Interior stylist and Retro Villa founder, Mette Helena Rasmussen is one busy mum. Aside from working as a stylist, she writes for several interior design publications and some of you may recognise her from the popular Danish TV show Welcome Home. Mette Helena’s go-to Copenhagen boutique sells Scandinavia’s largest selection of vintage wallpapers, as well as her own designs of handcrafted patchwork bedspreads, pillows and ceramics. But without a doubt, her most important role is being mum to her 4 year old daughter Villa Malou.

LMNOP: How many children do you have, and how old are they?
I have one daughter aged 4 – Villa Malou. I named my company Retro Villa after her.

LMNOP: Name an activity you love to do with your daughter?
I love to draw and paint with Villa Malou at my studio. And we also love to visit the National Museum in Copenhagen together.

LMNOP: When and where are you happiest?
When my daughter and I go to visit my mother. She lives in a cohabitation where I grew up myself. There are many children living there and we eat 50 people together every night in a common house. There are also lots of animals and great nature.

LMNOP: How are you most like your own mother?
We are very similar in appearance; she is not so tall, neither am I. But my temper and energy is more my dad’s. I’ve also inherited my mother’s passion for flea markets, second hand shops and travel. I love that my mother took me on a backpacking trip for several months in Asia when I was 11 and 14 years old. Villa Malou now also loves to go with me to flea markets.

LMNOP: The best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?
Be a good listener, and listen to others.

LMNOP: Name three things your daughter has taught you.
1. Be patient.
2. Children simply have another level of energy.
3. Children want to do the same routines over and over again. Villa Malou enjoys everyday life and she likes to know what’s happening and when.

LMNOP: Complete this sentence. “I hope my daughter inherits my….”
… energy. I know she already has it!