The undisputed Queen of colour invites us into her eclectic space, bathed in vibrant joy-bringing hues and a little (well, maybe a lot) of maximalism
One thing is for certain: Marianne Theodorsen shows no sign of fear when it comes to a playful palette. Known for sporting brightly coloured outfits, ranging from pinks that pop to colour-blocked neons, she naturally excels at statement making. Despite the major cliché, there’s plenty of truth in a home that reflects its owner. At least that’s the case for Theodorsen.
Located just a short train ride away from Oslo, the content creator lives with her husband and two kids in an idyllic house surrounded by lush greenery and nature. In fact, the location itself evokes a feeling of zen and tranquility, bathing in flourishing greens and tranquility. “Having a hectic job, I appreciate being completely surrounded by peace and quiet at home. Also, it’s the optimal spot for our kids to grow up," she says.
When first moving in, there were no signs of eccentricity. Instead, the brand new house served an array of neutrals, complemented by sleek minimalist lines. Given the strong infatuation with contrast, the natural starting point was to experiment with colour. “We did keep the beautiful oak floors. Besides that, we started on a completely clean slate. But I like it, it allowed us to go all-in with colours from the very beginning,” Theodorsen says. To avoid going overboard, two colours were continuously used all across their interiors: “For walls and substantial furniture, I’m very much into soft blues and greens. They are perfect no matter the season and work well with the rest of our pieces.”
For Theodorsen, maintaining an overarching sense of zen is key, best achieved through subtle cozy elements. Think tactile textiles, quickly boosting warmth through its fluffy surfaces and fuzzy feel. “Having a cozy home is by far the most important thing to me. I want it to feel right in every room. Cozy furniture mixed with plenty of unique objects sums up our home styling pretty nicely," she says.
To strengthen the playful ambiance, Theodorsen swears by clutter core-inspired mismatching. “I love mixing different styles together in one space. It helps just having tons of weird little objects on display,” she says. Unsurprisingly, the best source for these unique pieces is the preloved section: “Thrifting new decorations is one of my favourite things to do. Sadly, I need to hold myself back on the splurge since we’re running out of space.”
Asked about a special standout corner of her home, one spot always comes to her mind: “My vibrant Montana wardrobe, it just makes dressing up in the morning that much more fun,” Theodorsen says. When it comes to the other details, thrifted gems are some of her other favourite things. “I love my huge vintage map of Paris, I must have spent hours studying it,” she says.
Feeling a strong urge to leave the minimalist stylings behind? Get inspired by Theodorsen’s playfulness by simply thinking outside of the box, embracing imperfection. “Mix old and new, and do remember to have fun. If you see something that you like, don’t be shy about getting it; you will make it work once you’re ready to start decorating," she says.
If in doubt, less overthinking and let more spontaneity naturally pave the way for joyful stylings, she points out. “A mismatched home is far more fun than a sterile space where everything looks spotless and perfect,” laughs Theodorsen. And we wholeheartedly have to agree.