We love visiting homes with a story, and this time was no exception. As spring began, Natália Pažická, a Slovak greenfluencer, part of the Forbes 30 under 30 list, and founder of the #everyindividualmatters initiative, welcomed us into her home.
During her life, she has experienced living in Prague and Amsterdam, among other places, but today we visited her in her new Bratislava apartment. In such a short time, Natália managed to infuse her home not only with practicality and taste but especially with an emphasis on durable materials.
You've spent the last few months creating your new "home," where you invited us. Do you already feel "at home" here?
It was love at first sight. When I first walked into this apartment, I said out loud, "This one is beautiful." Even so, I thought it would take me some time to get used to the new place, but in the end, it happened right away. This might also be because it's a new build. I feel that the apartment has no history, and I like that. It's like a new, clean canvas that we can furnish however we want.
You're currently commuting between a temporary home in Prague and your new apartment in Bratislava, where we are right now. What is the essence of home for you?
The essence of home is my boyfriend. It's having each other. We've lived together for a long time in several apartments in Amsterdam. And my boyfriend always made that place feel like home for me.
Add a splash of color to your home with Colour Melange decorative pillows.
Did you design the interior of the apartment yourself?
We had an architect who helped us with the fixed foundation from the carpenter, like wardrobes, kitchen, etc. I handled the furniture and similar interior furnishings with my boyfriend.
And your partner? Did you agree on everything when building your home, or were there any stumbling blocks?
We agree on everything, so it was the same here. (laughs) It happened quite naturally. I was in charge of research and proposals because I enjoyed it, and he agreed with everything. We've been together for almost a decade and know each other's tastes very well.
Your apartment is full of practical yet incredibly stylish solutions. Your storage spaces are ingenious. Where did you draw inspiration from?
I found all these practical solutions in a very well-known place – Pinterest. (laughs) I drew inspiration from there for many things.
You swore you wouldn't have a single black item at home. Can you tell us why?
I wanted a bright apartment. If there was even a single black element, it would be jarring. For me, it would disturb the softness we were trying to achieve. As people, we already have enough black in our wardrobes; I wanted to avoid it in the apartment, and I succeeded.
How would you describe your apartment in three words?
Joy, peace, love.
How often do you change, move, or rearrange things in the apartment?
We don't change anything at all – everything there has undergone very detailed research to ensure it's the right piece and if we even need it. For me, sustainability was mainly hidden in not buying unnecessary things. I love every single piece in this apartment, and I believe it will serve us for a very long time.
Which item for the apartment did you search for the longest? And what do you have the strongest emotional connection to?
I searched for every piece for quite a long time, I think. Not really searched, but chose. For example, with the sofa, I knew I had to see it and sit on it before we ordered it, so we went to Vienna twice for that until we decided. Things I couldn't find, I decided not to buy until I came across the right ones. For example, a vase – I waited about half a year for the right one.
Can you give us some tips on a few favorite home brands?
Definitely the brand Hay. I love their functional design combined with vibrant colors. Also, the Czech brand sosone, which also has beautiful functional design, and everything comes from their workshop in Zlín.
What could you not live without anymore?
Dishwasher. Definitely. We have a beautiful relationship; I often thank it for its existence. (laughs)
Sustainability is one of your most important life values. Has it been reflected in your home?
When we started furnishing, I had a big internal struggle for a while – I had never bought so many things and materials in my life. That's why I wanted to furnish the apartment to perfectly reflect what we like. We didn't buy anything as temporary that we would replace soon. We preferred to be without it for a while. Quality pieces, timeless design, and most importantly, thinking for every single item whether we really need it. I also tried to address the material itself, but it wasn't possible with everything – and besides, what is an ideal material today? Everything has its footprint, so shopping thoughtfully is alpha and omega.
Do you have a proven tip for a more sustainable household that could be useful to our followers?
Take your time to decide. You don't have to have everything in your apartment within 48 hours. We slept on every purchase – even for a week – until we were truly sure it was the right piece and that it would really fit into our apartment. But since I know myself and my shopping habits very well (thanks to years of conscious practice), for example, our table was simply love at first sight. I immediately knew it was made for us.
What, in your opinion, makes every space cozy?
There are people like my mom (hi mom!), who consider our apartment a bit empty – they are used to ornaments, figurines, magnets... It's precisely those little things that create that feeling of home for them. For me, however, they are dust collectors and visual clutter. In my apartment, I wanted to achieve a space where we could focus on our work because both my boyfriend and I work a lot from home. This way, I feel that our apartment breathes, and I feel a great sense of calm in it.
From Natália and her space, one feels nothing but pure kindness, positive energy, and a sense of design.
And what should everyone have at home?
A projector. (laughs) It's one of those things that serves me well in the apartment. I was very surprised by how much better it is than a traditional television.
What is your favorite Lejaan product?
Definitely your Colour Melange collection. We have a pale pink sofa, and first, I wanted to protect it (laughs) and second, to liven it up with other shades of pink/other colors. Finding something to throw over it that wasn't just a blanket, which didn't visually meet my needs, would have been very difficult if I hadn't discovered you.
And what with the Lejaan tag are you currently eyeing?
I currently have everything I need from Lejaan. We have (for some, perhaps "only") two sets of bedding – one goes to wash, the other is changed. That's enough for us. Every single item from Lejaan brings us joy and serves us well – we don't want to accumulate excess.
If you could order any custom product from Lejaan, what would you choose?
A blanket. A blanket is probably the last thing for our apartment that we still don't have. To this day, none has met my requirements.
Natália reflected not only herself but also her passion for sustainability in her new home.
My favorite ritual is…
Breakfast with my boyfriend. He makes breakfast at our place, and we always eat it together. He gets up earlier, makes breakfast, wakes me up, and we have breakfast together. Only then does our day begin.
My favorite spot in the apartment is…
It changes for me, but right now, every time I enter the bathroom, I always tell myself how much I like it. (laughs)
My favorite home accessories are…
A painting by Viktor Frešo and the latest one by Míša Červená.
At home, I prefer to wear…
Old "at-home" clothes. I don't like throwing away clothes, so some of my items are easily 12 years old.
When someone visits for the first time, they are always surprised that…
We always prepare food, dessert, and homemade kombucha. I like good food and enjoy eating it with people I care about.
"I love every single piece in this apartment, and I believe it will serve us for a very long time."
Shower or bathtub?
Bathtub.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.
Sleeping under the stars or in a luxury hotel?
I'm afraid of ticks, so in a hotel. (laughs) But I prefer Airbnbs and also when I'm actually at someone's home.
Old second-hand items or new arrivals?
Oh dear. I love a combination of both.
Minimalism or maximalism?
Minimalism.
Perfect order or creative chaos?
I am chaos, but I try to be orderly. (laughs)
An evening at a party or in bed?
Both have their charm.
Morning coffee or tea?
Tea.
Solid color bedding or Mix & Match?
Visually Mix & Match, but from a practical perspective, solid color is my choice.
PRODUCTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
Beige Wooden Essence bedding
Beige Wooden Essence fitted sheet (coming soon)
Brown Monochrome Melange knitted throw
Brown Monochrome Melange decorative pillow
Yellow Colour Melange knitted throw
Yellow Colour Melange decorative pillow
Red Colour Melange knitted throw
Red Colour Melange decorative pillow
Beige Gentle Organic towels
Brown Gentle Organic towels
Sdílet:
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