Since 2015, German designer and mother of three Barbara Freiman has combined creativity with the joyful chaos of family in China. She founded coco&ray in 2017 and regularly exhibits her children's collections at Shanghai Fashion Week, combining playful elegance with practical design. Her home life with her husband, three children and a dog is a lively mix of school runs, studio work and neighborhood discoveries.

One of her favorite rituals is cycling with her children to school each morning. It reminds her of village life in Germany, yet they are surrounded by the dynamic energy of Shanghai. Their home provides them space to relax, but just outside their door are small restaurants, street food stalls and everyday city life unfolding.

It's this balance between movement and calm that makes Changning so special for them.

Fave restaurants & cafes:
 Pain Chaud (L115, 99 Xianxia Rd 仙霞路99號(hào)L115)

Xian'erxiang Fresh Meat Pancake (餡兒香土家鮮肉餅, 449 Xianxia Rd 仙霞路449號(hào))

Olympos (No. 2, Lane 3338 Hongmei Rd 虹梅路3338弄2號(hào))

Grocery shops:
Xiaoye Fresh Produce (小葉疏果生鮮, 407 Hong Road 虹古路407)

Source: City News Service