“When condominium looking up to now, I had an extended record of hopes,” says Clara Goebel, 27, who lives in Zurich, Switzerland. “However after a break up, you’re beneath a little bit of time stress and might’t be too picky.” After she and her companion ended their relationship, nevertheless, Clara acquired a little bit of nice information. “Coincidentally, a girl who lived up the road was in search of one thing bigger, and I wanted one thing smaller,” she says. “We ended up swapping flats with our landlords’ permission.” Beneath, she talks about dwelling alone, summer season swims, and why it’s best to all the time cease by an artwork museum’s present store…
DINING/LIVING AREA
Wolfgang Tillmans poster: Louisiana Museum of Trendy Artwork, Denmark. Desk: Thonet, “belonged to my mother and father,” comparable. Eating chairs: Thonet, comparable. Pendant mild: Gubi. Tablecloth: comparable. Ceramic cups: Ceramore, “gifted by a buddy,” comparable. Vase: Hübsch, comparable. Candle holder: Hübsch, comparable.
On adjusting to solo dwelling: My ex and I lived collectively for many of our eight-year relationship. We additionally had a kitten, who he ended up maintaining, so it was an enormous transition from dwelling with a little bit household to dwelling alone. For the primary days, my ideas ranged from ‘Why do I’ve a lot area on this mattress?’ to ‘Did he actually take the freaking stapler with out asking me?’ I by no means discovered a single piece of recommendation that made the breakup any simpler, however my mother and my mates made me really feel seen. My mother informed me I used to be robust and cooked dinner for me whereas I napped on the sofa. My mates have been very affected person once I wished to go over the identical factor for the third time, however I additionally appreciated their honesty after they stated, ‘Clara, cease dwelling on it’ the fourth time round.
Map: “my grandparents.” Wool rug: Ferm Dwelling. Bookshelf: Muji SUS Shelving, comparable. Lamp on flooring: “My grandfather’s from the seventies.”
On studying to calm down: I work in information science and revel in common books after observing code all day. I’ve novels, artwork books, and my grandma’s hand-annotated Bavarian cookbooks. I really like visiting Calligramme, a bookstore in Zurich that’s run by a 90-year-old, chain-smoking girl with a cat.”
On glowing mild: Winters in Switzerland get darkish, so I really like a very good lamp. Most of mine are from thrift shops or IKEA, however I not too long ago splurged on a Gubi pendant for above my desk. It damage my pockets however felt very grown up.
C’est La Vie poster: Landesmuseum Zurich, Switzerland. Curtains: Toast, comparable. Couch: Bolia, comparable. Standing lamp subsequent to couch: Artemide. Cell: Flensted. Espresso desk: comparable.
On channelling your elders: My grandma was a music and literature instructor, and I used to be impressed by how unbiased she was. She requested her husband to sleep in a separate bed room within the Nineteen Forties. My granddad simply had a mattress and desk in his room. In the meantime, her room was clothed in brilliant yellow cloth, with white furnishings and delightful patterns. It was simply so… her! On this new chapter of my life, I’ve tapped into her vitality.
BALCONY
On weekend rituals: My beautiful aunt gave me a subscription to an area newspaper for my birthday this 12 months. Each Sunday, I open my mailbox, seize the paper, then spend an hour studying all of the articles over espresso.
KITCHEN
Crate: Hay. Dish towel: Ferm Dwelling, comparable. Portray: Clara. Butter candle: Merci.
On dinners with a twist: I really like having individuals over for dinner and drinks. Since I’ve two left palms within the kitchen, I’ll normally supply my house, placed on a playlist, and let one in every of my greatest mates take over the cooking. Final time, my buddy made a dish with burrata, roasted grapes, honey, walnuts, and olive oil. It was so good, and I feel even I might handle making that subsequent time.
On museum recommendation: If I see an exhibition I like, I’ll decide up a postcard from the present store. I hold all of them in a field, which feels sort of like constructing a private museum with items that spoke to me essentially the most. Exhibition posters make nice decor, too — they normally have nice graphic design and aren’t too costly.
On feeling linked: Dwelling alone has introduced an entire a brand new depth to my friendships. My ex was my emergency contact, however now it’s my good buddy. Once I really feel a bit lonely dwelling alone, ambient noise helps. I not too long ago dug up an previous radio and have been listening to the morning information. Or I take heed to my neighbor’s music — the partitions will not be the thickest and he likes taking part in loud music, however fortunately we’ve comparable style.
On surprises and delights: I booked a spontaneous journey to Paris as a result of the prepare tickets have been ridiculously low cost after the Olympics. On the Merci idea retailer, I discovered this butter-shaped candle that made me smile. On prime of the books is a photograph of my mother when she was younger, working as a nurse.
BATHROOM
Crates: Hay. Towels: OYOY. Small lamp: “my grandmother’s.”
On internet hosting mates: This summer season, three girls I met on a college alternate in Singapore got here to remain for per week. They’re from Germany, the Netherlands, and Boston. It was a chaotic tight squeeze, and the bathe drain clogged like 3 times from all our hair, however we had the perfect time catching up.
BEDROOM
Bedding: La Vie, comparable. Floral pillow: HK Dwelling. Striped mattress skirt, Etsy. Rug: Hay.
On a peripatetic childhood: I used to be born north of Zurich. Once I was six, my household moved to Boston for my dad’s work and stayed for 5 years. I’ve all the time cherished packing my baggage and have since lived in Marseille, Singapore, and London. Just a few years in the past, I returned to Zurich for work. It’s small in comparison with a metropolis like London, however I really feel at house. My mother and father even named me after town. My center title is Regula, Zurich’s patron saint.
Bookcase: La Redoute. Chrome candle holder: Stoff Nagel. Letter R: Thrifted, comparable. Poster above bookcase: Henry Moore Basis. Chair: “my mother and father,” comparable.
On summer season swims: Zurich is very nice in the summertime. Now we have many badis, that are bathhouses alongside the river and lake. After work, a number of individuals take a dip. The Frauenbadi, which is reserved for ladies, is one in every of my favorites. On weekends, I really like heading to a café — particularly Si o No, Café du Bonheur or Café Plüsch since their street-side seating is ideal for individuals watching.
On private preferences: On this condominium, I’ve very a lot loved establishing new routines – my routines in my place. My condominium constructing is surrounded by pine timber, and I purposefully positioned my mattress in order that I can see one once I get up. Happening a morning run previous the group gardens, taking a scorching bathe within the evenings with the home windows open for a cool breeze, lighting a candle on my bed room windowsill whereas I braid my hair earlier than mattress — it’s a delight to have these little rituals that nobody is aware of about however me.
Thanks a lot for sharing your lovely area, Clara. We cherished taking a peek round.
P.S. Extra house excursions, together with a colourful Connecticut household home and a Brooklyn condominium filled with DIYs.
(Images by Clara.)
