Home Tour: A Life Of Travel Helps Create A Modern, Relaxed Decor

Ever wondered if it’s possible to create a stunning home through mostly thrifting?

Wondering will become a thing of the past as Rooms Solutions bring you today’s Home Tour installment.

Susanne combines Scandinavian style alongside a Bohemian one to create relaxing, carefree environments, both inside and out.

Perfect for sitting outside in the Summer and cozy during the Winter…

We caught up with Susanne and asked for a few questions to understand her design process and how you can achieve your own style.

When did you first get interested in interior design and when did you decide to share your love and knowledge for it?  

I’ve been interested in interior design for as long as I can remember.

I have memories of leafing through my grandma’s interior design magazines growing up in Germany.

But until recently, this interest took a back seat to building my academic career and raising my twins.

Now, I’m an Associate Professor in Pure Mathematics, my career meant I moved a lot.

For example, I worked in Germany, then the US, Canada, Italy, and now the UK.

I always liked checking out the styles of people’s homes in different countries, the different ways houses are built depending on climate, available material and cultural traditions.

Being exposed to so many cultures and tastes shaped my style and, for years, I had neither the time nor the energy to think much of the homes I lived in.

This changed only some years ago when we bought our house in Italy and then I found the Instagram interior design/styling community.

I started to use styling, and putting pictures on Instagram, as a hobby.

How important are patterns when you’re designing a room?

I think both texture and patterns are very important, I personally prefer organic patterns like those arising in nature.

You find or can create patterns by:

• styling shelves
• arranging shelves or other furniture in a room a certain way
• hanging frames
• using patterns on accessories like carpets, cushions, blankets, curtains

Patterns can be used to contrast or highlight parts of a room, to create interest and focal points and you can use them to lead the eye through a room or towards a wall.

I would say textures are equally important though, contrasting textures make a room interesting.

Where do you get your interior design inspiration from?

Instagram, German, British and Italian interior design and home magazines (e.g., Elle Decor, Casafacile), sometimes Pinterest, and shops like Sostrene Grene.

What’s your favorite room in your house (or garden)?

My favorite room in our house in Northern Italy has a natural stone wall that once was an exterior wall and became part of the house when it was extended.

It has floor to ceiling windows with a view on the mountains opposite, and a large fire place.

What advice do you have for those who are still trying to find their own interior design style?

Have a look on Pinterest or Instagram, or get some interior magazines.

Pin or highlight things you like and see if any common themes emerge, it’s normal to feel drawn to several totally different styles, just select one or two, and see how it goes.

Keep in mind that not all styles we like will work for us and how / where we live, a home has to be functional too, after all.

It should reflect the people who live in it, their quirks and preferences. 

Not all ideas that look good in a magazine might be practical for you and choosing your own style also doesn’t mean you have to go and buy yourself all new furniture etc., keep the things you own and love and mix them with some selected new pieces.

Your style will grow organically if you give yourself a bit of time, it’s possible to already change a lot with some cheap accent pieces.

That was fantastic insight, it’s always helpful learning how someone more knowledgeable works.

Thank you Susanne!