View to the harbor and Sandtorkai, in the background the new concert hall Elbphilharmonie

Who would have thought! The new Hamburg concert hall Elbphilharmonie is completed! Just two months before its official opening, visitors can now explore the Plaza platform at a height of 37 meters. The new landmark of the Hanseatic City in the middle of the HafenCity is a brilliant architecture and I must say that this monumental pearl has filled me with a certain pride. 

A must for all architecture lovers

Elbe and Elbphilharmonie: So cool!

The Marco Polo terrace

No Hamburgers would probably ever come to this idea, to visit the Hafencity because for its architecture – the so vaunted HafenCity has evolved primarily into a tourist playground. But now since the Hamburg concert hall “Elbphilharmonie” is finished – the new and super expensive opera house of the architects Herzog & de Meuron – the Hamburgers probably might channge their minds.

A now common sight: The “Elbphilharmonie” – the most expensive concert hall ever with construction cranes a few months ago

Hamburg my pearl, you wonderful town

Dalmannkai on corner Großer Grasbrook

I think a visit to the HafenCity is a must for all architecture fans. This is where luxury apartments in partial futuristic architecture, such as the Marco Polo Tower can be found.

The Marco Polo Tower: As always in life, everything is a matter of taste. I like the blossoming cherry tree in front of the tower

One can say that the star architects truly put all their effort in, which is especially nice to see from the waterfront. There is a five-star hotel, a university, restaurants, numerous residential and office spaces.

Award winning architecture: HafenCity Hamburg

Hamburg’s HafenCity is one of the biggest urban development projects; a new district emerged in the former Freeport, which will double the population of the city.

The  Marco Polo terrace

The construction progress should be completed in 2025. Until then, a lot of water will flow down the river Elbe and one can be excited. What sounds so far, is less than one kilometer away from the City Hall, and is situated in the centre of the Hanseatic city. A nice walk – including “Speicherstadt” and the new, fantastic concert hall Elbphilharmonie. BvH

A lot of water will flow down

Skyscraper: Am Kaiserkai

Info Hafencity Hamburg:

www.hafencity.com

Info Elbphilharmonie:

www.elbphilharmonie.de

Merken

Merken

Merken

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Baron Enno von Ruffin says about himself that he’s a ‘car-driving rambler’

“The baron is coming in a second”, says the friendly woman and pleases me to wait. And then he’s standing in front of me – in red cords, a for him typical cardigan, of course with a breast pocket handkerchief: Baron Enno von Ruffin falls down on his sofa in his salon. “There was a problem with the cables for the Christmas illumination”, he explains his delay whilst being a little bit out of breath. But everything is sorted now. Like always. Even after 2 a.m., when a hotel guest stands in front of his door – without a key. Then it’s Ennos mobile phone that rings.

Since 400 years, Gut Basthorst is the home for the Ruffin family

Since 35 years Enno von Ruffin is leading Gut Basthorst in Schleswig-Holstein, a 650 hectares big estate, which includes next to its agriculture a company for gardening and landscaping, as well as a hotel and gastronomy with its own Basthorst Bier. And since 400 years, Gut Basthorst is the home for the Ruffin family that originally comes from Bavaria and Meran in Tirol. This is where Enno was born. Where he was raised. He knows every corner, every tree, and every shrub. He went to the village school, pending between mornings and afternoons, because there was only one classroom. Afterwards Enno has been sent to boarding school. At this stage he was only ten years old. He couldn’t really cope with the rough world of boarding. Suddenly there were different rules. Rules, which didn’t include cigarettes, beer or girls – Enno was, as a lover of liberty, truly not a fan of these rules. “In fact I was an easy child”, says Enno and grins. “Others probably saw that differently”. So he changed the boarding schools in periodically intervals, “I have no idea how many.” His protest against the establishment, “but never against the family.”

The manor: in the former private rooms of the old Baroness – the mother of Enno von Ruffin – today the hotel resides

After school he went to Bavaria, was lieutenant for the mountain infantry, completed an agricultural apprenticeship earlier. And spent one year near Dallas, where he dealed with the American agriculture. It seemed to be fascinating and deterred at the same time. This anonymity. “There was no caregiver, nothing familiar.” Instead there were miles of fields. “This literally broadened my horizon.” Enno von Ruffin returned to Germany to his home in Schleswig-Holstein. Because it was clear; he as the male heir takes over the farm and the responsibility for the business and the therefore involved people. At just 27 years of age. He structured, modernized, rented the empty buildings to craftsmen. The former horse stable nowadays contains an inn; events take place in the barns, from dog competitions to the ‘Players Night’ – a night where the polo cup, which regularly takes place at Basthorst, is celebrated.

In the former horse stable – built in 1913 by the ancestors of the Ruffin family, the Brusselles – visitors will find a comfortable restaurant, in which German cuisine is served

Basthorst is popular for its seasonal markets. Next weekend starts this years Christmas market. Ten thousands of visitors will come to attune themselves to the Advent season with Negus and deer-sausages. And to sing Christmas songs with Vicky Leandros. In the mid 80s Enno von Ruffin gets to know the famous singer in the once legendary Hamburg nightclub ‘Insel’ (island). First he didn’t know who she is; he did one of his flippant slogans, which she skillfully parried. He introduced her to his – luckily relatively liberal – parents so that Vicky’s Greek origin or the “standardized marriage” were no obstacles. Today they are amicably seperated.

The pond of the village lies romantically in the middle of the hundreds of years old building-ensemble

35 employees and a diversity of temporary workers take care of the farm estate. “I am farmer”, says Enno von Ruffin, “I don’t want to look after chair covers.” The animal husbandry – pigs, cows, sheep, chicken with which Enno grew up – have been abolished in the 60s. Now there are horses again, because Ennos companion, the Swedish Estelle Rytterborg, is a passionate show jumper. A passion that unifies both and nearly leads to a disaster: in fast gallop Enno fell from his horse, suffers from a life-threatening breach in his lungs. “Such incisions make you humble”, he says in thoughts. Since then he doesn’t smoke anymore. “Sometimes I drink enough”, he laughs. Enno enjoys skiing in Kitzbühel during his holidays and says about himself that he’s a ‘car-driving rambler’. “I got calmer, don’t have to attend every party.” The wild times are over now.

Enno von Ruffin with companion Estelle Rytterborg

What is from true importance? The family. Of course. The children Leo, Milana and Sandra. His companion Estelle and her daughter Pauline. Friendships. Basthorst. Milana, who’s meanwhile mother of two children, is going to take over Gut Basthorst one day. Gradually, how Enno von Ruffin emphasizes. Sometimes. Because he cannot completely release: “I always have an ear on the yard.” If it’s raining inside or if the wind whips off the tiles of the roof: it will be his phone, which rings. BvH

Christmas market in Basthorst

Tip:

The Christmas market at Gut Basthorst is one of the most beautiful in North Germany. It starts on the 20th of November (except the 22nd of November) and will be open all Advent weekends: from Friday until Sunday 300 exhibitors offer handcrafts and regional specialties in harmonic atmosphere.
Friday the 27th of November Vicky Leandros is doing a Christmas benefit concert in favor of ‘Ein Herz für Kinder’ (‘a heart for children’). You can auction a VIP-Christmas Tree that will be signed by celebrities like Udo Lindenberg, H.P. Baxter, Johannes B. Kerner, and others.

About the antique secretary the coat of arms of the ancestors

“I’m a human of yard and family, this is what makes my day”, says Enno von Ruffin, who is accompanied by the two Jack Russell terriers Lion and Trouper at every step

Shopping at Gut Basthorst: in the outbuildings of the yard are several shops that invite to further shopping experiences

Over all reigns the neo-Gothic, evangelist Granit church St. Marien – with Baron Enno von Ruffin as patron

Diverse trades have been established at Gut Basthorst: a shoemaker and bassoon-maker, a glider and a felt maker …

… There’s an antiques shop and boutiques for fashion, presents as well as a distillery, a bakery and a whisky-storage

Always with Enno von Ruffin: Lion and Trouper. Sweet!

Pure nature: Gast Basthorst in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Accession at Gut Basthorst is an original ‘Holzhäuserl’ (house out of wood) from Tirol …

… marvelous lodge-feeling – for this no one has to drive to Austria

Impressions of the countryside …

… and one photo opportunity more beautiful than the other

Enno von Ruffin and me

Contact:

Gut Basthorst
Auf dem Gut 3
21493 Basthorst, Germany

www.gut-basthorst.de

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The Hamburger writer and organ builder Hans Henny Jahnn (1894 – 1959) is the eponym of the Hamburger hotspot ‘Henny’s’ on the Hans-Henny-Jahnn-Weg in Hamburg-Winterhude

Have you already been to Henny’s, asks my friend Franziska during one of my last trips to my old home town Hamburg. I haven’t – so let’s go. It’s not as easy as I thought to make a reservation, as the restaurant is always busy since its opening some months ago and the 65 seats are always fully booked. We use one of the last sunbeams of the year and meet each other for lunch on the beautiful, big sun terrace of the Henny’s.

The tables on the terrace with its 95 seats show cloth linen napkins, silverware and candles

In the pretty corner house, which is directly located at an ‘Alsterfleet’ (canal), already tried a couple of gastronomes their luck. The new chief of the house Danilo Del Favero, a native Italian, cleared out the time-honored real estate and brought new shine into it with a noble interior design that is held in grey- and earthy tones. Me as ‘interior-person’ also noticed the positive concept of light.

Warm colors and a lot of wood dominates the succeeded interior concept: the Henny’s stands for comfort

Del Favero, who learned in the traditionell ‘Atlantic Hotel’, serves his guests a whole range of dishes: from American luxury steak and Hamburger sausages to fresh pizza, burger or sushi: a colorful, uncommon mixture, which should be a treat for every guest. Everything for everyone – does that work? Let’s try it …

Everything for everyone – does that work?

A huge fire place is a real eye catcher, this caters for ease, especially now, as the days are getting colder

I vary between ‘Königsberger Klopse’ (meat balls) and a mustard egg. When was the last time I ate that? Especially the offer of the home cooking pleases me, because sometimes you just need to eat well and indigenous. Where does this nowadays still exist? BvH

Test passed

Patron Danilo Del Favero and I. He tells me: “We make fresh, German, Mediterranean, Hamburger cuisine – and it’s affordable!”

Also on the upper floor dark shades give the rooms comfort

Super mood at the bar: the staff is in a good temper and friendly

At the wall maritime decorations – we’re still in the legendary ‘Mühlenkamper Fährhaus’ (in English ferry house)

Contact:

Henny’s
Hans-Henny-Jahnn-Weg 1
22085 Hamburg

www.hennys-hamburg.de

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Just the right thing for a summer in the HafenCity: The bistro of the ‘East’ Hotel has a superb terrace by the water with a view on the concert hall ‘Elbphilharmonie’ and the harbor

If you want to enjoy a combination of the harbor atmosphere in Hamburg, the view of the concert hall ‘Elbphilharmonie’ and good food I recommend the restaurant ,Coast‘, which is located on the Marco Polo Terraces in the HafenCity. The ,Coast‘– an offshoot of the ‘East’ hotel – honors the gastronomic reputation of the flagship ‘East’ and serves Euro-Asian fusion cuisine under the direction of the chef de la cuisine Benjamin Nicke, who also created the ‘Coast‘ on Mallorca.

Great idea: the walls inside are covered with real plants. This is really unique

It’s your choice! How about an Australian Flapsteak with coriander and nut crust, mangetout and Asian cucumber salad, chicken tandoori or a selection from the extensive sushi menu?

Crossover is the food concept

The architecture and interior of the ‘Coast’ adapt the high culinary level: Not only the roof structure – designed by the architects EMBT in Barcelona – which from far seems like the wings of a seagull, is unique. Also the window-front that opens completely are exceptionally in Germany.  The bright building characterizes the modern architecture of the HafenCity (learn more about the architecture on MyStylery’s post “Walking through Hamburg’s HafenCity“).

… architecture like the wing of a seagull …

The impressive roof structure seems like the wings of a seagull – so that no one forgets where he currently is. The ‘Coast‘ is an asset in Hamburg’s restaurant landscape, also because of its attractive location. BvH

The maritime atmosphere corrensponds with the HafenCity. Thereto fits the light seafood with a smack of Asian

  A true hotspot in Hamburg’s HafenCity

The ‘Coast’ offers 110 inside- and 150 outside seats …

… and additional seats in the Enoteca, where wine and Italian antipasti is being served

Tip:
There are cheaper parking opportunities daily from 6 pm in the Unilever House

Contact:
COAST by east – Seafood, Bar & Grill
Großer Grasbrook 14
20457 Hamburg
+ 49 40 30 99 32 30

www.coast-hamburg.de

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Jil Sander once resided in this beautiful villa in Hamburg Pöseldorf. Now Susann Eschenfelder lives here since ten years together with her husband and Parson Terrier Nelly

„There’s only a very little market in Germany for what I’m doing”, explains designer Susann Eschenfelder in her Hamburg atelier and points on her extravagant, elaborate pillows. “The Germans prefer a rather reserved interior style and don’t really like experiments.” That’s the reason why she spends the weekdays in London, as there are lots of interior design bureaus with international clients.

Designer Susann Eschenfelder in her Hamburg residence

Susann Eschenfelders works are total artworks that consist out of high-quality fabrics. Those are embroidered with semi-precious stones, gold- and silver threads, nacre and tortoiseshell or elaborate veiled with fur. Of course everything is individually made by hand and specially tailored to customers. Like a cushion lined with sable and embroidered with gold threads for the yacht of a Russian obligator.

“I like animal printings and my leo-sofa”, says Susann Eschenfelder. “The snake- or croc patterns are embroidered, no animals had to die for them.”

Such a luxury costs in the higher, four-digit area. Susann Eschenfelder designed an elaborate embroidery for the wall with suiting silk curtains for an apartment in London at the Hydepark. And the private cinema of the client got a silken wall covering with filigree cherry blossom branches in Chinese stile. Of course, the fabric-refiner doesn’t say anything about the names of her clients or about the prices.

The cushions of the Eschenfelder-collection are unique pieces – prices are based on the project depending on the working effort and use of material: “At special prices the price scale isn’t limited.”

One of Susann Eschenfelders favorite furniture is a vintage Pucci-fabric covered French sofa

“The individuality and the exceptionality are very important to my clients”, explains Susann Eschenfelder, who creates not only romantic but also modern motives. “Nobody of my client wants something the others already got.” Thereby the Saarlander already made the experience that money and taste inevitably don’t have something in common: “I’m always happy when my pillows complement a succeeded spatial installation.”

“I like watching my French Chinoiserie”, says Eschenfelder about the wall panel that was painted on paper in the 50’s

Eschenfelder, who worked for Jil Sander and Wolfgang Joop for years, loves graphical-floral and colorful Pucci-fabrics, throughout her colorful lampshades are being made – meanwhile sought objects at her clients. The vintage-fabrics aren’t easy to find and accordingly expensive.

On an antique French desk Suann Eschenfelder decorates an 80’s candleholder from Migeon and Chinese Foo Dogs

It can take weeks until a pillow is finished, depending on effort and embroideries. “And then especially the German customers come to me and ask, why the cushions are so expensive”, says Susann Eschenfelder. “My foreign clientele appreciates the craft and rejoices the beauty of extraordinary materials. And isn’t it wonderful to afford oneself something to create a luxury surrounding?” BvH

The designer spotted the Foo Dogs that stand infront of the antique fireplace in London

Susann Eschenfelder loves a homy atmosphere in her studio

Parson Terrier Nelly deeply relaxed

Great contrast: Golden frame meets purple fabric

Here everything is just right down to the details, even the door handle

Contact:
www.susanneschenfelder.com

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The Linari residence in Hamburg’s district Groß Flottbek

When I turned into the calm side street in the chic Hamburg district Groß Flottbek I immediately knew: this must be the place! The minimalistic cube midst the so-called Hamburg coffee grinder (this is how the members of the Hanseatic League of the 1920s and 1930s called the red-brick villas with their quadratic ground plans) immediately catches ones attention. It’s therefore no wonder that Hamburger Rainer Diersche had to render diverse opinions of experts for the building license of his 520 square meters exceptional house. Diersche, qualified industrial engineer and product designer, did not only realise a multiple architectural highlight with this house, but also integrated the anthracite coloured new building into the stock development. But entrepreneur Rainer Diersche does not only have an eye for architecture: Diersche creates luxury room fragrances and perfumes with his label Linari

Entrepreneur and product designer Rainer Diersche in his study. Also from here there is a line of sight to the outside

A portrait of Diersche’s father by the Hamburg painter Erich Hartmann

MyStylery: It smells so lovely in here. What is it?
Rainer Diersche: This is the fragrance “Estate” from the LINARI-collection. We have an area-fragrancing: scents will be fed via the ventilation system and are created after my ideas of perfumers in Germany and Paris. I choose the scent depending on my mood. Without it nothing works.

The sofa in the livingroom is from B&B Italia, the upholstery fabrics for all pillows, chairs and bed heads from Kvadrat

MS: You learned banker, then studied economics. How do you get a fragrance entrepreneur?
RD: I was already affine after scents as a child. Later on I had a store at the Stilwerk and realised, how big the demand of design is. That brought me to the idea to create demanding fragrances with a good design. By the way our biggest foreign market is Japan. There, the ingredients are being strongly controlled, for example how scents operate on dog nose. I do especially attach importance to the packaging as well as the content. Although I sometimes get tears in my eyes when I’m thinking about the costs. (laughs)

The Danish clinker of the mantelpiece can also be found in the exterior façade. White leather chairs are from COR

MS: Regarding the planning of your house you were similar uncompromisingly.
RD: Yes, that’s right. The actual thought was to design the house as minimalistic and ecologically as possible. We use geothermal energy for the floor heating and power supply. Most important are good materials, their harmony and a consequent implementation. The clinker at the fireplace is the same that has been used for the external façade. Also the floor tile has been laid inside and outside, including a continuous alignment in the jointing.

The illuminated handrail of varnished oak leads to the first floor

The Bengal cats Gucci and Prada

MS: This sounds pretty perfectionist.
RD: I’m consequent. If I do something, I do it right.
MS: Is it actually always so tidy at yours?
RD: (laughs) Yes, its a little bit like in a museum. And it’s still comfortable. If you decide for a minimalistic construction, then a certain living-tidiness belongs to it.

For bed frame and head Rainer Diersche chose a felt fabric from Kvadrat

Next to the flat screen in the master bedroom, is a portrait of the Hamburg painter Erich Hartmann. It shows his wife

MS: In this area rules a structural provision made to safeguard existing standards, a so-called constituent Ensemble. Your modern way of construction probably didn’t only bring you new friends in the neighbourhood.
RD: At this place didn’t stand a coffee grinder like the other neighbour houses, instead there was a house that was not renovated. We had to knock it down. Our compromise was the dependence to the Bauhaus-style. Surely there’s also a lot of gossip. I’m proud of what I established. We evidently live in a community with envy. And that’s a petty. BvH

Varnished oak has been used for stairs, handrails and internal cupboards

Also the master bath is equipped with Ligurian slate

Rainer Diersche in the summer kitchen on the top floor of the house, where he also hosts guests on the adjacent terrace

The washbasins are made of Corean

Bengal cat Gucci enjoys the cooling stone tiles

The kitchen is from Strato, the work surfaces out of stainless steel and Nero Assoluto as well as Corean, bar stool “Lem” from La Palma

It seems logical that a real Hamburg need to have chairs with the name “Alster”. Table and chairs from Ligne Roset

The Biedermeier-commode from 1820 chose Diersche “to exclude the strength”. Silver chandelier and vase are from Christofle. “The vase is special, thereof only exist 20 pieces worldwide.”

Oil painting from Erich Hartmann, who belonged to the artists’ association “Hamburger Sezession” in the 1920s. Diersche inherited it from his father and complemented the collection with additional purchases

Ligurian slate has been used for the wine cellar

Rainer Diersche designed the sauna according to his specifications. It is illuminated by a colored light system

The whole living- and outdoor area has l m x l m limestone-tiles

The minimalistic cube emerged in collaboration with the Hamburg Dibelius architect. 520 square meters spread onto two floors plus cellar on a 957 square meters property

Contact:
www.linari.com

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The gallery upstairs offers more seats on additional 25 square meters*

I expected everything on my exploration tour through the Hamburg Hafencity, thick steamers in front of fish stands and herring rolls with sellers in sailor shirts. Instead I found a classic coffee house in Austrian style; the “Klein and Kaiserlich” (“Small and Imperial”) vis-à-vis of the Vasco-da-Gama-Place with view over the ‘museum port’. And that isn’t sailor’s yarn. Amongst this modern architecture the host Rosemarie Motsch serves her guests traditional coffee house classics such as sweet cut-up pancakes with raisins, yeast dumplings, apple- or cream cheese strudel. Self-made, of course. In addition guests get Meinl-coffee specialities like Melange, “Grosser Brauner” or “Kleiner Schwarzer”.

The breakfast menu of “Klein und Kaiserlich” is a culinary trip through Austria from Salzburg to Vienna via Linz*

“You’re having a good life, you’re able to go into a coffee house! ”
Emperor Franz Josef I.

The outdoor terrace vis-à-vis of the “Vasco-da-Gama-Platz”*

With it’s 45 square meters the “Klein and Kaiserlich” is very comfortable with green patterned wallpaper, the thonet chairs under brass chandeliers. When it’s sunny outside the outdoor terrace offers additional seats. I choose veal sausage with sweet mustard and I drink an “Almdudler”. And Emperor Franz watches me longingly out of his golden picture frame. BvH

Waiter Jörg Hoßbach presents the homemade pastries

Austria meets Hamburg! It’s really homy in here! MyStylery loves the “Klein und Kaiserlich”!

Tip:
From Tuesday to Friday the “Klein and Kaiserlich” serves changing lunch meals

Contact:
Klein und Kaiserlich
Am Kaiserkai 26
20457 Hamburg

www.k-u-k-kaffeehaus.de

*All Photos and Featured Image by Klein und Kaiserlich

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