Walking into Krista Elfinger’s shop feels a little bit like traveling. It definitely doesn’t feel like Berlin, at least. Maybe it’s the black awnings, which remind me of London, or it’s the courage to mix styles, patterns and colors that you’re more likely to find in Amsterdam. Or maybe it’s the lightness, the attention to detail, which is hard to find in Mitte these days, and which I really miss. Here at Maisinger, there’s a real collector at work, the kind who says, “I imported an ancient door from Marrakesh, because it just seemed to fit this room so perfectly”. Krista has a story for every product. She celebrates small manufacturers and local handiwork, and puts the same care in buying stationery as she does in buying lamps, art prints or porcelain. In other words: what Instagram or Pinterest is for most, Maisinger is for me. An inspiration. And when you leave the shop, see Weinbergspark and reflect on how beautiful the lemon yellow terrace furniture would probably look in your imaginary summer home and whether it’s possible to have too many pillows (it’s not), a little holiday mood starts to set in. Promise.
Anne Postrach lives in Mitte with her family and had her own store for four years. She now has a child, which she finds much less stressful.
Maisinger Berlin, Veteranenstraße 22, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map
Mon: 13–19 Uhr, Tue-Fri: 11–19 Uhr, Sat: 11–18 Uhr
@maisinger_berlin
