Visiting Mats and Hans in their Oslo home

We visit interior designer Mats and consultant Hans in their peaceful home in Bolteløkka. Here, vintage finds, family heirlooms, and modern design meet in a bright functionalist townhouse, where the vibrant pulse of the city and the neighbourhood's village charm go hand in hand.

Friends stop by for dinner. Hans potters around the garden while Mats cooks. They also have a wooden horse that once belonged to Hans’ great-grandfather. They feel it fits right in alongside the art and newer pieces in their Oslo townhouse. For Mats and Hans, a home is just as much about creating space for togetherness, people, and personal stories as it is about beautiful decor. Opening their doors to guests feels like a natural extension of how they live.

"Our home is usually an open house, filled with friends, good conversations and good energy, so sharing it with others feels very natural to us"

Living room with a cream sofa, abstract wall art, floor lamp, white geometric coffee table, window, wall shelf with books, and patterned rug

Two Oslo natives who found their way back

Both grew up in the Oslo area, and each took a different route back. Mats is from Frogner and spent a decade in Copenhagen after a few years in Brussels. He works as an interior designer and runs Balthazar Interior on St. Hanshaugen. Hans grew up in Bærum, has lived in London, Sydney, and Switzerland, and works as a consultant on large construction and infrastructure projects.

In Bolteløkka, their mornings often begin with coffee in bed and a view over Oslo. After work, Hans likes to do gardening while Mats prepares dinner. When the weather allows it, they catch the last rays of sunshine on one of the terraces, often joined by their best friends dropping by for dinner or a glass of wine. The house gives them room to slow down without giving up the city they both love.

Cozy dining nook with a wooden table, built-in bench seating with cushions and blankets, a round pendant light with red polka dots, and a large blue floral artwork on the wall

Living room corner with cream shiplap wall, two framed artworks, beige sofa, patterned cushions, and a wooden side table

Personality in every nook

The house is an architect-designed Functionalist townhouse spanning three floors. Large windows flood the space with light, and art and furniture guide you through the storeys. Mats’ personal touch shines through in the combination of colours, patterns, vintage finds and modern design. Steel, wood, glass and marble are balanced by soft textiles collected from various parts of Europe.

Mats and Hans love interiors with personality and soul. They play with colours and patterns, mix vintage with contemporary pieces, and combine contrasting materials.

They are particularly fond of their metal artworks and items created by close friends. Mats highlights a sculpture carved from a unique stone, given to him for his 40th birthday. Then there is the wooden horse from Hans’ great-grandfather - an heirloom passed down through generations that has found its place among the art and modern decor.

"For us, it's the combination of materials, personal objects, and the stories behind them that make the home feel lived-in and truly our own"

From the roof terrace, there are views over Oslo and the fjord; below lies the garden and another terrace. Even though the house is in the heart of the city, Mats and Hans experience it as peaceful and secluded. They enjoy sunshine all day long and have several outdoor spots where they can soak up some rays.

Their home is usually filled with friends, which makes welcoming Landfolk guests feel like a natural fit. They hope guests will enjoy the same relaxed atmosphere, whether relaxing outdoors or exploring the art and personal treasures inside.

Handpicked location

Oslo

Explore this location

Person seated at a wooden desk in a small white-paneled home office, with framed artwork on the wall, a wire chair, and sunlight on the wooden floor

Tabletop arrangement with a terracotta vase of white flowers, a dark glass candle, and small stone sculptures on a light wooden surface

The neighborhood they always return to

St. Hanshaugen is their favourite part of Oslo. Positioned between the east and west sides, it sits close to the city centre, the fjord and the forest. They also love Bolteløkka, which has a different feel, almost like a small village, where old wooden houses, classic apartment buildings and former workers’ cottages sit side by side.

"Today, we can walk to the Royal Palace in about ten minutes, yet Bolteløkka retains the peaceful feel of a small village. We think that exact contrast is part of its charm"

Their local recommendations reflect what they love most about the area: coffee and people-watching at Java; cheese and charcuterie from Gutta på Haugen for a picnic in St. Hanshaugen Park; or a stroll through the smaller park Idioten. During summer, they look forward to flea markets at the local school. Little Wolf just around the corner is another favorite - especially their deep-fried lasagna and brownie-misu.

The city centre is only a short walk away, but in Bolteløkka, Mats and Hans have found a way of city living that feels like their own: a garden to tend to, friends around the table, and a home where personal finds and family heirlooms sit naturally alongside modern design, each with a story to tell.

Mats and Hans’ Oslo favourites

Coffee: Java, with time for people-watching

Bread & Pastries: Mjølon Thereses gate; Røtter when bringing sourdough bread home

For a Picnic: Gutta på Haugen followed by a trip to St. Hanshaugen Park

A Walk: St. Hanshaugen Park or the smaller Idioten park

Sharing Plates: Little Wolf – they highly recommend the deep-fried lasagna and brownie-misu

Dinner: Ansjosen, Kolonialen, or Grotto

A Glass of Wine: Vinkassen or BARRA

Interior Finds: Mats’ own shop, Balthazar Interior (though they admit to being a little biased!)

Guide: Explore Oslo

Oslo is shaped by the meeting of city life, the fjord and the surrounding forest. We asked our Urban hosts in Oslo to share the neighbourhoods, local eateries and everyday experiences that make the Norwegian capital feel like home. From coffee beside the river Akerselva to island trips, sauna sessions and walks among colourful wooden houses, this guide will help you experience Oslo beyond the most familiar sights.

Story

Visiting Sarah and Michael’s musical home

We venture to the heart of Frederiksberg in Copenhagen to visit Sarah and Michael in their light-filled apartment on the second floor of a historic 1896 building. After sharing their wonderful holiday home in Vejby with our community of guests, they have now chosen to be part of Landfolk Urban and open the doors to their private city sanctuary as well. A home dedicated to family and music, serving as a grounding anchor in their busy everyday life.

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