At Home with Lea

In the vibrant metropolis of Hamburg lies a hidden gem of cosiness. Here, in an inviting oasis of calm, lives Lea. Arriving at Lea's door in Hamburg Uhlenhorst, you already know this visit will be something special. Inviting and warm, the talented Art Director welcomes us into her distinctive apartment. Upon entering Lea's home, it's immediately clear that this is no ordinary place. Here, art and aesthetics combine to create a living space that captivates every visitor. The apartment is full of small details and surprises waiting to be discovered. Wherever your gaze wanders, there is something that appeals to our senses. The enticing scent of candles and croissants fills the air, instantly transporting us to a world of well-being. But it's not just the scents, but above all the countless loving details that Lea has integrated into her decor that fascinate us. Let us dive deep into Lea's inspiring world together. Here we will learn how she transforms tiny accents into something grand and how she manages to create a home that is not only visually but also emotionally touching. Additionally, Lea will give us insights into her multifaceted journey to realising her professional dream as a freelancer.

Lea guides us through her charming fourth-floor apartment in a period building, with gentle soul music playing softly in the background, which rounds everything off wonderfully. The apartment has 2 ½ rooms and impresses with its beautiful high ceilings and nostalgic period charm, as well as its proximity to the Alster lake. Here, she shares her home with her boyfriend and her cat Missy, named after the legendary rapper Missy Elliott. The atmosphere Lea has created here is truly remarkable. It's easy to feel how comfortable they are here in this apartment.

The Challenges of Self-Employment

Lea speaks openly about how self-employment has changed her perspective. As a creative person, she feels comfortable in her field and truly blossoms when she can work on new ideas. But she has also realised that self-employment means more than just creative work.

Q: We've known each other for a while now – not just through Instagram, but because we also work together. You are an Art Director. You are our Art Director, if I may say so. That's why we also know that you went freelance at the beginning of the year. Would you like to tell us a bit about it? Why did you do it, and have you regretted it yet, or are you still happy?

A: Yes. First of all, of course, the flexibility. I'm simply a very freedom-loving, dynamic person, and at some point, I just dared to go through with it, and that's why I don't regret it. I haven't been doing it for that long yet, but so far, it feels great. I can get up every morning and design my own day. For me, that's actually the main reward of this.

Q: Is there anything that has personally surprised you about self-employment? I'm also self-employed, and if someone had told me a few things beforehand, I might have swallowed a few times. I probably would have done it anyway because I'm super happy, but is there anything that you think one should know beforehand?

A: You have your profession, so in my case, design and art direction, but what you don't know is business management and project management. I've already taken on parts of these tasks in my previous job, but this is, of course, a completely different level. I think you grow into it, but it's definitely something where I say: wow, you have to invest a lot of time and work intensely on yourself.

The Passion for Collecting

Amidst her apartment, we notice the many carefully selected details she has collected over the years. Lea reveals that this passion comes from her grandmother, who was a passionate collector herself.

Q: We are here in your beautiful apartment, and what immediately strikes you is your passion for collecting, and I know you got that a bit from your family. Your grandmother is a great collector and has gathered many things from all over the world. Did you take it over because of that, or what fascinates you so much about it?

A: I think that's definitely a factor. Greetings to Grandma, who had her birthday yesterday. As a child, I simply loved getting lost in these things – in the details. Paintings on vases, ornaments on rugs. It always fascinated me greatly. I think the second reason is the story behind each object, because everyday objects are somehow there for people, and every person has a story, and every culture brings stories with it. The third is, of course, the professional side, which developed at some point through my design studies. I am incredibly interested in the whole diversity – the visual diversity that this world has to offer and the different perspectives on life. What do teapots look like in China, what do they look like in Iran, what do they look like in Germany? I'm simply interested in this diversity.

Instagram: A Window into Lea's World

Lea shares her passion and sense of aesthetics on Instagram. Her account @great.at.living showcases her apartment in all its glory and inspires thousands of people worldwide.

Q: That's really lovely, and you can see it in your apartment in all these small, detail-loving places. You also started an Instagram account. @great.at.living, where you showcase your apartment. What prompted you to do that?

A: We moved in here during the Corona pandemic, and I was incredibly proud to have found the apartment because, as everyone knows, searching for an apartment in Hamburg isn't the greatest pastime. I was totally proud because there was actually nothing here yet. When we moved in, there were probably only two power outlets in the apartment in total. We restored the kitchen floor with my brother, and I couldn't show anyone, so I had a strong urge to share it externally, and that was the logical step.

Lea's apartment exudes a timeless elegance that stands out from fleeting trends. Nevertheless, she has an eye on the future and is considering the possibility of integrating coloured walls and more modular furniture into her home.

Q: Makes total sense, and you're very successful with it. The community loves your account. We do too. Regarding interior design. There are always trends. I find your decor to be quite timeless and independent of seasonal trends. But is there still something that I just saw somewhere and find really exciting, that I'd like to implement in my own home?

A: Definitely coloured walls. I find them really great. They might come at some point, and for me, what is a trend, but also totally timeless, is modular furniture. That's something I find incredibly sensible from a sustainability perspective because the furniture grows with the apartment. The Vitsoe shelving unit here or the sofa. These are all objects that fit anywhere and are adaptable.

Rugs with Stories

In her living room and bedroom lie Rizbaf rugs, which are not only a visual highlight but also tell stories of nomadic women.

Q: And we also have a few rugs from us in your place. Especially a few Rizbaf rugs have made themselves comfortable with you. Why did you choose them?

A: Cosiness. They are incredibly soft, and I walk barefoot a lot in the apartment, and I find that's the best surface to walk on. They are wonderfully soft and robust at the same time, as we also have a cat. For me, it's also important that the materials are as natural as possible, and I'm very satisfied with them.

Q: You chose 2 totally different designs. One is quite geometric, this checkerboard pattern, and the other tells a bit of the story of the nomadic women who live in the mountains. Why did you choose these two specifically?

A: This checkerboard pattern is actually a total trend right now. Still, or for a while now. I think it's really cool that you find something like that in a traditional product like a Persian rug. The other one, which is in the bedroom, tells the story. It's like from my childhood, seeing the stories and the small details like the little palm trees or camels, and I just find that beautiful. It's a bit like a picture book on the floor.

Q: That's true. We always say that the rugs, especially from the nomadic women, are like diaries for them. How they process their environment, and if you look closely, you can see that. Q: Thank you so much for letting us visit. Thank you for the croissants and the delicious coffee. We hope we can come again and are definitely looking forward to a shared future with you by our side as Art Director. Thank you very much.

A: You too. It was nice that you were here.

By Amin Ipektchi