Katy Perry x About You: The Collection

The singer is launching a capsule collection with online retailer About You on November 02. The collection can be described like the singer: authentic, trendy and glamorous! There will be a total of 81 pieces, priced between 14.90 and 189.99 euros. The focus is on women’s clothing and accessories that express the singer’s style. From fashion for everyday life to party outfits and from simple to metal optics and rhinestones, everything is there!

Flashy looks: that’s Katy Perry!

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known by her stage name Katy Perry, is one of the most famous singers in the world. It all started when she moved to Los Angeles at the age of 17 to fulfill her dream of singing and writing songs. After 5 difficult years, she made her breakthrough with the song “I kissed a girl” in 2008 and gradually her other songs became hits. Today she is a world star who loves not only music but also fashion!

Individual & Expressive: Photos

Here you can find the photos from the shooting with Katy Perry!

Photo: ABOUT YOU

Photo: ABOUT YOU

Photo: ABOUT YOU

KU64 Dental Clinic & KU65 Kids Club: Dental clinic with design

The projects “KU64 Dental Clinic” (2005) and “Ku65 Kids Club” (2011) were both commissioned by the dentist Dr. med. dent. Stephan Ziegler by the architectural office Graft. The aim was to turn the dental practice, which has mainly negative associations, into a real world of experience that would make the patient’s visit as pleasant as possible. The goal was clear: away from the clinical and hygienic state of emergency, towards positive associations of well-being and relaxation. The fear of the dentist should be forgotten, associations of a visit to the beach should be evoked.

© Tobias Hein / KU 64

Location in Berlin: Kudamm, city centre

The dental practice of dentist Stephan Ziegler is located in the center of Berlin, directly on Kurfürstendamm in the Wilmersdorf district. The central location and the unique design make the practice a patient favorite, and especially children get their money’s worth here. The connection to public transport is optimal due to the central location.

Streetview: Tour of the practice

Don’t have any dental issues, but would love to take a look around the property? No problem! With Google Streetview, you can not only view the building from the outside, but also take a virtual tour of the dental practice. Take a closer look at the design and layout of the rooms at your leisure.

KU64 Dental Clinic: Dental practice with comfort and attention like in a spa

The concept for the design and architecture of the KU64 Dental Clinic was to represent a radical, new type of the usual dental practice. Shades of yellow, red and orange, as well as the implied dune landscape, are intended to create a space that makes the visitor feel as if they are visiting a beach. The floor curves up and the ceiling forms waves: the space is meant to envelop visitors and doctors rather than enclose them. “Dune mountains and valleys” are thereby arranged to preserve privacy and maintain a sense of intimacy, but still allow for a generous view throughout the practice.

© Tobias Hein / KU64

KU65 Kids Club: Dental practice for children with “playground”, colours and pictures

The Kids Club was created in 2011 as an extension of the Ku64 practice, and is – as the name already suggests – a children’s dental practice. The dune landscape from the already realized KU64 practice is continued in the Kids Club, and allows climbing and playing on ceilings and walls of the practice through various applications. One of the highlights here is a vertical garden behind which the treatment rooms are located.

© Tobias Hein / KU65

Special Features: Daybeds, fireplace, climbing wall & vertical gardens

What actually makes the dental practice on the Kudamm so special? The pictures speak volumes! This is probably one of the most unique and unusual dental practices you have ever seen – especially in Germany. Innovation and design combine with the functional purpose of a dental practice and turn the visit to the dentist, so feared by many, into a positive experience.

The interior design, laid out like a dune landscape, and warm colours are intended to convey a feeling of a spa and a visit to the beach, while the fireplace and sunbathing areas invite you to linger. Health and well-being are the main focus here. The Kids Club is also designed with the positive experience of young patients in mind. Climbing facilities distract children from anxiety and provide plenty of space and opportunity for play, fun and discovery.

© Hiepler , Burnier / KU 64

Technical data: location, client, construction period

The project of the KU64 / 65 dental practice was very close to the hearts of the architects from Graft Architekturbüro. To create the combination of a “classic” dental practice with innovation and a completely new feeling for the patients – that was the difficulty. In the meantime, the practice extends over two floors for young and old alike, and offers plenty of room for discovery. Here are some technical facts of the special architectural project:

• Location: Berlin, Kurfürstendamm
• Project: Health (dental clinic)
• Client: Dr. med. dent. Stephan Ziegler
• Period: 2005 (KU64 Dental Clinic)
• Period: 2011 (KU65 Kids Club)

© Hiepler , Burnier / KU64

Architects Graft: Interview on architecture, projects and air taxi ports

With 150 employees by now, the architecture firm Graft is a large and internationally highly successful architectural practice. With offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Beijing, international masterpieces are accomplished and the portfolio of architects is growing and growing. You can find out what exactly the Graft architectural practice is all about, how the company came into being and which exciting projects Graft has realised or will realise in addition to the KU64 Dental Clinic in our detailed article on the Graft architectural practice. We also talked to one of the founders of Graft in an extensive interview about the Dental Clinic and many other works. You can find the whole interview and the inspiring answers of the architects here:

1. Architect’s office
2. Residential & Mixed Use
3. Future: E-car charging station & Co.

© Tobias Hein, KU65

More pictures & impressions: KU65 – Child-friendly doctor’s visit

Here you get some more insights into the Kids Club on Kurfürstendamm. Particularly special here are the penetrating color scheme and the many child-friendly illustrations on the walls, ceilings and floors.

© Tobias Hein, KU65

© Tobias Hein, KU65

Villa M Berlin: Design highlight in Grunewald

Villa M is one of the few private residential buildings that the renowned architectural firm Graft from Berlin has realized. The client is a private individual, and commissioned the architects with this residential project. Villa M was built as a new building between 2015 and 2017, and forms an architectural highlight in Berlin Grunewald between rather “classic villas” in the neighborhood. Modern aesthetics and formal language are the focus here, and leave the classical architecture far behind. Unique architectural language, special lines of sight and an idiosyncratic facade make this property an absolute eye-catcher. What makes the Villa M in Berlin, and what it looks like, you can find out in the following.

© Tobias Hein

Location in Berlin Grunewald: Villas as far as the eye can see

Villa M is located in Berlin, Grunewald. The district is very popular and is home to some large, high-quality houses and villas. The proximity to the Grunewald forest, as well as to the banks of the Havel river, make this area particularly attractive. Secluded on the outskirts of the city with forests and lakes, yet very centrally located: that is the attraction of Grunewald. Those who live here once often never want to leave.

Here you can see the villa again in a view from the garden. The Villa M is a highlight from all angles! Similar to a good sculpture, Villa M opens up a new tension for the eye from all sides. The building leaves room for interpretation, and this is also intended by the architects. Find out for yourself what associations Villa M evokes in you personally!

© Tobias Hein

Special Features: Individual design language, ceramic facade and window frontage

What makes Villa M so special? On the one hand, it is the unique language of form, which is intended to be reminiscent of an erratic block located in a glacial landscape. This is intended to express both the proximity to nature and the desire for expressive, creative power. The trapezoidal and sculptural form gives Villa M enormous recognition value, and makes it stand out strongly from neighbouring properties.

What is special about it is that the building’s visual axes are aligned with the green spaces of the neighbourhood, creating the greatest possible privacy. Another highlight: The four-storey building is encased in a spatially folded façade made of ceramic panels. Room-high glass surfaces complete the modern, idiosyncratic look of Villa M.

© Frank Herfort

Technical data: location, construction period, living space and more

Villa M is a unique project and an absolute collector’s item. We have summarized the peripheral facts and most important information for you. Location, as well as builder, living space and much more. Get to know Villa M here via technical data:

• Location: Berlin-Grunewald
• Project: New construction of a villa with granny annexe
• Client: Private
• Period: 2015 – 2017
• Living space: 530 m²
• Facade: Ceramic tiles
• 4 floors

© Tobias Hein

Architects Graft: Founder interview about real estate, projects and e-filling stations

The architecture firm Graft was founded by 3 Germans and is a nationally and internationally successful company. They now have offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Beijing, and the team is very large with 150 architects. You can find out what Graft is all about, what makes the firm tick and what other projects they have in their portfolio in our in-depth post: Graft Architecture Firm. We also conducted an extensive interview with the founders. What the architects think about their projects and their work, and what makes them tick, you can read here in the interview, which was divided into 3 topics:

1. Architect’s office
2. Residential & Mixed Use
3. Future: E-car charging station & Co.

More pictures & impressions: Villa M inside and outside

You haven’t seen enough of Villa M yet? Here you will find more pictures and impressions of the very special architecture of this property. No matter from which angle you look at Villa M, you will always discover something new, and it develops new charms through every angle – just like the perfect sculpture. In addition to the facade, discover the fireplace in the interior and the illuminated facade in the twilight.

© Frank Herfort

© Tobias Hein

© Tobias Hein

Maritime furnishings: Colours, furniture, tips and ideas

The maritime style of furnishing is all about bringing what you experience or have experienced into your home. The flair of the sea should carry over into the furnishings, making you feel like you’re on vacation even when the weather is bad – You don’t have to live by the sea to feel the vacation spirit. You can choose whether you want to incorporate the flair and splendour of a yacht into the interior design, or whether your interior should be reminiscent of a Nordic, Atlantic or Mediterranean coast.

Tip: The article on holiday homes by the sea or lake will inspire you in advance about what it is like to own a domicile by the sea.

Colour choice & style elements: From traditional navy blue, to white & red.

When you think of the sea, you think of azure turquoise water, beige sand and lifeguard red. The best known is the navy blue, which refers to seafaring tradition, as the British Royal Navy wore their seafaring gear in a navy blue as early as the 18th century. In addition, there is the driftwood or rattan, which is known from the jetty of ships. There are many combinations that can be implemented in the interior design:

• Santorini / Mykonos Inspired: The white houses on Santorini or Mykonos as a contrast to the azure sea
• East Coast – Beach House Vibes: The turquoise water of the Pacific Ocean and the light beige, almost white sand of Florida
• Nordic: dark blue and turbulent sea, beige sand or white sand in the dunes, red and white lighthouses

Materials & Flooring: Wood – & stone floor for the maritime flair

When it comes to the floor, you have many options in the maritime interior style. Ideally, you choose a wooden floor, because it gives a room warmth and coziness and reminds you of the floor on a yacht. A dark glazed wooden floor or a particularly light wooden floor would be particularly suitable. However, you can also choose a stone floor, this can also be in terracotta, as terracotta colors remind you of the Mediterranean. The most important thing is to choose a floor that is made of natural materials, because you want to embody nature.

Signature Products & Deco: Maritime Symbols for Maritime Style

There are a variety of nautical symbols that are reminiscent of a seaside vacation or a typical seaside cottage. For one, you can incorporate what you would find on a beach walk into your decor, such as: Shells, dried starfish, stones, driftwood, or even sand – all these things automatically remind you of a day at the beach.

But the most famous symbol is probably the anchor. The anchor stands next to the shipping also for hope or love (arrived in the port of love), which brings a beautiful message in the interior. Ships or sailing boats also decorate the living room of any house by the sea. Furthermore, there is the life ring, which is used when a man has gone overboard or for a person who is in danger of drowning. The life ring is traditionally red, white or red and white striped. A lighthouse is another typical symbol.

The lighthouse gives orientation to the sailors. By the light of a lighthouse you can see the land in sight and it shows the way during a storm. Lighthouses come in many colours, but the traditional colours are red or blue and white stripes. Nets are also a traditional symbol. Nets symbolize fishing and therefore a long tradition. All these things can also be passively incorporated into the interior design and appear, for example, on an embroidered cushion with a lighthouse motif or in the form of pictures.

Decoration & tips: Beach house feeling with materials like wood, net, ropes & co.

All materials that have a connection to the sea are part of the maritime style. Classic for a furniture design in a maritime interior are glazed wooden furniture or stained woods, which refer to a long seafaring tradition and the interior of a ship. Besides nautical furniture, decoration is super important. You should include a lot of the symbols listed above in your interior design to incorporate the maritime spirit into your home. In addition to the symbols, you also take classic materials that are used on a sailing ship and point to the shipping tradition. That means: nets, ropes but also cotton or linen, which give warmth on cold days. But metals and stainless steel are also part of the furnishings. These are supposed to reflect the craftsmanship and the hard work of the sailors.

Maritime interior design: living room, bathroom & Co.

As already mentioned, it is important to incorporate maritime symbols and materials into the interior design. To implement the maritime interior style, the combination of motifs, materials and the right colors is exactly what you need to exude the flair of a holiday home.

Living room: navy blue cushions, cotton blankets & Co. – Video

A bright and light-flooded living room is already a basic requirement for the maritime interior style. If you then add the right furniture and motifs, you do everything just right to achieve the maritime look. A combination of matching furniture, colours and materials is the most important thing. Everything of your interior should remind you of a day at the sea, it should not look sterile, but invite you to relax and unwind. Here is a little video on how to do it right. Let yourself be inspired by the American beach house.

Bedroom: bed with comfortable duvet, many pillows and maritime colors

The style is also continued in the bedroom. The bedroom was used by seafarers to rest from the stressful workday, which is exactly what the bedroom furnishings should embody. The color of the bed should be a nautical color and the upholstery should either be comfortable and inviting or reminiscent of the beds in the cabins by using metal. When it comes to the bed linen, there are many options: either opt for white bed linen and eye-catching decorative pillows + bedspread or for eye-catching bed linen and plain decorative pillows. Gladly, the bed linen may also have a print that reminds of the sea.

In addition to a large bed with many pillows and a warm blanket, the rest of the room should also tie in with the maritime style. As already in the living room, you also work in the bedroom with many small decorative elements that should reflect the tradition of seafaring. The decoration can be made of wood / driftwood, plants or similar and again include the typical, maritime symbols. The decoration should fit perfectly with the rest of the room and may gladly come to the fore.

Children’s room: fish, colours and decoration create a fresh breeze

When it comes to the children’s bedroom, you can dig even deeper into the paint pot and play even more with motifs and decoration. Especially cool is a loft bed made of wood or steel, reminiscent of the cabins of sailors. You can also buy a single bed with the motif of a ship or even build it yourself, which then serves as an eye-catcher of the room and makes the children dream. Next to the bed, especially cool, eye-catching colors are a must. Here you can play with blue tones as much as you like. Through navy blue, to a cool dark blue or turquoise. The mix makes the room all the more exciting.

As with the colors, you should also let off steam with the decoration. You can playfully bring in nets (but be careful) or driftwood. A ship or a lighthouse serves both as an accessory but also as a toy. Fish on the walls make the underwater world in the bedroom look more present. To stimulate the imagination of children, you can also go back to the old times of pirates or Vikings by incorporating a treasure chest or a telescope into the interior design.

If you want a special eye-catcher in your child’s room, why not include an aquarium? It doesn’t have to be an aquarium wall, but to see the wooden fish on the wall in action, an aquarium is perfect to make the underwater world even more present in the children’s room.

Bathroom: round mirrors, ropes, knots & lots of wood

The bathroom should be a place to feel good and that’s exactly what the interior design of a bathroom should convey. From fresh flowers to driftwood from the beach, shells and sand, you need all this in your bathroom. A real eye-catcher is a round mirror, which is super trendy at the moment and reminds you of a ship’s porthole. With a few simple touches you can make the round mirror look even more maritime. For example, you could tie a rope around the mirror and fix it with a nautical knot (see picture) – super easy and a real eye-catcher. Again, feel free to play with maritime stripe patterns and colours to match the bathroom to the rest of the house. Maritime motifs that are reminiscent of seafaring and the sea, such as wooden fish, starfish, shells or ships and lighthouses, are also very popular.

There is a possibility to make the bathroom particularly light or dark. If the interior of the bathroom is to be reminiscent of the furnishings on a ship, then you should choose dark woods. A beach house, on the other hand, is characterized by the bright interior, which is why you then also reach for light woods and striking colors in the bathroom.

Would you like to bring the luxury and exclusivity of a yacht into your bathroom? Then take a look at our article about Maison Valentina.

Decoration: DIY, tips & tricks for cool decoration in maritime style

To give your home that special touch, why not put together your own decorations? You don’t know how? Then I have a few simple ideas for you, how you get the maritime flair in your house. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the best at crafting, it’s exactly the imperfection that makes a good decoration and creates its own charm.

Decoration: dune grasses, sand and shells

Do you have a flower pot over and don’t know what to do with it? Perfect, then this is your first basis for a nautical decoration element. This decoration is super easy and goes extremely fast. Take the flower pot and plant the grass you want. Then you simply pour the sand on the planted grass. Sand is available for little money on the internet or in the small animal department. Once you’ve poured the sand onto the grass, all you have to do is decorate the sand with shells, stones, etc. Et Voilà, your first accessory for your maritime interior is ready.

If that was too fast and you don’t like the outside of the flower pot, you can of course change that with a lot of patience. For this purpose, shells or plates in maritime colors are particularly suitable. If you have now the plates or the shells together, you can stick the flower pot with these. Now a unique piece is created from a boring flower pot.

Natural stones: Stones as small decorative elements in the living room and bathroom

Stones can be found on any beach in all shapes and colours and flat ones are especially fun to play with. Stones are everywhere, so if you have a few beautiful stones over, then I’ll tell you now how you can incorporate them into your interior design.

Look on the Internet for beautiful and simple motifs or sayings that you associate with the sea. Once you have done that, take your stone and acrylic varnish and create a base with the acrylic varnish. You can color the stone white, blue, or gray before you start writing on it. Once the base coat is dry, you can now use a brush and paint to label or paint your stone individually. If you want it to be even more precise, just use a sharpie, which is also available in different colours. After everything has dried, the stones look especially good on the windowsill or on a wooden board with shells and sand.

Wood & figures: Wooden decoration as an eye-catcher in every room

Straight woods make any room seem cozier. However, in maritime style, the wood not only reminds you of warmth and coziness, but also of a walk on the beach where you discover a lot of driftwood. So if you happen to have a wood over or several individual pieces of wood, I’ll show you how to turn them into a nautical centerpiece. It’s best to take several smaller and flat pieces of wood that are roughly the same length. Fasten them side by side with screws and a cross piece. Once this is done, sand the wood. Now you can either stain the wood to make it lighter or glaze it to make it darker.

Once the wood is properly painted, let it dry well before moving on to the next step. In the meantime, you can look around for suitable motifs or sayings that you would like to visualize on the wood later. Once the wood is dry, take a brush and paint and draw the motif or saying on the wood. Let that dry again and then you are already done.

6 DIY ideas for the perfect nautical look – Video

Since there are still so many ways to bring homemade into your home decor and save money, here are a few more ideas for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqOK_nIbtfQ

Minimalist furnishings: Basic principles of minimalism

To design your home according to the ideas of minimalism you have to understand its history and its origin. Basically, less is more. Furniture is chosen with care and contrasts with the ever-increasing consumption. In doing so, detaching yourself from your belongings brings complete peace of mind and frees your thoughts.

Minimalism as an art movement: art and furnishings are close together

As a counter-movement to the painting of abstract expressionism, minimalism emerged in an artistic context in the 1960s in the USA. The artists were concerned with schematic clarity, logic and depersonalization. Their sculptures consisted of simple geometric basic structures and stood in contrast to Western traditions. At the end of the 1970s, minimalism finally found its way into architecture and living spaces.

Japanese minimalism: tradition of reduction to the essentials

But the traditions of minimalism have been around much longer than its name. In Japanese culture, minimalism is not a trend, but rather an attitude to life and has been for hundreds of years. The reduction to the essentials and the conscious renunciation in order to create space for these essentials play a central role. At the same time, the simple lifestyle and the few possessions are by no means a disadvantage: quite the opposite! The exterior is also reflected in the interior. If one lives in a clear and orderly space, this creates room for completely different things in the head and frees body and mind.

Living in minimalism: “How-to” with furniture & decoration

Who wants to come home from a long day at work to an untidy apartment riddled with chaos? The first step to minimalist living is decluttering. While it’s hard to part with possessions, even if you’re terribly reluctant to part with your belongings, we have the right method for you. In the end, it’s worth the effort: only those who can part with the old will be able to step into a simpler and more relaxed life.

Tidying up with Marie Kondo: “KonMarie Method” – Instructions

Japanese lifestyle expert and bestselling author Marie Kondo knows how to properly declutter without parting with happiness. She has developed a method in which it is about parting with the things to which you have no emotional connection or do not trigger a sense of well-being in the apartment. On the other hand, you keep the things that bring you joy and learn to appreciate them even more.

Collect all the objects and sort them. Now take one object after the other in your hand and ask yourself: Do I feel joy with this object? Does it awaken positive feelings in me? If not, it goes away – if yes, it may be kept.

Tip: Mucking out using the basket method

Grab a basket, make a tour through your apartment and you will notice several things that you probably do not need or have never used. Fill the basket little by little with these things, it is full that was enough for the day. After just one week you should notice how big your living space actually is and you will feel freer and more organized.

Living room: tips on wall colours, furniture & decoration

Everything has its use – unnecessary furniture and objects are omitted. A particularly simple interior is in demand here, furniture with clear lines. But simple doesn’t mean that you can’t live stylishly or elegantly at all: a minimalist interior can be classy at the same time without being obtrusive.

Are you interested in furniture and interior design? Then be sure to check out our Interior Brand Guide with over 30 trendy, luxurious and above all fashionable interior brands!

Wall colors: Natural tones are in demand – Bright and quiet living

What is allowed and what is not allowed on the walls? For your minimalist living room, you can’t go wrong with light and calm colours. Stick with light natural tones like calming beige or soft sandy colors. You’ll also get it right with black and white or grey. The light and soft colours will make your home look bigger and visually more inviting to your guests. Be careful not to overcrowd your walls. The more free walls, the better! This way, your one corner of the room really comes into its own and can shine for the whole room.

Materials: Furniture for the casual look – wood, concrete & metal

Besides wood, metal is often an important material – also for the floor. Make sure that everything in your living room furniture has a use. It’s about aesthetics and functionality at the same time. Here are a few ideas on how you can furnish your living room in this style:

• A glass table provides simple elegance and offers visually more space
• A side table is ideally perfect for further storage
• A simple sideboard with doors can be used to store small items
• Baskets or light wooden chests offer a nice place for bedspreads
• Use the dining room table also as a desk

Deco is allowed: tips for minimalist decoration with vases, cushions & co.

It’s about doing without superfluous decoration, but that doesn’t mean that the little houseplant that otherwise brings you joy has to go. Keep it simple, especially ornate or decorated items are a no-go. Again, pay attention to natural elements, it helps:

• A plain vase with reeds or dried pampas grass
• Unadorned fruit bowl
• Monochrome candlesticks in clean lines
• Cushions and blankets in earth colours

Kitchen, bedroom, office: order in all rooms

In the other rooms of your home, the motto is also: simple, clear and above all functional. Closed cupboards and doors offer a lot of storage space – the key to order and a minimalist apartment is a proper method of storing things.

Bedroom: bed & wardrobe – functionality meets design

The bedroom is meant to be the place to relax, but more and more often items that don’t fit elsewhere are stored or put away in the bedroom. Often, huge piles of laundry pile up here as well, making you feel like you’re sleeping in the laundry room or utility closet. Here, the feeling of free space and room is important – a simple and slim bed with dynamic lines as well as a functional wardrobe with many drawers is already sufficient in the bedroom. So that it does not become too cool, a colourful accent may be set with a simple picture or a beautiful houseplant.

• Bedroom furnishings

Office: Tidy up your desk and keep it clean – Tips & Tricks

The desk is often used as a storage place for small items such as keys, wallets or magazines. However, this not only makes it harder for you to work and makes you unfocused, your documents also sink into chaos after a while and you need a long time to work your way from one paper to the next. Put an end to this: get yourself enough folders and pen holders, sort everything immediately into drawers and binders when you’re done with something or no longer need it. For small items like chewing gum, keys and wallets, it’s best to have a small storage box.

As a desk, in order to maintain the minimalist look, a monochrome (light) table with slender legs and wooden elements such as wooden legs or drawer handles is best. Important: no massive tops or extravagant squiggles.

• Office furnishings

Kitchen: cabinets and storage with system

In your kitchen, it’s best to store like with like. Go for a uniform food storage and keep pots and pans all in one place. Each area should have its own drawer or cabinet door. As much as possible, make sure to leave the countertops clear and keep the kitchen equipment down to the essentials. Depending on your needs and life situation, not everyone needs a microwave, blender or toaster. Work out your own system in the kitchen and choose your kitchen utensils wisely.

• Kitchen furnishings

Family and minimalism: also possible with children?

As a single person or as a household without children, it is naturally easier to keep things tidy and not to accumulate too many things. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t live minimalistically with children. There are little tips and tricks on how it is possible to live in a relaxed and liberated environment, even with the family.

Children’s room: avoid chaos and create storage space

Toys and small items can be stored in beautiful baskets every evening. Otherwise, accessories and small items can again be stored in plain white chests of drawers or light wooden chests. Storage space is always the magic word. Toys and craft items should be able to disappear quickly, but still be accessible to the kids. Boxes and baskets are always an elegant solution.

Getting kids excited about minimalism: tips

Living minimalist is actually nice for kids too. There is plenty of room to play and let off steam and the little ones learn to keep things tidy at an early age. If a new toy is on the wish list, you can motivate them to sort out or give away something old for it.

Tip. The Kardashians & Jenners have mastered the style of minimalism, especially in their home decor. Check out our article on Kendall Jenner’s House Tour and get inspired by the minimalist ambiance.

Top 5 tips to live minimalism in your everyday life

To help you keep minimalism in your home we have some quick tips for you at the end to keep peace and quiet in your home:

• See if you can eliminate a similar item in new purchases
• Before each purchase, think carefully about whether and for what purpose you need the article.
• Always store and stow things in the same place
• Label your boxes and folders
• Before buying new: lend, exchange, repair

Living room furnishings: Tips & tricks for the interior

To create a living environment that you’ll feel comfortable in for the long term, you should approach it with thought. It’s always worth looking for inspiration. Platforms like Pinterest are particularly good. For example, you can find us as FIV Magazine on Pinterest and browse through the interior design ideas we’ve put together for you.

Tip! Popular and luxurious interior brands and furniture are presented here: Interior Brands XXL!

Vision, Ideas & Inspirations: What does your ideal living room look like?

It’s best to start by finding out what you like and don’t like. When researching ideas for your new interior, it’s worth paying particular attention to what appeals to you personally or what you don’t like at all.

Write down what you notice and hold on to particularly good ideas. If you feel like it and have the time, you can also create a vision board. You can do this either digitally or physically. To do this, you select your favorite images and create a collage from them, in which you set down the suggestions and thoughts.

Planning & budget: style, design and colour selection of furniture and wall colours

Once you have a rough idea of what you want the room to look like, or even a more specific idea, it’s time to start planning. Point one: budget. There are two ways to approach the money question. Either you inform yourself about the rough costs of the measures, decoration and furniture you are planning for the new living room, or you set yourself a personal budget that you do not want to exceed.

Step number two is to review restrictions. Budget may also be a constraint, but we’re talking more about things like landlord regulations, consideration for children and accessibility, but also structural constraints, like where do pipes run and which walls are difficult to drill into? So that nothing stands in the way of your projects or, even worse, you accidentally cause damage, this should be clarified.

Before you start looking for furniture, there’s one last step to take, and that’s choosing an aesthetic and color palette that you want to keep the space in. This step is particularly important in order to achieve a coherent interior that fits perfectly into the overall picture.

Furnishing styles: 3 types of room design

To give you a rough idea of what stylish interior design can look like, we would like to briefly present a few interesting options for a cosy living room. You can find more detailed information on the individual options in our magazine.

Modern: Contemporary design

This may sound a little confusing, but did you know that the most popular furniture right now is called Mid-Century Modern and is actually inspired by the style of the fifties?

Beauty of function, as well as beauty of form.

That was the motto with which designers created furniture. Simple, rounded shapes and creations that should fit into the room image and give the owners as long as possible pleasure. You can find furniture design in the popular style here:

• Essential Home

Less mid-century, but just as modern and unusual are the furniture and decorative items from the Portuguese label Luxxu. If you are looking for eye-catching home accessories and high-quality furniture, you will find it here. If you want to learn more about the interior producer, take a look here:

• Luxxu

Minimalist: elegant restraint with simple furniture & colours

Less is more’ This is a simple way to describe the motto of minimalism. Ornaments and other extras are spared, so that furniture is reduced to the minimum. This creates a simple elegance that fits very well into a neutral living environment and is equally well received by men and women.

Minimalist design should not be confused with minimalism itself. Minimalism describes an attitude towards life in which one gets rid of superfluous belongings. While the two can go hand in hand, minimalist interior design is not synonymous with minimalism.

• Minimalism furnishings

Country style: living room with natural fabrics, old pink and natural colours

Rustic, gentle and creative: that is the country house style. Over the years, different variations of the country style have developed. On the one hand, the Boho Chic, which is inspired by the gaudy Boho, but turns to muted colors. On the other hand, English country house style, which rather combines old pink and patterns. English country style is the mixture of country house and boho.

Especially wood, natural materials and plants fit well to the country style and provide a cozy home.

• Country style
• Boho Chic / Bohemian Style Furnishings

Furniture: sofa, armchairs, pictures and the decoration

A complete refurbishment definitely includes a general overhaul of the furniture. And a little more money can be spent on this. This ensures that the new furnishings not only look good, but that you can also enjoy them for a little longer, because high-quality materials and fabrics often promise better durability and greater comfort.

Sofa: comfortable upholstered landscape in many shapes & colours

We spend an average of four hours a day on the couch. To make that time relaxing, your couch should be just perfect. For this, a few decisions need to be made that will make up your new couch.

First you should decide on a material for the upholstery. The classic materials are cotton, velvet, linen and leather. Leather has the advantage over other woven fabrics that it is only partially permeable to water and is very robust, making it super easy to remove minor stains.

In addition, leather looks very high quality. If, on the other hand, you prefer a sofa that you can practically convert into a bed for your guests, for example, leather is less suitable. Overall, it is worthwhile in this case to go for a sofa with a foam core instead of standard springs and foam.

Lamps & candles: home accessories for a cosy ambience

Light is capable of literally transforming a room. You can create a cosy or romantic ambience with the clever use of lamps and candles that provide soft light. Ceiling washlights offer the option of distributing the light over a large area of the room, while smaller lamps offer the option of reading.

Candles are often used not necessarily to give light, but rather to transform the room into a warm, cozy environment. They also offer the possibility to bring pleasant scents into the house. This is possible, for example, through the exclusive scented candles of the Maison Christian Dior fragrance collection, which offers small olfactory wonders in the form of candles, room sprays, perfumes and more.

Christian Dior’s fragrance, furniture, and decor collections have you curious? Then take a look at our article, which takes a closer look at the interior selection of the French fashion house:

• Dior Maison

Decoration: Add that certain something with little things like cushions or plants

Beautiful furniture is one thing, but without an appealing decoration even the most beautiful room looks bare and empty. Remedy for this are different decorative items that you can place in your living room to make it even cozier.

Cushions provide extra comfort, plants bring life to the place and mirrors make the room look bigger. Some decorations you probably do not even have to buy extra, but you already have them at home, because even books can decorate your room.

In short, this is the decoration that you should include in your room design:

• Cushion
• Plants
• Ceilings
• Candles
• Books/Coffee Table Books
• Mirror

Tables: Coffee table & Co – storage space and functional eye-catcher

Can you furnish a living room without a coffee table? The answer is yes, but you should be prepared for many annoying moments when guests or you yourself accidentally knock over the glass of red wine placed on the floor when getting up, or once again you can’t find a suitable place for the book you’ve started.

For this reason, we highly recommend that you go for a coffee table, especially since there are so many exciting coffee tables on the market that are not only practical, but also a small work of art and thus visually enhance the entire room.

Living room design: Pictures, partition wall and wall paint

In addition to the pure standard furnishings, you can of course also start larger decorating projects that give you the opportunity to individualize your home and adapt it to your personal wishes and needs. In addition, with a few tricks of the trade, you can redesign rooms to make them feel like a new home. If you are looking for a bit of variety in your life, then you have come to the right place.

Partition walls: Personal room partitioning in many designs

Rooms that are too large are quickly overwhelming and make the apartment look uncomfortable. A simple way to create structure without major construction work is to use partitions, open shelves and screens.

You can either build your own rollable partitions or buy them ready-made. Another great advantage of these room dividers is that you can get creative with colours and applications, regardless of the regulations in the rental contract.

Open shelving is often used to divide rooms into areas with different purposes, for example, it is a great way to separate the living area from the dining area without making the room look smaller or oppressive.

The last option is represented by screens. Screens are medium-high, foldable walls that are often decorated with patterns and colors. Screens are especially good for covering unsightly corners or creating a more private workspace.

Home Bar: Perfect for hobby bartenders

Whether for a relaxed drink alone or with friends, a home bar quickly becomes the highlight of every get-together. But be careful: with your own bar, it could be that in the future all meetings take place at your place.

So, having set that warning, now a little more about what a home bar can be. After all, either it is simply a cabinet with spirits, glasses and a cocktail mixer, but we want more! The best home bars are the ones with all the trimmings: bar counter, bar stools like the ones from Cassina and of course ice maker, various alcohol glasses and a fridge filled with the best beers, wines and champagne!

No idea about cocktails? No problem! Here you’ll find the best cocktail recipes with and without alcohol for fun evenings with friends:

• Delicious, simple drinks with and without alcohol

Café Bar: Starbucks & Co. at home in your living room

Cold Brew, Dalgona Coffee, Pumpkin Spice Latte: coffee is trendy! Even if you’re not a fan of the sweet coffee specialties, the thought of having your own coffee bar warms the cockles of many a heart. The pleasant tart-nutty aroma has simply become an everyday luxury that you just don’t want to give up, because many of us literally need the bitter drink to survive.

So how about a coffee bar in the living room? Not only will you benefit from the practical set-up, but your guests will love it too. All you need is a medium-height chest of drawers and shelves, a multi-plug if necessary, a coffee maker or kettle, coffee, cups and a few hooks to hang the cups.

You can also add different syrups, sugar, condensed milk and more to your coffee bar to increase the variety. The bar is a fun project that you can start alone, with your partner, parents, or whomever you want to have with you. You won’t want to leave your living room!

Are you still looking for inspiration for what great creations you can conjure up in your own new coffee bar? Then we have a few warming coffee recipes for you that you can easily recreate!

Repaint: These are the trends for wall colors in any living room

Choosing a colour for the living room is often a tedious task. Do you prefer a calm, neutral colour or a tone that brings some life into your four walls? Of course, this depends entirely on the chosen interior style and personal preferences. Nevertheless, we tell you here the most modern colors for your living room.

First, an understated gray. The trend is more towards cool medium-dark grey, but feel free to use lighter, warm tones if it fits better with your room setup. Don’t be afraid to combine grey with one of the other colours to create beautiful effects.

The next color is gray-green. A deep bottle green is mixed with gray to create a cool, modern color that stands out especially well in industrial interior designs and pairs great with brick red. A true dream combination.

The last colour is old rose. It is soft, feminine and brings a splash of colour to both light and darker living environments. The pastel color is great to combine with natural tones, as well as mixed, more colorful colors. Particularly beautiful combinations are:

• Old pink/grey
• Old pink/beige
• Old pink/sky blue

Discover luxury worlds: Shopping for high-quality designer furniture – Guide & Advisor

If you can’t get enough of designer furniture and interior design, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a huge list of interior labels so you can easily find your favourite brands and styles. Just check it out here:

For even more furniture inspiration and decorating ideas, be sure to check out our XXL Guide to Interior Brands!

Skandi style: Your home simply & comfortably furnished

Scandinavians are considered role models not only when you talk about fashion, but also when you talk about Scandinavian interior design – the so-called Skandi style. Take a room with a wooden floor and add furniture in nude tones to it. When doing this, you have to make sure that the furniture is not allowed to push itself to the forefront. The room should be seen as one unit, so no piece of furniture should stand out because of an eye-catching color. A harmonious mix of woods, textiles and plants is particularly important and essential.

“Keep it simple”

Here’s a little: how to video, to introduce you to the Skandi style:

Wall colours in nude & earth tones: less is more

Statement walls are out of place here. Blue, grey and nude tones are the perfect wall colours if you want to furnish your home in Scandinavian style. The Scandi style is inspired by nature. For this reason, people choose organic and light colors that suit the minimalist interior design style. If you want to live Scandinavian, you like it quiet and tidy in your home, so the wall color should reflect exactly that. Choose warm and calm colours, such as an unobtrusive, warm blue, grey or beige, which can perfectly complement the interior design.

In addition to wallpaper, it is also popular to fix wood panels on the walls to give the room even more coziness. By painting the panels in white, the warmth of the wood is combined with the modern and clean color: white.

Flooring & floor covering: A warm wooden floor for Scandinavian living

Since the connection to nature should always prevail, the Skandi style is based on wooden flooring. If you really want to do it right, choose a beautiful wooden floorboard that radiates a lot of charm and warmth. Ideally, the plank should be glazed white so that the floor does not look too present and everything looks more modern throughout.

A beautiful wooden floorboard stands for tradition and nature, which is why the Skandi style wooden floorboard is just right. As there is still a lot of nature in Scandinavia, the Scandinavians also value it very much. A plank floor is therefore a good way to bring the beloved nature into your home.

5 products you need for skandi chic!

1. It Piece to bring the Skandi style home is a fluffy and deep couch that exudes coziness. A couch made of teddy is also becoming more and more prominent due to social media. Usually, a matching teddy chair is also added to the sofa. A real, cuddly eye-catcher for every living room.
2. It Piece is a wooden table that brings warmth and cosiness to your dining room.
3. Piece is a lamp with a mix of materials. The lampshade should be in fabric look and the feet of the lamp in wood look. Through the material mix, the lamp fits perfectly into the living room or bedroom.
4. It Piece are vases as pots in which dried flowers or plants are brought to the fore. With the help of vases in gold, earth tones or even black, you bring nature in the form of plants and flowers home.
5. Last It Piece are woven carpets. In the Scandinavian interior, a lot of emphasis is placed on DIY, i.e. things that are handmade. A woven rug in cotton look therefore fits perfectly into any room and gives the interior that certain something.

Scandinavian living room: Couch, carpet & Co.

The living room is seen as the center of the house. This is where you spend most of your time with family or friends. So it is all the more important to design this room appealing and cozy, so that you want to spend your time there. The focus is on simple, clear shapes and restrained, warm colours. With the help of the decoration of cushions, blankets and carpets, individual eye-catchers land in the room, which make the living room look more modern and absorb the drabness a little.

Sofa: the center of the room and every living room

Beige, grey or white? Everything fits. It is usually chosen inconspicuous sofa, which is in nude tones. The sofa should be covered with fabric or even teddy fabric. Again, you will find the motto: less is more. The task is to design a sofa despite simple shapes as a cozy eye-catcher. The most important thing about the sofa are the cushions and the blankets – the mixture of textile and cotton is particularly important here to create a cosy feeling. The use of blankets and cushions makes the couch look more inviting and homely. For the pillows and blankets, it’s best to use natural tones like beige, a light brown, or a light grey/blue, so that the accessories blend in perfectly with the rest.

To complement the sofa perfectly, add a coffee table. A coffee table made of natural materials is just the thing. For this reason, one decides on a table in wood optics or one falls back on a robust marble top, which is then set off with golden or stainless steel table legs.

Carpet: furnishing highlight and plus point for comfort

Cold feet when getting up – no thanks. The Scandinavians think so too and for this reason it is all the more important to add a carpet as an element in the living room.

Often rugs with modern patterns and prints are chosen that include the color black as a contrast. However, if you don’t want a carpet that is flashy, you can’t go wrong with a carpet in the colour beige. Since in the Scandinavian interior a lot of emphasis is placed on craftsmanship and natural materials, crocheted rugs are particularly popular because they reflect craftsmanship and also look homely.

Decoration: Materials like gold and wood are in vogue

Gold rush is not reprehensible here, but that’s what you need! Gold and wood are the key to success here. Golden decoration radiates much more warmth than silver decoration and thus fits perfectly with the wood. Candles or planters for flowers are particularly suitable here. Since interior design emphasizes the use of natural materials, it is also important to include plants or flowers in the decoration. A golden vase brings the plant even more to the fore. Vases in nude tones or in beautiful grey tones are also very popular. A real highlight in the Scandinavian style of furnishing are the lamps, as these provide the necessary coziness. Especially trendy are lamps made of wood, which radiate a lot of warmth through the use of wood as the main material – whether as a ceiling lamp or side lamp, both are essential to implement the Skandi style.

Skandi style bedroom: beds, blankets & pillows

Also in the bedroom it continues with the coziness. However, here again: less is more. Once again, light and warm colors are used to stay true to the style. Matching accessories spice up the drab choice of furniture a little and give the bedroom its very own charm and the necessary coziness.

Bed: cosiness factor in the bedroom is a must

The bed is the focal point of the room and you want that to show. A bed in white or beige is the right choice to stay true to the style. A plain beige box spring bed that has an upholstered back is considered a special eye-catcher. A white or light beige top bed is particularly trendy and is therefore popular. When combined with matching pillows and a bedspread that matches the pillows or cushion of the bed, the bed stands out in the foreground of the room. By using the accessories, the bed gets a certain degree of coziness factor that you do not want to miss.

Minimalist or DIY wardrobe: cupboards, shelves & clothes rails

Especially trendy are cabinets that you can put together individually. They offer a lot of storage space, but are still not too present in the room and remain in the background.

Another option is to use homemade clothes rails. Here you take a wooden element and hang it under the ceiling with the help of cords and hooks. You can then hang clothes hangers on the wooden element – a great way to incorporate natural materials in the bedroom. However, since you can only hang clothes on the clothes rail, the clothes rail is usually complemented by a Malm wardrobe (Ikea) or another plain wardrobe that provides storage space.

• Tip! Wardrobe planning & furnishing

Lamps, curtains and co.: How to create ambience

Here again, it is important to create ambience through matching decorative elements and to give the room its own character. Especially suitable are lamps that are decorated with gold or are again made of wood, as they radiate a certain warmth. In addition to ceiling lamps, you should also use floor lamps or bedside lamps. In a cool corner, floor lamps are particularly suitable to enhance this corner visually and through the light. Bedside lamps next to the bed ensure that the bed once again comes to the fore. You surround the bed with your light and give them even more coziness and warmth. If you want to place even more emphasis on cosiness, you should definitely add curtains in natural tones or white and a carpet.

Kitchen: Living & cooking for the whole family

Scandinavians are known for being very family-oriented people. Therefore, the kitchen is a very important place in the house. Here we cook together three times a day, whether it’s a quick breakfast in the morning or an elaborate, hot dish in the evening, it doesn’t matter, this is where the family meets again. It is therefore all the more important to design this common room in a particularly appealing way, so that people want to spend time in the kitchen.

Kitchen counter: Materials like wood and bright ceramics, gold handles & co.

The kitchen unit is made of glazed wood and usually in white or a creamy white. The simple and modern white is then enhanced by a country style wood texture and matching door knobs. Meanwhile, you see black kitchens a lot, focusing more on the modern than the cozy, warm and comforting. So if you want to get it right and feel the Scandinavian flair, opt for a light kitchen front, usually accompanied by a kitchen island where everyone can sit.

Worktop: wood, marble or stone must be

The worktop is best chosen from natural materials. A wooden worktop is ideal for this, as it gives the kitchen the warmth it needs to be inviting. However, if you want to go more in the modern, clean direction, then a worktop made of marble or stone is perfect. So there are several ways to design the countertop.

Crockery and cutlery: also home accessories for the dining table in the Skandi look

Details in the form of decoration are not only important in the living room or bedroom, but also in the kitchen. Matching crockery and cutlery has become more and more important over the last few years. It is important to choose crockery that is coordinated and matches the rest of the furnishings. The cutlery should also be chosen to match the crockery and the kitchen. For example, if you have gold doorknobs on the kitchen cabinets, you should go for gold cutlery instead of silver, so that again everything looks coherent. Cute, ornate cutlery in country style is also very popular and looks traditional.

Dining room: Dining with Scandinavian flair

At the dining table you can spend nice evenings with the family when you don’t feel like watching TV. In the dining room, the coziness is again capitalized, but you can deal with the color choice a little more openly than, for example, in the living room.

Table made of natural materials like marble & wood

Once again, natural materials are used for the table. A beautiful, light wooden table is ideal as the focal point of the room and brings warmth and a familiar feeling with it. Who likes it here again more modern and cleaner, can of course reach for marble or glass. The most important thing is that the materials are natural.

Chairs: material mix – wooden legs and cast seat shells are modern

The chairs that are also shown in the picture are best suited. Material mix chairs are particularly trendy, they offer the possibility to combine modernity with nature. Furthermore, the chairs offer a comfort through the backrest and therefore invite you to sit.

Since less is more in Scandinavian furnishings, minimalist chairs are often used, which are made entirely of wood and usually do not match in colour, but are complemented by matching seat cushions.

Are you looking for the right apartment? Here you’ll find definitions, meanings and lots of information on penthouses, granny flats, apartments & co.: Apartment types from A-Z

As you have already experienced, basement apartments are located in basements or cellars. That means you live underground. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your living space is gloomy or uncomfortable. It is possible to convert an existing basement into an apartment, but nowadays basement apartments are designed as a proper apartment when a house is built and are therefore designed according to the requirements. Normally, you will have a separate staircase leading to your apartment. Most of the time, even a small terrace or green area is also included. So there are also some benefits even if in your apartment the ceilings are a bit lower or there is less daylight. You can make up for all that with the right decoration. But more about that later.

Basement apartment building: Can any basement become an apartment?

Often the basement in the house is converted into an apartment for personal use. For example, if the daughter would like a little more privacy, you convert the basement and create a second entrance by adding separate stairs. If that’s your plan, then nothing stands in your way. However, it’s a different story once you plan to rent out your basement space. Then it starts with the fact that you need a building permit. So first find out what the regulations are in your state. There is always a minimum ceiling height requirement. This is 2.30m- 2.50m, depending on the state. In addition, basic equipment such as a radiator must be available. However, you should also inform yourself about the exact regulations.

Source: Basement apartment (Lukinski.de)

Advantages & disadvantages of a basement apartment

To be sure that a basement apartment is right for you, or if you are still in the process of handing over, you should definitely take a look at the pros and cons of this type of housing. As with any apartment, there are pluses but also minuses and you have to decide for yourself if you can live with the little flaws. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find out about some advantages that you didn’t see before?

Advantages: low prices, good location and short distances

So let’s start with the advantages. First in a big plus point the indoor climate. Especially in summer, your basement apartment remains pleasantly cool and only little heat gets in. Accordingly, it is also warmer in winter, because the warm air can not quickly escape from your apartment. In addition, you only have to climb a few stairs and have short distances. Unlike the other tenants, you only have a small flight of stairs, which is especially convenient when carrying shopping bags. It is also not unusual to have your own terrace or green area, as you do not have a balcony. And last but not least, the biggest plus point is of course the price. Many basement apartments are very affordable, especially for a downtown location.

• Good indoor climate
• Short distances and few stairs
• Own terrace, green area
• Lower prices despite city centre

Disadvantages: little daylight and low walls

You also have to consider the disadvantages to decide whether this apartment suits you. The biggest point would probably be the low daylight, since the windows are usually not too large. In addition, the walls are usually lower than in other apartments and the stairs to get to the entrance, the basement apartment is not barrier-free. Also higher heating costs can arise, because you have no heating tenants under / above you. At the same time, it is sometimes the case that the heating pipes run next to your apartment and this would balance out. In addition, you should also be aware that the entrance is usually located directly on the street and a higher probability of burglary would be present.

• Less daylight
• Lower walls
• Not barrier free
• Possibly higher heating costs

Basement apartment: For whom is this form of housing suitable?

A basement apartment is one thing above all: different from what you are used to. You are forced to make sacrifices and accept some shortcomings. Because of this, this type of apartment is not for everyone. We thought about it and considered which people would fit into a basement apartment.

Students: low rent and proximity to the university

Students are probably the first port of call when it comes to finding potential tenants for a basement apartment. There are several reasons for this, one of which is location. The accommodation is usually located in the middle of the city centre and close to universities. In addition, the low price, especially for students, is a great advantage. The central location and the small rent are probably the main plus points. For this, some students also accept the small shortcomings. In addition, you could get a rent reduction if an area of your apartment only has a ceiling height of 1m-2m. With the corresponding square meters, you only have to pay half the price per square meter.

Singles: The first home of your own?

A basement apartment would also be suitable for singles or single people. On the one hand, you could consider building this into your parents’ house to take a first step towards independence. But also in the middle of the city center, especially the location would be a big plus point. You’re well connected and usually have a short commute to work. In addition, in some cases you have your own green space and could design it according to your personal wishes. Many also use a basement apartment as a kind of transitional housing, for example, to save money.

What you should consider before buying / renting a basement apartment

Whether you want to buy or rent. As with any property, you should do your research beforehand and think about what you need to consider. Especially with non-classical apartments, you need to consider some important things that you might not even consider in the first place. Therefore, we have summarized the most important points, with which your purchase or your inspection can not go wrong.

If you’re actually thinking about buying an apartment, there are a few factors to consider. In our comprehensive article on buying an apartment you will find the advantages and disadvantages of buying an apartment, as well as information on the process and costs.

Light, climate, insurance: these aspects are important

This tip may sound a bit strange at first, but it is very important if you want to visit a basement apartment. You should make sure that your viewing appointment takes place in the afternoon (12:00-16:00), because at this time most light comes into the apartment and you can see how much daylight you would get at most. Based on this, you can then decide whether you need to install more lamps or weigh up whether the light is sufficient for you personally.

Next, you should pay attention to the room climate and possible smells when you enter. Does it smell damp, musty or even stale? That would not be a good sign, because it indicates mold! Look at the walls and windowsills and look for stains or discoloration. If you see water stains, pipes may be leaking or the walls may be poorly insulated. You should have all of this checked out and fixed before you sign your lease or purchase agreement. By the way, mould can be prevented by airing the apartment well in the morning and evening.

Also find out beforehand whether the apartment has a backwater protection and whether your insurance pays for flood or storm damage. Heavy rain or storms can cause cellars to be flooded, which in this case would be your apartment. So check everything beforehand so that you are on the safe side in the worst case.

Also pay attention to the orientation of the windows. Often they face the street and you have to install a screen, which takes away valuable daylight. However, if your windows face the garden and a green area, your room will look brighter and more inviting. No uninvited guests could look into your apartment and you would have a pleasant view.

Check list to buy/rent

• Afternoon viewing appointment
• Pay attention to the room climate: Odours? Wet walls?
• Backwater protection? Does your insurance cover storm damage?
• Where are the windows facing?

How can I furnish my basement apartment?

With the right decoration, you can turn the smallest and most inconspicuous rooms into something very special. This is also true for a basement apartment, which can seem a bit dark and dreary at first glance. We show you here with which tips and tricks you can create your perfect living space. Take a look at our comprehensive furnishing guide with tips on furnishing the living room, bedroom and more: Furnishing rooms.

With the right decoration you get the best out of your apartment

Use as much daylight as possible and don’t waste any. Do not place furniture in front of the usually small windows and do not cover them unless you are forced to use a light screen. Install clever lamps, the best ones are light lenses, which are attached to the ceiling or walls. You can also use mirrors that reflect daylight.

It’s best to keep your wall color light as well. The window frames should be white so that the direct light is reflected more brightly. You can paint the other wall colors in white or beige tones. They make your apartment look bright and friendly and create a pleasant atmosphere.

Also, when choosing furniture, do not use too many and different furniture. It’s best to keep it narrow and tall to fit perfectly in the room. Also make sure to choose your upholstered furniture in a uniform color and not to decorate too much. A few plants always do well in small rooms and look lively. However, don’t use too many decorative items and focus on the open space.

Tip! The trendiest interior styles such as boho chic, minimalism or country style can be found here at a glance: Furnishing styles XXL.

“I find it hard to give up my morning routine” – Linh & her regular daily routine.

FIV: You now have over 600,000 followers on your TikTok channel – that’s a big success! It’s probably a great feeling when you know that your followers are behind you and follow your TikToks regularly, isn’t it?

Linh: It’s definitely a great feeling to know that so many people follow you and find it exciting and interesting what you produce – I’m very grateful for that.

FIV: Besides your singing, you like to post beauty videos, like transforming into celebrities. Is beauty an integral part of your everyday life? You seem to have a lot of fun getting involved with makeup.

Linh: I like to create new looks, not only in beauty but also in fashion. I get super inspired by other accounts and then implement these looks on my account. It’s so satisfying when you look at the result after work and it looks good.

FIV: What does your everyday life look like? What could you not do without? Do you have a certain routine, that is, when you shoot your videos, for example?

Linh: My daily routine consists of my morning routine, which consists of jogging, exercising, meditating and having a cup of tea. In fact, it’s hard for me to do without my morning routine. Should the case arise that something gets in the way, I’m still a little out of rhythm:)

Brandon Tran Photography

Succeeding through fun videos: How Linh’s Life Changed 360 Degrees

FIV: How did it actually come about that you started so intensively with TikTok? Was it your plan and dream to live the way you currently do? If not, what was your actual plan?

Linh: It was actually my brother who motivated me to do it. I was only visiting Germany, but since I had just returned from Vietnam and had to go into quarantine afterwards, it actually started. Son had school holidays at that time. So we had all the time in the world and I thought why not. Let’s dance a bit and do our everyday nonsense. Over the months it eventually became a habit and you couldn’t stop. Eight months later, my life has changed 360 degrees.

FIV: The production for your content probably takes a lot of time. Do you do anything else besides your job as a TikToker or is this your main job?

Linh: I used to be a dance teacher and a singer in Vietnam. When I came back to Germany, I started directly with social media and made this my main job.

FIV: As you can easily see on your channel, you love to sing. Do you have any plans for the future as far as singing goes? Or do you just want to keep posting videos on TikTok and Instagram?

Linh: Yes definitely, I want to continue with the music. That’s what my soul lives and burns for. How and when I can not say exactly. Due to the current situation, everything is still a little limited, but hopefully a door will open for me very soon.

“I don’t want to create an image that I’m not” – Linh unfiltered and genuine about her job

FIV: You produce content every day – I don’t imagine it’s easy to always have new ideas for posts on your social media accounts. Do you have role models that inspire you? People or motivations of your own that you keep in mind on a regular basis? If so, what would they be?

Linh: In the beginning, I have to admit, I only produced content that I enjoyed. I paid less attention to who was watching and who wasn’t. In the beginning, I actually only uploaded one video a day or every two days. Then, as I said, it became a habit and I uploaded two to three videos a day, experimenting for the first time. Sometimes it was dance-, fashion-, lifestyle- or singing videos etc. But you always look at the trends in between and see if that’s something for you. I want to stay as authentic as possible, because I don’t want to create an image that I’m not.

FIV: Finally, I have a question for you: Do you have certain things that you would like to achieve?

Linh: I definitely want to increase my reach and am working diligently on it. It’s important to me to have fun and enjoy it and not lose myself in the process. The one thing I definitely want to do and continue to push is the music and perform here. I hope that will work out very soon. Solang I sing in front of the camera:)

Saint Linh: Social Media

TikTok

YouTube

Brandon Tran Photography

• Instagram: Kari Kari

Incredible model : Kari Kari – Experiences & Tips

FIV: Hi Kari Kari, How are you? You are an incredible model and influencer from Russia. How did you start with the model business? What experiences did you have ? What did you learn till now?

Kari Kari: Hello. I am very good. Thanks very much. I started modeling 10 years ago in Russia, in my hometown which called Stavropol. Was going to kind of models school  for a year and then there was a competition in Moscow. After that I sign with the best agencies in the world like Trump models, Major, Storm ,Bravo, IMG and Next. So I started to work all around the world ( New York, London, Milan,Paris, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Hamburg and many more.. It was a good experience I worked a lot. And have met incredible people and had a very interesting life. I’ve learned in that time that many dreams can come true. And that in all situations you still have to behave like a human being.

FIV: Kari Kari, you look like very busy between your shootings, travels, fashion events and also your daughter. How does your everyday life/ daily routine look like there?

Kari kari: Its not that easy to be a mother and still continue a normal life. You have to get used to it. And my family helps me a lot. Without my family I couldn’t do it at all. They help me with my daughter and also my mom helps me with instagram. My daily routine looks pretty much simple. I wake up, doing some sports. Then having a breakfast with my daughter and family. Then 1-2 hours i spend in my laptop. Doing some work. Then  different if i need to do some meeting, or I travel or I enjoy the day with my friends and family. And I work also with my phone before going to sleep.Then can read a book.

Best adresses in Paris: Shopping center, Restaurants & Tea rooms

FIV: Your fashion life allows you to discover all the latest trends in the capital of fashion. You are so lucky! Where are your favourite places in Paris located? (Shooping center/Restaurants/Tea rooms)

Kari kari: Yeah with that I am very happy. That I had this chance. My favorite shopping center in Paris is gallery lafayette. It’s absolutely the best . And you can find everything there. And also I love Zara and little shops in la Maree. I love to mix clothes. For me its not important the brand. Its have to look cool. Can be even t-shirt from H&M or vintage shop. And my favorites restaurant is Costes, Chez Mila, Derrière , Mademoiselle Mouche , Le Marta, Le Georges, Loulou .

FIV: As a fashion influencer and model, what are your fashion must-haves and why?

Kari kari: I would say my fashion must have its perfect jeans, white shirt and comfortable and beautiful shoes. I love beautiful and comfortable clothes and shoes. Its must have when you have a kid.

Top 5 beauty essentials to travel with

FIV: Kari kari, you are used to work with beauty and skincare brands to get a perfect skin. What’s your secret? Which products do you recommend? And What are your top 5 beauty essentials that you cannot travel without?

 Kari kari: I am actually not crazy about any skincares brands. I use most of the time natural creams I get in pharmacy or I love Korean cosmetics. And for travel I take cream for hands Nevea, lipstic bourjois, parfum Kilian , bb cream erborian and I love the water for face Evian.

How to improve your Instagram photos?

FIV: Your instagram pictures are amazing and beautiful! As a model and influencer, do you have some advices for people who want to improve their Instagram photos ?

Kari kari: You need a patient and you need to love to do pictures. I use some apps for making:It more  interesting . Its called VSCO, Presco, Facetune.

FIV: You are also used to attend many events. What was your biggest success/ your favorite moment as an Influencer?

Kari kari: My favorite moment as an influencer is that I can cooperate with very big brands all around the world. Like Mac cosmetics ,Wella ,Evian, Kilian, Shein and some others. I was also nominated in Influencer Awards Monaco last year. Which is a good sign for me. And also I Can share all the beautiful pictures I did with my followers and inspire some other people also. Now days it’s bringing me money. I still looking for better success then I have now and am sure there is more to come. Its not an easy job as everyone think.

Trendy clothing for the Autumn/Winter season

FIV: Your style is outstanding! You are always  looking for new trends. Where did you get your fashion inspiration? And what´s your favorite outfit for this Autumn/Winter season?

Kari kari:  inspiration is other fashion influences, magazines, instagram, fashion shows. And my favorite outfit will be total leather look like leather jacket, and leather pants. No mater which season I love leather but bio leather.