A hedonist at heart, this Berlin apartment’s owner gave interior designer Fabian Freytag a straightforward brief: to design a place like a club, where he would feel as good as he does on nights out.
This client, who knows all the secret addresses in the city and loves to be surrounded by friends, needed a space that brought the party home. Today, the contrast between the 1900 building and the sparkling atmosphere Fabian created within is striking. Large windows, mirrors and reflective metals make for a dazzling experience from the moment you enter.
‘I’ve known the owner for about 10 years. I had already set up his law firm in a Mad Men spirit,’ explains Fabian, smiling. At home, he aimed to reproduce the American mid-century style but in a playful, opulent iteration, pairing walnut details with glitzier elements.
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The layout has hardly been modified, but Fabian had fun accentuating the existing angular framework. Most of the custom-made creations are oblique in form, while the staircase leading to a terrace is a zigzagging delight.
As with all good house parties, things start in the kitchen. Fabian’s favourite space, and the first you see upon entering the penthouse, this room is built for good times. Previously a passage, but now equipped with seating and a drinks pantry, it’s somewhere guests enjoy lingering.
‘It feels like sitting on a yacht,’ says Fabian. ‘The owner loves cooking and the special thing is that, when he has people over, food preparation is part of the event,’ he adds. ‘You meet, open a bottle of wine and start cooking. The evening often ends on the big sofa in the living room.’
It’s testament to Fabian’s design that, even when festivities wind down, this party palace still has plenty of warmth and soul. fabianfreytag.com
