In Stuttgart's south, a family of six brought their dream home to life through a contemporary new build. To shape the interior design vision, the owners partnered with interior designer Barbara Middel, who crafted a generous, open-plan living space tailored to their needs. From the entrance—marked by a striking ruby-red sliding door—your eye travels across the 5-meter-long, 1.2-meter-wide kitchen island, elegantly mounted on a steel frame. This design choice prevents the substantial kitchen unit from appearing heavy; instead, it seems to float effortlessly. To keep food preparation separate from cleanup, the owners installed a second sink and two dishwashers, keeping the open kitchen visually serene. Full-height cabinetry behind the island conceals access to the garage and houses a pocket-door cabinet storing a grain mill and other kitchen equipment.

Above the dining table hangs a sculptural pendant that marks a distinct spatial moment, establishing the dining area as its own destination. The Peled Soffitto fixture by Viabizzuno features LEDs integrated into each articulated rod, casting light softly onto the wooden surface without glare and creating a layered lighting atmosphere. "My lighting design aims to define each zone through light alone," Barbara Middel explains. "Equally important is that you never look directly into a light source." The result: luminous spaces that feel naturally bright, with no visible light source in sight.

www.barbaramiddel.de

Photography Credits:

Daniel Stauch
www.danielstauch.com

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|20)