Name: Gernot
Location: Friedrichshain — Berlin, Germany
My flat is located in one of the Max Kreuziger-Haus, described as "socialist classicism" (read: a bit of a wedding cake ) style of a building that started life as a school and has been converted into flats.
The original floor plans and classrooms had been quite large — allowing for both open plan living and additional walls being "inserted" as needed.
Because of my fondness of black & white photography and travel, the interior is now a mix of socialist classicism features — Jaya Ibrahim and Ed Tuttle design, and (for good measure) the occassional USM and unavoidable IKEA piece.
Thanks Gernot!
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Shaw's Original Fir...
I think it's a good start, but could use a bit more color (maybe just a creamier tone for the walls or more of the large-scale art?), as so much is brown, beige and neutral right now.
The white walls make it look unfinished rather than pulling it all together, IMHO.
Please don't use fisheye lenses for home interior photos! Humans don't see that way, and I get no sense of the space, and feel like I'm in a funhouse. This seems to be a trend lately among real estate agents, and I protest!
I agree with urbangranolagirl. I simply could not look at those pictures and think about the flat, the fisheye lens made me feel a bit ill.
Is that a shower in the bedroom? Agreed with ^^^ about the fisheye lenses. RE agents use it to make apartments look bigger - it makes my eyes hurt.
I thought the flat had curved walls.
Nix that lens.
I don't mind the fish eye as much as the flash photography.
I actually love this! The simplicity is refreshing. And I appreciate the vantage point afforded by the "fisheye" view. Details I love: the chandelier in the living room, the curtains in the living room, the dark bathroom tile style and color, the arched ceilings, and the shower. The walls are bare for my taste--either more art or a paint job in a color might be nice.
That shower seems weird and yeah same old same old re the fish eye!
I agree with shanti-- brown and tan seem to work better in tighter/more filled spaces where they can create a cozy environment. Here it just looks dull and slightly depressing.
I'm also not a fan of the black tiling in the bathroom, though I'm intrigued by the large silver thing (towel rack?) to the right.
Another vote against the fish eye.
I love the bathroom--the sink has a motion sensor? Was it set off by the flash or something? Lots of interesting features, I think, and I do appreciate the lack of vignettes, even if you used the fish-eye lens.
I like it! I love, love, love the art behind the sofa!
Thx for the comments. So in summary, I should sell the fish-eye and buy some paint for the proceeds ;)
For details in the living room: the chandelier in the living room is a Turciu Soffitto 16 Ceiling Lamp by Catellani & Smith, the curtains in the living room are bespoke and made of Thai Silk by Almeta (and I agree with the color theme in the posts - the earlier darker ones actually looked better), the dark bathroom tile style are unbranded.
As for the bathroom, yes the "large silver thing" is both the radiator and the towel rack and the tab is a Hansa Canyon (it has LED lights, which illuminate the water - blue for dark, red for hot, everything in-between for settings - well in-between).
The large B&W print behind the sofa actually is IKEA - meanwhile and as far as my budget stretched, there are more "real" B&W prints on the wall.
I love the space and you've got some really nice pieces (I LOVE that chair!). The only things I'd do differently would get a larger, more colorful rug, and a coffee table.
KaBoomBOX, touched the weak spots: I was thinking of the rug (however, the current IKEA one is very rugged; I have considered a nicer one, but would have to be more careful with it); the armchair is a favourite piece and was hard to come by - it's designed by Ed Tuttle (an American architect living in Paris), produced for Jim Thompson (the Thai Silk company) by a French furniture company. And I am not sure about is environmental creds - it's solid macassar ebony.
Great choice of modern lighting, Catellani & Smith are probably one of the most interesting designer lighting brands and I think the Turciu Soffito works very well in this space. For those of you who are interested the ceiling fitting in the bathroom is also from Catellani & Smithand is part of their Eco Logic range of low energy LED fittings. Foundry Light & Design.
I love international posts. This architecture is totally cool! Did everyone see that ceiling? Thanks for sharing!
I first read that as "socialist classism" and spent a few moments trying to figure out how that would work.
@greatkate
Friedrichshain was in Est Berlin when Berlin was still divided by a wall....if that helps to understand the "socialist classism"
...and here how it looks on the outside:
http://www.friedrichshain-magazin.de/archiv/fh-3-05/text09.html
(a bit of a late answer mine... ;0) )
@greatkate
Or try that http://www.muhs.de/details.php?image_id=37643