#BehindTheCover with Niclas Home
An eye for aestethics and a weird sense of humor.
Photo: Quyny.
Home is not merely a physical structure built with bricks, but an idea embodying comfort, security, and belonging. It can be the country house you grew up in, that friend you’ve traveled the world with, or even your grandmother’s favorite recipe.
For Berlin-based creative, Niclas —from @niclas.home— this means more than an assembly of walls where style and aesthetics cohabit. It’s the idea of feeling safe and comfortable, a state of mind where we can relax, unwind and recharge batteries, but above all where one's true self can be expressed.
We sneaked into his lovely flat in the German capital to talk about the art of living, fashion, deco goals, and what makes home a home.
Photos: Quyny.
We The Cool: Who is Niclas? What's your story?
Niclas: I’m Niclas, I’m 26 years old and I studied fashion design and fashion graphics. I love aesthetics in every manner, whether it’s fashion or interior. Since I moved to Berlin one and a half years ago, I started my own Instagram channel @niclas.home . In the beginning, I did it just for fun, more like a photo album for myself. I would never have thought that so many people are really interested in my facility. All in all, I’m just a gay guy with an eye for aesthetics and a weird sense of humor.
We The Cool: Take us on a day in your life. Do you have a routine or are you improvising?
Niclas: I am the kind of person who does not like to do only one thing. As a creative person in Berlin, it is very difficult to survive in daily life. Currently, I am involved in three jobs. One for a fashion brand, one for an interior store, and local vintage store. I am very happy to sell some of my own reworked designs in the vintage store. Thus, I would not say that I have a strict routine which in turn helps me to stay creative. Improvising adds to my creativity. I am a very busy person - sometimes the creative work stays behind but I will never miss a night out with my friends. You can believe me, there are loads of good places to spend the evening.
Photo: Quyny.
We The Cool: How does Berlin influence you? What inspires you the most about this city?
Niclas: Berlin really became my home. I love the vibe, the people, and all the diverse aesthetics. So many different people and styles can be seen, even my friends are all so individual. I think my friends inspire me the most. It's a give-and-take and a creative exchange with each other.
”A lot of my creativity is gained from daily things, for example, local flea markets at Boxhagener Platz on a Sunday morning or a random guy at a club on Sunday night. There are so many events and places that represent my aesthetic - I just had to find them.”
We The Cool: What's home for you?
Niclas: For me, home is a place where I can switch off and recharge my batteries. It’s a place where I feel safe and comfortable with the things that surround me. But home for me is also a feeling and a place I always look forward to returning to. For me, it's a place to think, work, create, and live.
We The Cool: Can home be a person, a dish, or a song too?
Niclas: Yes definitely! For example, the Bruschetta Pizza from the restaurant two houses down the street feels a bit like home to me! It can be a smell, a person, or a taste, but ultimately it's a feeling of comfort and having arrived.
We The Cool: What elements tangible or not make you feel at home?
Niclas: Most of my interior pieces are very personal to me. Each piece has its own story which is connected with the place I found it. In turn, it is somehow connected with my personality - it became a memory.
These memories are my home, too. My Interior Blog is also a very personal project for me because I think once you see a person’s room / flat you get to know a part of that person a bit better.
We The Cool: We can never get tired of your beautiful content. Tell us more about your interior design and deco skills.
Niclas: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it! I‘m very grateful that people see my aesthetics. I would describe my style as a modern mix with minimal, industrial, and vintage aspects. I love to decorate with art, plants, and vases. Mostly unique vintage pieces in clear surroundings. There can be more crowded areas, but quiet corners are important to draw the eye to and bring calm to the overall picture. Good and organized storage places are very important! Also, the best way to make a room stylish and comfy is good lighting. I can’t have enough small lamps in my home! Fresh flowers also add a lot to a room and just make me happier.
Photo: Quyny.
We The Cool: Pick one special object that we can find at your place. Tell us its story and why it is special to you.
Niclas: The first thing I had to think about was my vintage Romanist print. I love it so much and travels with me from apartment to apartment. I bought the poster in a small questionable junk store with my best friend. We found so many great things there. The poster somehow always reminds me of our great friendship and I associate that with personal objects like these. Also as a little tip for vintage friends: Go to the small stores where you can still find real treasures. Not in big cities but more in the countryside. It will be worth it!
We The Cool: What role do fashion and styling play in your lifestyle?
Niclas: Fashion and styling have always played a big role in my life. I studied fashion and also work in fashion, so I'm always surrounded by clothes. I love to try myself out and just have fun. It's important not to be afraid of looking stupid. I had to learn that first. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and like yourself in what you wear. I use clothes to express my personality and my aesthetics just like I do with my furniture - just in a different way.
Photo: Quyny.
“I see styling as a process of learning to grow and expressing yourself.”
We The Cool: After moving to Paris, I realized that the struggle to adapt to reduced spaces was real, and I don't think that Berlin feels any different. What's your secret to making the best out of a small flat?
Niclas: It was a challenge for me to get used to a small room in Berlin, as I previously lived in a two-room apartment. Not overcrowding rooms is key and of course a different mindset is also important. My secret was to figure out which pieces I really need and adapt them to my small apartment. I still own a lot, but I use that with smart storage. I also find open closets make a space more airy and interesting. Closets are often very large and stifling. Use the space you have, but don't overcrowd it with too many small things that create clutter. Individual objects need their space to breathe so that the overall picture looks coherent and aesthetic.
We The Cool: Tell us more about your own idea of "living". If you had to write a manual about "the art of living", what instructions would you include in it?
Niclas: Try to find a way in which you and your home harmonize best with each other. It's your home and you spend a lot of time there. Try it out and have fun! For me, not everything has to be practical, the main thing is to surround yourself with objects that make you happy. Change something - fresh air is also good in an apartment. You can make something beautiful out of everything! and the more beautiful it is around you, the more you radiate it.
A special vintage garment in your wardrobe
An asymmetrical jeans maxiskirt from one of my favorite vintage stores in Berlin. It‘s so unique I wear it maybe once a year but Im sure it will never leave my wardrobe.
You are currently reading...
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin.
Your place to be in Berlin
Maybachufer for sure.
Plans this summer
This summer is just club summer for me! Maybe one weekend to the sea with friends.
Today's soundtrack
Human Nature by Sevdaliza.
Photos: Quyny.