Mid-Century Design in Lübeck
Beckergrube is a street in Lübeck's old town that isn't exactly a place for a leisurely stroll. At first glance, it's not particularly beautiful and is therefore often underestimated. Which is a shame, because on closer inspection you'll find a colorful mix: an antiquarian bookshop, a long-established wine shop, a record store, a bookstore, a men's clothing store, the Lübeck Theatre, restaurants with international cuisine, and a traditional stationery shop. And a very special, but somewhat hidden, gem: Andy Czapura 's RETROHOUSE in the courtyard of Beckergrube 55 .
Andy Czapura has been based there for 15 years. What was once a hidden gem at the time of its opening has since become well-known throughout Northern Germany. A shop as specialized as RETROHOUSE is a rarity in Germany: it boasts what is probably the largest collection of retro and vintage design, with more than 2,000 items and over 1,000 lamps from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s – all original and unique pieces. Just as special as the exhibition and sales area are the opening hours: Andy Czapura is only open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And so, although I had passed the bright orange signs pointing to RETROHOUSE countless times, I only just managed to meet the design expert for an interview for Lübeck ZWISCHENZEILEN and to take a look at the showroom. And what started as a perfectly ordinary Saturday morning turned into a little journey back in time to the last century and the world of mid-century design.
A love story in Mallorca
Andy Czapura lived in Spain in the early 2000s. He ran an advertising agency in Mallorca, so he was already quite familiar with colors, shapes, and patterns.
In 2004, love struck him like lightning: love for a vintage lamp, more precisely a space-age tulip lamp, which, sadly, has since left him. It broke. However, Andy Czapura's love for cool mid-century designs has never waned since that memorable purchase. His desire grew to own his own shop, to offer objects by famous designers or simply original pieces.
In 2006, the Lübeck native returned to his hometown and started an online business. He discovered beautiful things on the internet, immersed himself in the subject matter, became part of the scene, and made contacts. His passion for design objects, now spanning 20 years, has made him an expert, particularly in lamps and lighting.
In 2009, the big day finally arrived: online retail gained a sibling in real life when RETROHOUSE moved into its premises in Lübeck's old town.
And there was light.
Upon entering RETROHOUSE, I am suddenly bathed in light. Lamps with bags, globes, table lamps, pendant lights, chandeliers, wall lights, floor lamps. Flowing, organic curves and geometric forms. Design objects from Germany, Europe, and even the USA. Some are very rare pieces by famous designers, but there are also original items from that era.
Clear glass, frosted glass, colored glass, lead crystal, and etched glass. Alongside these, select pieces of furniture, high-quality vases and accessories displayed on shelves, sewing tables, tiered plant stands, and side tables. The sheer abundance of available items is overwhelming at first. A dazzling array of moods and colors.
Each piece could tell a story. But since the objects are silent, Andy acts as an interpreter. He shows me some special pieces: the mid-century teak floor lamp by Georges Frydman for Temde from the 1960s, with its uncluttered design, standing near the entrance; the very rare vintage floor lamp with nine frosted glass shades by Kaiser , which casts a soft light; and the sculptural lamp by designer Gaetano Sciolari, made of polished brass and featuring 21 lamp sockets.
And of course, there's also a PH5, the classic pendant lamp by Danish designer Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, which provides completely glare-free light. Andy Czapura compares Henningsen to Stradivari. Like the famous Italian violin maker, Henningsen also spent years working on the details of his lamps.
Andy Czapura buys only what truly excites him. If he falls in love with a piece, it's his, regardless of what others think. He's particularly fond of one lamp: an extremely rare white table lamp with a 360° adjustable globe made of frosted glass and a chrome-plated metal frame, designed by Cini Boeri for Dino Gavina in Italy in the 1970s. It's not for sale.
Details are not details. They make the product.
Charles O. Eames
objects that touch
A wide variety of people come to RETROHOUSE. Some have modern homes and are looking for a special piece. Others spend hours browsing, searching for a high-quality item. There are young people who value sustainability. And customers who have seen something in a film or magazine that they can't get out of their heads. Demand remains consistently high.
And there are also visitors who simply want to enjoy the view and be transported back in time, whose memories are suddenly brought back to life. "Look, Aunt Anni had that lamp too."
Andy Czapura usually recognizes pretty quickly who enters his shop. With a smile, he tells me that when it comes to buying lamps, there are often only two types of customers: those who are looking for a lamp almost like a life partner—something truly special—and those who simply need light. The latter are rather rare. I'm not entirely sure which group I belong to. What is clear is that I'm enjoying this retro trip back to a time when much of my life was orange and brown.
Let me tell you a story about the retro house
Exchanging ideas with the owner of RETROHOUSE is simply a great pleasure. He loves this place he's created. He meticulously researches background information on every item, contacts the designers—if they're still alive—and is always happy to share his knowledge. In recent years, he's discovered a passion for photography. Besides the showroom, he photographs every object in his studio to present it in the best possible way online. The photos I took there don't even begin to do the pieces justice. Just take a look at this list and you'll see what I mean.
As I leave RETROHOUSE, I take with me the questions that Andy Czapura constantly asks himself: What do you want to surround yourself with in your life? What makes your heart beat faster? That's all that matters.
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