Tine Wittler in an interview: This is how the TV decoration queen lives in the country

interview

Tine Wittler
“Mr. Löw mows the lawn”

The nearest highway is far away, but so is the next boutique. That’s exactly how it is Tine Wittler, 50, desired. At the beginning of the 2000s she became a star with her RTL show “Einsatz in 4 Wanden”. When the interior design queen renovated, the Germans watched. Today she lives in the village, two hours east of Hamburg. However, the topic of “living” has remained a topic close to her heart. She writes books about it and is also a guest juror on the TV show “House of the Year: Germany” (Home&Garden TV, Mondays, 8:15 p.m., from December 11th). In an interview with GALA, she explains what makes her own property a home – and why Mr. Löw and Mr. Ballack also live there.

Tine Wittler: It’s about more than just the look

GALA: You moved from the big city to the village of Wendland. Why?
Tine Wittler: I lived in Hamburg for 25 years, which is the most beautiful city in the world and still means a lot to me. But I’m a village girl, that’s how I grew up, it doesn’t come out of my synapses. I had a longing for nature, peace and quiet. And once I identified the need, I immediately gave in to it.

What does it mean to live well?
As an interior design expert, I sometimes have the feeling that too often we are concerned with the appearance instead of really looking at our needs. Or to put it another way: the best designer kitchen is of no use if we keep bumping our elbows on the same edge for years. That’s why when it came to “House of the Year: Germany” I looked at more than just the look.

Your dream house in the village

They live in a farmhouse. How would you describe your interior design style?
The old four-column half-timbered house was built in 1838. In my rooms you can find something from almost every decade that the house has experienced so far. There are antiques and pieces from the 1970s – the time in which I was born. This includes many books and my large record collection. I call this maximum maximalism. But without chaos, everything has a structure. When I have guests, they often wander through the hall for hours and discover something in every corner.

Which is your favorite piece?
I have two of them: a large, round armchair that I bought used as a student in Hamburg-Altona in 1995 for 120 marks. I had it covered with colorful striped fabric and call it my “monument” because I sit there when I think or have to make decisions.

And the other piece?
The so-called family table, which can accommodate up to 14 people. My guests take a seat there, and a lot of conversations have already taken place with people who need to take a step back from the public eye or seek peace, reflection and inspiration. I also do artist coaching.

Is this your favorite place too?
Or the bed. (laughs) I make sure to save gas. That’s why it’s: run or freeze. When all the fireplaces are running, I constantly have to sweep, add wood and stoke the fire. In the evening I’m often so exhausted from making a fire that I slip under my thick down blanket before it’s time. By the way, my bed is made of cardboard.

Mr. Löw and Mr. Ballack help her mow the lawn

What work in the house or garden do you enjoy most?
Since last spring I have owned a bright red riding mower. His name is Mr. Löw because he is the boss on the pitch. There’s nothing better than rattling around the property with him, then I’m grinning like a honey cake horse. (laughs) There is also a second small robotic lawnmower, Mr. Ballack. He takes care of the fine work.

Do you also have pets?
There is little “Smöre”, called “Smörchen”, who probably lives the life of the happiest cat in the world. There is also a raven lady who sees the garden as her territory. Every now and then the neighbor’s chicken crew comes over. Oh, and then I have the monster mole. He even tried to break into the house through the floorboards.

You recently said on a podcast that you and your husband are separated.
I won’t talk any further about my family. But I can say that everyone has enough space.

Beyond all furnishing tips. What makes a home?
This is the place where nothing can hurt me. The wonderful old box is my refuge. Here I live with a different dimension of nature: I am so close to the weather and the seasons. This creates humility. I realize how insignificant I am. But I also feel grateful because I can be part of it all.

Gala