After having already undertaken significant renovations on his large 1950s home, the owner enlisted Sibylle Heilemann to oversee the redesign of the principal floor. As an interior and furniture designer, Heilemann took charge of the entire project, managing all trades involved in transforming the entrance, staircase, hallway, kitchens, and bathroom. The vision was clear: an open, flowing design with ample storage and a welcoming entry space.

Like many post-war homes, this house bore the marks of amateur handiwork—unconventional materials, uneven walls, haphazardly routed pipes, and exposed drainpipes running along ceilings. The first priority was assessing and correcting these issues professionally. Once key walls came down, the home revealed its true potential: open, generous proportions with sightlines stretching wall to wall. This expansive quality floods the spaces with natural light and creates an airy, unified atmosphere. Carefully layered artificial lighting enhances the subtle texture of the plaster walls. The kitchen presented particular challenges, with openings on multiple walls and low-set windows. Heilemann's solution—a cooking island and sink positioned strategically beneath the window frame—proved elegant and functional. The design palette combines matte black, glossy white, and warm oak veneer in compelling contrast, yet the white cabinetry and mineral-composite countertop feel entirely cohesive. The same refined palette carries through to the bathroom and hallway. The restored staircase was finished in a rich forest green.

www.heilemann-gestaltung.de

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 02|20)