How do you honor a house's historic character while adapting it for contemporary living? This question guided Studio van Putten's thoughtful restoration of an Art Nouveau villa in Cologne. Their challenge: convert a multi-family home into a generous single-family residence. The result is a seamless dialogue between past and present—one that respects the building's essence while breathing new life into it.

Careful stewardship of the original structure became the guiding principle. Defining features—the façade, arches, doors, tilework, and the wooden staircase with its turned bannister—were preserved with intention. Modern, understated touches complement these historical details, creating an effortless balance. The color palette draws from classic Art Nouveau vocabulary: soft, muted hues, delicate florals, and graceful symmetries weave through the design with subtlety. The ground floor now serves as the primary living level: an expansive entry hall lined with original tiles sets the tone, then a historic wooden staircase leads into an open-plan living space. From the dining room's curved bay window, a newly created double door opens to a kitchen anchored by a central island, which flows naturally into the living area and a combined library and workspace that opens onto a balcony. Thoughtful sightlines and fluid transitions amplify the sense of space and purpose. Restored and whitewashed wooden floors pair with a refined palette—olive-beige, cream, apricot, and gentle blues—establishing a light, inviting warmth. The arched wall openings with colored reveals are a particularly eloquent nod to Art Nouveau vocabulary. Upstairs, each room unfolds as its own retreat: children's and guest bedrooms, a compact bathroom, and the parents' suite with a generous dressing room and spa-like ensuite. Every space carries a narrative—the children's room with its cheerful yellow striped ceiling, the panoramic master bath with its freestanding tub and distant views. The dressing room, with floor-to-ceiling terracotta cabinetry and brass hardware, transforms into an intimate dressing lounge through a central seating piece. Throughout, essential systems—heating, electrical, plumbing—were selectively upgraded while remaining faithful to the building's character. What emerged is a new home born from an old one, where past and present converge in a future-forward vision.

www.studiovanputten.de

Photos:
BFrames Media GmbH & Co. KG
www.bframes.media

(Featured in CUBE Cologne Bonn 03|25)