Hi Everyone,
It’s not every day that you enter into a design showroom that truly makes you feel as though you are being transported into another world. Into a wonderful tropical oasis. This is how I felt when I recently discovered the showroom and show garden Livingdreams in Meilen, Zurich.
My imagination instantly reached new levels and I found myself planning all sorts of enhancements for my own garden. I’m certain the same would happen to you too.
Livingdreams was founded by Nicole Hoch (pictured above). Her main mantra is to design original, timeless furniture which can be customised to suit your home space. Practicality also plays a major role in Nicole’s designs. I love the fact that all of the garden cushions can be kept outside year round, surviving both rain and snow!
Today I ask Nicole 5 questions to find out more about her and how “Livingdreams ” came to be – a truly inspirational story. Nicole is so interesting to talk to I could have kept going for hours – smile!
Keep reading to find out more about “Livingdreams – meet the woman behind Zurich’s coolest design showroom”
Livingdreams – meet the woman behind Zurich’s coolest design showroom
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What made you start Livingdreams?
It all began 25 years ago whilst on vacation in Indonesia. I saw some stone statues and fell in love with them. I didn’t know whether they would ever arrive in Switzerland or not but I did know that if they were to arrive I would certainly be able to sell them there. So I bough a whole container of stone statues and daybeds.
Guess what, they arrived and I started selling them to my friends and garden centres.
Of course I had to go to Indonesia again and fell in love with some oversized garden furniture an architect showed me.
My first store was a little pop up. I only had it open when the kids were in kindergarten. I also supplied other design stores around Zurich – this I no longer do.
Our current location has a lot of family history and the house used to belong to my Grandfather.
2) What would you say is your USP ?
For me it is all about having good quality timeless furniture that others do not have. My USP is the materials used, our service which is very personalised and the showroom itself. Living Dreams is not a normal furniture store it is an experience.
The furniture is designed in our very own atelier.
3. You started with outdoor furniture. How did you move to include interiors as well?
I guess this started by me designing furniture for myself. I wanted something original which others don’t have. Once again my friends loved my things as did existing outdoor clients. The demand for my interior furniture grew. As demand increased so did my offering and now our indoor showroom is equally as important as the outdoor show garden.
4. What are you most proud of?
I’m super proud and happy that my daughter Joelle is also such a fan of furniture design and the fact that she wants to carry on the business also after me.
I’m also proud that I was crazy enough to open a store with restaurant in Mallorca. That really did take some courage to start a business venture outside of Switzerland. These days I visit Mallorca once a month.
5) What made you start business in Mallorca?
Clients really. I had clients that wanted me to furnish their homes in Mallorca. Then several of them suggested I open a store in Mallorca and I thought why not. It did take courage but I am fortunate to have a family that is super supportive and encouraging of my ventures.
Today:
Today there is a whole team behind Living Dreams with three locations in Switzerland and one in Mallorca which also has an events bar and restaurant – see locations here.
Over the years Nicole has completed many wonderful projects. One of my personal favourites which you can all see is at the 5 star hotel, Castello del Sole – Ascona.
Pictures for this article where taken at the Livingdreams in Meilen,
Dorfstrasse 56
CH-8706 Meilen
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Very cool! Love the pink chaise lounge and table set. Gorgeous! 😍👍
Thanks so much, I really love this store so much.
xxx
Hi dear Yvonne thank you for your blog, the Furniture sound and look very nice especially when you can leave those furnitures outside the whole year through thanks again