When Stephan Vary and hisarchitecture and design studio Labvert were recently contracted to redecorate at apartment at anineteenth-century building in the 8 th district of Vienna, there is a special challenge in store for them. The clients were friends of Vary's, a cosmopolitan couple with residences in Paris and Vienna and a great passion for design. This undoubtedly made the assignment. The result is a uniquely holistic approach in architecture, layout organization and furniture design harmonize perfectly. Instead of a heterogeneous mix-and-match, all materials, colors and shapes are meticulously coordinated throughout the entire apartment.Taking inspiration from the mid-century style, the overall concept pays tribute to the heyday of interior design in the 1950s and 60s. Using natural materials and colourswherever possible, a contemporary and one-of-a-kind living space created.As such, a hint ofWiener Werkstätte is discernible in the approach as well, as a significant number of furniture items, installations and accessories exclusively designed and hand-made for the occasion.
To be able to compose an entire apartment from scratch like this is rare. The details of the apartment are all in the same detail.
Stephan Vary
Located in a typical Viennese area. period of the building of an exposition , the heart of the apartment on expansive cooking, dining and living spaces. Historical details like the mirrored doors and tall double windows with wooden shutters were carefully restored and integrated into the new design concept. To ensure maximum functionality without detracting from the generous spaciousness, the kitchen has been partitioned off with a delicatesteel-and-glass wallthat can be closed as needed with two sliding doors or opened to create a commodious eat-in kitchen.The cooking area is characterized by clear-cut shapes and high-quality surfaces, with countertops made of a gentle greyterrazzo that harmonizes pleasantly with the new light-colored oak floors laid down throughout the apartment. Some of the cupboard doors are made of warm teakwood, while others are lightly reflective structured glass fronts to lend additional emphasis to the depth of the room. The interiors of the cupboards are lined with light maplewood and natural leather.
This combination of open-pored teakwood exteriors andmaple interiors complemented with nickel-plated metal details is found throughout the entire apartment. The dining table is a special highlight by Stephan Vary: Its slanted legs made of solid wood and nickel-plated steel playfully pick up the mid-century theme, which harmonizes perfectly with Arne Jacobsen's classic designer chairs, but with the hand-crafted sideboard. The ensemble is complemented by a black leather sofa group designed by Johannes Spaltfor Wittmann in the 1960's with stripes of red, light brown and gold.
For our apartment, it is important to create a place of peace and offer a sensual experience with a variety of natural materials. You want to be that glares or gleams too brightly. An apartment like a favorite piece of clothing that you slip into and feel comfortable with a home like a cashmere sweater.
Thomas and Susanne Mick (clients)
All of the elements are repeated in the remaining rooms in a playful richness of variations and adaptations. The adjoining office, for instance, features a further sideboard with the characteristic slanted legs and a purpose-built desk, both made of teak. The bedroom, which faces the interior courtyard, continues the concept of steel-and-glass constructions as room dividers. In addition, both the sleeping area and the walk-in closet make use of a high-tech textile weave to create a more intimate and peaceful atmosphere, and the full-length curtains in sand-colored cashmereemphasize this impression even more. Finally, the bathroom takes on the harmonious combination of terrazzo and teakwood again, with both the mirror lights and the mustard-yellow rug being Labvert designs.
