{"id":86196,"date":"2024-10-22T22:12:37","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T22:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/22\/this-serene-swiss-apartment-is-the-perfect-post-breakup-oasis\/"},"modified":"2024-10-22T22:12:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T22:12:37","slug":"this-serene-swiss-apartment-is-the-perfect-post-breakup-oasis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/22\/this-serene-swiss-apartment-is-the-perfect-post-breakup-oasis\/","title":{"rendered":"This Serene Swiss Apartment Is the Perfect Post-Breakup Oasis"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen apartment hunting in the past, I had a long list of hopes,\u201d says Clara Goebel<\/a>, 27, who lives in Zurich, Switzerland. \u201cBut after a break up, you\u2019re under a bit of time pressure and can\u2019t be too choosy.\u201d After she and her partner ended their relationship, however, Clara got a bit of great news. \u201cCoincidentally, a lady who lived up the street was looking for something larger, and I needed something smaller,\u201d she says. \u201cWe ended up swapping apartments with our landlords\u2019 permission.\u201d Below, she talks about living alone, summer swims, and why you should always stop by an art museum\u2019s gift shop\u2026<\/p>\n

DINING\/LIVING AREA<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Wolfgang Tillmans poster: Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark<\/a>. Table: Thonet<\/a>, \u201cbelonged to my parents,\u201d similar<\/a>. Dining chairs: Thonet<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Pendant light: Gubi<\/a>. Tablecloth: similar<\/a>. Ceramic cups: Ceramore<\/a>, \u201cgifted by a friend,\u201d similar<\/a>. Vase: Hu\u0308bsch<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Candle holder: Hu\u0308bsch<\/a>, similar<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On adjusting to solo living:<\/strong> My ex and I lived together for most of our eight-year relationship. We also had a kitten, who he ended up keeping, so it was a big transition from living with a little family to living alone. For the first days, my thoughts ranged from \u2018Why do I have so much space in this bed?\u2019 to \u2018Did he really take the freaking stapler without asking me?\u2019 I never found a single piece of advice that made the breakup any easier, but my mom and my friends made me feel seen. My mom told me I was tough and cooked dinner for me while I napped on the couch. My friends were very patient when I wanted to go over the same thing for the third time, but I also appreciated their honesty when they said, \u2018Clara, stop dwelling on it\u2019 the fourth time around.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Map: \u201cmy grandparents.\u201d Wool rug: Ferm Living<\/a>. Bookshelf: Muji SUS Shelving<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Lamp on floor: \u201cMy grandfather\u2019s from the seventies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On reading to relax:<\/strong> I work in data science and enjoy looking at regular books after staring at code all day. I have novels, art books, and my grandma\u2019s hand-annotated Bavarian cookbooks. I love visiting Calligramme<\/a>, a bookstore in Zurich that\u2019s run by a 90-year-old, chain-smoking lady with a cat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

On glowing light:<\/strong> Winters in Switzerland get dark, so I love a good lamp. Most of mine are from thrift stores or IKEA, but I recently splurged on a Gubi pendant<\/a> for above my table. It hurt my wallet but felt very grown up.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

C\u2019est La Vie poster: Landesmuseum Zurich, Switzerland<\/a>. Curtains: Toast<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Sofa: Bolia<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Standing lamp next to sofa: Artemide<\/a>. Mobile: Flensted<\/a>. Coffee table: similar<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

On channelling your elders:<\/strong> My grandma 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. My granddad just had a bed and desk in his room. Meanwhile, her room was clothed in bright yellow fabric, with white furniture and beautiful patterns. It was just so\u2026 her! In this new chapter of my life, I\u2019ve tapped into her energy.<\/p>\n

BALCONY<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

On weekend rituals:<\/strong> My lovely aunt gave me a subscription to a local newspaper for my birthday this year. Every Sunday, I open my mailbox, grab the paper, then spend an hour reading all the articles over coffee.<\/p>\n

KITCHEN<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Crate: Hay<\/a>. Dish towel: Ferm Living, similar<\/a>. Painting: Clara. Butter candle: Merci<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On dinners with a twist:<\/strong> I love having people over for dinner and drinks. Since I have two left hands in the kitchen, I\u2019ll usually offer my home, put on a playlist, and let one of my best friends take over the cooking. Last time, my friend made a dish with burrata, roasted grapes, honey, walnuts, and olive oil. It was so good, and I think even I could manage making that next time.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

On museum advice:<\/strong> If I see an exhibition I like, I\u2019ll pick up a postcard from the gift shop. I keep them all in a box, which feels kind of like building a personal museum with pieces that spoke to me the most. Exhibition posters make great decor, too \u2014 they usually have great graphic design and aren\u2019t too expensive.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

On feeling connected:<\/strong> Living alone has brought a whole a new depth to my friendships. My ex used to be my emergency contact, but now it\u2019s my good friend. When I feel a bit lonely living alone, ambient noise helps. I recently dug up an old radio and have been listening to the morning news. Or I listen to my neighbor\u2019s music \u2014 the walls are not the thickest and he likes playing loud music, but luckily we have similar taste.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

On surprises and delights:<\/strong> I booked a spontaneous trip to Paris because the train tickets were ridiculously cheap after the Olympics. At the Merci concept store<\/a>, I found this butter-shaped candle<\/a> that made me smile. On top of the books is a photo of my mom when she was young, working as a nurse.<\/p>\n

BATHROOM<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Crates: Hay<\/a>. Towels: OYOY<\/a>. Small lamp: \u201cmy grandmother\u2019s.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On hosting friends:<\/strong> This summer, three women I met on a university exchange in Singapore came to stay for a week. They\u2019re from Germany, the Netherlands, and Boston. It was a chaotic tight squeeze, and the shower drain clogged like three times from all our hair, but we had the best time catching up.<\/p>\n

BEDROOM<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Bedding: La Vie<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Floral pillow: HK Living<\/a>. Striped bed skirt, Etsy<\/a>. Rug: Hay<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n

On a peripatetic childhood:<\/strong> I was born north of Zurich. When I was six, my family moved to Boston for my dad\u2019s work and stayed for five years. I\u2019ve always loved packing my bags and have since lived in Marseille, Singapore, and London. A few years ago, I returned to Zurich for work. It\u2019s small compared to a city like London, but I feel at home. My parents even named me after the city. My middle name is Regula, Zurich\u2019s patron saint.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Bookcase: La Redoute<\/a>. Chrome candle holder: Stoff Nagel<\/a>. Letter R: Thrifted, similar<\/a>. Poster above bookcase: Henry Moore Foundation<\/a>. Chair: \u201cmy parents,\u201d similar<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On summer swims:<\/strong> Zurich is especially great in the summer. We have many badis<\/a><\/em>, which are bathhouses along the river and lake. After work, lots of people take a dip. The Frauenbadi<\/a>, which is reserved for women, is one of my favorites. On weekends, I love heading to a caf\u00e9 \u2014\u00a0especially Si o No<\/a>, Caf\u00e9 du Bonheur<\/a> or Caf\u00e9 Pl\u00fcsch<\/a> since their street-side seating is perfect for people watching.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

On personal preferences:<\/strong> In this apartment, I have very much enjoyed establishing new routines \u2013 my<\/em> routines in my<\/em> place. My apartment building is surrounded by pine trees, and I purposefully positioned my bed so that I can see one when I wake up. Going on a morning run past the community gardens, taking a hot shower in the evenings with the windows open for a cool breeze, lighting a candle on my bedroom windowsill while I braid my hair before bed \u2014 it\u2019s a delight to have these little rituals that no one knows about but me.<\/p>\n

\"Switzerland<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful space, Clara<\/a>. We loved taking a peek around.<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. More home tours<\/a>, including a colorful Connecticut family house<\/a> and a Brooklyn apartment full of DIYs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Photos by Clara.)<\/em><\/p>\n

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3<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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