“When condominium searching previously, I had a protracted checklist 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 obtained a little bit of nice information. “Coincidentally, a woman 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 you must at all times cease by an artwork museum’s reward store…
DINING/LIVING AREA
Wolfgang Tillmans poster: Louisiana Museum of Fashionable Artwork, Denmark. Desk: Thonet, “belonged to my dad and mom,” comparable. Eating chairs: Thonet, comparable. Pendant gentle: 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 holding, so it was a giant transition from dwelling with slightly household to dwelling alone. For the primary days, my ideas ranged from ‘Why do I’ve a lot house 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 advised me I used to be powerful and cooked dinner for me whereas I napped on the sofa. My mates had been very affected person after I wished to go over the identical factor for the third time, however I additionally appreciated their honesty once they mentioned, ‘Clara, cease dwelling on it’ the fourth time round.
Map: “my grandparents.” Wool rug: Ferm Dwelling. Bookshelf: Muji SUS Shelving, comparable. Lamp on ground: “My grandfather’s from the seventies.”
On studying to chill out: I work in information science and revel in taking a look at common books after gazing code all day. I’ve novels, artwork books, and my grandma’s hand-annotated Bavarian cookbooks. I like visiting Calligramme, a bookstore in Zurich that’s run by a 90-year-old, chain-smoking woman with a cat.”
On glowing gentle: Winters in Switzerland get darkish, so I like a very good lamp. Most of mine are from thrift shops or IKEA, however I lately splurged on a Gubi pendant for above my desk. It harm 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. Cellular: 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 vibrant yellow cloth, with white furnishings and exquisite patterns. It was simply so… her! On this new chapter of my life, I’ve tapped into her power.
BALCONY
On weekend rituals: My pretty aunt gave me a subscription to an area newspaper for my birthday this yr. 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 like having folks over for dinner and drinks. Since I’ve two left fingers within the kitchen, I’ll often provide my house, placed on a playlist, and let one in all 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 believe even I may handle making that subsequent time.
On museum recommendation: If I see an exhibition I like, I’ll decide up a postcard from the reward store. I preserve all of them in a field, which feels type of like constructing a private museum with items that spoke to me probably the most. Exhibition posters make nice decor, too — they often 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 once my emergency contact, however now it’s my good buddy. After I really feel a bit lonely dwelling alone, ambient noise helps. I lately dug up an previous radio and have been listening to the morning information. Or I take heed to my neighbor’s music — the partitions usually are not the thickest and he likes taking part in loud music, however fortunately we’ve got comparable style.
On surprises and delights: I booked a spontaneous journey to Paris as a result of the prepare tickets had 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 ladies I met on a college change 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 thrice from all our hair, however we had the most effective 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. After I was six, my household moved to Boston for my dad’s work and stayed for 5 years. I’ve at all times beloved packing my baggage and have since lived in Marseille, Singapore, and London. A couple of 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 dad and mom even named me after town. My center identify 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 dad and mom,” comparable.
On summer season swims: Zurich is particularly nice in the summertime. We’ve many badis, that are bathhouses alongside the river and lake. After work, plenty of folks take a dip. The Frauenbadi, which is reserved for ladies, is one in all my favorites. On weekends, I like heading to a café — particularly Si o No, Café du Bonheur or Café Plüsch since their street-side seating is ideal for folks 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 bushes, and I purposefully positioned my mattress in order that I can see one after I get up. Occurring a morning run previous the neighborhood gardens, taking a sizzling 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 house, Clara. We beloved taking a peek round.
P.S. Extra house excursions, together with a colourful Connecticut household home and a Brooklyn condominium stuffed with DIYs.
(Pictures by Clara.)
