Home Story: The German Approach to Interior Design

by Tina Schneider-Rading

If German interior designers have a genius, it's for mixing modern with vintage finds and timeless classics to create looks that you don't see anywhere else in the world. Their cultural cachet is captured in the 21 projects that rose to the top of a juried residential design competition by Munich-based Schöner Wohnen, Europe's leading lifestyle magazine. Better than Instagram, the book includes interviews with the designers, who share the kind of fresh, eclectic design thinking that transcends trends. Project locations range from Hamburg in the north to Munich in the south but linger in Berlin, which has been called the creative capital of the world and is home to a diverse horde of designers from all over the globe. Join the editors on a tour of these joyful and seemingly effortless spaces. There are no rules, just an invitation to rediscover the sensuous, timeless things we have known since childhood.

Genres: Design

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2019

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book of clean, modern, German interior design ideas. In particular, the chandelier on page 96 which looks like an eternity ring blew me away. No mention of it in the book and couldn't find a reasonable likeness online. That made this book a 4 instead of a 5. Still, lots of great ideas to work with.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Home Story: The German Approach to Interior Design is a well curated "coffee table book" of German (with a smattering of Scandinavian) interior design. Originally published in German in 2018, this English translation was released 28th Oct 2019 by Schiffer. It's 208 pages and available in hardcover format.

I picked this book up because it has a nice fusion of retro and modern pieces which work together to create an intimate and mostly unfussy real life vibe. I love the clean lines and uncluttered feeling with most of these. The settings also manage to provide a level of comfort and intimacy which is a welcome contrast with so many interior design photo shoots which feel very alien and sterile to me. I couldn't imagine myself living comfortably inside the photographed rooms. This collection is different. Obviously the pieces are high end and mostly very (very) expensive; this is a pictorial representation of a juried award competition. Even though this book showcases the most elite designers, there are a lot of good techniques and takeaways from the book which can certainly be used as inspiration for the 'rest of us'.

It starts with a short bio of the awards jury and continues directly into the awards winning entries. The book is full of clear, lush, inviting photographs. The accompanying text is accessible and informative.

I enjoyed the book and found some inspiration. This would be a superlative selection for artists, designers, and decor interested readers. It's also very well annotated with links and references for further reading.

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book of award winning eclectic interior designs. The photography is gorgeous, showcasing the winning projects from a juried home design competition. The commentary of the designs creates a perfect balance to this book's content. The reader is drawn into the design process which allows a much deeper understanding and enjoyment than the photography alone could offer. A volume to be browsed through again and again. Very well done!

My gratitude to Tina Schneider-Rading, Schiffer Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and share my thoughts. I'm looking forward to purchasing a copy for my own personal library!

[Victoria Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think for what the book is- a coffee table-esque book, it's very pretty and pretty good. But I wouldn't give it 5 stars (best ever) because I am a bit more into home books that have actionable steps for design over visual representations, but that probably just speaks to my learning style. This is certainly a very "now" book when thinking of home trends for design. There are great photos, so if you are interested in European style, plants, beautiful simplicity... this book is for you. If you are looking for instruction on design, this is not the most explicit with information.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm familiar with homes in Germany, they aren't quite as cozy as American farmhouse or shabby chic! They remind me of Swedish Modern- very clean lines, lots of simple designs, nothing ornate or dust gathering. I know this because I was raised in such a home! I was actually hoping to find more, I don't know, homey looking styles. But it seems home decor hasn't changed much in that part of Europe! I like and appreciate the style, and I am sure Ikea folks will enjoy this book, too! It has it's merits!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!
Fantastic pics and interesting text. The right balance of text to pics, enough text to make it interesting to read, learn some new information, but short enough that it kept my focus.
Overall a very well executed, and beautiful book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free eBook. This is a voluntary and honest review.

[Sravya Khasnavees · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good intro into looking at photos of different design styles so you can figure out what you do or don’t like. I wouldn’t say it’s for beginners because you do need some idea of proportion and composition to learn from this book. Will definitely provide inspo as there are many stunning pieces littered throughout.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

High art and interior design are featured in this read. A great coffee table book! Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF to read and review.

*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many different examples of Interior Design, all very beautiful and useful to get some ideas for my own apartment. A very good book to see and read many times.

Vari e diversi stili di arredamento d'interno, tutti molto belli e utili per avere nuove idee anche rispetto al proprio di appartamento. Un bel libro da tavolino che puó essere letto ripetutamente.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Showing different designs of what other designers have sone. Different tips/possible things you could do or get inspiration from. Interviews and a lot of photographs. Overall a nice book if you love design books.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst this is a beautiful book about the award winners for style and excellency in interior design, judged by a jury of four well known names in the industry, it is also a book for ideas, The Project of the Year, details the winner and runners up style in this beautifully presented book, it also enables us to pick and choose elements for our own home.
Fabulous book, great photos, enlightening interviews and worthy recipients.