I recently came back from a few days in Berlin. Unlike my last trip, which was purely business, this trip was also about pleasure.
Going to Berlin is something I’ve been planning for a while, after hearing so many wonderful things about the city. I wasn’t disappointed. From the first day it managed to charm me with it’s unique style.
If I try to define what sets Berlin aside from other places, I think it’s about the unusual mix between the traditional and conservative with the progressive and edgy, between the past which holds much suffering and wars, and a present and future of openness to new ideas. A mix which was created after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when the city woke to a new life and quickly managed to catch up with it’s European neighbors.
Berlin is full of magical places, small side streets and inner yards in which you can find small boutiques, coffee shops and galleries. I have already told you about my love for small boutiques, and Berlin isn’t missing any. I have chosen to present you a few of my favorites:
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| Serendipity, Hackesche Hofe- Hof IV |
This lovely butique is in a complex called “Hackesche Hofe”, in which a series of patios is connected, all filled with small shops and coffee shops. In this shop you will find everything you want but don’t need – designed boxes, decorated notebooks, pretty housewares and decorations, some from my favorite French brand Mini Labo, which will get it’s own post soon.
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| Hoo Ka Hey Shop, Kastanienalle 19 |
Some of the shops are located in what used to be apartments for living. In this shop they decorated the passages with beautiful drawings.
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| Kauf Dich Glucklich, Kastanienalle 54 |
What most defines Berlin style is the nostalgic, Retro feel. In many shops there is a mix between old and new and many times even the new items look second hand. The place you see in the pictures above is like heaven for those who are into retro. On the first floor you will find a small coffee shop, which is actually a small Formica kitchen, where they serve waffles with coffee or hot chocolate. You can enjoy them sitting next to one of the Formica tables or in the small yard full of old-school garden furniture. On the second floor there is a cute shop selling new clothing with a vintage chic.
When you’ll walk into this shop, you wouldn’t know what to get excited about more- the clothing or the funiture and the beautiful vintage decorations. These, by the way, are not for sale (I checked)..
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This shop actually is a second hand shop, so all these are actually for sale. Playmobil anyone?
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Filippa K, Alte Sconhauser str
When it comes to contemporary design, Berlin also has a lot to offer. In this great designer’s shop you can find chic, refined items. The prices, of course, go accordingly.
In this wonderful shop, the design on the shop manages to overshadow the design of the shoes, which are creative as well.
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When you get tired from checking out all the shops, I recommend a visit to this wonderful bakery on one of the yard on Oranienburger street. They make only cookies and the smell in there is indescribable. If you arrive when they are closed, you can always buy some cookies from the cool vending machine outside.
