When interior designer Antje Bertuleit was approached by this entrepreneurial family—already familiar with her work on several commercial projects—she received an unusual brief: transform a former workshop building nestled in a sprawling garden into something truly extraordinary. The clients had three distinct visions: a private retreat with sauna, casual guest quarters for their children's visitors, and a wellness sanctuary complete with outdoor terraces, hot tub, and integrated swimming pond—all for the family to enjoy together. Yet despite its multifunctional purpose, the space needed to feel alive and unpredictable, even extravagant, while maintaining a refined, sustainable aesthetic. Visual echoes of cherished travels would transform the space into a collection of beloved destinations.The real challenge lay in orchestrating the interior layout. The sauna had to command presence without overwhelming the space, while framing views of the swimming pond. Everything demanded an open, generous feel—yet the design still needed to carve out distinct zones for relaxation. Add to that a discreet shower, powder room, washing area, a sleeping nook overlooking the pond, and a generous gathering space anchored by a wood-burning stove, and the puzzle became intricate.Bertuleit's solution? Imagination, abundant and fearless. She stripped away the nonessential, reinforced the structure, and began layering spaces. A loft bed hovers above the sauna, with shower and toilet tucked behind, and the gathering area positioned in front. A storage closet became an intimate sleeping nook through a simple wall opening. Custom-fabricated windows, larch wood façade cladding, and milled ornamental details on the loft bed frame create sightlines to the pond.Drawing inspiration from the Orient, France, and Le Corbusier's Le Cabanon, Bertuleit developed a palette of five colors rooted in Le Corbusier's own collections. His words guided her: "Colour is a trigger for strong effects. Colour is a factor in our existence." Applied in layered plaster techniques, these hues mingle with Moroccan cement tiles, copper fixtures, a Mexican copper sink, Acapulco chairs, brass hardware and mirrors, and vintage brass window handles. Intricately embroidered textiles and matte black porcelain switches and outlets complete the composition seamlessly. Douglas fir floorboards, soap-finished and lightly bleached on site, ground the space. In the garden, colorful permanent lanterns hang among trees and shrubs, weaving the landscape into this joyful tableau.

www.innenarchitektur-bertuleit.de

Photography Credits:

Gabi Budulig
www.budulig.de

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 01|22)