Anja’s Simple Studio Apartment in Berlin

updated Feb 20, 2019
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Style
Bedrooms
Square feet
484
Sq ft
484
Post Image
(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

Name: Anja Szmania and her dog, Mici
Location: Wedding; Berlin, Germany
Size: 45 square meters (484 square feet)
Years lived in: 6 months; Rented

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Anja, a yoga teacher, has created an ideal home in a Berlin studio apartment. She was looking for the perfect home for her new life and needed a cozy space where she could regenerate herself, host dinner parties for friends, and feel at peace in between road trips.

(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

After months of hunting, Anja finally found this high-ceilinged studio apartment located in Wedding. It might take a while before you can call a place home, but for Anja, it was love at the first sight. The location, the airy space, the vibe, and the light—”Everything was made to be,” she confesses.

The kitchen offers enough space to cook healthy meals and store kitchen tools. The living area is voluminous and full of light and its size allows Anja to create different moods within the same space. The bonus is the small terrace—it is big enough to both host an after-dark tête à tête dinner and to grow a few plants.

Creating an entire universe in the same room is an exercise in style; at times, creating an atmosphere is more important than decorating. Keeping the space tidy and the visual distraction to a strict minimum is the key, and Anja believes in keeping things simple. There was no need for her to spend a fortune to have her apartment furnished and decorated, as most of the furniture and other objects were bought on eBay. The studio is full of treasures, but the true star under the roof is Mici, a little rescued terrier, who, for some reason, only understands Hungarian and has a natural talent both as a model and host.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Minimal. Just what I need and what feels good.

Inspiration: The flat itself inspires me.

Favorite Element: The wooden floor.

Biggest Challenge: Also that wooden floor. Because I was not allowed to take off that terrible red color that was on the floor the first time I saw the flat.

What Friends Say: They think it’s unbelievable that I finished decorating so fast. I came with almost nothing and bought all furniture used without spending much money.

Biggest Embarrassment: I have no embarrassment. I just would really love to have a bathtub because I would like to have a bath in the cold season.

Proudest DIY: I’m proud of everything. Everything was like a big gift from the universe.

Biggest Indulgence: Sitting on the balcony in summer. Having friends and family over. Giving massages to people and finally having a beautiful place for yoga. Couldn’t be better.

Best Advice: Buying furniture over eBay-Kleinanzeigen. It’s cheep and I have a face and a story to each and every piece I bought. It’s such a nice idea. People can sell the things they don’t need anymore and others can buy nice things for a low price. Everybody is happy and sometimes we were drinking tea together and telling stories.

Dream Sources: I sent a wish for a flat exactly like this and it came to me. Don’t ask how 😉

Resources

(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

ENTRY

  • Flat shoes storage: IKEA
  • Cardboard containers: IKEA
(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

LIVING ROOM

  • Coffee Table: IKEA
  • Couch: eBay
(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

DINING ROOM

  • Letter A: gift from a friend
  • Table: eBay
  • Chairs: eBay
(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

KITCHEN

  • Clock: Höfner
  • Containers: eBay
(Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

BEDROOM

  • Lamp: eBay
  • Duvet cover: gift from Anja’s mother
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The entrance to Anja’s apartment: she keeps important files overhead. Flat shoe storage from IKEA on the side of the wall is great for keeping the hallway clutter-free. (Image credit: Fabienne Ayina)

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Thanks, Anja!