MariaMaria

Hidden in a sleepy village in Brandenburg’s Ostprignitz-Ruppin district, behind rusty iron gates, you find find a collection of listed brick and stone buildings from the mid-1800s. The elongated former stables, which also had a life as a catholic chapel named Maria von den Engeln, are now a home-from-home, radiating warmth. Owners Marion and Bernd wanted to create an atmosphere where guests feel as if they’re coming to visit good friends who are travelling and have left a note saying: ‘Make yourself at home, we'll be back later’.” And it’s safe to say they’ve succeeded in this mission. 

The two are a designer and a photographer, and their eye for good style is apparent throughout. They have left original features - such as the high cross vault and Gothic stained glass windows in the chapel - as they are, allowing them to act as a centre point of the room, while carefully weaving mismatched furniture with personal photography and paintings to create a homely feel.

We love the expansive kitchen, with its panoramic views, but even more so, we love the garden firepit, huge terrace and herb garden, and we love the paths that lead from the grounds, to a wild orchard and beyond into expansive nature. Our only issue with MariaMaria is that it’s not home; we wish we could stay, simply waiting for those friends, who will be back later.