lifestyle

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL

February 10, 2022

Graciela Raquel Gauna is a freelance stylist and a mother of two amazing boys. On her Instagram account she shares a little bit of her day-to-day life and her home. She’s a beautiful mind with a great sense of aesthetics.

By Lara Franco Gomes
Photography courtesy of Graciela Raquel Gauna
Illustration Catarina, a Rosa @catarinaarosa

LEMON Magazine [LEMON]: Hello Graciela!

Graciela Gauna [G.G.]: Hi! I’m so happy to be doing this interview! I feel really flattered that you guys asked me to do this. So, thank you for having me!

LEMON: How are you and your beautiful family doing?

G.G.: We are doing just fine! We are all happy and healthy and that’s the most important thing. I always try to focus on the positive. But I must admit that I’m a bit exhausted from the last year and a half with home-schooling my boys and working from home at the same time. But we just got back from a little trip to Italy, which was so good for the four of us. Just enjoying time together as a family.

LEMON: We absolutely love your home! Where do you find inspiration when decorating your home?

G.G.: That’s so kind of you, thank you! I find my inspiration in books, magazines, Pinterest and Instagram.

LEMON: How would you describe your house’s style?

G.G.: I really like to keep it simple, minimalistic and timeless. I like natural textures, like wood and linen, combined with some funky design pieces. Lately I’m also thinking a lot about adding some colour in our home. To paint some walls for example. But I think my house style can be described mostly as Scandinavian.

LEMON: What is your favourite room in the house?

G.G.: I think the kitchen because I love to cook!

LEMON: Do you feel that your home décor style changed when you had kids?

G.G.: The only thing that changed was all the toys!

LEMON: What’s your favourite piece from your kids’ rooms?

G.G.: They don’t have a lot of stuff in their rooms, but I really like their beds.

Gabriel’s bed was made by my husband, who has his own construction company (@calisinterieurbouw) and he can create everything (lucky me). So when Gabriel needed a new bed, he made one.

My other favourite piece is the vintage wardrobe in Gabriel’s room that my mum found. She always finds the best vintage design pieces.

But if you ask the boys, they will definitely say the gym rings!

THIS OR THAT
Tub or shower? Shower
Wood or tile? This is a hard one…I like both, but if I had to choose, then wood!
Bare floor or carpet? Bare floor
Plants or flowers? Flowers (I’m not so good at taking care of plants… but I always love homes with lots of plants)
Ceramic or glass? Definitely ceramic
Accent pillows or throw? Accent pillows

LEMON: So your boys each have their own room, right? What was the experience of them sleeping together in the same room like?

G.G.: They have their own rooms again now, yes, but I have to admit that they have been sleeping together again for some nights recently. School just started and we still have to get back to routines.

But them sleeping together in one room, despite the large age gap of 4.5 years, was a great idea. Neither of them is a great sleeper and one night when I was trying to get them down together in Gabriel’s bed they both slept so well. So we decided to put Kaya’s bed in Gabriel’s room. I think it gives them a secure and safe feeling. They don’t wake up scared in the middle of the night because there’s always their sibling to snuggle up with. They sleep better together and, in my opinion, it kind of makes sense: just as we adults prefer to sleep with a companion in the room, why wouldn’t we allow the same for our kids? I know all kids are different, but for our boys it worked out so well!

LEMON: What are the main pieces that turn a house into a home?

G.G.: Personal things make a house into a home, like photos and art.

LEMON: What are three pieces you think should be seen as an investment for life and three that can be bought cheap in big shops?

G.G.: Investments for life include a really good espresso machine (I can’t live without good coffee), design lamps and art.

While I try to shop mostly in local shops instead of big stores, three pieces that can be bought cheap would be plates and crockery, baskets, and bed linen.

LEMON: Do you mix décor trends? If so, how?

G.G.: To be honest, I don’t do décor trends. I try to invest in timeless pieces that I will love for years. But I do love mixing vintage with design.

LEMON: What are your favourite colours for home décor?

G.G.: Mostly neutral and natural colours, but also blue, green and pink.

LEMON: And favourite textures?

G.G.: Wood, linen and knit.

LEMON: What is the best decorating lesson you’ve ever learned?

G.G.: To invest in timeless pieces.

LEMON: Complete this sentence: A living room should be…

G.G.: Cosy and comfortable.

LEMON: What’s the best DIY decoration piece you’ve ever made?

G.G.: To be honest, none.

LEMON: Do you prefer patterns or plain simple colours?

G.G.: I prefer plain simple colours.