apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

More proof that no matter what your decor style, architectural details make all the difference. I love your windows, doors, and mouldings.

I love the bookshelf & purple wall ROCKS!

I love love love the colors. Especially the aubergine wall.

Kimg924, I wish more people realized the truth in your comment. The world would be a better place with better looking homes.

Gorgeous. Well arranged, doesn't overpower the architecture. I have the same living room color scheme, and seeing those fuchsia gladiolas has inspired me to add a shot of that color to my own space.

Oh dear god. I haven't even looked at the tour yet, but I LOVE those windows!

A wonderfully serene feeling came over me when I viewed the pics. Lovely to see a tour with no Keep Calm or owls, as well. Vielen Dank, Annie und Manuel!

good bones are everything... no amount of decorating will ever make up for it if they are not there

Quite right Kimg924 - Every style, from traditional to minimalist, looks right in a room that has interesting architectural detail...

....but when any sort of detail is lacking - it's always an uphill battle.

Like others... I too am a sucker for windows and those are glorious windows! I agree that architectural details can make a b-i-g difference but I think the owners need credit also. I would never have thought of or been brave enough to paint mostly white on white with a few very bold walls, but I think they look great. I would have liked to have seen more of the kitchen.

Thanks for the tour.

I also like the fact that the parents' room is nice a cozy and the kid's bedroom is spacious enough to also be a playroom.

Gorgeous!

perfecto! Warm and uncluttered! Those are excellent bookshelves. Great advice; I am in the process of a big clear out, it is so gratifying.

One word, Fabulous!

One of my favorite places I've ever seen here - beautiful, warm and clean.

Beautiful! Aaaand... I don't know if you inherited the lamps or bought them yourselves, but I'd love to know the source for the hanging light in the dining room and the one sprouting branches at the entrance to the music room.

Love this place. Love the simple hanging pendants. This place is not trying to be anything other than what it is - a well-loved home.

I love the architectural details, the color, solid furniture, beautiful shelves, and the uncluttered spaciousness of it all. The main bedroom seemed so cramped, though.

I miss living in Germany. Apartments with this level of architectural detail are shockingly easy to come by.

Love it! Also inspired by the variety and boldness of the accent walls. Also felt the bedrooms might be swapped: a bit more room for mom and dad? ;)

Beautiful space. Can you please explain the curtain rod in the bedroom? How/why is it supported like that?

Wonderful space... airy, uncluttered, bright, with a lot of personality... wonderful colors and great furniture. I can't say enough nice things about your place. Thanks for sharing :)

Really beautiful except for the skin on the floor. I love the windows, high ceilings and bookshelves.

Loved the sleeping nook A LOT, the bold colors, the spare decorating. But I think they could hang some of the pictures propped against the wall in the hall.

I love this house! Especially the bookshelves in the dining room (first picture). The structured unevenness in the shelves gives an interesting visual effect without looking messy.

I also adore the use of colour in the space. Although I must say I find the walls in the living room and baby room rather bare. I would put some art there to break the hugeness of the walls a little.

And, like everyone, I adore the doors and windows :)

I, too, love the architectural details, high ceilings, windows, moldings,doors, etc. The colors are great, very soothing.
I would have liked to see more of the kitchen.
Fantastic place.
thanks for sharing.

The architecture is wonderful, agree even some of that cheesy Italian furniture would look great in many of the European older homes.

I am not a purple fan but that is a great purple and room (except the skin, not a fan). Love the bathroom and how they painted the plumbing fixture red to match the accent wall. That pink is yummy..lovin this. The orange, teal and brown are great together in the bedroom.

Infuriatingly beautiful. Even the feature walls work, and I hate feature walls. Grrrrr!

My eyes just turned green.

Gah! Love love love. Those tall ceilings, mouldings and windows are to die for.

Insanely beautiful home! Thank you for sharing! The architecture really shines. Lucky you! :-)

And beautiful photography.

I'm wondering about the description as 'rustic', as that would be quite a different style over here in the UK. Is it because of the style of the antique pieces?

I love the tall ceilings and the splashes of color in the rooms! It gives the rooms a perk without a lot of cluttering. And I love the bookshelves! And lucky baby; gets a nice big room to his/herself and kicks Mom and Dad to a closet. Just kidding. :) Beautiful home!

maybe it's the photography but this space feels kind of somber and sad to me. too restrained?

Charming.

Perfect pitch.

Yes...perfect. I love everything about this place. Blavo.

Wonderful space.

i love that purple wall!
i've been looking for inspiration for my walls and that's exactly what i need... can you please tell me what paint color and brand was used?

Why do American architects hate humanity so? And how can New Yorkers get Germans to come over and build our apartments? They know how to make a window!

Hi everybody! Annie here…

I thought I'd pop in and answer some of the questions:

We have been building our bookshelves since we moved into our first apartment here in Hamburg. By now we have figured out the best lengths for the horizontal parts and the most pleasing proportions. If anyone would like me to explain how to build them, just let me know. It is really quick and they can be made to fit almost any rectangular space you have.

I have to say it took me a while to get used to the concept of a very small bedroom, but by now I am convinced of the idea; and if you think about it, children need more space than us to unfold their creativity and it is a great thing to grow up having a kingdom of one's own.

Ok, now the lights:

The lights in the dining room are from »Tobias Grau« and the lights are called »Oh 7« (Bronze):
Photo and Shop

Kitchen light > George (also from Tobias Grau):
Photo

The funny lamp with the sprouting branches was bought in some furniture shop in Hamburg – I have found some similar ones online.

Curtain rod in the bedroom…I didn't quite understand the question.

By now we have actually put up several paintings. Truth is, when the photos were taken, we had just finished renovating, so none of the paintings had been hung yet. Also, the kitchen counter area was not finished on the day of the shoot. We now have a glass surface behind the counter which looks pretty good!

As for the colours, I will have to go and find my notes on them, then I can give you more info on that. Give me a day or two, ok?

Well, then, hope that helped a bit.
Bye for now
Annie

Your home is beautiful.

I would LOVE a how-to for the shelves! Plus you would be contributing to DIY month!

Thanks so much!

Very lovely apartment, so tranquil and uncluttered.

I think "rustic" must mean something different in Germany, because this sure isn't rustic by any stretch of the imagination.

what an architecturally stunning place... why do all Europeans have prettier apartments?

Very beautiful place, and functional too! I'm an admirer of the architecture and that amazing bathroom shot.

Gorgeous! I am so glad I found this site by accident. Otherwise, I would've never seen your place and look at "minimal" in a completely new Positive light...
Although the architecture, color schemes, and bright/happy atmosphere are apparent, two items stood out for me. The first item I noticed immediately is the armoire at the end of your dining table. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture. The second item, is the pair of stars in your child’s room. I love to see anything that will spark a child’s imagination. No matter what their age, I believe they do notice things such as the stars hanging from the ceiling.
Thank you for showing your home to all of us, especially me….

Would love to know what the exact shade of violet is for the living-room wall. I find the balance with the dove grey and wood tile floor inspiring.

Annie, You have such a beautiful space that fills me with peace. I would love to take you up on the offer of bookshelf instructions, when you have time to post them. Thanks so much for sharing your home!

Annie, I'd love more information on the shelving. Specifically, dimensions and how you attached the shelves to the vertical supports. They're perfect!

Annie,
Deine Haus ist so warm und schön!
What color is the wall for your baby's room? This is the shade of color I have been dreaming of.
Große vielen dank,
Dee

Hallo Annie,

Dein alt bau ist wirklich schön!
Wo hast du das Kinderbett gefunden?

LG aus HH,

Alicia

Dear people!

Annie here!

Give me a day or two please, I am sick in bed. Hang in there! Will write about the colors and the shelves!

bye for now

will be back!

Get well soon, Annie!!

And a positive thought for while you are recovering: Isn't misery so greatly reduced when experienced in beautiful surroundings?

Your home is utterly stunning.

uhhhh, is that a cow hide on the floor?!

Hi Annie,

I am still interested in the info on how you make the bookshelves, if you are still willing to indulge us! I hope you check back in :)

Count me as another one dying to know the color of that purple wall! Gorgeous!

I second chrisciever. Would love it if you would post the bookshelf instructions when you have the time. Thanks!!