“Many things become more beautiful by being used” - Ida Mehl, 30 years old, Copenhagen

When you enter Ida Mehl's 2-room apartment in outer Nørrebro, you quickly sense a personal style that encompasses both Danish design classics and contemporary, modern interior. 

"It takes time to build a home"

And it is that time that Ida believes helps make her decor very personal. Because much of what she surrounds herself with has a story. Both the black retro leather sofa and the classic ellipse table from Piet Hein, which she inherited from her grandmother and reminds her of holidays with her grandmother's homemade food in North Jutland. 

Ida makes sure to surround herself with beautiful things that make her happy. And for Ida, beautiful things are often second-hand.

"The way we decorate tells the world who we are"

How we decorate says a lot about who we are. One's home is an extension of one's identity, and you can portray certain values with your choice of decor. At least if you ask Ida. For her and her social circle, it has become an identity marker to make sustainable choices and buy second-hand furniture - to be conscious of one's consumption. For them, the interesting part arises in the story that often comes with buying furniture sustainably. 

Not to say that she never buys things for the home new. But when she does, it is a long decision-making process involving a lot of research:

“If I buy a design classic, I like to immerse myself in the history. Who is the designer? When was it designed? Because then it becomes part of the buying process, and then I can justify both the price and buying it new.” 

When Ida looks for interior for her home, she always checks first if she can get it second-hand. But she most often finds it time-consuming and difficult. Because if it were just as easy and accessible to buy used, she would love to buy design classics second-hand in good condition - at the same price as new.

 Ida's advice for a personal (and sustainable) interior:

• Good things take time: Give yourself plenty of time to find the right furniture for your home and find peace in the fact that it takes a long time to build a personal home.
  
  
• Choose primarily second-hand: Second-hand furniture comes with a story that provides personality and is at the same time the best we can do for the environment.
  
  
• Supplement with high-quality new items: If you are going to buy new furniture for your home, make sure it is of high quality so it can last a long time. Always quality over quantity.