Home Stories for Winter
Every year Vitra take a look behind the doors of some very unique homes and introduce us to their inhabitants and their personal home stories. The interiors are always distinctive and reflect the personalities of the home owners and their lifestyles - and of course feature furniture and objects from the Vitra Home Collection.
This years Winter Home Stories feature the homes of two very creative people, Nata Lee Hahn and Kitty Kahane who are both are artists based in Berlin. Whilst the two buildings they live in are very different they have both filled their homes with cherished objects mixing old with new and blending pieces to create relaxed and comfortable homes.
Kitty Kahane’s studio flat embraces a collage of old and new. Kitty is a book illustrator, designer and painter. Born in Berlin, she lives in the German capital in a refurbished period apartment, which she also uses as a work studio.
She loves objects that tell stories, and has many pieces of vintage furniture from her childhood home, as well as other pieces of beautiful, high-quality furniture she has invested in. Having extensively travelled to countries including Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan, Kitty has always brought something back from her travels to remind her of her experiences and the people she has met.
I really enjoy working at home these days. I couldn’t work in a shared office, I need my own environment. I like to use the sofa as a place to chill out and relax, and develop ideas. I think it helps to sit comfortably in peace and quiet when working. At the same time, the space shouldn’t be too perfect, too coordinated.
Artist Nata Lee has created a colourful family home in an industrial loft, converted from a car repair shop in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Built 100 years ago as a factory, what was a dark and gloomy big open space now features a blend of relaxed comfort and industrial charm. Initially intending to use it as her art studio Nata decided that it could also be an ideal family home.
It was really important for me to use original materials and also to keep some of the existing elements. There are some old hooks from the car workshop still hanging on the ceiling. There’s always a story to tell. And it was clear that we wanted to have a big, long dining table to entertain family and friends.
Nata’s home is an eclectic mix of contemporary, classic and vintage pieces, including Kokeshi dolls from Japan plus a number of soft furnishings, cushions and rugs collected during her travels.
Both Kitty and Nata have created interiors that are a collage of old and new. Nata in particular has embraced working with existing elements in the very unique building. The S.A.M. Bois Dining Table and Standard Dining Chairs by Jean Prouve work incredibly well, the powder coated steel metal finish and the very industrial design of them is perfect. In contrast other pieces she has chosen are very soft and flowing like the Organic chair and statement freeform sofa designed by Isamu Noguchi. The soft and floating Akari lights also by Noguchi add warmth and must make the dining area very inviting for entertaining and family meals.
My approach to an interior project is very similar to the way I approach art. It’s a big three-dimensional painting that I can enter. It doesn’t take much to make a place cosy: good warm lighting, a few soulful pieces that have personal meaning and just having good people with good vibes hang out in your place.
Kitty has taken a very brave and bold approach in some parts of her home. Whilst classic pieces like the Eames lounge chair sit elegantly in the beautiful period apartment and add a very relaxed and comfortable feel she has also selected colourful and contrasting pieces of furniture like the Wiggle Side chair by Frank Gehry and the pop of colour from the Eames Plastic DAL chairs around the Plate dining table.
Having dedicated work areas in the home is important to both. The classic EA131 Aluminium group chair in Kitty’s studio is in a beautiful vibrant red fabric whilst the basic elements of the space are very light and airy. Nata’s work area looks warm and inviting with rich wood tones and another piece by Jean Prouve the Fauteuil Direction Pivotant . The colours chosen by both throughout compliment their art work and they are two very inspiring interiors.
Invest in Quality
Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman. Choose high-quality, timeless furniture that will stand the test of time. Investing in good design makes sense. Your furniture will endure and become part of the family home for many years. Furniture is made to be used and we shouldn’t have to be too precious about it, it is wonderful when children can grow up around and appreciate good design, whilst also being in a comfortable home.
Lighting
Both Nata and Kitty’s home featured various Akari lamps. The name ‘akari' means 'light' in Japanese, Isamu Noguchi choose this name for his range of lamps which he designed to create a feeling of both illumination and physical lightness.
'The harshness of electricity is thus transformed through the magic of paper back to the light of our origin – the sun – so that its warmth may continue to fill our rooms at night.’ Isamu Noguchi
Accessories
Alexander Girard originally created the Wooden Dolls in 1952, a whimsical assortment of figures both joyful and grim, for his own home. Today they add a charming touch to any interior. Surround yourself with pieces that bring you joy and create collections within your home of pieces with a story and meaning.
New Product
Ball Wall Clock Limited Edition. A colourful new look for a mid-century classic, 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of Vitra’s re-edition of the Wall Clocks and the 75th anniversary of their original market launch. To commemorate the occasion, Vitra is releasing a limited edition of the Ball Clock in the four colour versions Dawn, Sunrise, Sunset and Dusk, which interpret the moods of different times of day with atmospheric colour gradients.