A Contemporary Bel Étage in a 1910 Tenement House
Interior photography: Tomo Yarmush
High ceilings, original oak parquet floors, and stained glass windows that paint the floor with light. Designing a historic tenement house in Solingen required more than just a renovation—striking a balance between respect for the historic fabric and the dynamics of modern life. At the heart of this Bel Étage, a kitchen was created that celebrates space and represents a dialogue between Art Nouveau and 1970s Modernism.
A space basking in light
This interior, with its classic Bel Étage layout, captivates from the moment you enter. The living and dining areas are quintessential Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style: high ceilings create a remarkable sense of space, and double doors lead to a living room overlooking the garden. The owners designed a dining area in the bay window, which offers a soothing view of the greenery – a place where morning coffee is best enjoyed in the light filtered through the original stained glass windows.
“We wanted to emphasise the brightness and the scale of this apartment. Our goal was to blend the old with the new, seeking points of contact between the warmth of oak wood and contemporary materials like chrome and mirrors.”
Limestone and Blade: a harmonious complement
To avoid overwhelming the historic architecture, the owners opted for a minimalist kitchen in a shade of Limestone. Choosing the Blade model was a conscious move toward a pure form – the integrated, milled handle allowed most of the fronts to eliminate additional handles, fully preserving their smooth surface.
“Limestone is the colour of perfection. Not too white, not too beige and not too gray. We were looking for a tone that would naturally blend with the stone and emphasise the luminosity of the room, and this shade proved to be an ideal match.” The subtle, matte finish of the lacquered fronts provides a refined backdrop for the chrome fixtures and glass panels, which add a modernist character to the interior.
A design without compromise
The kitchen layout was carefully considered to combine elegance with function. The heart of the design is the high cabinetry with niches that accommodate mirrored backgrounds and stone countertops. Due to the surface-mounted installation, the cabinets had to be moved away from the wall, which the owners turned into an advantage. Thanks to full customisation and fully configurable front sizes, the kitchen boasts a uniquely deep countertop of 70 cm.
The designers’ greatest pride, however, is the island with curved panels. This rounded element breaks the austerity of the high-rise buildings, lending the entire space a sculptural character. Using the METOD kitchen base and complementing it with dedicated fronts allowed them to create a tailor-made kitchen that fully utilises the impressive ceiling height while maintaining budgetary discipline throughout the renovation.
The joy in creating
This project is a source of immense pride for the owner and his family. Planning and building such a complex space independently and making the bold decision to depart from traditional, conservative solutions, resulted in an interior unlike any other.
“Opting for a contemporary design that defies convention was the best decision. It’s the personal heart of our home, a place where we gather as a family, browse cookbooks and create new memories.”
How this interior came alive:
■ Respect for the context: Accentuating the building’s original features (parquet flooring, stained glass) and complementing them with modern materials (chrome, glass).
■ Strength of curves: Using a rounded island as a focal point softens the geometry of the tall buildings and gives the kitchen a sculptural, artisanal character.
■ Conscientious palette selection: Limestone as the perfect blend between the coolness of the stone and the warmth of the historic floor.
■ A bespoke kitchen and budget optimisation: Adapting the IKEA system, owing to the tailored dimensions of the fronts, allowed for concealment of installations and full utilisation of the room height. Combining a functional base with high-quality design enabled the achievement of a unique effect, while maintaining budgetary discipline during the renovation.
Create your personal space with our fronts
