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| via Flickr |
There's something about Berlin that I love. I think many people feel it. Others do not. Not at all. But when I am here (which I am right now), I feel good. Relaxed. Life feels easy. Even though it is quite a big city. There's lots of contradiction. Lots of contrast. There's always something to do, something to see, something to learn, to remember or to experience. You can do some of it, you can do it all. But you don't have to do any of it. No one will judge you. Live and let live. Work. Create. Lounge. Enjoy. Explore. Learn. Progress. Regress. I feel there is time and room for all of it. I love Berlin.
So, I thought I'd invite you to peak into three Berlin apartments which seem to sum up the vibe I feel here - although they are all very different.
This apartment belongs to Alex. Images via Freunde von Freunden.
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This apartment belongs to Olaf. Images via The Selby.
This apartment belongs to Alicja and Gregor. Images via Freunde von Freunden.
Have you ever been to Berlin? Did you feel what I'm talking about? Or maybe your experience was different... I'd love to hear about it :)
See you next time,
Xx. Holly
gorgeus!!! love the first apartment especially :D
ReplyDeleteI love how industrial the design is. simple elegance.
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same! And I've been living here for four years now...
ReplyDelete@ Lafle - I know, so great, right?! Thanks for stopping by, always means so much! Xx.
ReplyDelete@Jaclyn - Hello there! Nice to meet you here. Thank you for you comment. Off to check out your blog now :)
@Johanna: oh I am so happy to hear that! Xx.
Love the black and white checkerboard floor in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm a huge fan of Berlin, for the same reasons you mentioned. I love living in London but space is limited and premium. That's where Berlin triumphs for me. I have seen the apartments on FvF and The Selby but have also rented some awsome apartments there myself. Big spaces are still affordable, at least compared to London property prices.
ReplyDelete@Will: I love that floor too! And those old wooden floor planks in the hallway of the image above it?! I would sleep on them :)
ReplyDelete@ Tina: It' s great in Berlin ... for now. I feel things are changing so fast. I wish I knew what my near future held so I could make some kind of decisions. I feel like every day the demand is growing and the prices are rising and I will miss my chance at a beautiful, affordable place... but I must wait and see :)
@ Will: actually, now that I look again, ALL those floors are simply amazing! lol.
ReplyDeleteHi Holly!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the pleasure of experiencing Berlin, having stayed there only over night. You description is exactly what I 'd like to have the chance to feel & see.I think that a week there would be a god start.
From my first visit, which was limited to some basic sightseeing on a cold & grey winter day, all I felt was that the city has a rather "heavy" atmosphere... could it be because of its past?... can only but guess without knowing for sure.
I'm rather difficult in liking big cities in general - with some exceptions of course, but I do have the tendency to very much love distinct suburbs of them! And I'm almost certain that I would simply love to feel the cultural & artistic vibe of Berlin, visiting cafes, art places, shops to name but a few.
As for the apartments you post here, the 2nd & 3rd ones are my favorite, both incorporating a lot of my preferred interior features.
I only am somehow lacking this little "something" that makes them feel more cozy, well taken care off, places where living there is something enjoyable & cherished.
Olaf's apartment is extremely nicely put together & I get the impression he really enjoys living there. Plus he is an owner of that awesome chair. Sigh...
Alicja & Gregor have certainly found one amazing place to live in, what an apartment!
@ Iro: Thank you Iro for your words and thoughtful comments. So appreciated! I think you are right that Berlin does have a heavy atmosphere given its history, so it is not for all people - I mean as a place to live, but of course, it always makes for an interesting place to visit. I also think you are right about the "lack of care" in the interior spaces. They do have this sort of "laissez faire attitude" regarding the interior feel - where things sort of happen by chance. Which is actually very reflective of the city vibe I think. Actually, maybe you have shed some light as to why I am attracted to these spaces as being reflective of Berlin. Good instincts you have. I don't think I could have explained that one myself without your message here. So thank you for that. :) Xx.
ReplyDeletewow misses! "laissez faire attitude"... !! that is SO incredibly the point. Have no clue how the comment helped, but I'm happy to have contributed to some more understanding. You are very welcome therefore :)
DeleteActually I find nothing wrong with this kind of attitude...
It's just the care issue being somehow missed, or maybe a little bit more of "bringing things together", while still holding this free attitude. Do you think it could be possible, or would they perhaps contradict each other?
whatever...
Olaf's place is certainly well thought of to every single detail & then now that I'm going through Alex's place again, he certainly has managed to put together a cozy home! :)
Cheers, hope all is better with your tooth by now, xoxo
Hi Iro! Once again, thanks for your comment :) I think we should save this laissez faire vs bringing together discussion until we have cookies and tea! Looking forward to that very much.
ReplyDeleteMy teeth are all shiny and new! It took forever to completely unfreeze today, but I am happy with the result. Thanks for asking ... I don't even want to ask about your tooth in case I jinx it ;) I am knocking on wood... How is it holding up?
Xx.
Hey Holly. Think I've said to you before that I love Berlin and could happily live there. We stayed here in the new modern extension - http://www.miniloft.com/ - and it was a great space! Berlin had a great vibe and was very relaxed. Of course I was on holiday, so living there for real could be different.
ReplyDeleteI love Olaf's place - some great pieces (though I'd have to declutter)... and he's cute! xx
@ Gerard: Thanks for your comment! The mini loft looks awesome - good location too. I can't decide which is my favourite apt out of the three ... I keep switching between Alex's and Olaf's, only becasue they're more my style than the third (but I do enjoy looking at the third...).
ReplyDeleteI agree, Olaf IS cute! Xx.
ps. Coffee Heroes is on my to-do list next week ... :)
Hello Holly!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and the idea behind it! There are so many creative people out there in Berlin and I love getting little ideas and putting them into my own home : ) I love the huge chalk board in the kitchen! I will have to remember that for our next flat.
Looking forward to some more posts and your DIVs! In my head I have already made a paper-heart-girland : )
talk to you soon!!!
X from Janie
Thanks for your nice comment Janie! See you definitely around the blog-o-sphere .. or better yet, in Berlin! Xx.
ReplyDeleteThat unit in the first image is AMAZING! what a cool cool apartment :) Can you tell the home owner Alex that I'm moving in, hehehehe. xxx
ReplyDeleteI'll tell him you're move in date is Valentine's day! ;) Now, wouldn't that make a good story ... lol Xx.
DeleteYour place simply looks amazing, especially with the place being so spacious. I hope that I could get a place like that someday.
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My favorite would have to be Olaf's apartment. I'm drawn to bright colors and creative ideas. I especially love the chalkboard kitchen wall! How I wish my apartment for rent in Makati looks like that.
ReplyDeleteThe flooring is very stunning. I like the idea of using a wood flooring. Choosing the right flooring for an apartment is a crucial part. As we know, it is the soul of every house. The better the flooring is, the better the ambiance the room will have. Those furniture are also very compelling. I hop to find a room just like this in the Philippines where Makati luxury apartments for sale are everywhere.
ReplyDeleteYou've got to love Berlin. I've seen epic homes in BYU approved housing that looked like those in Germany.
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!! love the chair.. and i love this post and the idea behind it!
ReplyDelete