homestory Archives - soonafternoon

Berlin

The minimal jungle of horticure founder Deborah Choi

The minimal jungle of horticure founder, Deborah Choi

The home of horticure founder Deborah Choi, is a tranquil space bathed in sunlight, with plants reaching all the way to the ceiling. Earlier this year I had the absolute pleasure to pay a visit to the home she calls her minimal jungle. It was a joyous morning filled with stories of plants and travels, of finding a home in foreign places and of creating value for others. Here’s a peak into all that transpired on that beautiful morning in August.

Tell us about horticure and the idea behind it.

“horticure is a consumer platform for plant care, connecting you with the knowledge, services and products that keep your houseplants happy and your indoor spaces green.”

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Where did the idea for horticure originate and how did you go about shaping it into a business?

“I got the idea for horticure after years of bad luck with my own houseplants, and having gone through the hassle numerous times, to find the plants I want locally and get them into my flat. I wanted convenience, I wanted access to expertise, and I realized there was an opportunity to create that for myself and others.”

Tell us a little about Deborah.

“I was born in Nigeria, though grew up in America as my parents immigrated to the US for better education and economic opportunities when I was three years old. Although I didn’t grow up there, I consider New York City to be home; I moved there a few years after university and it was this city that really formed me as an adult and also as a professional. I now have lived in Europe for a little over 4 years, and in Berlin for 3. But that’s just the geographic stuff! 🙂 Professionally, I’ve been an entrepreneur and business owner for the majority of my career: in this way, I’ve learned a lot of what I know about recruiting, branding, marketing, partnerships, tech and sales by doing (as I studied political theory at uni). Horticure is my 4th business, after first launching a fashion e-commerce brand, a media company and an innovation agency for venture-backed startups.”

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What are the values you bring to your business and professional practice?

“I’ve had the privilege to work as a consultant to improve the ideas and strategies of others, within corporate environments as a marketer, within media as a strategist, and also as a founder going from “0 to 1” a few times. These diverse experiences help me understand and know how to work with the influences, stakeholders and ecosystem around my newest venture much better than I could have, even 5 years ago. I view experiences as cumulative, and seek the ways to weave in what I’ve learned in the past, into today.”

What are your ultimate long term goals for horticure?

“We envision and aspire to a world filled with healthier, greener indoor spaces. For us this means thinking flexibly about the channels in which we deliver knowledge, services and products. For now, it’s via in-home services, video consultations and messaging. In the future, it could be via AI integrations, voice assistants, etc.”

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What are some of the biggest setbacks or challenges you face?

“We’re a marketplace business, which means we have to manage the growth of the supply (i.e. our horticulturists and plant suppliers) vs. the growth of demand (i.e. plant owners and plant shoppers). Generally speaking, managing “liquidity”, or having just the right amount of supply and demand is hard, and it’s hardest at the beginning, which is where we are!”

Are there any other brands, or companies who inspire you or where you draw inspiration from?

“I am really inspired by the service platforms that have nailed the user experience, and deliver a feeling of ‘ultra convenience’ for their users. I love using apps like Uber and Deliveroo for this reason: the experiences provide very little friction for me, simplify my decision-making and save my valuable time.”

What does sustainability mean to you as a business founder and what would you say are the biggest challenges business owners are facing with regard to the topic?

“For our users, we focus on keeping their houseplants happy and alive, so they can feel good at home and draw more of the well-being effects from having greenery indoors. The alternative–buying plants, killing them, repeating that–is wasteful. Nearly a billion euros is wasted each year in the UK in this exact process by people and companies.”

If you could give yourself advice in your twenties – what would it be?

“Take the risk: failure often isn’t failure, but regret is real.”

What brought you to Berlin, and what keeps you here?

“In a way, family brought me here. I first moved to Zurich, Switzerland four years ago from NYC, and I gave birth to my daughter there (her father is Swiss). But I knew I couldn’t be a happy me there, and also that staying in Europe would be important for my daughter to grow up with both her mother and father. My daughter keeps me here, but now three years in… there are exciting, other roots that root me here too: friends who are family, a nice quality of life, and now also this business venture.”

How would you describe your home, what influences your style and where do you draw inspiration from?

“I like to call my home style “minimal jungle”. Form and function, only having what I need, these ideas go into the furniture choices I’ve made. But I’ve also been very inspired to bring a lot of greenery indoors, as well as unique pieces from my travels to Marrakech, one of my favorite cities in the world. You’ll find a lot of natural materials in my home: bamboo, rattan, jute, cotton.”

Do you have a favourite piece of furniture or artefact? Tell us the story behind it.

“It’s always something with a story. Maybe the first that comes to mind is the new Berber rug in my flat, which I got the last time I was in Marrakech over the summer. I and the shop owner spent several hours bargaining; jotting down a number and pushing it back and forth across the table, over several cups of tea. At the end we shook hands, even snapped a photo together. Some find that process of buying in a market like the souqs as stressful. For me, it’s incredibly fun!”

There seems to be a rising trend of indoor plants and people filling their homes with plants. What do you think motivates people to bring greenery into their homes?

“We spend such a small amount of our time outdoors and in nature, less than 10%. Plants reconnect us, and can create a sense of well-being in any room with even one.”

Your number one tip plant-care tip for someone whose thumbs aren’t particularly green.

“Get watering right, and you can kind of ignore everything else… Over- and under-watering your plants is what leads into the bigger problems that then require more of your time, like pest control.”

Soonafternoon Interior Design Photogrphy

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Berlin

Leit & Held

The founders rethinking raw materials in their design of beautiful leather goods

A couple of weeks ago I spent a chilly Sunday afternoon with Dana Mikoleit and Pia Held, two of the three founders behind the inspiring brand LEIT & HELD. We met at Dana’s beautiful home in Friedrichshain–her living room serving as the studio where the very first pieces were born. Dana, pushing pedal to metal on her Durkopp Adler 267, expertly crafted new prototypes, while I quizzed Pia on some of their business fundamentals. Nina Conrad, who lives in Zurich, could not join for the day, but nonetheless shared her valuable insights into their efforts of making leather goods more sustainable. It’s one of those interviews, that really makes you buzz with excited inspiration.

What inspired your idea for the business and why did you decide to look into the hide production and supply chain as a point of focus?

Pia: “Dana and I started this journey 3,5 years ago where it was mainly about the design and the creative process. Our skills and design aesthetics are very complementary, so we did this as a passion project, just for the joy of working together, exploring the possibilities of materiality. Within the process, very organically, the question about the origin of the material came up and while we were travelling through Portugal, making partnerships with manufactures and tanneries we realized how non-transparent and dirty the leather business is.”

“After a little crisis we started again, changing the perspective, visiting local organic farms in Germany and did a lot of research on organic agriculture, farming and sustainability. At this time we met our 3rd partner Nina on a Fair Fashion event in Berlin who is an expert in sustainable supply chains. We teamed up with her and worked on the common vision to build up our own supply chain for Leit & Held–from the cows to the final product, all in Germany.”

Nina: “The leather industry has been in disrepute for a very long time. We forget that leather is a by-product of the meat and especially, dairy industry. We have to take a critical look not at leather per se, but at the consumption of meat. As long as we consume meat and dairy products, there is nothing more sensible than to use the skins of these animals. To bring the whole process into harmony with nature, and to make it traceable and transparent is my driving force.”

Dana: “I enjoyed creating beautiful bags. For me the design aspect was the origin. In the course of the process I was motivated by the desire to be able to wear them with a good feeling.”

“Finding the most acceptable material was the biggest challenge. But the more I understood leather as a by-product of the meat and dairy industry, the more I believed that what we are doing makes sense.”

How long did it take to make your idea into a product and business? Tell us about the timeline from conception to launch.

Dana: “I started with the first prototypes in 2015. About a year later I met Pia and together we developed the brand. At that time Pia and I were still looking for happy cows in Portugal. When we met Nina we decided together to build the whole supply chain in Germany.”

Pia: “It was a long and organic process, not very linear. It became more serious when we founded Leit & Held in the beginning of 2019. We celebrated our launch last September at LOK6, so 9 Months after the official start. Like a pregnancy!”

Nina: “I’ve built leather supply chains in other projects and teamed up with Pia and Dana to build one in Germany as well. Due to my know-how, it went much faster than before–but still very long if compared to conventional brands. We take the term ‘slow fashion’ literally.”

Where are your products made? Was this difficult to coordinate or set up?

Dana: “Our cows live on green pastures near Bodensee in Southern Germany. Not far from there is the slaughterhouse “Fairfleisch”. All animals come from certified farmers, who guarantee an appropriate animal husbandry. Our tannery is only a few kilometres away. The hides are processed into products in Solingen in a small family business. It was a very long process to establish the production in Germany. Since Nina is based in Zurich, she can visit the producers regularly. I go to Solingen and make sure that the production is going well. ”

Pia: “It’s definitely not that easy nowadays to find (good) manufacturers in Germany–as most businesses prefer cheaper and more profitable productions in China etc.”

Nina: “Our entire supply chain is located in Germany. The short distances between the companies and the short distances also to our cities make coordination relatively easy. It was more difficult at the beginning to get an overview of how this whole industry works and also to find partners who are willing to rethink processes.”

What’s been the hardest or biggest challenges you faced?

Pia: “As this started as a passion project the brand Leit & Held is quite personal for me and became a big part of my life. Growing with it, it was and is hard to learn to think more like a business person, which is very different from just focusing on the creation part. It goes against my nature, to tell people to consume… But I guess its part being an entrepreneur.”

Dana: “It was the endurance that you have to show when building your own brand. To go on for so many years and still keep on doing it has challenged me a lot–as I’m always full of ideas”

Nina: “I find it most difficult to maintain our team spirit due to the great distance.”

What has been the most rewarding part of the process so far? Any memorable surprises?

Pia: “The incredible flow with which this project has evolved from day one. I feel like we have always met the right people at the right time. And all the positive feedback so far for what we do and how we do it. ”

Dana: “The fact that we received the support from Investitionsbank Berlin gave me great motivation. To see that others also believe in the concept has motivated us all.

Nina: “The many good feedbacks about Leit & Held and our project, our vision and our courage have definitely motivated me the most. And of course it was a great honour for me to be interviewed by the biggest magazine in the leather industry, ILM ;-).”

What are your big future goals?

Pia: “Creating more supply chains for beautiful products from other natural materials (like linen, wool etc). Collaboration: We want other brands, especially bigger labels to use our materials to change something in the fashion industry. Inspire a more mindful consumption”

Dana: “We plan to make collections with other natural materials that are available in our region. The goal is to manufacture products from it in Germany or Europe.”

Nina: “We would like to make our supply chain and our knowledge available to others and I would be very happy to be able to implement many co-operations in the future. Leather can be used not only to make bags and accessories, but also furniture and other interior objects, shoes, clothing, toys and much more.”

What does sustainability mean to you as founders and how do you bring it into your business practice?

Pia: “Longevity. Creating goods that last forever (quality-wise but also because of their simplicity) so that people give it to their children and grandchildren one day. Reflection and awareness for our next generations and our planet, contributing to it. Finding moderation. Finding your own center.”

Dana: “In every decision we make about what is more responsible to our world. For example, we decided not to use magnetic buttons on the backpack, but instead we used snap fasteners. They last longer and are produced in a more environmentally friendly way. Sometimes this topic is annoying because all decisions are made more slowly, but when you look back you are proud to have made a lot of good decisions.”

Nina: “Thoroughly examining every step of a supply chain and making the best possible decisions in terms of a solution that is as natural as possible but also durable. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the cotton thread that won the race, but a mixture of cotton and polyester, as this thread simply lasts the longest. The footprint may be slightly higher immediately after production, but when you look at the lifespan of our products, it is much lower.”

In what way does it make running a business harder and where can the industry improve?

Pia: “It’s challenging to combine our design standards with our expectations on sustainability. Also, people are so used to always have access to all products, in big amounts, immediately. We forgot how to be patient, slow down and wait for goods to be manufactured. It’s important to create awareness for prices and costs for something you can carry your whole life with you.”

Dana: “For us, good design is as important as sustainability. These two components may contradict each other and then decisions are not easy and therefore take more time. ”

Nina: “I do a lot of research and I can’t let myself be influenced too much by trends. The whole fashion industry still has a lot to learn.

At the moment many brands are focused on imitation leather under the term ‘vegan’, which is always associated with oil. In my opinion, that is not sustainable.

But I do understand this behaviour, because it’s mostly out of ignorance. To support this with my know-how is a great pleasure.”

Which businesses inspire you? Do you have industry leaders that you like to learn from or that inspire you?

Dana: “Kaffeeform from Berlin. They have a small team and are a great example for me in teamwork. Besides, they have managed to become successful all by themselves, without big investors or backers. I admire the founder for his energy and endurance. I see it every day as we sit in an office together.”

Nina: “I’m very inspired by my dear friend Dörte de Jesus from The Lissome. She manages in a wonderful way to show the beauty in sustainability and make it accessible. I am also very inspired by Claire Press, sustainability editor at Vogue Australia, who is very passionate about her work and delivers a lot of exciting content with her podcast ‘Wardrobe Crisis‘.”

How can my readers support you?

Pia: If what were doing resonates with you, follow our journey through our Newsletter, Instagram or our Website.”

Dana: We’d be happy if readers understand our philosophy and tell others about Leit & Held .”

Nina: “By continuing to tell our story, carrying our honest attitude and by buying a product from us. :-)”

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Berlin

Founders of Homemade Studio on the meaning of home and navigating a bootstrapped business

Soonafternoon has always been an exploration of space. Those realms in which we find ourselves inspired to dream and driven to create–whether it’s nature; the home we were born into, or the dwellings that offer us the safety to express our identities. I was therefore so excited to sit down with the dreamers behind Homemade Studio; an airbnb-esque platform to book photo-shoot locations.

Founders Paris & Guia, both citizens of the world, have lived all the way from Rio to New York, London, Copenhagen and Melbourne before settling in Berlin. They shared with me the intricacies of a start-up, bringing dreams to life in a brand-new city and of course, the concept of home.

Homestory with Homemadestudio founders - Soonafternoon

Terrace - Interview with Homemadestudio - Soonafternoon

How did you come up with the idea for Homemade Studio?

Paris: “For a personal project, I was in search of a location to showcase and shoot a collection of products. I didn’t want to use a standard photography studio, with white walls and a plain background but I rather envisioned a unique and authentic, yet affordable space. After not finding any convincing options, I came to the idea of using the home of a friend instead, picturing my products placed around the lovely living room which on its own already looked like a ‘ready-made set.’ And it was at this exact moment that the question popped into my mind: ‘with so many incredibly designed homes and private spaces throughout the city, could other creative professionals also benefit from having access to these locations for their photo shoots and films?’ I imagined an Airbnb for the creative community, specifically designed for production purposes. This was the lightbulb moment and the start of the Homemade Studio story!”

Was it difficult to get started with the business? What resources helped you get to where you are now?

Paris: “We bootstrapped our business from the very beginning, which naturally made things harder as we had to be very careful and savvy about where and how we spent. Our limited budget encouraged us to adopt the lean approach which pushed us to become more creative and hands on in all areas. Depending almost entirely on ourselves, we had to wear many hats and be extremely proactive in learning things that we did not previously know, but all of this ultimately allowed us to shape our business and give it our personal stamp which its now becoming known for!”

Guia: “As first-time founders, we were worried about being unable to navigate these uncertain waters but, once we decided to actually make a start we naturally split tasks and steadily made our way through our never-ending to-do lists! For the first year we worked from a startup incubator that helped us structure our working days while also allowing us to be part of a community of founders. Sharing our challenges and successes and listening to the failures and accomplishments of others, helped us make our way through the first unpredictable months.”

What has been your biggest obstacles in the business, if any?

Paris: “Finding a balance between work and ‘time off.’ When we started, we were very excited about the idea of having a self-employed lifestyle and the freedom it allows. And it’s still true, we both really love it – but after working 24/7 for these first 18 months, we now also realise how important it is to listen to our limits and do our best, without pushing ourselves near to the breaking point. At times it can be very hard to find that balance and switching off is pretty difficult, especially because we love what we do, but it’s also absolutely necessary, for ourselves and in turn our business!”

Guia: “One month after we launched our website I became a mother and I must admit that dealing with two very demanding babies was far more challenging than expected. For the first few months I found it very hard to keep up with the fast-pace of a start-up. This was probably the toughest moment for our business but also for our team as we had to completely revisit our schedules and working styles. We pride ourselves in having a very transparent and honest relationship that allows us to navigate through these hard times, finding the right compromises in order not to harm the business or our team harmony.”

Terrace - Homestory with Homemadestudio - Soonafternoon

“A home is your own piece of sanctuary and freedom – a place that is truly and uniquely, you!”
Paris & Guia

In all the cities I have lived, homes have played a big role in how people live and socialize. For instance, where I grew up, most people have homes with gardens and people tend to socialize at home. What do you think is different or special about homes in Berlin?

Guia: “Having lived in several different cities, I have always been fascinated by the role of homes in people’s lives and socializing habits. In Milan, for example, apartments tend to be very private, reserved for families and close friends. I was really impressed by the openness of Berliners to welcome total strangers in their homes. When we first started, without an established company or website and sending emails from our Gmail account, we reached out to a few beautiful homes to ask them to join our (yet to be built) platform. To our surprise, the response rate was great and we succeeded in recruiting 20 Home Studios before even founding our company! This feeling of trust, safety and community is one of the things that make us love Berlin so much!”

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Tell us about the most interesting place that you listed?

Paris: “I always feel a connection to and am fascinated by our Home Studios that have been creatively converted from unexpected spaces, such as former elementary schools or laundry, wool and chocolate factories – especially when some of their original features have been preserved. Berlin is full of these historically inspired places, each with an interesting story to tell and you can really feel it the moment you step inside. One of the quirkiest spaces we’ve listed was a bright yellow USA school bus which the owners had turned into a small nomadic home. Getting a ride, through a forest, on our way to a ‘camping style’ photo shoot last autumn is definitely one of my special highlights!”

Guia: “This is such a hard question, I love all our Home Studios! The one home tour I remember the most vividly is the one of “A Berlin Original”, a GDR space that we visited on a cold and rainy winter day. We had the pleasure of listening to the owners’ interesting stories while sipping homemade tea and delicious cookies next to the real Berlin style oven in action. A step back in time for a truly enchanting experience!”

A home in a way is like a canvas. A place where we can express ourselves and our creativity. What I love about your platform is that people get to share this creativity with others and benefit from it. Do you have something to add to this?

Paris: “I think you said it perfectly and this is one of the main reasons why we made the decision to focus on real-life spaces such as homes, rather than standard photo shoot studios. We really want to encourage local sharing and in turn authentic content by consciously making use of the plethora of incredible existing spaces that people have created – spaces that are otherwise unseen and inaccessible. Several owners told us that whilst they don’t feel comfortable with offering their homes for vacation rentals and having a stranger sleep in their intimate space, they feel a sense of pride in seeing their own personal home used for creative purposes whilst at the same time earning more by flexibly renting their space by the hour.”

Have you noticed any style trends in the homes that you listed in Berlin?

Guia: “In our interview for Bellevue magazine the journalist referred to Homemade Studio as a “trend barometer” with booking statistics acting as indicators for the most successful interior styles. In our portfolio we have quite a few Scandinavian lofts, characterised by spacious interiors with a simple and chic décor. The charming candor of these Home Studios has also conquered the attention of creative producers!”

How would you describe your own personal styles at home?

Paris: “I love the neutral colours of the Scandinavian home, coupled with the minimalism and elegance of the Japanese style: a beautiful hybrid that I’ve only quite recently come to know as ‘Japandi.’”

Guia: “An open plan loft with Scandinavian minimal décor combined with rustic brick walls and wooden beams, Scandi Penthouse (my home’s stage name on Homemade Studio) earnestly sums up my apartment’s style.”

Do you have any mantras that you live by that help you keep going?

Paris: “‘If you don’t go within, you go without.’ I came across this in a book in the mountains of Sri Lanka and it stuck with me. Finding inner peace and balance is essential and something I consciously strive for and practise.”

Guia: “‘Per aspera ad astra’ (through hardships to the stars). My father engraved this quote on a watch he gifted me for my 18th birthday. Ever since, in the tough moments, I use it as a comforting reminder that hardship, accompanied by perseverance, eventually leads to success.”

Which story on Soonafternoon has resonated the most with you?

“We really love all of your interviews and the whole style of your blog – it’s truly beautiful! Having met the ladies of Grüneo, we were of course more personally connected to this interview as we have seen parts of their journey first hand, and we really admire their all ‘green’ concept!”

Follow their journey: Homemadestudio.com | @homemade_studio

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Step inside

The round house

When I was little, my mom used to drive us to Rietondale for icy early morning hockey tournaments. Often, I’d ask her to take the steep drive up Eastwood, so we could pass by the round house on top of the hill. Every time, I marvelled at the unique architecture, and busied my mind with thoughts of the interesting people whom I was certain must live there. For one must surely be curious to live in such an unusual home.

Many years later I drove with a friend up that very hill, on our way to visit her mum. And to my surprise and utmost delight, we stopped at the round house. My friend had grown up there. This was their house. Going inside, I felt like I’d received a gift. For not only was I able to explore a place of childhood fantasy, but my reveries of a marvellous interior, had been largely correct. This house was indeed extraordinary.

The Le Corbusier inspired “Round House”, was designed by German architect May von Langenau, for my friend’s late father and her artist mother, Margaret Nel. An exemplar of the so-called International Style of architecture, the house is noted for its spherical shape (quite a novelty at the time of construction in 1961) as well as the structure. Hoisted off the ground by supporting pilotis, the terrain extends under the house in true Le Corbusier fashion. With a radial layout instead of load bearing walls, the space provides spectacular views of the surrounding Magalies mountains.

But if the view or the structure does not amaze you, the interior will. Nel has done an incredible job at curating the space. Every detail has been carefully thought out, every piece telling its story. Old iron hospital beds, -trollies and -lockers add to an industrial theme that feels surprisingly warm and modern thanks to accompanying second-hand, mid-century pieces sourced at great length by Margaret.

An interesting dialogue between the decor and artwork is evident throughout the interior. Among the works of esteemed artists like Claudette Schreuder and Diane Victor, peculiar artefacts like plastic dolls and dinasours, wooden sculptures and vintage mannequins, transform the house into an artwork itself.

The clever displays feel like a running commentary of artistic expression. It’s at the same time sensitive and quirky; a dualism of sorts, between a bright and colourful South African vernacular, and a muted European design sensibility. Nel’s own work is on display as well. Pieces from her “Best Before” series (oversized life-like renderings of meat and confectionary wrapped in plastic and styrofoam) continues the dualistic notions, in this instance, of preservation and decay.

The house itself feels, as it were, like a juxtaposition. It’s at once classic and modern, off-beat and stylish. And so in answer to my childhood daydreams, the round house is undoubtedly eccentric. An elegant expression of Margaret Nel’s keen design sensibility, her prowess as an artist and her fine sense of humour. Check out the piece on minimalism to see the Anex to the house.

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Berlin

Feng Shui designer’s apartment in Berlin

Berlin based interior designer Line Casselman on design, sustainability and a little bit of Qi.

I found designer Line’s work on Instagram, and it was a little like love at first sight. When I knocked on her door a few days later for an interview, I thought it curious (and awesome!) how easily people welcomed me into their homes. But then Line opened the door, and at meeting her for the first time in person, I felt like we could just as well have been friends forever. Stepping into her beautiful apartment, I simply felt so comfortable and at home. Whether it is Line’s welcoming demeanour and warm energy, her lovely collection of plants or her clever use of Qi, I cannot say. All I know is I did not want to leave and I can’t wait to visit her again. Here is her story:

Tell us a little about Studio Mosbech.

“I started studying psychology and did a bachelor in economics. After that I worked in marketing for a short time but I wasn’t really happy. Finally I realized I wanted to do something more creative. I then did my Master’s degree in Interior Design in Italy. I couldn’t be more happy that I chose this career. It was a path of learning and growing. Now looking back, everything makes totally sense to me. It just took me a couple of different steps to get where I am at the moment. Finally, it all comes together. Now I use all my skills combined in Feng Shui, which is all about the individual human being and it’s environment. This is just perfect for me.”

“With Studio Mosbech I aim to create individual spaces that harmonize with its habitants needs and wishes. On top of that I match it up with the specific rules of Feng Shui. I love bringing joy to people by creating these spaces and turning apartments or houses into individual homes that express the owners’ personality. The same applies to restaurants or shops and their owners.”

Beautiful apartment of Berlin based interior designer

I love the calming energy in your house. How would you describe your style and how do you create such a tranquil mood?

“I’m definitely influenced by my environment and my Danish roots, but I don’t consciously follow trends. I love imperfection and mixing different styles. One style or direction can get very boring in my opinion. Everything I own has a story and some pieces I’ve had for many years from travelling, or handmade by my grandpa in Denmark.”

“I think each home grows with time. Mine for sure did. For me it’s definitely the individual touch that makes a house a home. I love earthy tones, natural materials and greenery which I also mostly use in my projects. This creates my very own personal retreat.”

What does sustainability mean to you and how do you bring it into your design practice?

“We have to realize how our decisions influence our environment. It is important to understand the context between choices and impact. For my work it means to use alternative sustainable products. My goal is to create designs that will last for years rather than following quick trends that will be gone in a minute. There are different levels to sustainability. One is the obvious like using decomposable, recycled or second hand products. The other level has to do with my workflow. I try to keep printing to a minimum by using digital concepts, invoices and contracts for example. But of course there is always room to improve.”

Are there any other brands, companies or designers with a sustainable approach who inspire you or where you draw inspiration from?

“There are so many incredible people out there that want to make our world better. I love to follow dariadaria from Austria. She really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to sustainability. I also really love the design and company values of skagerak.dk – like responsible production and long-lasting designs. Regionally I like johanenlies and their way of reusing old wood and metals. Kiezbett is also really nice. I like the design and that they only use regional wood for their products. I appreciate everyone out there who try to take responsibility and care for our world. This inspires and motivates me to do the same.”

Where do you think the industry could still improve?

“I feel like the furniture industry is adapting to the fashion industry. It is fast-paced in terms of trends. As a result, the quality is not as high as it used to be. I think we should all decrease our consumption of poorly produced products. But there is a lot of development. Recycled materials and totally new sustainable materials are playing a much bigger roll now. Nikolaj Thrane for example, introduced furniture that were made out of sea grass at this years Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair. Other brands built chairs out of recycled plastic from broken fisher nets. There are many alternatives coming up. So I hope the big players will take responsibility and jump on the environmental bandwagon.”

Beautiful baclcony of interior designer in Berlin

Your house is filled with beautiful plants. Do you make use of plants in your work for clients as well? What role would you say they play in creating atmospheric spaces?

“Thank you! I love plants! Ha ha ha. Again it depends on their individual desires. Every human being is individual and for my job it is important to take that into account. I know that not everyone likes to take care of plants. For me, plants bring life to a place and make it cosy. Not to mention that some plants improve the air you are breathing. Other plants use your air, so in Feng Shui you wouldn’t really place plants in your bedroom. That is where I make an exception. I just have too many! Ha ha ha. (But I definitely chose the ones with positive impact for the bedroom.)”

Do you have a favourite species?

“I love the different varieties of calatheas because of their pattern and colours. The leaves are alive and are closing for sleeping at night. You can really see them breathe! How cute is that? I especially have a heart for special plants and nicely coloured leaves.”

Living room of Berlin based interior designer

Apartment of Berlin based interior designer Line Casselman

Tell us about all the wonderful old things in your home – what’s the story behind them all?

“Our families pre loved most of the things we own. Our kitchen table and cupboard are from my grandparents. It was the first kitchen furniture they had together. And now it’s the first of my boyfriend and mine. I hope it is a good omen for our relationship since they were married for 65 years, ha ha ha. I also own some nice wooden furniture my grandpa in Denmark made himself in his little studio back in the day. I’ve loved the smell of wood ever since I was a little girl watching him work. In general, I love to give old things a new life and home. But beside the fun factor, I think it is necessary to work with what we already have around instead of producing and consuming new stuff.”

Do you use vintage and second hand objects in your work as well? Where do you go to find the best items?

“It depends on my clients’ needs and wishes, but I would always recommend second hand and vintage before buying new. Especially when I work with smaller budgets it’s compelling to have to explore the secondary market to get similar appealing results. It’s so much fun to get the best out of the budget and hunt down forgotten treasures and bring them to new shine. I really like eBay Kleinanzeigen, fleamarkets and some antique retailers. But Berlin can be a bit tricky sometimes. Prices are quite high so you have to be quick and always have to keep an eye out. But if you go outside Berlin you can still be lucky to get nice stuff. Sometimes it’s even worth it to look on the streets. You can find real treasures”.

Home of interior designer Line Casselman

What inspired you to study Feng Shui? Tell us a little more about the practice.

“Many people consult Feng Shui consultants because they have a problem to solve like a bad night sleep, illness or problems in a relationship. For me it was pure interest. I finished my Master in Interior Design and after some projects I realized it just didn’t feel complete. It felt right to pair my Interior Designs skills with the holistic approach of Feng Shui.”

“Feng Shui can bring harmony to your environment and positively turn the energy around. In a Feng Shui consultation I’ll visit your home and measure the cardinal points. After getting some information such as the birthdates of all the residents and the year of moving in, I can start with my calculation. As Qi (a kind of energy) changes over time, the date you moved in is important to calculate and define the changes of Qi. Afterwards I’ll recommend an interior concept that fits your personal needs. Of course there are many other solutions for individual problems (as I mentioned before) but this would go to deeper into the topic.”

How long did it take and how has it changed your design approach?

“The first course takes around 4-5 months. But it is a lifetime of learning and a process after all. Like Yoga and Qi Gong are working with the energy inside yourself, Feng Shui is working with the energy of your surrounding. Every yogi out there will agree, that there is always more to learn. Taking that into consideration it definitely changed my point of view how to build up design. Where to place furniture is not only an aesthetic question. It also has impact on the human being living there. With Feng Shui I can take actions to bundle energy and lead it in to a positive direction.”

Home office of interior designer based in Berlin

Home office of interior designer Line Casselman

Entrepreneurial life can be a tough at times. What would you say is the hardest thing about being your own boss and how do you beat those blues?

“Actually I even love to do my taxes! Ha ha ha. I really appreciate that I can work for myself, and I am very thankful, so I am happy for all the things that come with it. But getting in touch with like-minded people and proactively looking for clients is sometimes hard for me. I am not really the networking person. But I try to overcome myself. It actually is not that hard once you dared.”

Any words of wisdom or mantras you live by?

“Don’t be afraid of what might happen. Everything that happens will make you grow. Something like that… One of my life lessons is that sooner or later every experience makes sense somehow. Even negative phases in your life will turn out as the most positive growing after time.”

Do you think individuals can live more sustainably? Where would you advise we begin?

“I think most of us can do more than we already are. We have to. It is important to always reflect and stay informed. But I also think that we shouldn’t be too perfectionist. If every human being does a little, in total it is a lot. We cannot change from one day to the other. It is a process for which awareness is essential.”

“In short term I would advise to avoid producing too much waste. To begin with always having your own carry bag when shopping. Checking out your weekly market instead of buying plastic wrapped cucumbers. Make your own sparkling water instead of buying it in plastic bottles. If you take coffee to-go, take your own cup.”

“In the long term there are different steps you can take: try sharing vehicles. Use green power providers. In terms of Interiors I would always recommend to check out second hand first before buying new. There are also many sustainable/decomposable household items you can use like sponges made out of agave, wooden toothbrushes, reusable paper-towels made out of bamboo, etc. There are a lot of nice and well-designed stuff out there especially in such a varied city as Berlin.”

“Try to reflect and consume what you really need. It is always a balancing act between self-fulfilment and ecological responsibility. Always keep in mind what makes you really happy. This sounds way to know-it-all but a couple of years ago I didn’t apply these standards myself. As I said, it’s a process and it begins with awareness. There are a lot of easy steps to begin with. I hope we (mankind) will do better in the future.”

What is your favourite thing about Berlin and how does it inspire or influence your creativity?

“There are so many creative and cool people living here. We all grow and inspire each other and there are so many super nice places to discover. But it’s also overwhelming sometimes. Berlin is growing and changing all the time and it’s hard to keep track of. It is always full of humans and it can be very hectic. I am very sensitive which makes it necessary to have a place to calm down in the end of a day. My home helps me retreat. There is room to breathe and dream and to restore my creativity.”

Whats your favourite spots in Berlin for:

Breakfast or coffee: Two And Two in Pannierstraße, delicious cake and a nice selection of coffee.

Spending a hot summers day: At one of the beautiful lakes Berlin and Brandenburg have to offer.

Spending a cold winters day: At home with candles, tea and self-made cookies.

Finding inspiration: Everywhere.

A night out with friends: Drinking cocktails at Herr Lindemann. They use healing herbs as ingredients. They really have the best.

Interview with interior designer Line Casselman

For more information about Line and Studio Mosbech, have a look at her website and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram @studiomosbech.

Berlin

Creating beautiful functional objects with OBA studios

Ever since I started my “plastic free” journey, I’ve been buying bars of soap instead of liquid lotions. With this ensued my search for functional soap dishes – a seemingly endless undertaking since I could not find one that did not end in a premature demise of mushy soap. My search finally ended when I came across the beautiful soap dishes by OBA studios. A beautiful object that moves beyond the realm of pure aesthetics, thanks to the addition of two paramount elements; function and sustainability.

I met up with the creators of OBA studios to share stories of entrepreneurship, design and creativity. In their sunny kitchen, sitting down under the giant leaves of a beautiful Monstera deliciosa, founders Birgit Ostermeier and Dr. Barbara Jenner told me about their endeavours to make every day objects better and to do it in a way that is good for people as well as the planet.

Tell us a little about OBA Studio. How dit it all start?

Barbara: “It all started in Famalicao, a very small village in Portugal, where we spent a summer together. In the middle of nowhere we decided to start a business together. Our vision wasn’t completely clear at the beginning but we wanted to sell everyday objects that are simply better in terms of function, aesthetics and sustainability. However at that point we didn’t have a clue how to do that.”

Where did the idea for your soap dish originate from and what was your process in going from concept to final product?

Barbara: “At that time I was working a lot with ceramics. I love soaps but had to see them drowning and finally dissolving in their own liquid almost every two weeks. At one point I got tired of watching that misery in my bathroom and tried to come up with something better. The first shape was a very simple zig zag shape, but surprisingly it seemed to work! After firing (in the kiln) I took a photo and send it to Birgit – it wasn’t the perfect shape at the beginning, but it was already working so much better then what I had before. We decided to make it our first product, and started testing and improving it. Six months later we had our first product online.”

How long did it take to bring your product to the market and what were your biggest obstacles?

Barbara: “We decided to start a business during the summer of 2017, but we really started making plans end of 2017 and officially became a GbR in June 2018. From the first idea to the ready to sell product online it took almost a year.”

What I love about the soap dish is that it solves two problems. It’s not only beautiful but effectively keeps your soap from becoming soggy. How do you marry aesthetics with functionality?

Barbara: “We are both very critical observers. And we challenged ourselves to make the very best.”

Birgit: “Both coming from the art scene and having a trained eye for form and beauty is a great help. It is also neccessary to be much better than what is already out there. You find more than 10.000 different soap dishes that are sold online. We fortunately managed to add value not only in design and functionality, but also in regards to a fair and regional production.”

Building a business has its challenges and even though it’s highly rewarding, it’s not always easy. How do you stay positive and motivated?

Barbara: “One thing is probably just to trust that it will work. It’s something you own, even if it doesn’t work out, it’s a mistake you made for yourself and not for others.”

Birgit: “We manage to laugh a lot with each other and that helps me a lot to keep going. But also the success we already have online. We have a good culture of discussion which helped us to develop a company we both love and to keep going step by step.”

“It is something you own, even if it doesn’t work out, it’s a mistake you made for yourself and not for others.”

Going from concept to final product or actioning on an idea and bringing it to life is really tough. What advice can you give someone that has an idea – but isn’t sure where to start in making it a reality?

Barbara: “One huge thing is research, or to simply look at the market and find out if there is already something similar out there. If there is, then it’s interesting to find out why it works or why it doesn’t. For our soap dish we’ve asked a lot of friends to test it and give us feedback, which was very helpful.”

The future of our planet is a hot topic right now and rightfully so. What do you think businesses can do to take positive steps at curbing climate change?

Barbara: “Most of all I think its important to be aware of this topic and to try to find better solutions. For small businesses like ours it’s not easy but we try to keep questioning production processes. Our decision to produce in Germany was based on exactly this topic.”

Birgit: “There are also a lot of aware customers out there, who we take very seriously. The results of the European selection show that a majority cares to prevent climate change. I believe that businesses should take this result very seriously and be motivated to go in the right direction. You can not transform a company into a climate friendly business in one day, but to set yourself the aim to, for example, produce CO2 neutral in 10 years will lead to different management decisions.”

As a company with a sustainability mindset – what would you say are the toughest obstacles to combat. Any ideas on how one can tackle or solve it?

Barbara: “Right now we are struggling with the packaging. It is very thin and doesn’t provide enough protection for shipping. Most of the refunds are shipping damages. Right now we have a bubble plastic cover on top of our cardboard packaging, which isn’t ideal, but we already found a solution and our workshop is on it!”

Birgit: “I think it is important to see the sustainability of a product as an ongoing process. At the moment we can be proud of what we reached in regards of producing with a socially engaged company in Brandenburg and that our product makes soap more durable than common soap dishes. After the packaging we will take a closer look at yet unsolved questions like recycling or things like environmentally friendly stickers.”

What would you say are the characteristics of a good team or business partner and what do you think are important things to consider when choosing an accomplice?

Barbara: “I think it’s good if you can find different skills and interests in a team, and then of course a huge shared interest in the same topic. One of the most important things is trust though, and I’m extremely lucky to have found such an amazing business partner.”

Birgit: “So am I! Besides trust I see humor, persistence and understanding each others needs as important prerequisites for a good business partnership.”

What are your future plans for OBA Studios? Which products can we look forward to seeing?

Barbara: “Currently we are working on different materials for the soap dish such as porcelain, terrazzo and wood. We’ve also started working on other products, one of them is an atmospheric wall light and the other one a self watering planter for all the plant lovers out there who aren’t blessed with a green thumb or simply want to go on vacation without worrying about their plants too much.”

Finally, name 5 of your favourite spots in Berlin for:

Breakfast or coffee: Barbara: “Kaffeebar, Tischendorf or Latodolce.” Birgit: “Kaffee Mitte, Café Krone.”
Spending a hot summers day: Barbara – “At a lake or in Italy.” Birgit – “Favourite Lakes are Liepnitzsee or Schlachtensee.”
Spending a cold winters day: Barbara – “At home or in the sauna.” Birgit – “My perfect choice is the Vabali Berlin.”
Finding inspiration: Barbara – “On instagram and pinterest, books, magazines and museums.” Birgit – “By walking in nature and in restaurants and hotels that are managed with love and perfection.”
A night out with friends: Barbara – “Ideally dancing, but mostly we just end up in a bar” Birgit – “Art openings, fancy restaurants and R&B dancing.”

The soap dishes are produced in Brandenberg, Germany. You can find more details about their products on the OBA studio’s website or buy them through their amazon store. Don’t forget to follow them on instagram to see what they are up to next!

Creative exchange

At home with Carla Erasmus

The air is warm and prickly as we manoeuvre our rented Hyundai up the steep streets of Cape Town’s city centre. Up ahead, the large flat body of Table Mountain towers like a majestic monument. Behind us, the deep blue water of the atlantic glimmers in the sunlight. It’s a bright and sunny day in Southern Africa, and we’re on our way to meet Carla Erasmus, co founder of Bofred; the feature furniture brand based in Cape Town. Carla has warmly agreed to an interview and invited us to her home, where we’re gingerly greeted by her curious, and oh so photogenic dog, Frankie.

How did you get started with Bofred? What was the inspiration and driving force behind starting your own thing?

“Boredom really… I got bored with working really hard for other people and executing their creative visions. I had my own. That gave me confidence to take the leap. I was stuck in a 8-6 job. Underpaid and creatively frustrated. That’s enough to make you be brave enough and start your own thing!”

At what point did you realise or start to feel that the business was worth pursuing and that it could be a viable endeavour?

“I still don’t know. We have three years behind us. I work really hard, I give it my all. I’m an early riser and a confident business owner. That must count. I think it’s a viable business because I LOVE my job. I strive for perfection and originality & creative indulgence… We have many opportunities ahead of us that excite me.”

Was there a point in time where you almost gave up? Tell us about that – and why you kept going nonetheless.

“I want to give up when I realise I could make more money… I made a lot more before I had my own company. But money isn’t everything you know… and I am not giving up…”

Which piece that you developed, are you most proud of?

“The Arch Table Lamp. I LOVE it.”

What motivates you in your work or where do you find your inspiration?

“I go to lots of art exhibitions. Im an artist and a photographer – and not strictly a designer. My designs are just sculptural yet practical items for the home. I find most inspiration in art and music.”

Do you have a mentor? Tell us about him or her. If not, who would you most love to learn from?

“Oooooh, tough one. I perhaps need a mentor. I read a lot about other small businesses and their success stories – so I absorb what other creatives are doing around me. So I can learn from their mistakes and make insightful decisions in my business.”

How would you define your home style or style of your home?

“It’s lots of found items from travels and heirlooms. Lots of art and photographs and books and textures. I don’t really follow trends – I just buy what I like and I can use in my home. Everything has a story, I know where everything is from, when why and how. Nothing is bought in sets of 8. Nothing matches the drapes. As one evolves – as one should – I let go of things and replace the insignificant purchases.”

Do you have inspiration sources that you apply to styling your home?

“Nope. I get influenced with work research and work and home collide. But I am a huge fan of young London based interior designer, Studio Ashby.”

What is your favourite room at home and why?

“The little corner seat at the front of the house. It’s a built in window seat. Trees being the view and dappled sunlight. Morning coffee / Friday night wine corner / Saturday morning meditation / Sunday lazy reading nook.”

What’s your favourite piece at home? Why do you love it.

“I bought a Staffordshire ceramic dog at a SPCA in Underberg, Kwazulu-Natal, and it’s my favourite possession. It cost nothing, literally I think R20 – but I gave a large donation because I’m an animal activist and it would only be fair. They did not realise the value. I LONG for a pair. My favourite pieces is the ART in my home, it grows and move around in the house… so it’s ever changing and ever pleasing.”

Do you have an architect, artist or an iconic designer who inspires you?

“Jacques Grange! ( interior designer ) & Eileen Grey // Cy Twombly as multi-disciplinary artist & Giacometti. No, too many to name. List is endless.”

What place do you escape to? A place you like to go to, to recharge or an address that makes you feel good?

“I go back “home” where i grew up – Durban – every three months. I visit my parents, my sister and her family. That’s solid quality time. And I can just be.”

“For me to recharge, take me to a secluded cabin, no electricity, no signal, no instagram – no evidence that I existed in that space – a waterfall…. my dog and my husband. Western Cape has endless magical spots such as these that I enjoy with my family and friends.”

Do you have a philosophy of life, or advice you follow religiously?

“Go to bed early. Go to bed with an empty mind. Go to sleep relaxed. Talk to your dog, your partner or read an easy read. Listen to music. Laugh. Get off your phone. And wake up early. Have a coffee, go for a walk, make a healthy breakfast and start work bright and early!”

Name one piece of advice you could give to someone who’d like to be pursue their own dream or business idea:

“Be Brave. Be original and have fun!”

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person, who would you want to meet and why:

“Geogia O Keefe. she had a lot of dogs. We would hang out and paint in her garden.”

What is your favourite destination outside of South Africa, and why do you love it?

“I haven’t travelled enough… but I loved travelling to Sri Lanka for a friends wedding – and we backpacked for three weeks after that…”

Name 5 of your favourite spots in Cape Town for…

Breakfast or coffee: Hemelhuijs.

Spending a hot summers day: In Yzerfontein sipping crisp Chardonnay at my mother in law’s home and taking a quick sunset dip in the freezing Atlantic!

Spending a cold winters day: If it’s raining: At home, with snacks and documentaries. If it’s just cold: Hiking up the mountain and enjoying the views and the fresh air!

Finding inspiration: At an art exhibition – hopefully by myself – on a saturday morning, SMITH or Stevenson Gallery.

A night out with friends: A night IN with friends. Or greek in the courtyard at Marias.

homestory

The minimal jungle of horticure founder, Deborah Choi

Tell us about horticure and the idea behind it.

Where did the idea for horticure originate and how did you go about shaping it into a business?

Tell us a little about Deborah.

What are the values you bring to your business and professional practice?

What are your ultimate long term goals for horticure?

What are some of the biggest setbacks or challenges you face?

Are there any other brands, or companies who inspire you or where you draw inspiration from?

What does sustainability mean to you as a business founder and what would you say are the biggest challenges business owners are facing with regard to the topic?

If you could give yourself advice in your twenties – what would it be?

“Take the risk: failure often isn’t failure, but regret is real.”

What brought you to Berlin, and what keeps you here?

How would you describe your home, what influences your style and where do you draw inspiration from?

Do you have a favourite piece of furniture or artefact? Tell us the story behind it.

There seems to be a rising trend of indoor plants and people filling their homes with plants. What do you think motivates people to bring greenery into their homes?

Your number one tip plant-care tip for someone whose thumbs aren’t particularly green.

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

The founders rethinking raw materials in their design of beautiful leather goods

What inspired your idea for the business and why did you decide to look into the hide production and supply chain as a point of focus?

How long did it take to make your idea into a product and business? Tell us about the timeline from conception to launch.

Where are your products made? Was this difficult to coordinate or set up?

What’s been the hardest or biggest challenges you faced?

What has been the most rewarding part of the process so far? Any memorable surprises?

What are your big future goals?

What does sustainability mean to you as founders and how do you bring it into your business practice?

In what way does it make running a business harder and where can the industry improve?

Which businesses inspire you? Do you have industry leaders that you like to learn from or that inspire you?

How can my readers support you?

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Founders of Homemade Studio on the meaning of home and navigating a bootstrapped business

How did you come up with the idea for Homemade Studio?

Was it difficult to get started with the business? What resources helped you get to where you are now?

What has been your biggest obstacles in the business, if any?

In all the cities I have lived, homes have played a big role in how people live and socialize. For instance, where I grew up, most people have homes with gardens and people tend to socialize at home. What do you think is different or special about homes in Berlin?

Tell us about the most interesting place that you listed?

A home in a way is like a canvas. A place where we can express ourselves and our creativity. What I love about your platform is that people get to share this creativity with others and benefit from it. Do you have something to add to this?

Have you noticed any style trends in the homes that you listed in Berlin?

How would you describe your own personal styles at home?

Do you have any mantras that you live by that help you keep going?

Which story on Soonafternoon has resonated the most with you?

Follow their journey: Homemadestudio.com | @homemade_studio

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Energized by stories from creators?

The round house

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Wild about interiors?

Berlin based interior designer Line Casselman on design, sustainability and a little bit of Qi.

Tell us a little about Studio Mosbech.

I love the calming energy in your house. How would you describe your style and how do you create such a tranquil mood?

What does sustainability mean to you and how do you bring it into your design practice?

Are there any other brands, companies or designers with a sustainable approach who inspire you or where you draw inspiration from?

Where do you think the industry could still improve?

Your house is filled with beautiful plants. Do you make use of plants in your work for clients as well? What role would you say they play in creating atmospheric spaces?

Do you have a favourite species?

Tell us about all the wonderful old things in your home – what’s the story behind them all?

Do you use vintage and second hand objects in your work as well? Where do you go to find the best items?

What inspired you to study Feng Shui? Tell us a little more about the practice.

How long did it take and how has it changed your design approach?

Entrepreneurial life can be a tough at times. What would you say is the hardest thing about being your own boss and how do you beat those blues?

Any words of wisdom or mantras you live by?

Do you think individuals can live more sustainably? Where would you advise we begin?

What is your favourite thing about Berlin and how does it inspire or influence your creativity?

Whats your favourite spots in Berlin for:

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Energized by stories from creators?

Creating beautiful functional objects with OBA studios

Tell us a little about OBA Studio. How dit it all start?

Where did the idea for your soap dish originate from and what was your process in going from concept to final product?

How long did it take to bring your product to the market and what were your biggest obstacles?

What I love about the soap dish is that it solves two problems. It’s not only beautiful but effectively keeps your soap from becoming soggy. How do you marry aesthetics with functionality?

Building a business has its challenges and even though it’s highly rewarding, it’s not always easy. How do you stay positive and motivated?

Going from concept to final product or actioning on an idea and bringing it to life is really tough. What advice can you give someone that has an idea – but isn’t sure where to start in making it a reality?

The future of our planet is a hot topic right now and rightfully so. What do you think businesses can do to take positive steps at curbing climate change?

As a company with a sustainability mindset – what would you say are the toughest obstacles to combat. Any ideas on how one can tackle or solve it?

What would you say are the characteristics of a good team or business partner and what do you think are important things to consider when choosing an accomplice?

What are your future plans for OBA Studios? Which products can we look forward to seeing?

Finally, name 5 of your favourite spots in Berlin for:

Text & Photography © Barbara Cilliers

Energized by stories from creators?