Tell us a little about yourself.
Sure! My husband and I have lived in our 104-square-metre apartment on the outskirts of Munich for more than 20 years. I’m a real Munich girl at heart and I had never planned on moving so far out of the city, but as soon as our daughter was born we really wanted to have a home with a garden. Here we could just enjoy spending time outside, whether we were building a snowman or splashing around in a paddling pool. Our daughter is now grown up and lives in a shared flat in the city, but we love our apartment here just as much as we did when she was little. It’s very bright, has floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-plan kitchen/dining/living space, which is the heart of our home.
What really brings me joy is things that are simply beautiful: classic designs, extraordinary hotels and inspirational interior concepts. I have always loved writing, even as a child, and in my work as a bookseller, editor and copywriter, I have been able to dive ever deeper into the world of language and design. There came a point when I wanted to have my own creative platform, and my living.elements blog was born. It’s a space I use to share my love of interior design, travel and those special moments that life gives us.
What are your priorities when it comes to the interior design for your apartment?
For me, it’s important that the space is bright as well as cosy. To really feel like home, it not only needs to look nice but also have some life in it. I insist on keeping things tidy – a room that looks orderly can be just as homely as a comfortable sofa.
I love the combination of old and new and have filled my space with high-quality, long-lasting furniture and timeless design classics. Personal accents – books that you actually read, cushions, accessories and candles – add warmth and charm to a room. The design and decoration of a room should change as those who live in it change. It’s not about re-doing everything all at once, but just knowing what suits you and your stage of life.
Where did you first encounter Thonet furniture and why did you choose these pieces?
Even as a child I was enchanted by bentwood chairs with Viennese canework, although I had no idea they were Thonet chairs. Then, in 2019, my love for design led me to the “Thonet & Design” exhibition in Munich’s Pinakothek der Moderne museum and it left quite an impression.
Years later, we were looking for a new dining room set and we decided we wanted chairs that not only looked good but that were also comfortable and durable. So, we quickly settled on Thonet. The company’s mix of tradition, craftsmanship and modern design was what really won us over. I was particularly impressed with how light and yet robust Thonet furniture is. Its iconic pieces are real design classics and yet they are perfect for everyday use.
Which Thonet pieces are still on your wish list?
I’ve definitely got my eyes on a lounge chair, such as the 808 with its matching stool. It’s absolutely perfect for curling up with a book. The B 97 sidetable set or the elegant 1025 sidetable would also be a great fit for our bright, Scandinavian-inspired home. I love furniture pieces that are timeless and yet also have a certain lightness to them. Thonet expertly combines functionality with beautiful aesthetics, creating furniture that fits a wide range of styles. And, for me, that’s what makes it so special.
