When it was time for René Redzepi to craft the kitchen in his home, he turned to Garde Hvalsøe, a bespoke cabinet company in Copenhagen. Redzepi, of course, is the Michelin-starred chef and co-founder of Noma (once considered the best restaurant in the world), so the man knows from finely crafted kitchens.
Similarly, when Nicolai Nørregaard, another chef with a Michelin star, was looking for a company to build the kitchen in his Copenhagen home, he also turned to Garde Hvalsøe. Not for nothing, Nørregaard also chose Garde Hvalsøe to outfit the kitchens in his Michelin-starred Kadeau restaurants in Copenhagen
Søren Hvalsøe Garde founded the luxury custom cabinet making brand in 1990, but it did not produce its first kitchen until 1992, which, the company points out, serves “as a testament to their commitment to quality and furniture craftsmanship.”
Today, Garde Hvalsøe is known for high-quality kitchens, cabinetry, and bespoke interior solutions such as built-ins, wardrobes, furniture, bath vanities and wall systems. “Our ultra-bespoke design department works closely with architects and interior designers to bring the most ambitious visions to life,” the company says. “Here, we create solutions that go beyond our signature designs, tailored to each project’s architectural and aesthetic framework.”
After publishing Søren’s floating Danish house recently, we reached out to the cabinetmaker to learn more about the company, its history and the values behind the brand.
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Design Vibes: How did you get your start in cabinetmaking, leading up to the formation of your company?
Søren Hvalsøe Garde: I have always put a priority on quality. My first design investment was four Wegner chairs, PP203s, purchased in the 1990s. They became a purchase for life, like my Mogens Koch bookcases, which have only grown more beautiful with time. Iconic Danish cabinet makers from the 20th century, such as Hans J. Wegner, Mogens Koch and Finn Juhl, are a great source of inspiration. From the outset, my motivation has been my love of classic design and a desire to create bespoke interior solutions of a similar quality
and beauty.
My first cabinet making workshop was in Ryesgade in Copenhagen, a street that had many small metal and woodworking shops. I secured assignments by going door to door. I grew up with a father who was always at his workbench, making things from wood, so I caught the bug from a young age.
DV: What made you decide it was time to launch your own shop? Was the GH successful right away or was there a slow period?
SHG: At one point I got together with a group of young architects, including Boje Lundgaard and Lene Tranberg, who went on to found Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects. Initially, our projects were virtually philanthropic in nature, but it was an enjoyable learning experience, because we had such profound mutual respect for one another. At one point, we made a kitchen together. Along with a long and proud craft tradition, that kitchen continues to define Garde Hvalsøe’s design expression.
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The kitchen of chef and Noma founder René Redzepi is made from oiled oak that complements the century-old exposed beams in the building.
DV: How are GH cabinets (and cabinets in Denmark) different from what we have in the United States?
SHG: At Garde Hvalsøe we have one goal: to deliver tailor-made kitchen and interior solutions, with lasting aesthetics and functionality. We take the craft seriously and personally, it’s all or nothing with perfection at the highest level, and the materials we use are the best we can get our hands on. Our design style is rooted in classic virtues from Danish crafts and design traditions. Our first kitchen was created in 1992 and is a timeless study in quality, elegance and furniture art, and we maintain these principles in everything we create today.
Our kitchens are unique because of their timeless design, natural materials and expert craftsmanship. They combine simplicity with functionality, creating a warm, inviting, beautiful and practical space. Made primarily from wood and sustainable materials, they are built to last for generations and age gracefully over time. Our clients include notable chefs, artists, designers and architects and our key markets include Europe, Asia and the USA.
DV: Is the exposed finger-joint a trademark of Danish cabinets?
SHG: The exposed finger joint is not exclusively a trademark of Danish cabinets, but it is often associated with Scandinavian and Danish woodworking and cabinetmaking because of the region’s emphasis on craftsmanship. More than 30 years ago, when I first presented a Garde Hvalsøe kitchen with drawers featuring exposed finger joints, many of my colleagues in the industry joked that I had forgotten to add the drawer fronts. At the time it was an unusual approach. But to me it felt natural to let the construction stand out. That detail has stayed with us ever since and become part of how we think about kitchens — open, honest and made to last.
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DV: Who are your primary customers, and do you have many international clients?
SHG: Garde Hvalsøe’s furniture is made in Denmark, and we have always relied on local production, to ensure high quality, preserve craft traditions, and support local craftsmen. Through the collaboration with these masters, we continue to develop the craftsmanship virtues we cherish. This choice gives us close contact with production and ensures that each product meets our high standards. Once completed, it is then transported for installation.
We work very closely with our clients, and our process is based on trust and human connectedness. Dialogue is crucial for creating a good experience and we invite our customers to delve into every detail and see their dreams come true through craftsmanship that honors materials and traditions. With our attention to detail and understanding of materials, we bring to life well-balanced solutions that create not just immediate value, but lasting significance. We master the art of combining aesthetics and functionality in a way that not only meets but also elevates our customers’ needs. From drawings and sketches to fully realized kitchen and interior solutions, every detail is characterized by precision and a deep understanding of proportions and wholeness. Our clients include notable chefs, artists, designers and architects and our key markets include Europe, Asia and the USA.
DV: Is everything you do custom, or do you offer stock cabinets as well?
SHG: We create tailor-made solutions for the kitchen, bathroom, interior or wardrobes.
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Chef Nicolai Nørregaard, founder of the Michelin-starred Kadeau restaurants, used Douglas fir with a hand-crafted worktop in raw steel. Garde Hvalsøe also created the restaurant’s kitchen at Kadeau Copenhagen.
DV: Do you have any limitations?
SHG: One of the biggest challenges is to convey to consumers what bespoke truly means. Today, many brands claim to offer bespoke solutions, when in reality, they deliver standard products with minor adjustments— perhaps a change in material or finish. At Garde Hvalsøe, every kitchen and piece of interior furniture is crafted from scratch, with every detail carefully considered and tailored to the specific project. This approach allows us to work beyond standard measurements and fully utilise the space available. It is particularly advantageous in small spaces, where custom-built solutions ensure optimal functionality, beauty, and balance. Our challenge is to make this level of dedication and craftsmanship understood and valued in a market that often confuses mass customisation with true bespoke design.
DV: What are the primary wood species for your cabinets? And what are the boxes made from–particle board or plywood?
SHG: Wood is an amazing material. You can create the most beautiful objects. We deal exclusively with natural materials that have a long lifespan. You have to stick to your DNA, and the furniture we make will still look great 40 years from now. That said, occasionally there has to be room for bolder variations. It depends on the model. Our Solid model uses Dinesen heart oak and our Lykke model uses beech.
DV: Do you have a footprint in the United States?
SHG: Yes, Garde Hvalsøe is available in the United States. Local production is a cornerstone to Garde Hvalsøe approach, so all production is kept in Denmark to ensure high quality and preserve craftsmanship traditions. Once completed, it is then transported for installation.
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