A young couple's acquisition of a 1,940-square-foot historic apartment in Berlin's Chausseestrasse has been transformed from a deteriorated space into a serene cream-colored sanctuary. Interior designer Iwetta Ullenboom, connected to the couple through family ties, led the comprehensive renovation that preserved the building's original Gründerzeit charm while adapting it for modern living through soft colors and flowing curved forms.
The apartment, located in the architecturally diverse Berlin-Mitte district, was in poor condition when purchased. The previous owner had covered the original high ceilings with drywall and removed the historic flooring. "The couple negotiated with the seller to continue the renovation according to their taste and needs, and that's how our shared journey began," Ullenboom explains. She immediately recognized the tremendous potential of the unfinished spaces.
Ullenboom's restoration approach focused on reviving the apartment's historic character. "We decided to remove the suspended ceilings and add delicate stucco work, restore the original French doors, and search for door handles that closely resembled the originals," she says. The designer also removed a partition wall between the kitchen and small living room to create a more generous living area, explaining that during the former East German era, large historic apartments were often divided into smaller units as they were considered too luxurious.
The design philosophy centered on creating a quiet, minimalist style that would feel warm and inviting. Ullenboom and the couple chose to incorporate special elements to enliven the overall aesthetic, including a custom-made washbasin in the master bathroom crafted from distinctive Calacatta Viola marble. The color palette features soft beige and cream tones complemented by contrasting elements of rich, dark wood to create a balanced atmosphere.
A recurring design theme throughout the apartment is the use of rounded corners and curved forms. "This idea developed during the process. We had several challenges in the apartment because, although it's very spacious, a historic building dictates many things and the floor plan isn't entirely flexible," Ullenboom notes. The primary concern was creating sufficient storage space for the family of four while maintaining the apartment's calm and restrained character. Her solution involved incorporating curves into the built-in storage units to soften their visual impact.
One storage unit was strategically placed in the long hallway, while another was designed as a rounded room-within-a-room solution in the bedroom, creating a walk-in closet with softened edges. The curved motif extends throughout the space in the form of an archway that replaces a traditional door and in the arc-shaped shelving in the living room. These subtle curves and rounded edges create a flowing, organic rhythm throughout the rooms.
The design language continues in the furniture and ceramic pieces, with the monolithic dining table serving as a particularly striking example. Crafted in Barcelona from light Crema Marfil marble, this sculptural piece provides a calm presence in the dining area. The custom marble washbasin in the master bathroom, with its distinctive veining, creates a sculptural contrast to the organic softness found elsewhere in the space.
The renovation's ultimate goal was to create a living space that feels timeless—neither strictly historical nor severely modern, but personal and full of warmth. Between understated elegance and architectural clarity, the apartment offers a quiet, luxurious atmosphere. For Ullenboom, it represents a home where structure, silence, and memory take center stage.
"I'm very pleased that we managed to carry the design motifs throughout the entire apartment," Ullenboom reflects. "The harmonious, very quiet color palette with natural accents creates an incredibly gentle space that has a calming effect as soon as you enter—where you sometimes even forget that you're on a main street in the bustling metropolis." The transformation demonstrates how thoughtful design can honor historical architecture while creating a contemporary sanctuary that serves the needs of modern family life.
