At home with Maike

WHOPPAH PORTRAITS

(Whoppah) Hi Maike! Thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful house, Maike. Happy to be here. Can you tell us something about yourself? Who you are, where do you come from, what do you do?

(Maike) I'm originally from Germany but grew up abroad. Amsterdam has been my home for the past six years. Photography is both a hobby and a profession for me, but it's more than just a job; it's a significant part of who I am. Through photography, I express how I see the world. I'm a very visual person, and I think I'm quite loud and energetic. I enjoy that energy in the things and people around me, as well as in the cities I choose to live in.

Six years ago, you moved here. What drove you to this apartment? 

Yeah, so my boyfriend already lived here, which is why I moved into _this _apartment. It wasn't really by choice but more for economic reasons. But I love it. I love all the light and the fact that, in a way, it's our playground. I think we've really made it that way. I like that he wanted to make it fun as well, so it has truly turned into something we love.

How would you describe your interior style?

Yeah, it's funny because if you look at my Pinterest, it's a really weird combination of Space Age, Mid-Century Modern, British countryside house, and Bauhaus. But the common denominator is that it's really colorful. I think it's clashing and vibrant. I also love when people mix styles in a cool way, although I've learned that it's quite difficult to do well. I really love retro design. Back in the day, people had more fun with color, fabrics, and bold choices like carpet everywhere and colored walls. I love all of that kind of stuff.

And where do you find this inspiration?

Definitely Pinterest. With photography, there's a lot of visual inspiration. Sometimes I look at a photograph or some fashion and it inspires ideas for decorating my home. I think my style is consistent across photography, fashion, and living. When I see someone wearing a really cool outfit, I often think, "Wow, that would even look cool in a room, like on a pillow." And I think humor plays a big role too. I was recently at Hugo's mom's house, and she has this little lamp that's a fish in a plastic bag, and the fish is the lamp. The hook is made into this art piece. You can't look at that and not laugh. So, anything quirky, I really like.

Is there anything you're obsessed with right now?

Yeah, I think Space Age is my current vibe. It's funny because it's so hard to mix in the right way. Right now, my Whoppah wishlist is full of Space Age items, along with a random set of chairs and a table. I'm even sending them to friends, suggesting they should get them because I don't have any space. But I would love to have them. I think Space Age is super fun and cool. I love the roundness of everything. It's just fun.

When choosing a piece, what do you find important? 

I believe each piece should have its own personality, but it's also important to balance that with elements that create a calming atmosphere. I’m good at finding items that pop out, but I also have to consider how they harmonize with larger surroundings. For instance, my aunt once gave me a black lamp (she points in the direction of the Louis Poulsen Panthella Mini lamp), joking that I needed to tone down my colorful style, while she gave my sister a colorful one. Initially, I was unsure, but now I appreciate the contrast it brings. It's about finding that perfect balance.

“Sometimes when I look at a photograph or even fashion, it inspires ideas for decorating my home.”

Are there other factors you consider when choosing a piece? 

Yeah, I really enjoy the challenge and thrill of finding everything secondhand. Whenever I visit thrift stores or little boutiques, I'm always on the lookout. It's so rewarding in the end because each piece has its own story. It's exciting when you know it's one-of-a-kind and not copy-paste. Nowadays, you often see the same items in different homes. So, I find it enjoyable to just do my own thing. It allows my personality to shine through slowly. I've discovered aspects of my own personality through furniture, which has been unexpectedly fun for me.

Do you have any tips or lessons you would like to share, perhaps something you wish you had known before?

It's funny because I became obsessed with reading books about all the lessons and rules. I did learn some things, especially about lighting—having different levels and pieces instead of just one central lamp. But overall, I believe you shouldn't let rules hold you back. Personally, I'm not the best person to ask about following rules. I think it's better to take a risk than to always play it safe. If a bold choice doesn't work out, you can always balance it by adding something calm later. But if you always play it easy, everything might end up beige. So, yeah, it's about embracing risks.

“I've discovered aspects of my own personality through furniture, which has been unexpectedly fun for me.”

You mentioned that most of your items are secondhand and thrifted. How did you first become interested in shopping secondhand?

I think Hugo, my boyfriend, has had a significant influence on me in embracing secondhand shopping, especially since his French background values it more. His family includes people who run secondhand shops, which exposed me to the art and charm of thrifted items. Previously, I mainly shopped firsthand, but I found the shift to secondhand shopping increasingly enjoyable and unique. Each item carries its own special story, which makes adding them to my space incredibly rewarding. For instance, one of my favorite pieces, a table, is made from materials once used to sew a wedding dress decades ago—a story that adds to its appeal.

What kind of secondhand shopper are you? Are you a hoarder or more of a careful curator?

Yeah, I would definitely say I fall more into the hoarder category, although I hate to admit it. My wishlist on Whoppah is probably worth a hundred thousand. I browse Whoppah and other vintage shops like I'm on Instagram. I like having options when I decide I want something, like a drawer, for example. Over the months, I gather a few options to compare instead of jumping on the first deal. This way, I know I’ve been looking thoroughly. So, yes, I have a huge favorites list—really big.

What do you love most about Whoppah? What makes it different?

Yeah, I think what I find enjoyable about Whoppah is their well-curated categories. It can be overwhelming sometimes on platforms like Marktplaats, where there's just so much to sift through. What sets these apps apart that do it right (like Whoppah) is to already set a scene. For instance, there was a tab called 'The James Bond Office' at one point, which helps visualize a specific style even if you're not familiar with designers. It's about creating a thematic experience, and I find that really cool.

What have you purchased on Whoppah? 

Okay, so I bought a lamp from Kaiser Leuchten with a Space Age aesthetic. I found it really fun and knew I needed it. I managed to negotiate a good price, which made the purchase even better. I wanted something to add a pop of color. Then there's the dresser. I was looking for something with a Tulip shaped foot, but those with white feet were too expensive. I found one with a silver foot instead. At first, I thought about changing it to a white foot one day, but now I've grown to like the chrome. I even like how they look together; they create two different vibes that complement each other well.

What’s on your radar right now?

I've been eyeing two red chairs with white outlines. I also find a funny Space Age bar really appealing. There's this table that's straight and has liquor storage, which I find intriguing. Maybe even a small bar or a trolley would be fun additions. Anything like that would be great.

“Each item carries its own special story, which makes adding them to my space incredibly rewarding.”

What makes a house a home for you?

Yeah, I think it's tied to what I mentioned earlier about personality shining through. When you walk into a place and can sense who lives there without knowing them, that's when it truly feels like someone's real home. I realize my style might be too much for some, but I appreciate seeing others' homes that reflect their personality, even if it's not my taste at all. It's about creating something that's uniquely yours, not just something from a magazine. That personal touch is what I love. It's satisfying to hear these answers and know everything clicked. I'm really happy about that.

Thank you for having us, Maike!