Set the Holiday Table with Sune Palner

We visit Copenhagen-based creative Sune Palner as he reimagines festive traditions through a modernist lens, creating new rituals shaped by contrast, tactility and contemporary expression.

In Sune Palner’s Copenhagen home, festive traditions take on a new form defined by materiality, mood and emotion. The table is not simply set; it is composed. Every surface, texture and reflection is chosen to awaken the senses. “Setting a table is one of my favourite things to do when hosting guests; it’s truly my love language,” he says. “When you sit down to a meal, it’s not just about taste; it’s about scent, touch and the overall feel of the moment.”

His table is an experience in tone and texture: deep marble surfaces, silver detailing, cool glass and the weight of stone. Together, they form a landscape of contrasts - moody and minimal yet deeply expressive. “I’m not very traditional when it comes to decoration; it’s more about the food and drinks for me,” Sune explains. “But I always like to add a twist. The holidays are about togetherness, and I like to mix something traditional with something contemporary to create a balance that feels both familiar and fresh.”

That interplay between past and present defines his aesthetic. Light and shadow balance rawness and refinement; each element contributes to a modernist reinterpretation of the festive table. Here, form becomes storytelling. “Don’t feel restricted,” he says. “Keep a few elements that evoke the holiday feeling, but experiment with shapes, colours and materials. Let it reflect you.”

At the heart of his gatherings is a sensory ritual: the scent of his homemade apple cider glögg, infused with cinnamon, anise, lemongrass and cloves. “When people walk in and smell it, they know they’re home,” he shares. The fragrance sets the tone, an olfactory invitation that defines the evening before the first word is spoken.

“The table sets the mood. It’s more than functional; it’s emotional and expressive,” he reflects. “For me, it’s about creating an atmosphere that feels alive.”

In Sune’s hands, the festive table becomes both sculpture and story - a space where design reveals emotion and tactility becomes a form of connection. Through his vision, new traditions take shape: intentional, sensory and deeply personal. Like the ethos of Ferm Living, his world celebrates the beauty of contrast and the art of creating space to feel comfortably you.

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