After six years living in New York, a young couple returned to Hamburg and unexpectedly discovered an architectural gem worthy of West Coast homes. Marie von Behrens-Felipe, a German influencer who started her first blog at just twelve years old, and her partner Roberto A. Felipe found their dream home in an unlikely place – a mid-century modern bungalow that brings California style to northern Germany.
Marie knew homesickness well, having fallen in love with Brooklyn after moving there for Roberto's career. She had embraced the rhythm and energy of New York City, but the pandemic prompted a pause in their fast-paced lifestyle. The couple took a second apartment in Hamburg, and Roberto, accustomed to startups between Kentucky, Los Angeles, and New York, began discovering the Hanseatic city in his own way. "In Hamburg, I mainly learned to savor the small things: the morning run along the Alster, the fresh air, and proximity to nature," he explains.
Driven by a conscious and minimalist lifestyle, the couple founded Sonsie in 2023, a skincare brand co-founded with Pamela Anderson, who had caused a sensation during Paris Fashion Week with her makeup-free look. With the birth of their daughter Zoe, now two years old, one thing became evident: the young parents wanted to provide a safe and serene environment for their child.
What began as a search for a weekend residence ended with a spontaneous purchase of a new family home. One morning, Marie discovered an architect-designed mid-century house that had just been put on the market online. Without hesitation, she went to see it, initially just to view it from the outside. From that moment, she knew: "That's the one!" and sent a photo to her partner. "During our travels to Los Angeles, we saw so many mid-century houses that we started dreaming of owning one ourselves," Marie recalls.
This discovery was a stroke of luck – the house was in perfect condition, and only later did they learn that the architect had worked under the direction of Mies van der Rohe. From the beginning, one thing was clear: only essential renovations should be carried out to preserve the bungalow's character. "The house had been unoccupied for two or three years, but it was exceptionally well maintained. The neighbors told us that the former owner was a particularly meticulous person, which you can feel in every corner of the house," Marie explains.
Throughout the house, well-thought-out details are hidden, including sliding doors that elegantly connect rooms and delicate windows that let soft light into almost every room. The generous floor plan, large bay windows, and light-filled rooms evoke the Case Study Houses of the American West Coast. Design classics can be discovered at every glance: in front of the living room fireplace sits Hans J. Wegner's Flag Halyard chair from 1950, while above the Living Divani sofa hangs a painting by James Perkins. The coffee table is by Charlotte Perriand, the small bookshelf by Pierre Jeanneret, and above it, a work by Soumya Netrabile.
To carry out this meticulous renovation, the family enlisted the A und O Architekten agency. "We wanted to preserve every architectural detail," explains Marie von Behrens-Felipe. Only one wall and the bathroom were moved by one meter, with the rest of the floor plan remaining unchanged. Original elements, such as the wooden ceiling and built-in bookshelf that the couple discovered in the house, determined the color palette for the entire interior design. In collaboration with Tim Schulz from A und O Architekten and Hugo carpentry, storage spaces were created throughout the house, integrating almost perfectly with the building's structure.
A custom project was designed for the kitchen, bedroom, hallway, and bathroom in collaboration with Hugo carpentry. Previously, the kitchen was dark and cramped, located in the laundry room. Today, it opens onto a light-filled space, creating an impression of lightness and spaciousness. The kitchen island harmonizes with the enlarged kitchen, also custom-made, with bar stools by Pierre Jeanneret. Technically, the house was brought up to the latest standards: it now has completely new electrical installation, underfloor heating, and flooring that respects the character of the house – the old tiles and carpets having been replaced.
Regarding furniture and artwork, the couple bought virtually nothing new. Almost all pieces come from their New York collection, built with the help of their close friend and gallery owner Jeffrey Graetsch. A work by Charlotte Perriand was one of the first acquisitions, marking the beginning of a passion for collecting that still characterizes their home today. Looking back, Roberto A. Felipe states: "I feel like we collected all these years for this house."
Custom closets were also installed in the bedroom and bathroom. "I no longer chase trends, but rather look for timeless objects. This house reflects who we are. Each piece has special meaning," explains Marie von Behrens-Felipe. With its clean lines, the minimalist-designed bathroom invites relaxation in a wellness oasis. In the children's room, red and yellow bring a touch of color. Above the custom desk hangs a painting by Pam Glick, accompanied by a Charlotte Perriand chair, a Louis Poulsen table lamp, and a Lalanne-style sheep.
From the living room to the bathroom, warm tones create a harmonious overall image. It was important for the couple to preserve and complement the gentle patina of the bungalow. The original brick walls and wooden beams bear traces of time past, and each piece of furniture has found its place as if it had always been part of these rooms. The result is a home that seamlessly blends California mid-century modern style with German craftsmanship and the couple's carefully curated collection of design classics.
