Tell us about yourself I’m Julian — I work at the intersection of creative code and physical interaction, mostly building prototypes for early-stage hardware startups. Outside of work, I’m a big espresso nerd. Dialing in a shot feels like debugging in real life — just with more crema and fewer Git errors. What’s your coffee station like? The whole setup lives on a small, custom-cut steel workbench I mounted to the wall in my kitchen nook. It’s maybe three feet wide, but everything I need fits cleanly into that space. I use a Profitec Pro 300 paired with a DF64 grinder. They sit on a walnut knock drawer that keeps the clutter out of sight. Above it, I mounted an open pine shelf where I keep my cups, portafilter, and some beans in amber jars. Lighting was important. I have a single under-shelf LED strip tuned to a vintage green tone — kind of like old audio meters. It kicks on early in the morning and just sets the whole mood. I wanted it to feel like a little lab. Gear List Item Model Espresso Machine Profitec Pro 300 Grinder DF64 (modded with SSP burrs) Scale Timemore Black Mirror Basic+ Tamper Normcore v4 Knock Drawer MHW-3BOMBER Walnut Slim Accessories WDT tool, dosing funnel, microfiber cloths Shelf Pine plank with matte black brackets Lighting Dimmable LED strip (green-tinted)
Gear List
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What do you love most about it?
It’s efficient. Everything’s within arm’s reach, but it doesn’t feel cramped. I can pull a shot, steam, clean up, and reset in a few minutes. It’s meditative.
Also, I love the mix of materials — brushed steel, walnut, amber glass. It feels tactile and lived-in.
Any challenges?
Dialing in milk texture on a single-boiler machine takes patience. But honestly, I like the limitation. It slows me down just enough to enjoy it.
What's your coffee ritual like?
Weekdays, I’m up around 7:15. I hit the switch on the Pro 300, open the window, and let the cat sit on the sill while I prep beans.
By 7:45, I’m pulling a shot and pouring milk. I sip it by the window with my notebook before I open my laptop. No headphones. No emails. Just ambient city noise and steam.
Tips for others building a small space setup?
Start with good bones: a solid surface, a clean outlet, a place to store accessories. You don’t need every tool at once.
And lighting matters more than you think. Find a way to make it feel intentional — even in 4 square feet.