A Restoration Of Rarity

Davids Samling and the Quiet Art of Guiding Visitors Through Time

Hidden in the historic heart of Copenhagen stands a museum unlike any other. Davids Samling is not loud, not sprawling, not crowded with architectural gestures. Instead, it holds its brilliance in silence. Behind its elegant façade lies one of the world’s finest private art collections, spanning Islamic masterpieces, European decorative arts and Danish early modernism. It is a cultural treasure that rewards those who step inside.

In 2010, the museum underwent a careful restoration led by Wohlert Arkitekter and executed with precision by Kjell Pedersen Entreprise. As a listed building, every intervention required sensitivity and respect for the house’s original character. The goal was not transformation, but renewal, restoring the museum’s integrity while enhancing the visitor experience.

One of the most distinctive elements of the restoration lies beneath your feet. Hørning was chosen to craft and supply bespoke flooring solutions that would honour the historic building while quietly supporting the movement and flow of its exhibitions.

Floors That Guide, Shape and Whisper

Across the museum, a series of different floor patterns, all executed in smoked, oiled oak, subtly guide visitors from one gallery to the next. Some rooms feature classic pattern blocks. Others are fitted with custom-made solid oak planks. All are fully glued and finished with oil-wax to achieve both durability and a tactile, matte warmth that sits beautifully within the building’s muted, intimate aesthetic.

Rather than compete with the art, the floors act as an architectural rhythm that links centuries, cultures and rooms together. They create a foundation for the museum’s narrative, helping the visitor sense when they are entering a new chapter.

Craftsmanship for a Collection That Deserves It

Davids Samling houses artworks of extraordinary calibre. To support such a collection, materials had to be equally refined. The smoked oak chosen for the project carries depth and gravity without overshadowing the displays. Its tonal variation echoes the craftsmanship found in the ceramics, metals, textiles and miniature paintings that the museum is known for.

Every detail, from joints to finishing, was executed with care by Kjell Pedersen Entreprise, whose expertise ensured that the floors met both aesthetic and conservation requirements.

A Museum Worth Seeking Out

If you have not yet visited Davids Samling, consider this your prompt. The museum is free to enter and offers an intimate encounter with art rarely seen outside major global institutions. It is a place where time slows, where craftsmanship speaks softly, and where the architecture, including the floors, plays an essential, if subtle, part in the experience.

In a city full of cultural destinations, this one is a quiet marvel. Step inside, follow the floors and let the collection reveal itself, room by room.

Photos by: Kjell Pedersen Entreprise