In the foyer (1), Gunda is surrounded by family: husband Chris Sheehan and children Joost-Olan, 9;

Haakon, 7; and Svea-Liv, 4. A yellow wash envelops the living room (2); a Norwegian rag rug with a

characteristic parallel weave anchors the linen slipcovered sofa and a German secretary that was in

Gunda’s childhood home. In Danish tradition, the Christmas tree (3) is decorated in red and white. The

Sunday after Christmas, the couple invites friends over for a low-key afternoon coffee-and-cake affair.

“Rather than everybody bustling about the kitchen,” says Chris, “we really try to draw people and

ourselves into the living room, where the environment is softer. We encourage people to come over,

relax, be calm, and talk to us”

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS DECEMBER 2009

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