What a wonderful place to land upon arriving in Istanbul! The listing originally attracted me because of the bright colors and obvious attention to making a pleasant home. But the reality surpasses even the pictures.
Beril's home is perfectly located - in a great neighborhood, walking distance to many cool things, and in close proximity to both the metro and the tram.
The flat itself is so comfortable to be in - the rooms are a bit small, but Beril has made them feel bigger by the light and her tasteful decorations. The terrace on the second level is a wonderful addition and a beautiful place to spend a breezy evening or sunny morning.
Beril herself is an open, kind and incredibly interesting woman. She was great to talk to, to get the lay of the city and also understand politics and culture of the country. I was only sad that she was so busy and we didn't get to spend more time talking.

In terms of the nitty gritty, the room is pretty tiny (but there's ample storage space for your stuff so that it doesn't feel cramped) and there's garbage collection right under the window several times a night. But all of that is worth it for a stay in this lovely flat that feels like home.