Grandma style meets urban jungle in a small Berlin home decorated on a shoe-strin

Hej vänner! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! My parents were over from London so we hung out, swam in the sea etc. But one on my Mum's comments really stayed with me for today's post. While browsing through a magazine she said 'the homes and items in this interior magazine (she was reading) are so exclusive and out of my budget that it feels completely irrelavent. Do you recognise that feeling? This inspired me to seek out a charming home decorated on a boot string budget today.

Joana is doing a masters degree in Environmental engineering and lives in Berlin with her boyfriend (also a student) and two cats (does everyone in Berlin have a cat?!). Due to their tight budget, the pair have decorated their XXX square rental apartment almost entirely with secondhand or handmade pieces. Joana shares her best tips on how to create a beautiful home on a shoe-string budget - and live more sustainably as a result!

"My home is a mix of Grandma style and urban jungle - very few pieces are new" Joana told me. "I like my home to feel personal, cosy and full of memories."

"If you are on a tight budget, go to flea markets, especially those that aren't crowded with tourists. This is a problem in Berlin - so called 'vintage markets' are really expensive. I'd recommend going to smaller ones in suburban areas. Then there is eBay Kleinanzeigen' where you can buy and sell inexpensively. I don't know if there is something similar in your country but I think so."

"If there is something you can't find second hand, think about making it yourself - there's often an easy way and it'll feel more personal and can fit your needs and style."

"If there's something you want but don't need right away, it's better to wait until you can afford it rather than buy a cheaper version that is not quite what you're looking for."

It's impossible to say which instagram feeds are my favourite inspiration, but the first that come to mind are @friederikchen, @becausethereisnoplanetb_ and @doitbutdoitnow."