Imagine relocating to a new city where the language, culture, and landscape is completely different from your own and with only three suitcases in hand for both you and your partner. This is exactly what Tami and Gleb, a young couple from Moscow, Russia, did just four years ago when they decided to uproot themselves to the sunny city of Barcelona. What brought them to the Catalan capital? It was right after a vacation trip that they both fell in love with the climate, the people, and the close proximity to the mountains and the Mediterranean sea.

They didn’t waste much time getting started on their search for what would soon become their new home sweet home. “We looked at about 10 flats before we found this one, which is in a family friendly neighborhood called Sarria,” says Tami. “The flat looked very ugly, with ’60s style décor, but it had lots of natural light and very good potential for changing everything according to our tastes. We also loved the white Catalan ceiling.” In just five months and with the help of their good friend and interior designer Abel Perez, they created a space they are now proud of.

The apartment consists of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one office/study, and an open concept living room, dining room, and kitchen. “The biggest challenge was creating different spaces within the limited square footage and making it still feel light and open,” says Tami, “but Abel came up with some creative solutions that we would have never thought of ourselves and are very happy with.”

Our Style: Nordic but with warm accents.

Inspiration: We were totally inspired by the ideas of our interior designer Abel Perez.

Favorite Element: The white Catalan ceiling in the living room.

Biggest Challenge: Creating different spaces in the flat, which is not big, without obstructing the natural light. Abel came up with a great solution for the office by putting in translucent glass walls instead of regular walls, which would have obstructed additional light flow from the master bedroom.

What Friends Say: “I would love to spend several days in your flat.”

Biggest Embarrassment: The sound isolation in the guest bathroom, which is right near the dining room table. But now it’s fixed!

Biggest Indulgence: Our white piano. I just wish I had more free time to play it! Says Tami.

Best Advice: If you decide to work with an interior designer, try to find someone who will understand you intuitively and will match your tastes.

Dream Sources: Domestico and Catalina House Barcelona.

ENTRY
White Ladder — Maisons du Monde

KITCHEN
Refrigerator — SMEG
Stools — Maisons du Monde
Red Radio — We brought it from Stockholm

DINING ROOM
Dining Room Table — Ismoble
Chairs — Pilma
Piano — Yamaha

LIVING ROOM
Sofa — La Sofateria
Pillows — The ones with faces are by Ferm Living (bought at Domestico shop) and the linen ones are from Catalina House
Coffee Table — Catalina House
Area Rug — by Ferm Living (bought at Domestico shop)

MASTER BEDROOM
Yellow Chair — Pilma
Wooden Ladder in the corner — Zara Home
Night Table — Kenay Home
Closet Doors – Wallapop

MIA’S ROOM
Crib — Stokke
Area Rug — Zara Home

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