Nanna Egebjerg
Home Series are conversations with friends about parenthood, work-life balance and treasured items.
In a renovated farmhouse on the small Danish island of Langeland, Nanna Egebjerg, founder of the ceramics studio Yonobi, lives with her husband, their 3-year-old daughter, and a second child on the way.
MT You founded Yonobi in 2016. Can you share a little bit about how it all began?
NE I’ve always been drawn to craftsmanship, especially ceramics. Back in 2016, Copenhagen didn’t have many places dedicated to handmade ceramics, so I saw an opportunity to tell those stories and create something different.
Coming from a background in communication, not ceramics, I started Yonobi by enrolling in a pottery course myself. It felt essential to understand the craft before curating work from artists. From the beginning, I’ve chosen pieces and people that speak to me personally. If their story resonated, their work found a place at Yonobi.
In 2017, I began the journey of developing inspiring pottery classes, something that has grown and evolved ever since.
What started as a quiet curiosity has become a way of life for me, my family, and hopefully for those who walk through our doors.
MT In 2023, you joined forces with your husband. What is it like to run a business with your life partner?
NE Anders has always been a quiet force behind Yonobi, but in 2023, we decided to fully merge our work. He comes from the tech startup world, and bringing his business mindset and passion for development into Yonobi has been a game-changer for both the company and me - in the best possible way.
Of course, blending work and family life comes with its challenges. Finding the line between work and downtime is something we’re still figuring out, especially with a small child. But being able to build something together - something we both believe in - is really special.
MT What has your company grown into today?
NE Yonobi began as a few shelves of ceramics in my bedroom and a webshop. Today, we have three beautiful studios in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense - spaces designed to celebrate the joy of making.
We started offering classes in 2017, and since then, our focus has grown into our new Pinch Pot Cafés concept - a more accessible, playful way of working with clay. I genuinely believe we’ve created something meaningful: A space where people can pause, slow down, and connect, both with themselves and with others.
At Yonobi, pottery isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. When your hands touch clay, something shifts - you soften, you focus, you return to yourself.
Bed Canopy Green hanging from an old beam in the living room, next to the white Alma steel lamp designed by Wästberg
MT Looking back, what have been some of the toughest challenges in running a business?
NE Running a business isn’t easy. The pressure to constantly deliver and be a good leader is real. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to customer experience, and I’ve had to accept that we can’t control everything. When thousands of people pass through your doors, not every experience will be perfect.
And, learning to delegate and trust others has been a journey. I used to do everything myself, but over time, I’ve come to see that others often bring new and better ways of doing things. That shift - from doing to leading - has been one of my biggest learning curves and something I’m still working on.
MT What do you love most about your job?
NE That I get to work with my creativity, my hands, and my passion every day - and on top of that, I get to do it alongside the person I love.
MT In 2021, you moved from Copenhagen to Langeland—a small island in southern Denmark. What were some of the thoughts and feelings you had about leaving the city?
NE Copenhagen has always been our home. But in 2020, we found a farmhouse on Langeland that we thought would be our summer place. It quickly became much more.
Life on the island is quiet and close to nature. The sea, the garden, the rhythm of the seasons, it grounds me in a way the city never could. It’s become my balance, especially with the pace of work and family life.
MT How would you describe your life on Langeland today?
NE Calm. Langeland has its own rhythm. If you let it, it gently slows you down and makes space for a more balanced way of living.
MT What are some of your favorite things to do with your three-year-old daughter, Bjørk, on Langeland?
NE We spend a lot of time in the garden, looking for flowers, insects, or fruit and berries to eat. Bjørk is full of stories and imagination. On our walks, we meet dragons and bears, and she narrates whole fairy tales along the way.
In winter or rainy weather, we cozy up inside with music, painting, costumes, or crafts. She’s got a wonderfully curious and creative mind.
Bjørk's room created by Nanna
MT Can you tell us a bit about the renovation and decoration of your family home?
NE Our house is an old farmhouse, and we’ve carefully renovated it to create a calm, open space that connects to the outdoors. We kept as many original details as we could - windows, doors, and woodwork - but much of the house needed to be completely redone.
From the outside, it still looks like a traditional farm, but inside it’s open and minimal. We wanted a home where we could be together as a family - each doing our own thing, but still connected.
MT What’s your favorite item in your home, and why does it hold special meaning for you?
NE I’m a collector. Our shelves are filled with ceramics and objects from our travels, especially from Japan. Each piece holds a memory, and together they tell the story of our lives.
MT You’re pregnant again—congratulations! What are you most excited about for this next chapter in your life?
NE Thank you! We’re so excited. Both my husband and I have older sisters, and we know how special that sibling bond can be. We can’t wait for our daughter to experience that kind of connection.
MT Lastly, what advice would you give to other families considering a move to the countryside?
NE Do it! Or at least try it. Of course, it takes more planning, more driving, and you give up a lot of conveniences. But in return, you get something truly rare: calm, space, and a slower pace of life.
If a complete move feels like too much, then find ways to stay close to nature in your daily life. That alone can make a world of difference.
Published August 2025
Photography: Katrine Møbius
© Minor Things
