Visiting David: Mid-Century Bungalow - Where Less is More!

Zu Gast bei David: Mid-Century Bungalow - Wo Weniger Mehr ist!

Grüezi well!

We spoke to David - product developer and artist. His home? A vintage treasure with personal stories. Less is more and quality over quantity are his mantras. For him, it's not the trend that counts, but the attitude to life.

Who are you, what do you do and where do you live?

I'm David, a passionate product developer and designer who mainly focuses on outdoor furniture. During the day I delve deep into the world of furniture design and develop unique pieces for the Swiss market that are then manufactured in Asia. But in my free time I discover my creative side as an artist. I love creating abstract paintings and sculpting clay sculptures. My home is a charming bungalow from the 70s, just a stone's throw from Zurich. Here I have fulfilled my dream of owning my own home and let my creativity run free.

What story does your home tell?

My personal story - a mixture of who I am, who I want to be and who I once was. In addition to my collections of design classics, I keep a wealth of memorabilia and art objects from my many travels. My home is like a small, personal museum, every piece tells a story and every corner contains a piece of my past.

You are committed to the mid-century style - tell us what attracts you to it and what makes this style so special for you?

I have always been fascinated by the "case study" houses from the 1940s in California. This bungalow style with its inner courtyard, the rooms that are not visible from the outside and the open living areas that still retain a certain intimacy simply captivated me. Each room is closed in on itself and yet everything seems open and inviting thanks to small partition walls and angled architecture. In my case, the dining room, living room, TV room, studio and kitchen merge into a single room, but it is designed so cleverly that each area can develop its own atmosphere. For me, it is above all the architecture that attracts me, and then comes the furniture designs (organic design), which also inspire me.

Living in your beautiful bungalow must be like living in paradise. What makes this place so special and magical for you?

It is my refuge, my safe haven, my creative studio - a place where I always find myself when the light is particularly beautiful to pursue my passion for painting. But it is not only my personal retreat, it is also a meeting place for friends and family, where shared memories are made and stories are shared.

When did your interest in interior design begin?

I think my passion for design has always been in me. My parents have always placed great importance on an aesthetic home. But for a long time I was in a phase of indecision. When I moved out I was enamored with classic furniture, then a phase with a French country style followed, later Asian influences. By the time I was about 30 I had amassed a collection of different styles and influences that I liked but together formed an overwhelming jumble. Inspired by my parents, my travels, role models and free work samples, I thought about what I really liked. Eventually I decided to sell everything and focus on design classics. It took over four years to get rid of everything and buy quality furniture piece by piece. And as fate would have it, I finally found my bungalow. Everything miraculously fell into place.

What is your biggest interior “weakness”?

That’s quick: beautiful lamps!

What about you - do you have any ticks, collecting passions or quirks that you would like to share?

Less is more - I've outgrown collecting. The experience with my hodgepodge from point 5 has had a big influence on me.

Is there a special story behind a piece of furniture or furnishings in your home?

Each piece has its own story - almost everything in my home is vintage. The most fascinating stories are told by my African figures from my travels and the diverse small and large finds from near and far.

DIY projects and upcycling - is that something that interests you? Do you have any tips or experiences you would like to share?

No, not at all. I only did DIY projects for cost reasons when renovating, like painting, repairs or designing the garden myself. But that's about it. I'm not a talented craftsman. A DIY piece of furniture I made would look like it was made by a child. That's not my thing.

Let’s talk about interior faux pas – which mistakes should you avoid?

Clearly a hodgepodge. Less is more... I know, this maximalism is very popular on Insta etc. but I personally just don't like it.

What are your 3 ultimate interior tips that you can share with us?

Less is more and quality definitely comes at a price. You don't have to have everything right away - I prefer to dig deeper into my pockets and buy something that will last longer or can be used for a long time. Dim lighting plays a big role. I prefer to have several light sources rather than just one big one. This makes the mood in the room seem calmer and cozier. This is always a good trick to make your home cozy.

For all interior enthusiasts, which places should we not miss in your region?

Phew, I'm not exactly a trendsetter and I don't run from one cool place to the next. To be honest, my tip is to just go with the flow and take in the beautiful things with your eyes open.