on both sides. “Lighting is everything,” Sune says.

“We watch the seasons unfold from inside, from rain tapping on the glass and storms sweeping through, to sunshine flooding the space with light. That connection to the outdoors makes the office feel alive, while details like the glass brick wall add so much character and charm.”

When asked what he might add to the space, Sune doesn’t hesitate. He says he wants more art. “Art is a reflection of someone’s mind and heart. When you buy a piece, you buy a fraction of how someone sees the world. It makes me happy to surround myself with those perspectives.”

In Sune’s office, beauty isn’t an accessory. It’s the engine of creativity. And while his aesthetic is precise, it’s also generous, inviting others into a world where design and function work hand in hand. As he puts it, “You don’t have to choose between practicality and aesthetics. You just have to be creative enough to make them work together.”

Find inspiration for your office here.