The key to a great guest experience

It’s a windy, cold day as we ride our cargo bike from Landfolk’s headquarters down to Latinerkvarteret in the heart of Aarhus. We’re on our way to visit leather artisan Niels Bjerre’s workshop, A Bjerre Studio, tucked away in an old stable in one of the city’s oldest courtyards. The atmosphere radiates creativity, and the rustic tools highlight the dedication to quality craftsmanship.

Niels greets us with a smile and leads us up a rickety staircase past several small studios. In his workshop, we’re met by the scent of carefully tanned leather and the sight of a workbench brimming with tools and materials. “I’ve got something to show you”, he says, holding up a beautiful dark green leather strap.

A keychain that tells stories

The leather strap is the core element of Landfolk’s new keychain - a keychain that’s neither mass-produced nor generic. Its minimalist and timeless design is the result of a close collaboration between Niels and Landfolk’s co-founder and Head of Design, Lars Kloster Silkjær.

“All we’re missing now is your logo,” Niels explains, showing us a custom-made brass stamp. Using a hand-operated embossing machine, the logo is carefully pressed into the smooth leather - one keychain at a time. The result is a keychain that is not only functional but also offers a tactile experience, inviting touch and fostering a personal connection to the holiday home lifestyle.

Slow craftsmanship and nordic inspiration

Each keychain requires patience and attention. The process begins with Niels cutting the leather using a hand-drawn template. The logo is then embossed, and the strap is assembled with a silver-colored keyring using a sturdy rivet.

“A good product is about highlighting the material’s natural qualities. The less you process it, the better it becomes.”

The materials are carefully selected. The leather comes from Tärnsjö Garveri in Sweden, a tannery deeply rooted in Nordic craftsmanship traditions, producing top-quality vegetable-tanned leather. The dark green color evokes the Nordic forests and the serene calm of forest lakes. “A good product is about highlighting the material’s natural qualities,” Niels explains. “The less you process it, the better it becomes.”

A key to a unique guest experience

The key is the first physical interaction your guests have with your holiday home. And with a Landfolk keychain in hand, this experience becomes truly special. When guests take the cold keys out of the lockbox, they feel the soft leather of the keychain, which quickly warms in their hands. Over time, each touch from you or your guests adds patina to the keychain - a reminder of the hospitality and joy your holiday home has created.

The experience begins at the door

Just like Landfolk’s handpicked holiday homes, the keychain is crafted with care and respect for the material. It reflects the same quality that runs through every aspect of the Landfolk experience - from the first key in hand to the greeting in the guestbook. With its coarse linen cover and sturdy pages, the guestbook also offers a unique tactile experience, making the guest’s farewell to the holiday home part of the story.

At landfolk, every detail is carefully considered. We strive to create a cohesive and thoughtful guest experience, where every detail - from the keychain to the guestbook - mirrors the love and care inherent in the holiday home lifestyle and your beloved retreat.