Who doesn't dream of a roof terrace of their own, where you can really unwind in summer or spend sociable evenings with friends? Carolin from the blog Wohn.kultur is the proud owner of just such a retreat. We met the digital creator at her 260 m² home in Bavaria in Germany and talked to her about the challenges of building a house and, of course, her beautiful roof terrace, which completely won us over. Plenty of styling inspiration included.
Hello Carolin, tell us about your home.
I live in our own home in beautiful Bavaria with my husband, our two girls (aged 2 and 11), two dogs and a cat.
Your own home – how lovely! Tell us about the challenging but no doubt exciting time of building the house, including for you as a family.
I love looking back on the exciting time of building our house, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'm simply passionate about architecture, just as I am about interiors, which of course makes it easier. My husband and I always laughed about the rather blunt tone that tended to prevail during that time. We were also planning our wedding while the house was being built, and we got married in Tuscany. So there was a lot going on – but I like that!
Did you do much of the work yourselves?
The house was built ready to move into, and over the past few years we've completed the entire outdoor area ourselves. That wasn't the original plan, but it turned out to be the best decision for us. In my view, it's only once you're living in the house that you really have the time and the eye for the outdoor space.
Has the house fulfilled a dream for you? Which home dream is still to come?
Absolutely, again and again! Restoring an old manor house with a large, established garden or park, with exposed wooden beams inside and beautiful light herringbone parquet. That would be my next project.
Would you say the house reflects your personality? Which qualities describe you as a family and your house?
Definitely! Open, free, warm and modern.
You currently have almost six figures' worth of followers on Instagram. Congratulations! That's not least thanks to your incredibly beautiful photos and inspiration. Did your work as a photographer and content creator influence your decision to share your home with others?
Probably not – both actually came about only after I started sharing my inspiration on Instagram. Before that, I worked in the medical field, but I've always loved photography and been interested in architecture and interiors.
How do you keep everything so beautifully tidy? Do you have any tips? Or, hand on heart, does it sometimes look messier outside the frame of your Instagram photos?
Yes, it does. It's incredibly important to me to show that in my stories, too – our home isn't always tidy either. I'd like to take the pressure off right from the start, because I know that such clean images can create it. I'm not immune to the feeling that I have to do even more because everything looks so perfect at other people's homes. But it isn't!
These are snapshots, and of course we tidied up beforehand. We do keep things fairly clean and always tidy everything away in the evening. But there are rooms here that I can't show [laughs].
One of our absolute highlights in your home is the freestanding bathtub with a view and access to the roof terrace. Perfect for relaxing in your own home spa, isn't it?
Absolutely! We deliberately planned the bathtub with a view into the distance.
We read that the bathroom is part of your "parents' wing". What does that mean? Is your house divided into areas for parents and children?
Yes! We have our own area of the house. It starts with our dressing room and leads into the bedroom, then the bathroom with a sauna and on to the roof terrace. Our children have their own bathroom and dressing room.
You have a lovely garden with a terrace, plus a small roof terrace. Was that a deliberate choice? And what exactly do you use each area for?
Very much so! We mainly created the roof terrace so we could step outside after using the sauna without leaving our part of the house, and to have space for the hot tub.
Describe your roof terrace in three words.
Private, open views, cosy.
How did you design your roof terrace? Were there any challenges along the way?
Right after we moved in, my husband and I laid wooden decking overnight in a spur-of-the-moment effort, because we were so keen to use the roof terrace. The result is semi-professional at best, and we want to change that soon.
What inspired your design? Which influencers or designers do you look to as role models?
I love reading interior magazines and browsing Pinterest. On Instagram, all my wonderful fellow creators inspire me, each in their own way.
Which designs can we currently find on your roof terrace?
One of my highlights is the incredibly comfortable beanbag from SACK it. Especially with the matching pouf, it's perfect for relaxing, and it can stay outside when the weather isn't so good. The fire pit from höfats is also an absolute must. It's perfect in this rather cool summer, especially as it doubles as a barbecue.
When it starts to get dark outside, I can't do without the rechargeable lamp from &Tradition. Its soft light makes the roof terrace really cosy. The side table from fatboy is also very practical for the roof terrace. The tabletop is removable, so you can also use it as a tray – perfect for carrying snacks or drinks.
What does a perfect family day look like for you?
A great trip to a wildlife park, ideally with friends, followed by a barbecue together in the evening or going out for dinner.
Where does your family gather at home?
In the kitchen. Since the pandemic, it's hardly ever presentable, because everyone is always there.
What's your secret for finding time for yourself alongside family life?
Taking a bath. To be honest, I hardly have any time for myself at the moment, but I've signed up for tennis again.
Despite the large, open rooms and your clean, minimalist style, your home feels so cosy. How do you do it?
I use lots of natural tones and love decorating with flowers, candles and indirect lighting. Textiles are essential, too – ideally in light cream shades.
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Dear Carolin, thank you so much for this inspiring glimpse into your home!
https://www.instagram.com/wohn.kultur
