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Description
We are Guzel (33) and Marcus (39), a Russian-German couple living in Leipzig. I work as an architect, and Marcus is a self-employed entrepreneur with strong practical and craftsmanship skills.
We moved into this apartment together about two years ago. Although the space has a lot of potential, we haven’t yet had enough energy to make it feel as cosy, functional and well-styled as we would like.
As we are currently expecting a baby, we feel it is finally the right moment to bring everything together: my planning and design skills, Marcus’s practical hands-on approach, and a fresh outside perspective. We would love some creative help to make our home feel more harmonious, organised and ready for this new chapter in our life.
We live in Leutzsch, a quiet and green villa district in Leipzig, with beautiful old houses, tree-lined streets and a relaxed atmosphere. The area is close to Auensee lake and the Auwald forest, so it is a lovely place for walks, fresh air and time in nature. At the same time, our neighbourhood is well connected to the city centre by public transport, so you can enjoy both a peaceful home environment and Leipzig’s urban life.
We would love to welcome someone who enjoys interior decoration, styling and space organisation. Experience with vintage furniture and second-hand sourcing would be a lovely plus. It is not a construction or renovation project. It can be a short stay, around 1-2-3 weeks.
We are calm, open-minded and respectful people, and we would be happy to share our home with someone kind, creative and interested in cultural exchange.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Beach
Yoga / Wellness
Hiking
Drawing & painting
Languages
Cooking & food
Architecture
Art & design
Books
DIY & crafts
Plant care
Events & social
Culture
Fashion or beauty
Movies & TV
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As a practicing architect in Germany, I can share insights into the everyday work of an architect here: how projects are developed, how communication with clients and authorities works, and what the planning process usually looks like in Germany. If you are interested, I can also share my experience with architectural drawings, design presentations, building regulations, construction phases and the practical side of working in an architecture office.
I studied for a Master’s degree in Architectural Preservation, so I can share my experience with historic buildings, monuments and heritage sites, including how old buildings are studied, documented, protected and carefully adapted for modern use.
I can share insights into topics such as architectural history, monument preservation, restoration principles, building surveys, archive research and the challenges of working with protected buildings in Germany. I can also explain how architects approach existing structures, what makes a building historically valuable and why preservation is such an important part of European culture. In my free time, I have visited many heritage sites in Germany and across Europe, so I would be happy to share travel tips and recommendations as well.
I haven’t explored many antique shops and flea markets in Leipzig yet, but I would love to do this together with the Workawayer. Leipzig is a great city for vintage finds: it combines Gründerzeit furniture, industrial heritage, Bauhaus/modernist influences and GDR design culture. You can find everything from old wooden furniture and Art Nouveau details to mid-century lamps, East German ceramics, industrial pieces, books and unique everyday objects. It could be a nice part of the exchange, especially if you are interested in interiors and decoration.
As a foreigner who has been living in Germany for around 10 years, I can share my personal experience of settling here, learning the language, understanding German everyday life and finding my way in the culture. If you are interested, I can help you practise German or Russian in a relaxed way. I have experience with language tandems and can also share some learning materials.
I once participated in a renovation project as a Workawayer, and it was a very positive experience for me. Even though it was only a short stay, I was surrounded by warm and welcoming people, and the memories are still very bright today. Now, as a host, I hope to create a similar atmosphere and offer a stay that feels friendly, inspiring and memorable as well.
Help
We don't expect you to be an expert. Just someone who is open-minded and happy to spend time together while making our home feel better. This stay would suit someone who enjoys creative projects, interiors and practical organisation. We would like to work together in a relaxed way, exchange ideas and make our apartment feel more harmonious, cosy and functional.
Possible tasks could include:
- discussing and refining the interior and decoration concept
- choosing wall paint and helping us paint together
- choosing furniture online, in second-hand shops, flea markets or local stores
- going to shops together to look for ideas and pieces (not carrying furniture)
- choosing and combining textiles such as curtains, bedroom textiles, cushions and carpets
- creating some items together, for example a bed canopy, a medium-sized plant pot, or a pin and magnet wall
- choosing and ordering small accessories for the kitchen, picture frames and lamps
- reorganising plants and pots, and possibly choosing some new plants
We see this as a collaborative project where we can learn from each other: you can bring your ideas, taste and experience, and we can share our home, local life in Leipzig and our own perspective on architecture, design and living in Germany.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Russian: Fluent
Turkish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Since I speak German in daily life, I would be happy to refresh my English through everyday conversations. In exchange, I can help you practise German and share useful vocabulary, common phrases and insights into daily life in Germany. In addition, I have experience with language tandems and have helped people practise Russian on different online platforms. I also have some study books and learning materials, so I would be happy to support you if you are interested in learning or improving your Russian.
Accommodation
The Workawayer will have a clean, quiet and comfortable private room with two roof windows and a sofa bed, as well as your own bathroom with a shower.
For breakfast, we will provide simple everyday options such as muesli, milk, bread, jam, cheese, eggs, tea and coffee.
For lunch: something that you can prepare yourself from the groceries at home (we discuss groceries list before).
For dinner, we can often eat together. We can cook together or take turns cooking, depending on the day and our schedules.
What else ...
Our neighbourhood is quiet and green, but still well connected by public transport. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Leipzig main train station and the city centre.
The Plagwitz area is also around 30 minutes away. It is one of Leipzig’s creative districts, with canals, cafés, galleries, small shops and nice places to walk around.
Close to our home, you can find Auensee lake and the Auwald forest, which are lovely for walks, fresh air and spending time in nature. You could use my bike or e-scooter to get around and explore the city more easily. You can enjoy both sides of Leipzig: a peaceful home environment in a green villa district and the lively urban life of the city.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Photos
