Stuttgart shows class!
We are Tatjana's guests - she opens her magnificent old building apartment to decorio and shows us that a good mix in the furnishings should always reflect the personality and explains what she means by balanced dynamics when furnishing. Find out in our interview how Tatjana brings her apartment to life, what interior "weaknesses" she has and why she collects special pieces from all over the world.
Who are you, what do you do and where do you live?
I'm Tatjana, 31 years old and I live with my boyfriend in a 145 square meter old building apartment in Stuttgart. Professionally, I'm actually at home in digital communication, but I'm also increasingly interested in interior design. Together with my boyfriend, I design our own pieces of furniture and am currently building my own interior brand. For example, our pink dining table is our own design.
Can you tell us a bit about your style?
I would describe my interior design style as a mix of Danish restraint and French playfulness with influences from mid-century elements.
When did your interest in interior design begin?
For as long as I can remember! Even as a child, I was constantly rearranging my room and my mom had to help me paint the walls yellow, then orange and then purple. Visits to Ikea or furniture stores were always at the top of my list of favorite things to do - I always loved just strolling through the showrooms and getting inspired.
You live in a great old building and skilfully arrange designer pieces with vintage pieces - what is your secret to making your home look so lively?
I would say there are two things in particular: a good mix of furnishings that also reflects my personality is very important, and dynamism. I imagine an apartment that only consists of white Ikea furniture to be just as boring as one that is filled exclusively with the latest designer pieces. Dynamism means that I see interior design as a process. I am never finished furnishing, but rather try things out, move things around, repaint, swap accessories from one room to the next. That's why I like modular furniture so much. Without having to buy anything new straight away, I can vary things and create a completely new setting, and the liveliness is never lost. For example, our sofa can be taken apart - sometimes it's a long piece, or I use the middle section as an armchair and have a smaller main sofa.
What is your biggest interior design “weakness”?
Definitely the color old pink! I bought my very first sofa (and therefore the first large piece of furniture) in the color blush and I loved it!
What about you - do you have any ticks, collecting passions or quirks that you would like to share?
I like to bring back special interior finds or unique pieces from vacation that remind me of the place and the feeling there and that you don't see everywhere.
Is there a special story behind a piece of furniture or furnishings in your home?
The most beautiful pieces are always those that remind me of a place or a person, or vintage finds that have "experienced" a lot. I got an armchair from the 1920s from a friend's grandmother, which I had reupholstered with my very first paycheck.
Let’s talk about interior faux pas – which mistakes should you avoid?
Interior design is very individual. The only mistake you can make is to buy something because it's trendy or everyone else has it and you don't "feel" it yourself.
For all interior enthusiasts, which places should we not miss in Stuttgart?
In Stuttgart, I love browsing for decorative items in Allesraum (part of Buchstäbchen) in West. Selected vintage design pieces are available at Fifty-Fifty on Olgastrasse and Smow on Sophienstrasse is always worth a visit.
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Would you like to find out more about Tatjana? Be sure to check out her Instagram profile @else_studios !
