A LIVING ROOM TO RELAX in THROUGH THE SEASONS Combine natural materials and seasonal colours to create a harmonious atmosphere throughout the year. ‘This is the place where we unwind after a long day,’ says Julia. ‘We make small changes to give the space a new mood. In spring, we remove heavier rugs and throws, swap cushion covers for spring shades, and add more plants and cuttings.

A MODERN KITCHEN WITH A TOUCH OF COUNTRY Julia and Christian chose an IKEA kitchen and added their own concrete-covered island. ‘We wanted a sociable and open layout, plus lots of storage and organisation,’ says Julia. They also added wooden cabinet fronts, a handmade light feature and plants, to make it warm and inviting. ‘It was a nice way to soften the modern look so it didn’t feel too clinical,’ says Julia. See all of Julia’s kitchen here.

SHARE EVERYDAY MEALS WITH FRIENDS Julia’s friend, Hanni, often pops over for lunch between Julia’s shifts as a nurse’s assistant. ‘Catching up over a light meal is a great way to re-energise, and it’s nice because Hanni feels as comfortable in my kitchen as in her own,’ says Julia. ‘We do things simply, so we can focus on having fun – ingredients laid out on the table so each person can help themselves.’

CREATE A COSY OUTDOOR RETREAT Turn the smallest outside space into an extra area where you can relax. Add indoor comforts such as upholstered furniture and soft cushions, then bring it to life with plants. ‘We use our balcony as an extension of our living room,’ says Julia. ‘Sometimes we even watch TV from out here.’

BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE ‘Christian and I are Bavarian people at heart,’ says Julia. ‘It’s quiet, country living with a big focus on close friends and family. Our home reflects that. When we’re making a change, we take inspiration from places like the IKEA catalogue and Pinterest and then add our own twist to make it feel like us.’

A SELF-CONTAINED APARTMENT IN A FAMILY HOUSE ‘We love living above Christian’s parents,’ says Julia. ‘We always have dinner together on Fridays. At the same time, we’ve really appreciated making this 180m2 home our own – such as changing the layout, adding the kitchen of our dreams and choosing what furniture to invest in.’

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by

Interior stylist: Abigail Edwards
Photographer: Lina Ikse