“When residence 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, nonetheless, Clara acquired a little bit of nice information. “Coincidentally, a woman who lived up the road was on the lookout for 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 time swims, and why it’s best to at all times 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,” related. Eating chairs: Thonet, related. Pendant mild: Gubi. Tablecloth: related. Ceramic cups: Ceramore, “gifted by a pal,” related. Vase: Hübsch, related. Candle holder: Hübsch, related.
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 an enormous transition from dwelling with somewhat 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 pals made me really feel seen. My mother advised me I used to be robust and cooked dinner for me whereas I napped on the sofa. My pals have been very affected person once I wished to go over the identical factor for the third time, however I additionally appreciated their honesty once they stated, ‘Clara, cease dwelling on it’ the fourth time round.
Map: “my grandparents.” Wool rug: Ferm Dwelling. Bookshelf: Muji SUS Shelving, related. Lamp on flooring: “My grandfather’s from the seventies.”
On studying to loosen up: I work in knowledge science and luxuriate in common books after looking at 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 mild: Winters in Switzerland get darkish, so I like a superb lamp. Most of mine are from thrift shops or IKEA, however I lately 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, related. Couch: Bolia, related. Standing lamp subsequent to couch: Artemide. Cell: Flensted. Espresso desk: related.
On channelling your elders: My grandma was a music and literature trainer, and I used to be impressed by how unbiased she was. She requested her husband to sleep in a separate bed room within the Forties. My granddad simply had a mattress and desk in his room. In the meantime, her room was clothed in vivid 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 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, related. Portray: Clara. Butter candle: Merci.
On dinners with a twist: I like having individuals over for dinner and drinks. Since I’ve two left palms within the kitchen, I’ll often provide my house, placed on a playlist, and let one among my greatest pals take over the cooking. Final time, my pal 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 choose up a postcard from the present store. I preserve all of them in a field, which feels type of like constructing a private museum with items that spoke to me essentially the most. Exhibition posters make nice decor, too — they often have nice graphic design and aren’t too costly.
On feeling related: 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 pal. 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 hearken to my neighbor’s music — the partitions usually are not the thickest and he likes taking part in loud music, however fortunately now we have related style.
On surprises and delights: I booked a spontaneous journey to Paris as a result of the practice 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 high 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 pals: This summer time, three girls I met on a college trade 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, related. 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 number 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 mother and father even named me after the town. My center identify is Regula, Zurich’s patron saint.
Bookcase: La Redoute. Chrome candle holder: Stoff Nagel. Letter R: Thrifted, related. Poster above bookcase: Henry Moore Basis. Chair: “my mother and father,” related.
On summer time swims: Zurich is particularly nice in the summertime. We’ve many badis, that are bathhouses alongside the river and lake. After work, numerous individuals take a dip. The Frauenbadi, which is reserved for ladies, is one among 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 individuals watching.
On private preferences: On this residence, I’ve very a lot loved establishing new routines – my routines in my place. My residence constructing is surrounded by pine bushes, and I purposefully positioned my mattress in order that I can see one once I get up. Occurring a morning run previous the group 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 stunning house, Clara. We beloved taking a peek round.
P.S. Extra house excursions, together with a colourful Connecticut household home and a Brooklyn residence filled with DIYs.
(Pictures by Clara.)
