The uncut diamonds
Renovation process
When we came up with the idea for 21-5, we knew that we would have to renovate the properties once we took ownership. However, we didn't anticipate that it would often be a complete renovation, but that's what it has become, and there are many reasons for this.
It's almost impossible to find properties that meet our requirements in terms of interior design, colors, choice of materials, etc. We are very selective, and even though something may look good in photos, it is often quite different in reality. Sometimes, when we come across properties that could qualify and become 21-5 home with only minor adjustments, they are usually too expensive and thus out of our financial reach.
So we often go after the "uncut diamonds" that we can turn into beautiful and inviting dream homes. This way we can create the best setting for great vacations for many years to come at best price.
Our skilled team
Construction
Our skilled and experienced Construction Team has many of the skills and qualities needed to renovate properties in remote locations. All projects are planned from our office north of Copenhagen, while the work is carried out locally at the destinations, which places additional demands on he entire process.
We need competent and dedicated people in our Construction Team to successfully manage our many construction sites. We have a significant number of construction sites in Southern Europe at the same time, so it's a bit like keeping many plates spinning on long sticks at the same time.
The team regularly visits the sites to monitor the quality of work and progress, which means that several team members have a significant number of travel days each year.
Successfully managing a foreign vacation home renovation project requires either a great deal of expertise or a lot of luck. We don't rely on luck; we rely on our Construction Team, which is an incredibly skilled and dedicated team.
We just love the vintage details
Vintage details
We are passionate about vintage details, and we love it when they are either preserved or revealed in the process of our renovations. We usually say that if the original details are gone, we add them to the homes. Of course, they can't be the original details when we add them, but they will look like and feel original - and that's what matters.
In the fall of 2019, we had a visit from a local mayor at one of our 21-5 homes in Tuscany, which was nearing the end of its renovation. He came to thank us not only for preserving Tuscan heritage, but also for restoring what had been lost. It was a significant moment for us because it confirmed that it's not just us and our 21-5 families who appreciate what we create or recreate.
Laila often talks about how all her energy drains away when she sees homes that have been "modernized" over the years, where the beautiful original details are either destroyed, hidden or removed. On the other hand, it gives her and the rest of the team a lot of positive energy to recreate details and restore damaged things. It's where the entire construction team thrives the best.
Good looking, but practical as well
Well thought-out floor plans
In addition to being welcoming, a 21-5 home must also be practical. It's when these two qualities are combined in the best proportion that the dream home is created.
If at all possible, we make sure that each bedroom has its own bathroom. This is not always the norm, but our experience shows that the best vacations are spent in houses where most people have their own bathroom.
There are never walk-through bedrooms in a 21-5 home. Bedrooms are accessed from common areas. We don't want to be disturbed while we sleep.
These are just a few of the many factors that combine to make a 21-5 dream home. The floor plan is only one of them.
Professional local partners
Local craftsmen
We use local craftsmen for all our renovations. Occasionally we have sent a crew from Denmark, but that was quite extraordinary and presented different challenges than using local craftsmen.
We usually have at least two contractors in each destination. In some places they have different skills, but generally it's always good to have someone to compare prices and work with. And often we have to much work for one.
We always seek to find good partners with whom we can work for many years. This also applies to our contractors and craftsmen, with whom we always have excellent relationships. The better the relationship, the better the work, which ultimately benefits our families in the groups.
