Opening a show apartment isn't a new concept for Vitsoe. In May 2011, Vitsoe opened an apartment in Munich with another couple setting up a home among the company's iconic furniture and storage systems.
Of course, the first thing I had to ask Rob about was how he and Elise were able to balance home life while keeping the apartment showroom ready. Luckily, as he points out, the apartment "by appointment only, so scheduling visits certainly helps in that when someone is coming by I can run through the apartment and get everything in order quickly (though Elise often complains that I stash things in drawers that she's destined to never find again). It actually doesn't require much tidying: I worked for Murray Moss for years in New York, and never managed to shake my tendency to dust compulsively. Keeping everything pristine has stuck with me, even at home. Elise loves having people over--in fact, if she's around on the weekends when customers come by, she'll usually co-opt them into a tea party."
As you would expect, the apartment is tricked out with Vitsoe products galore and the couple have made use of the 606 Universal Shelving System to solve many problems in the storage-challenged space. "We have systems for books (obviously!), LPs & HiFIs, our clothing, kitchen/crockery, a home office/studio, etc. I think most people might cringe at the idea of living in a "showroom" but all of the shelves in our apartment are filled with the objects we have collected individually and together over the years, so it feels like us. We're not minimalists, despite the implicit "minimalism" of Vitsoe."
Besides living their everyday lives in the apartment, the space is used as any showroom would. It's a space for customers to see the product in person and meet with a consultant to plan systems for their own space.
To schedule an appointment to visit the apartment, visit the Vitsoe website.
Images: Rob Fissmer
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that's a lot of vitsoe.
The Missoulian?! I'd love to know the story behind that ending up in a Vitsoe showroom in LA.
@SamIAm: It's Elise here–I'm from Missoula! We found that in the ramshackle antique mall near the train station last summer.
@ELISE L: I'm from Missoula too! I'm jealous. :)
@SUMMILUX35 : Well put with your last sentence! You are correct, music certainly matters to me. (It's my other life, in fact) I find my records far faster when I sort them by color, probably not as fast as if I had them sorted alphabetically, but that's a task I don't want to undertake at the moment. Not going to lie though, a white label 12" might take longer to find! That room is full of black and silver audio gear, it certainly doesn't hurt to have that splash of color.
SUMMILUX35 : Looking froward to it.
@summilux35: I know, I've been steeling myself for people to start yelling about how much they hate color-coordinated bookshelves, BUT, this is how I've always organized my bookshelves, always always. It's too difficult to sort by author without invariably running out of room. And I know where every single book is by its spine.
As for the records, Rob just let me have at it to be indulgent. (Everything is organized by color, including my closet.) BUT, he had no system, so he can't complain. Plus I found all of his orphaned records in the process, so that had to be a boon.
@Sam I Am: Go Missoula! Pretty amazing find, right? I couldn't believe it hadn't been snatched up (and I think it was only $40, which is kind of crazy since everything at that shop tends to be over-priced).
Definitely! Love it. Love the showroom too, it's pretty awesome.
wow, vitsoe! if you want to come turn my loft into a showroom, be my guest!