“In the past, I had a lot of expectations when looking for an apartment.” Clara Goebel27 years old, living in Zurich, Switzerland. “But you shouldn’t be too picky because you’re going to be under a bit of time pressure after a breakup.” But after she and her partner ended their relationship, Clara received some good news. “It just so happened that a woman who lived down the street was looking for something bigger and I needed something smaller,” she says. “We ended up getting permission from our landlord to change apartments.” Below, she talks about living alone, summer swimming, and why a visit to the museum’s gift shop is a must.
Dining/living area
Wolfgang Tillmans poster: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark. table: Thonet“It was my parents’.” similar. dining chair: Thonet, similar. Pendant Light: Equipped. tablecloth: similar. Ceramic Cup: ceramore‘A gift from a friend’ similar. flower vase: Whoosh, similar. candlestick: Whoosh, similar.
How to adjust to single life: My ex-husband and I lived together for most of our eight-year relationship. We also had a kitten, which he ended up raising, so it was a big transition from living with a small family to living on his own. At first, my thought was, ‘Why is there so much space in this bed?’ ‘Did you really take the stapler without asking me?’ I couldn’t find a single piece of advice that would make the breakup easier, but my mom and friends made me feel seen. My mom cooked dinner while I lay down on the sofa and took a nap because I was having a hard time. My friends were patient with me the third time I tried to say the same thing, and I appreciated their honesty the fourth time when I said, ‘Clara, don’t dwell on that any more.’
Map: “My grandparents.” Wool Rug: Firm Living. bookcase: MUJI SUS shelf, similar. Lamp on the floor: “My grandfather is from the 70s.”
When reading to relax: I work in the data science field, and I enjoy looking at a regular book after looking at code all day. I have novels, art books, and my grandmother’s hand-annotated Bavarian cookbook. i love to visit Caligram“This is a bookstore in Zurich run by a 90-year-old woman who chain-smokes with her cat.”
In shining lights: I love a good lamp because winters in Switzerland get dark. Most of mine are from thrift stores or IKEA, but I’ve splurged every penny recently. Gubi Pendant On my table. My wallet hurt, but I felt like an adult.
C’est La Vie Poster: Landesmuseum Zurich, Switzerland. curtain: toast, similar. sofa: bolia, similar. Stand lamp next to the sofa: Artemide. Moving: Plenstead. Coffee table: similar.
When channeling elders: My grandmother was a music and literature teacher, and I was inspired by how independent she was. She asked her husband to sleep in a separate bedroom in the 1940s. Grandfather’s room had a bed and a desk. Meanwhile, her room was covered in bright yellow cloth, had white furniture and beautiful patterns. really… It was her! I tapped into her energy in this new chapter of my life.
balcony
Weekend Rituals: My lovely aunt gave me a subscription to the local newspaper for my birthday this year. Every Sunday, I open my mailbox, grab a paper, drink my coffee, and read all the articles for an hour.
kitchen
crate: hay. Dishcloth: Ferm Living, similar. Picture: Clara. Butter Candle: Mercy.
Dinner with a twist: I love taking people out for dinner and drinks. Since I have two left hands in the kitchen, I usually leave it out at home, put together a playlist, and let one of my best friends do the cooking. Last time, my friend made a dish with burrata cheese, roasted grapes, honey, walnuts, and olive oil. It was so good, I think I can make it next time too.
Museum Advice: If I see an exhibition I like, I buy a postcard from the gift shop. I keep them all in a box. It feels like building a personal museum with the pieces that tell the most story to me. Exhibition posters also make great decorations. In general, the graphic design is great and the prices are not very expensive.
Feel connected: Living alone has brought a whole new depth to my friendships. My ex-lover, who used to be my emergency contact, has now become a good friend. When you live alone and feel a little lonely, ambient noise can be helpful. I recently found an old radio and was listening to the morning news. Or listen to your neighbor’s music. The walls aren’t that thick and we like loud music playing, but luckily we have similar tastes.
Surprise and Delight: After the Olympics, train tickets were ridiculously cheap, so I booked an impromptu trip to Paris. at Mercy Concept StoreI found this butter shaped candles That made me laugh. At the top of the book is a photo from when my mom was working as a nurse.
restroom
box: hay. towel: cucumber. Little lamp: “Grandma’s.”
When hosting a friend: This summer, three women I met as exchange students at a Singapore university came to stay for a week. They are from Germany, the Netherlands and Boston. It was chaotic and squeezing, and the shower drain was clogged with three times our hair’s volume, but we made the best of times to keep up.
bedroom
bedding: Ravi, similar. Floral pillow: HK Living. striped bed skirt, Etsy. rug: hay.
In my wandering childhood: I was born north of Zurich. When I was six, my family moved to Boston for my father’s work and stayed for five years. I’ve always loved packing my bags and since then I’ve lived in Marseille, Singapore and London. A few years ago I returned to Zurich for work. It’s small compared to cities like London, but it feels like home. My parents even named me after a city. My middle name is Regula, the patron saint of Zurich.
bookcase: la rdout. Chrome candle holder: Stoff Nagel. Letter R: Savings; similar. Poster on the bookshelf: Henry Moore Foundation. Chairman: “Parents,” similar.
For summer swimming: Zurich is especially nice in the summer. we have many bodiceThese are bathhouses along rivers and lakes. Many people go swimming after work. that Frauenbodywhich is exclusive to women, is one of my favorites. I like to go to cafes on the weekends. especially si oh no, Café du Bonheur or Café Fluche Because roadside seats are perfect for people watching.
Depending on your personal preference: I’ve really enjoyed establishing a new routine in this apartment. my routine my location. The apartment building I live in is surrounded by pine trees, and the beds were deliberately positioned so that I could see them when I woke up. It’s fun to go for a jog through your local garden in the morning, open the window to let in the cool breeze and take a hot shower in the evening, light a candle in your bedroom window frame while braiding your hair before going to bed – it’s fun to do these little rituals. No one knows but me.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful space. Clara. We loved looking around.
PS More home tours, including a colorful Connecticut family home and a DIY-filled Brooklyn apartment.
(Photo = Clara)
