Explore A Modern Family Apartment In A Listed Building In Berlin |

(Image credit: Thomas Richter White Arrow LLC)

last updated 22 February 2021

PROPERTY

The property is a small apartment and modern home in a landmarked building in Berlin, Germany, that's home to a young family. The 100 square metre home encompasses two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen/dining space and one bathroom. The family wanted to completely gut the dated apartment and renovate it from top to bottom. They hired Brooklyn-based design firm White Arrow to completely rethink the kitchen and bathroom, to upgrade the finishes, to create more storage, and to create a completely new home interior.

HALLWAY

White Arrow co-founders Thomas and Keren Richter both come from the arts, and their projects have a very artistic bent to them — they love sourcing a mix of vintage with an eye focused on colour, texture, contemporary artwork, and custom designs.

Together they created a serene environment in this Berlin apartment that feels cohesive and luxurious; subtly curved corners, deco detailing, and arches complement the home’s high ceilings, original ornate doors, and plaster work. Pictured in the hallway are radiators that have been built into the archways.

KITCHEN

White Arrow rethought the home’s entire layout and flipped the rooms — moving a tiny North-facing galley kitchen into a bright sunny corner overlooking the nearby Thielenbrucke bridge.

The goal was to hide asymmetry and create ample discreet storage. In doing so, they rerouted the heating and plumbing, changed door positions, hid the mechanicals and washer and dryers in custom panels, and created a series of arches that now disguise radiators. They also hid the refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, and designed deep storage drawers behind custom lacquered cabinetry.

The home was an opportunity to experiment with new vendors and fabrication techniques that are uncommon locally — they designed the custom bathroom and kitchen cabinetry, as well as custom metalwork and even had marble craned in through a window.

DINING AREA

The travertine pedestal dining table is a striking piece, and features brass inlay.

LIVING ROOM

White Arrow took inspiration in the home’s European location and sourced an eclectic mix of mid-century Italian and French lighting and furniture.

They love the mix of eras and influences at play and added distinctive 1970s pieces by the likes of Carlo Nason, Ingo Mauer, Greta Grossman, Karl Springer, Fontana Arte, and Willy Rizzo with artwork by David Black and Christo.

Throughout the home, there is a vibrant mix of autumnal colours and texture — travertine, mohair and leather upholstery, cane, with living finishes like waxed cement tile, soaped Dinesen fir flooring, and unlacquered brass custom cabinetry and metalwork.

STUDY

A home office / desk area sits within the living room, and features a Greta Grossman desk, Skai Desk chair and an artwork by Tora Vega Holmstrom.

MASTER BEDROOM

The master bedroom features more mid century pieces, curved arches plus stonewashed bed linens.

A day bed sits in the bay window, offering a quiet place to sit and read.

A draped cloth makes an interesting feature above the bed, and ties in the blue from the day bed.

KIDS BEDROOM

A small bedroom packs a lot in, with a bunk bed , wardrobe and a clever fold-out desk.

The white bunkbed with its soft, rounded edges create a Scandi look.

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The pull-out desk creates the perfect spot for doing homework.

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BATHROOM

The spacious master bathroom sits where the pantry used to be, and White Arrow reconfigured this space completely.

Unlacquered brass by Studio Ore adds warmth, modernity and glamour.

Photography / White Arrow

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.