Sina Gwosdzik and Jakob Dannenfeldt, <br/>Jasper 6 and Matteo 3

Family - Berlin

Homemade Interior Ideas in Berlin.

Sina Gwosdzik and Jakob Dannenfeldt,
Jasper 6 and Matteo 3

While passing through Berlin, I paid a visit to my friends Sina Gwosdzik and Jakob Dannenfeldt. Both creative souls, they together launched a furniture brand for children called Jäll & Tofta. This is a name inspired by their origins – Sina is Swedish and Jakob is German – and one that conveys a spirit blending functionality and beauty, using raw materials. A collection featuring graphic lines and bold colours – exactly what you experience when visiting their home. Each of the rooms in the apartment has been designed as a joint effort between the couple. From the treehouse-style bunk bed for Jasper and Matteo’s bedroom (the couple’s two sons), to the stenciled diamond motif on the kitchen wall. The balcony layout receives special mention, which, thanks to the stack of mattresses, becomes an extension to the living room for when the children are in need of a little greenery.

Sina, could you present yourself ? What are you doing in the life ?

Sina

My name is Sina Gwosdzik. Together with my partner Jakob Dannenfeldt I´m raising our kids here in Berlin Kreuzberg and we are working as product designers for our company Jäll & Tofta.

What was it that first attracted you to this apartment ?

Sina

We loved the area called „Bergmannkiez“ close to the Bergmann street and Marheineke markethall with its beautiful fine de siecle houses around.

It was love in first sight when we saw our apartment. We liked and still like the shape of it an also the old timber floor boards and the old stucco at the ceiling.

Where do you spend your time in the house ? Your best place ?

Sina

Honestly everywhere! A couple of month ago we used one of our rooms as a home office which becomes another kids room at this moment. Of course I used to spend a lot of time there, but now I use to spend mots of my time in the living room and of course the kitchen.

Did you do the decorating ?

Sina

Yes. I like to change things from time to time.

Where did you get your inspiration ?

Sina

That´s´s hard to say. From time to time from magazines, pinterest, instagram, visits at friends homes, of course in being on holidays with lots of travel impressions.

Did Jakob join in and give his opinions ?

Sina

Sure! We are always deciding things together, although he´s not so into my changes, because he knows that he will have to bring most of my ideas into life and do all the hard work (like building the bunk bed for the kids, whiten the wooden floor or building a new kitchen). But at the end he´s always happy!

Chambre d'enfant Cabane en pin Création Sina Gwosdzik et Jakob Dannenfeldt Appartement Berlin

Bureau Enfant Fifties Années 50 Sina Gwosdzik

How would you describe yourself in three words ?

Sina

Restless, creative, thoughtful.

How do you reconcile family life with attractive interior design ?

Sina

I really do attach great importance to aesthetically and unique interior, but I don´t take it too serious by collecting major brand furnitures. At the moment with the little ones we wouldn´t buy an expensive couch, because accidents happen all the time. We don´t want to life like in a showroom, we only want to feel comfortable at home.

Where do you look for inspiration for your collection ?

Sina

Most things from our collection came to us!

So our apartment is full of our own prototypes and things we bring back home from our travels. Like things from flea markets, vintage stores or design shops.

What would you regard as the worst kind of bad taste and to be avoided ?

Sina

I don´t want to judge about other peoples taste. The only things I feel uncomfortable with are when interior and arranging a home are treated as superficially or unimportant, because it always reflects a personality. The other thing is when interior becomes a very serous project.

What is your current interior design must-have?

Sina

Our 3-L stools, because they are clear and plain and can be stored easily. We ourselves use them all the time – as side tables, as extra seatings for dinners with friends, as objects …

2-3 restaurants to recommend us in Berlin?

Sina

MJ´s food shop, Kimchi Princess, Austria