MKDT Studio Hosts CAIA LEIFSDOTTER

3 Days of Design, 2025

Now, a couple of weeks after 3 Days of Design 2025, we look back on the three days with great joy, pride, and respect — for ourselves, our collaborators, and the team behind MKDT Studio.
We moved in and took over MKDT Studio’s beautiful space on Store Strandstræde 9 in central Copenhagen, transforming the store into a CAIA LEIFSDOTTER x MKDT Studio universe featuring our kitchens, one of our bathroom pieces, and plenty our sculptural objects, such as silver roots, lamps, and an extention of the EDEN collection.

All photos by Thomas Degner

Why MKDT Studio?

Choosing the perfect location and setup for our first solo exhibition during 3 Days of Design was a decision that required a lot of thought and consideration. We as a brand has been on a long journey over the past 12 months — a journey that definitely culminated on June 18, first day of 3 Days of Design.

Teaming up with MKDT Studio was at the very top of our wish list — a strong and unique Danish brand with a focus on quality, craftsmanship, and bespoke solutions. A blending of universes that, in our opinion, ended up being the perfect match.

Caisa Leifsdotter, Founder and Creative Director at CAIA LEIFSDOTTER & Caroline Engelgaar, Creative Director at MKDT Studio

The theme chosen by 3 Days of Design this year was KEEP IT REAL — described as a celebration of solid, honest materials and a call to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters: good, sincere craftsmanship. In our view, this isn’t just a theme — it’s a core part of our company’s strategy and values.

Events

During the first day, we hosted a lunch event and talk for friends of the house, local and international press, architects, and close business partners. The food was a culinary blend of Danish, Swedish, and Italian small dishes — a tribute to the company’s roots. Danish brand, Swedish founder and owner and our main production in Italy. Alongside our new red Piccolo marble table and our silver Roots, we also received a 10 kg half wheel of parmesan delivered directly from Italy for the occasion.

Later in the day, we hosted a big opening party with DJ and cold drinks. Being able to invite and connect with our current and former clients, future and existing collaborators, as well as good friends, was one of the week’s true highlights.

The thoughts behind the exhibition

Ten months ago, we took over our current showroom space in Frederiksberg. An old lady of a room, with creaky wooden floors, high ceilings, decorative mouldings, and uneven walls — a classic, romantic Copenhagen style. Here, we were given the opportunity to redefine what the visual universe of CAIA LEIFSDOTTER looks like. That very homy feeling was something we also wanted to recreate at MKDT. That’s why every element from our showroom was brought into the exhibition — including our smoked oak BOW kitchen, our oval SEMPLICE steel kitchen island, and our new ERA module.

At the front of the store, we created a kitchen and dining area, where several new EDEN products were also showcased and launched — including the EDEN Bowl with spoon, EDEN Medi, EDEN Platter, and the EDEN vases. Alongside that, we presented for the first time a Root table made entirely from marble: our Piccolo Marble dining table. Piccolo (Italian for “small”) because the Root base is 15 cm narrower than on our original Root tables — designed to create a more petite expression.

In the back part of the space, we created a bathroom/walk-in atmosphere. Here, our SEMPLICE vanity with marble sink and plinth was presented alongside a wide Silver Root, surrounded by MKDT’s beautiful garments. Between the two sections stood our ERA kitchen module with the SEMPLICE steel island in front. Hanging above was our new Vento Pendant in its purest, bare form. This section served as a service area for customers and as a checkout counter for MKDT’s staff — allowing the island to showcase its many facets and possibilities. Over the course of the three days, the island was used as a service desk, DJ booth, bar, and kitchen, an island with many faces.

ERA kitchen module, SEMPLICE kitchen island, Large Psychedelic Mirror & Vento Pendant without fabric

SEMPLICE Vanity with marble sink and plinth

Wide Silver Root table / stool

Friday, June 19

Christina Stougaard, Anouk Yve & Hanneke Tsujimaru

Cédric Elisabeth, DJ

Bohult Uno, Bohult Due & The Wide EDEN Vase

Tall Silver Root & Vento Pendant

Sunday, June 15 - Moving in.

Pastel Heaven in Valby

A project from the archives: Emilie Frantzen and her husband Thomas Nordquist took on a leaky old villa in Valby and transformed it into a gem filled with modern design, custom-made solutions, and beautiful pastel tones.

All photos by Morten K. Sørensen

The couple moved from an apartment to an old villa that had stood empty for 10 years, together with their two children, because they needed more space. Although they had experience renovating their apartment, they quickly agreed that a skilled contractor was needed to help them through the process.

Emilie and Thomas reached out to CAIA LEIFSDOTTER after following us on Instagram for some time. They were looking for something unique and custom-made that would suit their taste as well as the house’s distinctive framework and original details — a type of project that founder and designer Caisa is very passionate about.

“Working with old, beautiful houses requires respect and care for the many delicate details gifted to us by the home’s time capsule. Back in the 1930s, when many of these classic red-brick villas were built, the approach to construction and detailing was completely different — and something I personally love. That’s why it’s such a pleasure to meet a couple like Emilie and Thomas, who have a great eye for design and detail and aren’t afraid to think outside the box when it comes to their kitchen and bathroom — two core parts of any home.”

— Caisa Leifsdotter, founder and designer

In the kitchen, we chose to go with our Bulky Frame design, characterized by its rounded, chunky edges that bring a beautiful and unique architectural elegance. The chunky round handles are also custom-designed specifically for this kitchen, adding a sublime finish.

Two shelves in the same style were created to match the kitchen and contribute to an all-around cohesive look. The pastel blue color was the couple’s own wish, making this kitchen even more special — and truly theirs.

Throughout the home, there is a clear sense of symmetry, centered around two dominant pastel tones: yellow and blue — a theme that continues into the home’s two bathrooms.

The ceiling lamps consist of an opal glass dome from Flos and ceiling medallions designed by Emilie and custom-made by Rubin Stuk & Søn. The wall lamps in the kitchen are Tip of the Tongue, designed by Michael Anastassiades

Art, Danish design, and a unifying thread

Both couples have a strong appreciation and eye for art and design, which is evident in every corner of the home. For designer Caisa Leifsdotter, it has always been her driving force to create spaces and design kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, and more that are artistic, functional, and beautifully crafted. That’s why everything comes together seamlessly here in the old 1960s villa.

The dining table features an antique oval marble tabletop in an apricot hue, purchased secondhand by the couple themselves. The tabletop rests on our Silver Root Tall in steel — a handcrafted piece designed by Caisa and produced in Italy. The Silver Root base measures 60 cm at its widest point and stands 70 cm tall, with a patented organic shape.

Above the dining table hangs an antique Murano lamp.

The first sketch of this sofa was drawn in 1970 by Caisa's father, a skilled Swedish architect. In 2018, Caisa rediscovered the drawings and redesigned the sofa in a modern style. The Wittorin Sofa is Designed by Caisa Leifsdotter for ToneArt. In each piece of the sofa, a solid wood base surrounds an ample seat, with thoughtfully designed arm and back cushions for both corner and straight configurations. The cushions can easily be moved and the wooden base used in its secondary function as a table surface for lamps, decorative objects, or drinks. The Wittorin Series is of-the-moment and yet timeless, and these statement pieces can be customized in colors and size to suit any interior.

Lamp: Vertigo, by Constance Guisset for Petite Friture.

Wall lamp: CAIA LEIFSOTTER, Psychedelic Wall Scone.

The Master Bathroom

The home’s master bathroom naturally continues the same style and design as the kitchen, creating a cohesive visual thread throughout. This Bulky Frame vanity, however, swaps the blue wooden handles for elegant mouth-blown glass handles by Helle Mardahl.

The marble puzzle floor has become a signature CAIA LEIFSDOTTER design. Naturally, it’s created in colors that match the rest of the bathroom, adding a bold and personal touch to the space. The wall tiles are from Aquadomo, the fixture is from TONI Copenhagen, the ceiling lamps are from Flos, and the decorative ceiling medallions are from Rubin Stuk & Søn.

Fixture is from TONI Copenhagen.

Guest toilet: Sink and toilet from Aquadomo.

From Dancing to Dining

Photos by Morten K. Sørensen

In the 1930s, this beautiful villa in Frederiksberg was Designed for a family devoted to music. What is now the home’s kitchen and dining area was originally designed as a grand ballroom, used for countless concerts and balls.

Sisse Laigaard, her husband, and their two children bought the house last summer, and made it a priority to complete the heart of the home first — the former ballroom, now transformed into a refined, elegant, and exclusive kitchen-living space, with our SEMPLICE kitchen.

By choosing a sleek and minimalist kitchen design, they’ve allowed the home’s unique features, art, design and vintage treasures to take center stage.

The house is full of charming historic details, which the couple has thoughtfully preserved — including restoring the original herringbone parquet flooring, adding the perfect imperfect touch to the large, light-filled space. The original mullioned windows and doors offer a glimpse into the home’s quality, history, and character. Precisely because of these timeless architectural features, the couple chose a minimalist kitchen design that allows the home’s story, its carefully curated art and design, and many beautiful vintage pieces to shine.

The kitchen is our SEMPLICE design, featuring a clean white plain backsplash, integrated refrigerator/freezer on one side, a built-in coffee station on the other, and generous storage throughout. The showpiece is the 3.2-meter-long custom steel island — with full storage and softly rounded edges — perfectly mirroring the elegant built-in fireplace. One of the couple’s top priorities was to maximize storage so everything can be easily tucked away, creating a calm and clutter-free atmosphere.

The kitchen’s interior is crafted entirely from oak, giving the space a refined and exclusive finish.

Although they prefer clean, open surfaces, the cabinet housing the coffee station is often left open — not only because it’s used multiple times a day, but because it beautifully complements the kitchen’s overall aesthetic. For this reason, they chose a sliding pocket door that disappears completely into the wall — a popular yet often overlooked solution during the kitchen planning process.

Oven: Gaggenau

It all started with a Psychedelic Mirror 

In addition to running her children’s clothing brand, Flöss, one of Sisse’s passions is curating art, design, and vintage finds. That’s also how her connection with CAIA LEIFSDOTTER began. Back in 2021, the couple purchased a Psychedelic Mirror, which now holds pride of place in the kitchen.

Sisse Laigaard, Founder & Creative Director at Flöss - Danish Childen’s Wear.

Lamp: Ingo Maurer Floatation 3 Pendel, Wall art: Psychedelic Mirror 35x50 CAIA LEIFSDOTTER, Vase: Foldevase by Tage Andersen, Glasses: EDEN Tall & Midi CAIA LEIFSDOTTER, Candleholder: SEKT Modelname: ATRUM.

A Modern Majestic beauty

Photos by Morten K. Sørensen

Hand painted oak BOW and FRAME cabinets, oiled oak SEMPLICE kitchen island, high vitrine cabinets, built in coffee station and of course Dinesen floors. The elegant arch on the cabinet fronts characterizes the kitchen in the Grusholt family's majestic apartment in Frederiksberg. A blend of minimalist forms and classic elegance has shaped the space, honoring the building’s history while functioning as a harmonious multi-purpose room.

Finding the perfect combination of materials that complements the apartment’s harmonious and majestic style.

Originally, the plan was to craft the kitchen island in steel, but after much consideration, the couple opted for oiled oak paired with gray Bardiglio Nuvolato marble. The same marble is repeated on the wall behind the stove. The contrast between the warm, oiled oak island and the creamy arched cabinet fronts has become one of the couple’s favorite details.

This Kitchen was designed to complement the classic framework of the stately apartment. Our vision was to create a timeless kitchen that honors the building’s history while feeling fresh and exciting. The final design respects the apartment’s original details, such as the ornate stucco ceilings and tall wall panels, while the rounded arches reference the building’s historical architectural features—bridging past and present.

The couple wanted a kitchen that could function as both a workspace and a gathering place for the family. They focused on natural, durable materials and clean lines, ensuring an inviting expression. Each material was carefully selected: curved, hand-painted oak cabinet fronts serve as a backdrop, while the oiled oak fronts of the cubic kitchen island are paired with gray Bardiglio Nuvolato marble. With its muted color palette and soft, organic forms, the kitchen emerges as a harmonious fusion of modern minimalism and classic elegance.

“Our Bow series is a contrast to years of the general trend toward Shaker-inspired fronts. I wanted to create a cabinet door that combines a classic minimalist expression with maximum functionality. With an integrated grip edge, the need for handles is eliminated, allowing space for the curved form. This balance is something I always strive for, and in this kitchen, the arches add a refined softness.”

- Caisa Leifsdotter (Founder and designer)

Honoring the historic architectural style

The couple living here with their two children both come from the fashion industry and have held creative positions for many years—something that is beautifully reflected in their interior style, which is classic, elegant, and modern. Helene, the wife, is now behind the newly founded jewelry brand Bliss Objects, where she designs and handcrafts necklaces in natural stone and 18-karat gold.

The aim was to create a kitchen that respects the building’s history and elegance, by adding the arched cabinets, that fits perfectly. The elegant craftsmanship and intricate details found in many old buildings here in Copenhagen, in my opinion, deserve to be honored. That’s why our BOW design works so well in combination with a more modern and streamlined aesthetic, like our SEMPLICE—creating the perfect balance. The built-in vitrine cabinet, extending seamlessly from the rest of the kitchen, showcases much of the couple’s beautiful ceramics, collected over the years. A refined way to add personality and adorn an otherwise minimalist aesthetic.

The heart of CAIA LEIFSDOTTER

Our showroom in Copenhagen is, in many ways, the heart of CAIA LEIFSDOTTER. It is our first true showroom, with street-facing windows and ample space to showcase multiple kitchen designs alongside our sculptural objects. When we took over the space in October 2024, it had been vacant for more than a decade. While the room was undeniably rustic and in need of careful restoration, we immediately saw its potential. The high ceilings, beautiful dark wooden floors, and intricate stucco details create a unique and atmospheric setting.

Finding the perfect location is key

“Our kitchens require the right environment. Exquisite, handcrafted kitchens cannot simply be placed in just any space. That’s why finding the perfect location that aligns with our brand has been a journey. When our customers visit the showroom, it’s important that they can visually imagine our kitchens in their own homes. The atmosphere here is designed to feel inviting, slightly extravagant, and refined.”

- Caisa Leifsdotter (Founder and Designer)

The plan is for all three—soon to be four—of our kitchen designs to be represented in the showroom. However, building everything to the highest standard takes time and investment. The one kitchen that we display now is one of Caisa’s personal favorites: the BOW design in smoked American oak. This wood tone is still quite rare in the Scandinavian market, but since opening the showroom,
we’ve seen a growing interest in it.
“The striking dark wood, contrasted with our oval SEMPLICE kitchen island in steel, is a combination I absolutely love.”

A shared space for inspiration and craftsmanship

Beyond showcasing our designs, the showroom is also intended as a space for events, exhibitions, and creative collaborations. We love welcoming talented artists, designers, and creatives into our universe, fostering a shared space for inspiration and craftsmanship. That’s also why we share our showroom and office with other talented creatives who contribute to the vibrant energy of the space, making it feel as homely as possible. For this reason, we’ve partnered with Iril Audio System, who designs speakers, and Muro Studio, who specializes in curtain solutions and has adorned the entire showroom with beautiful drapery.

See you at Henrik Steffens Vej 1, Frederiksberg

The Home of an Artist

Photo by Christoffer Regild, featured in Bo Bedre

A modern, yet simple boheme vibe at the home of danish artist, Alexandra Madirazza. With a distinctly architectural design that stripes down to the essentials, we achieve a sharp and simple result, allowing colors and art to be used as playful additions.

“I first met Alexandra during '3 Days of Design' back in 2021. A meeting that would later prove to be the beginning of a wonderful crazy friendship and several joint exhibitions, both in Copenhagen, Paris, Milan, and more. I am therefore incredibly happy and grateful to have had the opportunity to design such a personal space in her beautiful home.”

Together with Alexandra, danish artist and architect, we created a space that became the heart of the home, blending bohemian flair, simplicity, and art. The kitchen combines oak wood and steel in a striking way, featuring the 'BOW' and 'SEMPLICE' designs, two iconic CAIA designs that complement each other perfectly. Featuring warm oak cabinetry with softly arched paneling, it seamlessly balances organic elegance with precise geometry. The natural oak’s tactile warmth contrasts beautifully with the sleek steel surfaces, which extend across the countertop and integrate flawlessly with the custom sink, offering both durability and a contemporary edge.

The muted, earthy tones of the walls that Alexandra chose creates a calming backdrop, accentuating the bespoke elements throughout the space. Sculptural details, such as her wall-mounted planter and artisanal ceramics, elevate the kitchen into an artistic realm, blending functionality with an appreciation for craftsmanship. A custom dining area anchors the space with its oak tabletop perched on curved steel legs. - This is not just a space for cooking—it's a living gallery that celebrates the union of natural materials, thoughtful design, and artisanal influences.

To create a cohesive flow throughout the home, we have installed double built-in wardrobe cabinets in the hallway and a large built-in wardrobe in the bedroom, featuring the same 'BOW' design as in the kitchen.

Art by Alexandra Madirazza
Styling by Maja Regild
Photo by Christoffer Regild