When East Germany fell in the '90s, my family and I were left behind as refugees. Our limited finances prevented us from buying new furniture. As a result, our household was filled with flea market finds and generous donations from neighbors, especially since the Internet was not yet a part of our lives. Living in a house with Germans, we'd receive printed catalogs from Quelle, Otto, and Ikea in our mailbox. I'd get lost in the glossy pages, immerse myself in stylish living rooms, and let my childhood imagination run wild.
The furniture designs were completely new to me, a contrast to our old country house from the 19th cenutury. Even as the 1990's progressed and IKEA moved towards leather and beech furniture, I always wanted something different than the piney country style - namely colors. Most of the donations my family received in the 1990s were from the 1960s to 1980s, so our home was mixed with bold, vibrant furniture. So you may see some pieces from the 1970s and 1980s in our online curation.
Despite financial limitations, these catalogs were my windows to endless possibilities. I spent hours poring over them, admiring the sleek lines, vibrant colors, and innovative designs. It was a creative escape with no language barriers, unlike fast-paced TikTok videos. In today's fast-paced world, many millennials find comfort in vintage furniture, a reminder that cherished pieces come from the heart, memories and imagination. I'm grateful for the catalogs that inspired my childhood dreams and a lifelong love of design and creativity.
This is why I founded studio second love and why I love and collect IKEA's vintage furniture.
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