In the heart of Berlin's trendy Prenzlauer Berg district, we renovated a 160 square meter Altbau flat. An Altbau, meaning "old building" in German, typically refers to apartments built before World War II. These spaces are loved for their high ceilings, spacious rooms, and charming original features like wooden floors and decorative stucco work.
Our clients, a couple in their early 30s, had very different design preferences. She favored a bold, opulent, and sexy aesthetic, while he preferred a minimalist, bright, mid-century modern style. Our challenge was to create a space that would represent both personalities, despite their contrasting tastes.
We found the solution in a delicate balance. We kept and highlighted the Altbau's beautiful original elements, while adding modern comfort and style. The overall design is bright and airy, but we added deep, rich colors in key areas. This approach maintained a sense of openness and light, while adding depth and drama. The result is a unique, cozy home that mixes historic charm with contemporary style, showing that opposite tastes can create stunning interiors.
