Somewheresville

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Yup, everything in this apartment is beautiful, from the massive heavy-framed mirror, art, cool classic and reclaimed furniture to plates with birds on, and  heavy knives and forks in the sleek, white drawers.  Industrial pipes, steel surfaces (an old fridge door for a desk) and concrete floors give the urban edge; cushions, lush textiles, rugs, clever lighting and good heating provide the warmth.

I haven’t done one of these stay-in-someone’s-home things before, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and whether I was going to like it. I was also baffled as to why anyone in their right mind would relish the prospect of strangers loafing about on their sofas and handling their glassware, unsupervised. Now I get it.

Firstly, it works very simply; after registering and booking, I exchanged a couple of emails and texts about arrival times with the owner, and she met me at the door, helped lug my case, showed me the contents of the fridge and how the lights went on and off and, after a bit of banter, took a deposit, handed over the keys and went to Montreal. And I do like it. I don’t feel beholden; I feel independent. It has all the advantages of home but with better art and a different city through the window.

The fact you’re trusted with the run of someone’s home means that you’re careful, respectful and take a proprietary pleasure in keeping it all shipshape and Bristol fashion. I’m going to look for more, but this has set the bar very high. If you want to stay here visit the property page on 9flats.com.