Welcome to The Design Journey
A newsletter about interior, architecture & where to find inspiration.
While I'm writing this, I'm sitting on my balcony; it's already 8 pm, and I'm thoroughly enjoying this unusually mild weather for this time of year. I'm getting prepared for the upcoming Milan Design Week, and because I'm quite overwhelmed by the many things I want to see in only three days, this newsletter is a sweet distraction.
1. This is me
I'm Anke, and I've been self-employed as a Consultant for Interior Brands since last summer, focusing on creative concepts, product development, and portfolio management. Interior design is not only my field of work; it's also my passion (besides food, haha). It feels natural for me to seek out new brands, emerging designers, and products I love, as well as places that inspire and evoke emotions. I've been feeling a bit tired of Instagram for quite some time now, and Substack seems to be more the kind of platform to share topics with more depth.
2. My vision
I'm searching for a community that shares my passion for strong design, primarily focusing on interior and architecture. I seek people who appreciate special experiences or products with great aesthetics and emotional value. I'm tired of endlessly scrolling through Instagram; instead, I cherish the anticipation of receiving a new edition of my subscribed Substacks in my inbox. I enjoy sitting down during a quiet moment and immersing myself in reading. This also reflects the evening routine I'm currently establishing: reading before sleeping instead of scrolling. So, I encourage you to do the same :)
3. What to expect
I often receive requests for recommendations about places I've traveled to, and I'm a master at creating Google Maps lists (even for places I've never been to but aspire to visit one day). When I travel, it's not just to relax or soak up more sunlight than in Munich; I prefer to explore places that make my heart beat faster, where I experience joy, and find new inspiration. I enjoy conducting thorough research before deciding to visit a new city or country. Most of the time, I try to connect with people on Instagram who either live there or have traveled there before and share similar tastes or aesthetics.
As a result of this, one edition of my newsletter will focus on city guides with an emphasis on interior design and architecture (e.g., Mexico City, Copenhagen, Paris, NYC, etc.). Additionally, I aim to provide more insights about my work trips to design-related events such as Milan Design Week, 3daysofdesign, and Paris Design Week. For those who couldn't attend these events, it will serve as a helpful summary and offer my perspective on what fascinated me the most.
I intend to share favorite interior labels or products, especially those with responsible approaches, as well as my latest discoveries and inspiring holiday homes—basically, everything that inspires me and that I find visually pleasing. As this journey progresses, the content will evolve over time, and I'd be delighted if you chose to join me as a travel companion.
4. What to do
Well it’s easy, if you’d like to receive this kind of content on a bi-weekly basis - just subscribe and my newsletter will find you every second Monday. Yes, Monday. Because the start into a new week shall be as sweet as possible. :)
My next edition will share a recap of Milan Design week and my personal highlights.