If you miss happy memories of good times and wish to put a nostalgic smile on your lips, then I can recommend you Boyhood, the right place to find the perfect Danish design objects! This nordic company is all about warm and beautiful design that makes us immediately think of the past wonderful days. Such a wonderful idea to bring a touch of nostalgia and sweet memories in our homes.

I was curious to learn more about these objects and I happy to introduce you today the talented designer and the heart of the company Jakob Burgsø. As the owner of Boyhood he is for sure the right person to tell us all secrets behind these unique object he creates with love to detail and with Scandinavian tradition of craftsmanship.

Photo credit: @Boyhood~ Jakob Burgsø, designer and owner

When you ask Jakob how old he is, he normally answers: 45 years old and never been better… Such a wonderful beginning of a very nice conversation, do you agree?
Jakob has a background in graphic design, but he is an autodidact when it comes to working with wood. Just driven by his passion and motivated by finding his own way to getting the ideas out of his head and into a prototype. 
Jakob is married to a wonderful woman and I am very honored to know her better now. She has joined Jakob in Boyhood. Together they have three beautiful kids, two boys and a girl. So, you see, their hands are full…
Jakob belongs to the lucky persons who has his hobby as a job – what more can one wish for?
A lot of things make him smile – enjoying a warm cup of coffee in complete silence after the kids are off to kindergarten and school, bringing home a finished prototype of an idea that’s been puzzling in his head for weeks or even months, the smell of wood…
He absolutely LOVE traveling. That has been a huge passion ever since he was traveling all over South East Asian in his early twenties. Luckily, his family shares his passion and they had one-way tickets to Bangkok leaving just 15 days after Corona closed Denmark. So, you can imagine how they are longing for adventure and crossing for sure the fingers for COVID-19 to go away…  
His favorite place in the city is the beach. They live 100 meters from the beach, so watching the waves and sensing the forces that are playing on the big ocean is something what fascinates him much. 
If it comes to spend a vacation outside of Denmark, this would be Bangkok for sure.
He lived and worked in Bangkok in the past – it is his home away from home. This is why they usually visit Bangkok whenever they are traveling just slightly close to it…
Curious to know his favorite song and band? The most amazing concert experience for Jakob was Coldplay’s Head Full of Dreams Tour! He is a very visual person and is very stimulated in senses – Coldplay for him has a full package and makes a complete show… 
The is an amount of favorite designers of Jakob, I would love to share here with you.
He admires a lot of the iconic Danish architects and designers, but especially architects like Finn Juhl, Hans J. Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Hans Bølling, Kay Boyesen and Arne Jacobsen. 
Denmark has a strong tradition for designing simple and high-quality icon and that legacy obligates.  
So, before he dies, he hopes to be able to invest in a PP19 Bamsestol (papa bear chair) made by Hans J. Wegner in 1951. That chair is for him a perfect balance between a beautiful proportional design icon and a great comfort and functionality. 

Dear Jakob, thank you so much for telling more about your background. Now, for sure, we are curios to know how did you get the idea of creating your own company?
I’ve always been very independent and found on early that making my own work life was the right thing for me. Working 8-16 is simply not for me… So, I knew that I should have my own business – the question was just doing what?
So, I have tried many different things and areas ex. I took a degree in graphic design and starting my own business, I tried having my own small restaurant with some friends, had an agency selling watches, having my own web shop selling design furniture and many others crazy projects.
But none of really fulfilled me and I believed that succeeding on life you need to be passionate.
That passion I found thinking back to my childhood…

I have always been joining my dad in the workshop and found a calmness in creating something with my hands. Over the years I always been very fascinated by working with wood and combining that to childhood memories like playing with paper planes, matchsticks, paper boats and balloon dogs was like an epiphany. And within a few weeks the first prototypes were made and ideas just coming – and still is….

Where did you get your inspiration?
Mostly from my own childhood, but they can appear just walking on the street, sitting on beach, driving to the workshop and minutes before falling asleep.

“Most boys have gotten their fair share of comics in childhood. The comic book was a wonderful place to be when you were bored, needed a good laugh or longed for a break from the real world.
With B’eagle in solid oak we have breathed life into the comic book universe and created a place to go to, when you want to revisit your “long lost friends” or get a nice little smile on your lips.”

Which of your products you don’t want to miss in your home? Why?
I have a special connection to the Matchman – it has so many opportunities and always gives a smile on my face.

How would you describe Boyhood in 3 words?
Nostalgic, humorous, and high-quality

Is there any story connected with Boyhood you would like to share with us?
When I started the company, before it was called Boyhood, we were living a small apartment in Aarhus with our two kids (now three) so space with tight. But approximately 80% of the living room was filled with boxes, bags etc. for packing products, the dining table was filled up with sanding machines and dust was all over the place. It was a mesh and thinking back on it today it is impressive that I’m still married to the same woman. She is very patient with me…

Another big moment for us was the first time we attended the Danish Fair Formland in August 2019. That har always been a major goal to get to that point so I was very emotional when we entered there the first time. I believe it is important to get setting goals and remembering to celebrate them and valuing that is possible to make your passion your work life…

“As a child your biggest wish was probably a dog. Second best was when a grownup would blow and shape a colorful balloon dog for you. Or even better, that you learned how to do it yourself.
With this little Balloon d’og, we are reviving the delight of putting your imagination to work and shaping lovely fantasy animals – here, created in solid oak so that it never loses its breath”

 

What do you wish for Boyhood in the coming years? 
The next year we are focusing on getting the production up and running 100% – it has taking some time due to COVID-19. So, we are really looking forward to getting some products on stock.
Furthermore, our goal is to find more passionate and positive retailers to work with. First of all, in Denmark, but also Scandinavia and Germany. Our retailers are the ones who are telling our story the the end-user and therefore they are valued extremely high for us…
And a third focus area is getting more and better pictures for our marketing.
So a lot to do….

Life needs to be beautiful – it is not about getting from A to B, it is how you get there that matters ♡

Thank you so much for this nice conversation and for these beautiful objects you create, which always put a “petit sourire” on my lips!

All the best for the Boyhood, we will keep in touch.

Greetings from France,

Arminka aka Petit Sourire

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In collaboration with Boyhood