Refreshed into 2021

I think we all agree that 2020 was ‘special’ to say the least. Now 2021 is not really off to a better start, at least not here in Germany, but if there is a lesson learnt in 2020, then it is that we can make the best happen even under the oddest circumstances. I mean take me as an example: I quit my corporate job, I got married, I finished and launched my second book PLANT TRIBE together with Judith and traveled to a whole lot of countries, pre- and during-COVID, with all due security measures of course. And now I started 2021 with a new home: I left Munich after 12 years and found a new apartment in Berlin.

So 2021 marks a refreshed start for me and my husband in our new Berlin apartment. Even though the city (as is all of Germany) is in hard lockdown and Berlin is not Berlin as it is used to be, we still love every moment in our new home. Furnishing a new place is always a great opportunity and adventure. I’ve decided to only bring a few furniture pieces from my previous home in Munich, as well as a very reduced number of accessories and books. Why? Mostly because I want our Berlin home to be a representation of both of us, not only me. Hence expect lots of Brazilian art and design, German and Austrian art, Scandinavian design and touches of my bohemian soul.

Even though the apartment is currently in progress with most pieces due to arrive over the next weeks (and some even months thanks to the current crisis), we already made it cozy enough for us to enjoy and take it easy – step by step. One of our first acquisitions was our new sofa: it is a vintage sofa from the 1970s from the Brazilian designer Percival Lafer in olive green leather. Hello earthy vibes! Our vision is to create a cozy, earthy living room with a touch of 1970s vibes. As the room is pretty big with high ceiling, I have opted for a extra large wool rug in eggshell color from Urbanara – to give it a calm basis. And for the touch of 70s with a contemporary spin, we commissioned the Brazilian textile artist Juliana Maia to create an art piece comprised of 28 handwoven wool panels.

We have more art from Brazil which still needs to get framed and mounted. Also more plants will move in once the rest is done and probably one of the last things to arrive will be the new ceiling lamp. We are also still deciding on a small barcart (currently we put the Bølling Tray Table from Brdr. Krüger which usually serves as a bedside table). Not to mention all the missing pieces for the home office/guest room, the fronts for our wardrobe in the bedroom and a dining table for the kitchen. Still a bit to go as you see!

As you can imagine, currently I am living out of moving boxes mostly. Most of my stuff is still in boxes – so is my camera – hence I am sharing just some quick iPhone snaps with you here. But there will be more updates coming over the next weeks. And I promised myself to be more active on the blog in 2021 as last year was mostly dedicated to writing and launching the PLANT TRIBE book.

Anyway, enough writing here today. If you have any comments and/or suggestions for my new apartment, I’d be more than pleased to read it in the comments. And if I bored you to death, I hope you will resurrect better and happier after this:-) Still and forever sending good vibes your way!

iPhone photography Igor Josifovic-Kemper