Angela, the host, actually used to live in this apartment when she was a kid. She later inherited it from her father. It was empty for a while, but then she decided to refurbish it with the aid of her husband and daughter (who are both architects), the result being a rustic-meets-Scandinavian-style home of our dreams. It's impossible to find fault with the design – it’s truly the stuff that interior design magazines are made of. Set against Malasaña, the location is also wonderful, with concept stores, independent eateries and coffee shops on your doorstep.

Home truths:
*It sleeps six guests, but two of them would be on a sofa bed in the living room
*There’s no air conditioning in this home
*Even though there’s a lift to take you to the second floor, you still have to climb thirteen steps to reach the front door