Interior design inspiration in Berlin: Habitat Store in Potsdamer Platz

I rarely fell in love with a design store. In most cases, I am particularly looking for inspiration for various pieces of furniture, seldomly for a full room set. Unfortunately, in the case of many such stores - IKEA including - the setting is neglected for the chaotic accumulation of products. After all, the thinking might be that the customer is interested in buying not in visiting an exhibition. Habitat store in Potsdamer Platz, Berlin makes a well deserved difference in this respect.

Expanded on two storeys, the store offers everything you need for your modern house: from chairs and various office items, to full living or bedroom sets. The employees are running up and down, ready not only to convince you to buy a specific product, but knowledgeable in interior design affairs. Therefore, if you are looking for a particular advice for a dramatic challenge to your house, you will most likely find the right person here. You don't need to pay a 'consultant'.

The items are available in different colours - like the red chair that is also offered in yellow or gray or cognac, among other culours. The furniture suits the modern houses and spirit, when you want to fill a small space with as few objects as possible.

Sometimes, one single colourful item can definitely change the entire mood of the house. At Habitat you can easily bring more life into your kitchen or living room, with one single object. The products are medium to high prices, but if you make the right decisions, you can easily satisfy even the strictest budget. 

Comfort goes hand in hand with practicality and multi-functionality. This sofa from the picture can be easily made into a guest bed. For the long winter days, one can spend the working day at home there, while enjoying the full comfort without leaving the room. I am not so happy with this colour, but materials are also available. 

The store offers everything you need for your house, for bathroom decorations to colourful carpets. Don't expect Persian quality at those carpets, but at least a modern piece with a lot of colours. Don't expect elegance or high-end choices, but at least some youthfoul and friendly vibes. Sometimes it can be enough.

In addition to carpets, the pillow section is also worth an eye, for the same reason.

You can easily spend a couple of good hours strolling the various sections of the store. Leaving home with at least one item is also possible. For instance, the copper-coloured lamps are so elegant and simple. Or the leather brown sofa, perfect for a business-like house or even an office lobby.

One of the products that I definitely fell in love with is this very practical desk. It is the right investment in terms of space and comfort. You can set up your laptop with enough space left for some files or a book you are working on. It can easily be moved in different parts of the house and when not used for work, it can be an elegant decorative table or a good writing spot. 

Another interesting section richly represented at Habitat gathers beautiful photographies and paintings, many of them travel- and nature-inspired. Some can be purchased for over 200 EUR. but sometimes only this small investment can dramatically change the perspective in your room. The customer service is there to help you to choose the right one as well as to establish the details of the delivery or other technical aspects.

My visit at Habitat was a revelation. Besides the good practices in terms of customer service, I've found a couple of interesting ideas and products that would love to have in my own house. As soon I am planning a dramatic re-design of my home, this visit was more than a professional investigation, it seems. 

Interior design inspiration: Fashion for Home

Wandering through this beautiful shop, situated in the very center of Berlin, I realized how important colour is for dramatically changing an environment. A single patch of colour can make a terrific difference in a space. This is the main lesson learned at Fashion for Home store.

The distinctive note can be given by a big piece of furniture, or by small accessories, such as a shining lamp or a creative carpet.

Two pillows of two from two different ends of the colours spectrum can bring life into an otherwise sober and I dare to say boring couch.

This chair is not only comfy - I had the chance of testing its welcoming hug - but eye challenging in his simplicity.

As I am trying lately to explore various chair sizes and designs, I've found interesting their collection. Either for the kitchen, the office or the cozy corner, there are many attractive models that make the room an intelligent geometry game.

I underestimate sometimes the power of discrete lightning. In this case, it beautifully highlights the carpet patterns and thus gives a completely new dimension to the room.

I am not a big fan of white rooms, but when you have only one piece of colour - the blue couch - the life in a white cube is much more bearable.

The pastel combinations are more than a seasonable fashion. Managed in right quantities, it brings joy into the room.

The keyword that applies to many of the items presented here is: elegance. Of the colours, lines or volumes, while keeping the standards of the practical needs of the modern space and the simplicity of style.

I particularly appreciated the copper lights, for the potential to reflect and therefore magnify the environment.

The colour of this chair reminds of some old times furniture, from the 1960s, but in fact added to the modern armchair, it cries modern life. Most pieces can be delivered in different colours.

The shapes are simple and easy to fit in even the smaller space. Economically designed, they answer the needs of modern families, looking for comfort and simplicity, quality and elegance. The prices are usually middle to high. The customer service is more than friendly, with knowledgeable personnel not only in matters of shop supplies but with an eye for interior design advices as well.

The visit at this store proved very inspired and a great opportunity to learn more and educate my eyes in the spirit of colours joy and modern design.

Interior Design inspiration at Paper&Tea Berlin

Situated on a quiet street in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf area, Paper&Tea is a classical destination for those in love with high tea, Asian minimalist design and elegant shopping. 

Although the space does not abund, the shop is organised with careful attention to details. The many tea items and tea boxes or other ingredients are spread between the many shelves, without leaving the impression of crowded. The furniture is paint in pastel mild colours which matches the usual classical musical background of the store. Invitation to serenity.

The tea assortments abund, but for me, the most interesting experience is the chance to touch the texture and smell the various teas. Particularly my beloved Matcha.

The quiet Japanese porcelain is an invitation to silence and finding your inner strengths.

Each sortiment of tea is presented in detail, with information about the geographical origin and the description of the fragrance. Just like in a laboratory.

Apparently, there are so many utensils used for the preparation of the perfect tea, that you need to take some classes to understand how to use them right. Their website - in German and English - offers information about the products displayed as well as tells stories about tea and brings information about various events hosted. The information help in case when the customer service had a bad day, as it happened when we visited.

Tea&Paper is a place for inspiration and wellbeing, to visit even if you may not be that passionate about tea. Yet.

Interior design inspiration: Morgenland store in Kreuzberg, Berlin

Situated in the cozy and family friendly Kreuzberg neighbourhood in Berlin, Morgenland offers a variety of well priced products, many of them with a Middle Eastern touch. The products displayed in the front of the store on shiny days give an idea of the variety of styles and budgets. 

 For the beginning, my favourite are the colourful cushions that look very appealing in the morning spring sun. 

 Some of the wooden chairs and tables are equally interesting, very well suited for small family interiors. 

The indoors shop offers even more surprises and a much more diversity of products. I love the Oriental lamps made of different pieces of colourful glass. Lightened by inside, it creates a mysterious ambiance. Think about hanging them on the corner of the room... 

 Moroccan style little plates are also very beautiful, with clear colours and attractive patterns. 

The customer service is friendly and ready to help, a very important asset given the big number of products displayed chaotically in such a small space. The prices are also friendly, at least for the small items.

From cushions of different sizes and patterns to aromated candles, you can have everything you need for a speedy decoration of your new appartment. If you are a minimalist like me, you do not even need to search anywhere else.

Jewellery inspired by the Middle East patterns, made of white metals or silver are also available, many looking a bit overcharged for my taste, but it depends of your mood, style and outfit.