Paper Collective:
Hi Freya. To begin, can you tell me about Scandinavia Standard, how you got started and what is the focus of your platform?
Freya McOmish:
In 2013, Rebecca Thandi Norman and I launched Scandinavia Standard with one simple idea: to build the platform we wished existed when we moved here and to help others navigate Scandinavian culture, design, and travel. We wanted to create a bridge for locals, foreigners, and international Scandiphiles alike, showcasing everything that makes this region unique.
Over the years, it’s grown into something much larger—we’ve expanded from an editorial site into a creative agency. We’re also lucky enough to collaborate with some fantastic brands, creating campaigns and events that highlight all the things we love about this part of the world.
PC:
Being from Australia, when and where did your love of Danish culture, design and art begin?
Freya:
Being half-Danish, Scandinavian design has always been part of my life. I didn’t always notice, and it wasn’t until I visited Denmark at 17 that all of Dad’s quirky furniture made sense. In Denmark, design is integrated into everyday life—functional yet beautiful. That trip turned me into the kind of person who gets excited about chairs.
PC:
What do you love about living in the centre of Copenhagen?
Freya:
Coming from Australia, where most buildings look brand new, I’m forever intrigued by the history here—walking down the street feels like time travel, but with better pastries. I guess Copenhagen’s charm lies it in contrasts: the centuries old architecture meets the refreshingly modern.
Walking everywhere is feasible, whether you fancy a swim in the harbour or a stroll through Ørstedsparken for some nature therapy. And the Danes are just so friendly—it makes the city feel like home.
PC:
Catching you in autumn, how do you handle the different seasons in Denmark?
Freya:
Autumn in Denmark feels like the warm-up act for winter—chilly, windy, and occasionally gorgeous. So I buckle up! After so many years here, one has to embrace it. Walks in Ørstedsparken keep me sane until spring decides to show up again.
When the mornings start getting dark, it’s a chance to slow down and enjoy the seasonal shift. Plus my puffer coat is basically a wearable duvet. Also essential: enough candles to rival a medieval monastery, and a steady supply of vitamin D.
PC:
Can you tell me about the art wall you created in your home? What were some of your thoughts when combining these artworks?
Freya:
My goal was simple: to create a space I’d never get tired of looking at. Overall it was mostly intuitive, and I was mostly drawn to abstract pieces, mixing colourful works that immediately caught my eye with calmer, nature-inspired ones to create balance. I like to shuffle the pieces around, so it was important that I really connected to each one individually.
PC:
In your bedroom you have used our floating gallery shelves and some larger artworks and chose quite grounded pieces. What were your thoughts when styling this space?
Freya:
I wanted calm. Mikael Siirilä’s work is a standout for me. His fine-grain, blurred photographs have this haunting mystery to them— they're subtle, blurred moments that make you pause and consider what's beyond the frame. I knew that's what I wanted to look at when I wake up in the morning. These pieces sometimes take excursions to other rooms and others swap in. It keeps things fresh.
PC:
What are some tips you could give to our community when it comes to styling your home with art?
Freya:
I find it helpful to think about two things: What is it that grabs your attention as the very first thing when you walk into the room? Second, what keeps your attention when you’re actually spending time there? The first is about impact; the second is about connection. The best pieces do both—they surprise you initially but feel like an old friend over time. The art should enhance the mood, whether that’s calm, cozy, or “I’m basically running a gallery here.”