Light That Lingers
I was in Copenhagen last week for Three Days of Design—an annual pilgrimage of inspiration—and this year, it truly delivered. I stayed an extra day for Midsommar, the Nordic summer solstice.
No, I wasn’t a human sacrifice—but later that afternoon, dressed head-to-toe in white, I somehow got swept into a sea of a crowd clad in black leather on their way to Copenhell, Copenhagen’s annual thrash metal festival. Cosmic comedy at its finest.
But what really got me was the light.
In Denmark, the sun lingers in June. Golden hour doesn’t last 45 minutes—it lasts seven hours. The light is soft but strong, diffused but potent. It enters every room like a quiet invitation: Be here. Feel this.
It’s no wonder the Danes have a cultural reverence for light—not just as a design principle, but as a way of life.
Sun as Mood Regulator
Studies have shown that natural sunlight boosts serotonin levels, enhances focus, and lowers stress. “Sunlight entrains the body’s circadian rhythm,” explains Dr. Phyllis Zee, Chief of Sleep Medicine at Northwestern. “It’s the single most powerful cue to reset our biological clock.”
It doesn’t just wake us up—it aligns us.
That long, golden Nordic light might be the most elegant circadian therapy on the planet.
Summer Hygge? Yes.
We often think of hygge as candles and cocoa in December—but it’s also the soft clink of glass on a sun-warmed table. It’s meals outside, long shadows on the floor, linen curtains dancing in the breeze.
Summer hygge is lightness. Clarity. A room that breathes.
The Danes design for this. Light-filtering textiles. Pale woods that reflect warmth. Minimalist layouts that let sunlight do the decorating.
Designing with Light in Mind
If you want to invite more light into your space—literally and energetically—consider:
☀️ Reflective surfaces
Mirror, glass, polished stone—all amplify natural light and make a room feel alive.
☀️ Light-colored walls and floors
Think white oak, limewash, pale clay. These catch and hold the sun.
☀️ Windows left bare (or barely dressed)
Let the sun speak for itself.
☀️ Artwork that radiates
Look for pieces that play with luminosity. Think Tom Fruin, Lita Albuquerque, or contemporary works that explore warmth, glow, and color fields.
☀️ Create your own sun rituals
A spot where you sit for morning light. A favorite room at golden hour. Light, not just as utility, but as ceremony.
My Favorite Summer Sun Ritual: Sun Tea
There’s something magical about letting the sun do the steeping. Here’s how I make mine:
- Choose your herbs or tea bags – I love a mix of rooibos and hibiscus (but play around with what you love).
- Fill a large glass jar with filtered water – add about 4–6 tea bags or a few spoonfuls of loose herbs.
- Cover and place it in the sun – a sunny windowsill or porch works perfectly. Let it steep for 2–4 hours.
- Strain, chill, and enjoy – pour it over ice with a slice of citrus or a sprig of fresh herbs.
It’s a small ritual, but it feels like bottling a bit of the day’s light.
“Light is not so much something that reveals, as it is itself the revelation.”
— James Turrell
✨ What’s your favorite way to welcome the sun in summer? Tell me in the comments!
Final Thought
Winter gets all the hygge press—but summer has its own kind of magic.
Not softness, but spaciousness. Not stillness, but radiance.
So open the windows. Let the light flood in.
Design with it. Face toward it. Dwell in it. Let it change you.
💌
Elle
P.S. Been curious about 3daysofdesign? I’m putting together a few notes on the key themes and emerging concepts being discussed this year. If you’d like to hear more or explore how these ideas might apply to your space or project—let’s set up a time to chat!
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