“Max proposed to me so sweetly on our living room couch. I’d once told him that if he proposed, I’d want it to happen in our shared home. It’s rare for both of us to be home at the same time, so the couch felt far more special than proposing on a trip—especially since travel is usually work for us, not leisure. Right now, we’re dreaming of a wedding in Italy,” Maria says. The story behind the curved brick wall is unknown. The floor lamp was ordered from Etsy, the coffee table is a recycled find, and the rugs are from Asko.
Who lives here Flight attendant Maria Carla, 33, purser Maximilian “Max” Bilz, 37, and one-and-a-half-year-old Aimo. Instagram: @carlankoti.
Home An apartment in Munich’s Glockenbachviertel, measuring 95 square meters.
When it came time to move, they would completely change up their interior style, Swedish-speaking Finn Maria Carla and German-born Maximilian Bilz decided. They sold all the furniture from their previous 37-square-meter home, wanting to furnish their new place entirely in a way that felt true to them. From then on, they would only choose items whose style spoke to them and to which they felt a personal connection.
When Maria and Max first climbed the stairs to the apartment in a white building in Munich’s Glockenbachviertel, Maria immediately exclaimed, “This is it!” That moment kicked off a major passion project that has caused many sleepless nights. The couple don’t own a car, so a rental car company is on speed dial. Kleinanzeigen, a local online secondhand store, is Maria’s most-used app.
In the empty, echoing rental space, the couple wondered where to begin. The first pieces they hauled in were sturdy 1960s wardrobes, which would guide their gradually developing, distinctive style. Their home’s look has drawn inspiration from their frequent trips to Morocco, the mid-century modern style, and Maria’s elegant grandmother. The building’s history is puzzlingly obscure—nobody even seems to know its construction year.
“My family and grandparents are especially dear to me. My grandma Liisa is my best friend. I’ve always loved my grandmother’s and my mother’s style, and I’ve borrowed inspiration from them in both fashion and home decor,” Maria says.
The 25-square-meter balcony adds a significant amount of extra space. It was practically a small miracle to find a rental with such a large balcony so close to the city center. On summer days off, Max relaxes there in a hammock, reading books.
Maria and Max love cooking and wanted to move out of their 37-square-meter flat to a larger home so they could invite more friends over. They don’t really cook traditional German dishes, preferring everyone’s favorite—pasta. Their dining set was found at a bargain price and is one of Maria’s best thriftstore finds. She upholstered the chairs herself. The artwork is Artek’s “75 Years” poster.
“My grandmother and my mother have always set a beautiful table and hosted gatherings. I try to keep that tradition going.”
Maria has always known she wanted to be a flight attendant. She ended up in Munich years ago when an acquaintance of her mother’s was looking for an au pair. After years of working as a tour guide, Maria finally got to wear her dream uniform. The couple met in 2017 on a flight from Munich to Finland, both working for the same airline.
Almost every day, the couple picks up pretzels from the local bakery—Aimo’s favorite treat. In the future, when Aimo reaches school age, Finland seems like the right place to live, because of Maria’s family and loved ones, and Finland’s excellent education system. The vase is Marimekko’s Urna, and the hanging lamp is from Connox.
The artwork in the living room is an original poster from the 1972 Munich Olympics. The leather ottoman is a souvenir from Morocco, which they filled themselves with old jackets. Maria discovers smaller decor items both secondhand and at H & M Home, where she works part-time during her parental leave.
“I’ve lugged all the dishware here from Finland, including the shot glasses all the way from Parainen.”
The 1960s glass cabinet they found secondhand instantly became Max’s favorite piece. Inside, they discovered a set of gold teeth, which they left with the previous owner. It’s important to Maria that her Finnish roots are apparent, though for practical reasons the larger pieces of furniture were bought in Germany. Many of their textiles, dishes, and vases come from Finnish brands. “I’ve lugged all the dishware here from Finland, including the shot glasses all the way from Parainen,” Maria says. The lamp is from Ikea, and the poster is from Iittala.
The guest room is a true multipurpose space, accommodating both Aimo’s energetic playtime and Max’s drawing. The rug on the couch, matching the wall color, was a souvenir from Marrakech. Maria stayed behind as collateral at the rug shop while Max hurried to get more cash. The Crema paint color is from the German magazine Schöner Wohnen’s trend color series. Maria’s great-grandmother Saima made the embroidery hanging on the wall. Soccer fan Max got the foosball table for their game nights.
A shared love of photography brings the couple together. Maria enjoys photographing their home, and Max used to film plenty back in the day—their cupboards are full of old videotapes. Max has collected different currencies from around the world and keeps them as mementos in a box. He once received the chair in the corner of the bedroom as payment for helping someone move. The vase on the desk is by House Doctor.
The painting in pride of place in the bedroom was created by Maria’s mother’s grandmother, Saima. Aimo’s black crib fits the dark theme of the room. The bedroom furniture is all secondhand. The couple used to be more cautious with their furniture, but they’ve gradually become more relaxed about signs of everyday life showing. Their child can be a child at home, even if something occasionally breaks. The duvet covers and pillowcases are Marimekko’s Pieni Letto series.
In German apartments, it’s not unusual to find the shower in the kitchen or a shared toilet for the entire floor. Fortunately, in this rental, they get to enjoy private showers and bathroom time. Maria considers the bathroom the most neutral and soothing room in the home. The bathtub is perfect for relaxing soaks as well as fun playtime with Aimo. Tall houseplants on the windowsill offer privacy without blocking natural light.
Maria is a night owl, and once Aimo is asleep, her ideas start flowing.
Since the family doesn’t own a car, they rent one whenever they need to pick up large furniture finds. Maria is a night owl, and once Aimo is asleep, her ideas start flowing. The best part about her partner’s work trips is having uninterrupted time to flip through old interior design magazines. When inspiration strikes, she might brainstorm new spots for their furniture and other items, maybe move a few things around, then go back to her magazine. For a visually minded mother of a young child, it’s precious me-time.
The balcony is just as inviting at night, when it’s beautifully lit.
Maria and Max’s apartment in Munich’s Glockenbachviertel measures 95 square meters.
