Julie Warberg, founder of Kartotek Copenhagen, on the value of the analog and the essence of slowing down time
We sat down with Julie Warberg, founder of Kartotek Copenhagen, to talk about the magic of paper—and what an analog medium can offer in an otherwise hectic and digital world.
Kartotek Copenhagen represents Danish design at its best. Its motto is “Can we make it simpler?,” and its vision includes reflecting Scandinavian simplicity with a graphic touch, fine craftsmanship, and high-quality materials.
For Julie Warberg, the founder of Kartotek Copenhagen, it’s also about designing for life’s little moments—those times when people feel completely at peace, whether alone or in the company of others. Kartotek Copenhagen’s designs are meant to slow down the pace of everyday life and make those little moments feel special, says Julie Warberg.
“Recent years have shown me that paper is full of life, and that paper and pen can do something truly special. When we write by hand, we open up another space—that calm, focused moment where we can allow ourselves to look inward, reflect, and think,” she says.
About Slowing Down Time and Recharging Through Contemplation and Creativity
The collaboration between Kartotek Copenhagen and Landfolk on a very special guestbook designed specifically for Landfolk’s summer cottage hosts reflects, among other things, this shared desire to give people more opportunities to take a breather from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the peace of the moment.
> It is paper—with its tactile surface and rich history—that serves as a medium for contemplation and creativity—and summer cottage life, which is the very embodiment of slowing down time and recharging through presence and togetherness with others.
“The collaboration with Landfolk is the result of an obvious idea between friends. But within this natural, professional partnership between us lies an equally natural meeting of two worlds that complement each other perfectly. It is paper, with its tactile surface and rich history, as a medium for contemplation and creativity—and life at the summer house, which is the very embodiment of slowing down time and recharging through presence and togetherness with others,” says Julie Warberg, adding:
“I love summer cottage life myself and could never live without the respite from everyday life that it gives me—exactly the same way I feel about my notebook.”
Crumpled Stories and Fond Memories
And according to Julie Warberg, there’s a very special value to be found in a guestbook:
“A guestbook is a treasure in the summer house—as time passes and guests come and go, the book’s pages fill with crumpled stories, fond memories, and gratitude for the many wonderful moments spent with those we care about,” she says.
“It’s designed to be used, to have messages written and drawings made in it, and, above all, to bear the marks of those who stop by. This gives the book a beauty that makes it worth keeping. And is there anything cozier than rereading messages from past guests?”
> A guestbook is a treasure in the summer house—as time and guests come and go, the book’s pages fill with crumpled stories, fond memories, and gratitude for many wonderful moments spent with those we care about
— About the “ Landfolk ” x “Kartotek Copenhagen” guestbook, Julie Warberg says: “The guestbook is produced with respect and care for nature. There’s a gentleness reflected in the design that leaves a clean, understated, and unsentimental impression. The quality is palpable in the paper’s textured qualities, and the book is printed in Europe using Scandinavian paper.”
For Julie Warberg, there’s no doubt that writing by hand and to one another still holds great value, even though the analog world is taking up less and less space in people’s daily lives.
“We remember better what we write down by hand. For Landfolk’s guests, the guestbook will offer an opportunity to capture the good times they’ve had and carry them forward in their hearts—and allow new guests to enjoy the experiences, good advice, and local discoveries of other guests.”
> The guestbook invites guests and hosts into a world where the little moments matter. Small, magical moments where we find peace and joy—and simply enjoy time together with those we care about.
And beyond the practical and beautiful aspect of passing on experiences, a guestbook can also help create moments that matter—together.
“As a longtime vacation home host, I know how special it is to read guests’ stories. Many years ago, at our own vacation home, we started a tradition of creating a little comic strip about our stay—it’s so fun and cozy to read and reread, for both children and adults. The guestbook invites both guests and hosts into a world where the little moments matter. Little magical moments where we find peace and joy—and simply enjoy the time together with those we care about.”
Written by Nina Lykke
February 2022
