At home with Lisa Sperrer

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m a mum of three and have been living with them, my husband and our cat for 10 years in our bungalow, which has now been renovated twice. I’ve been interested in design and interior décor for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was always redecorating my room or furnishing houses made from shoe boxes. I studied communication sciences, but only because a student advised me against studying architecture due to the length of the program. After a few detours, I ended up back in (interior) architecture and have been working in interior design for 13 years now. As a journalist, photographer and, more recently, sometimes as a consultant.

What do you look for when furnishing your home? How would you describe your interior style?

Our style isn’t easy to categorise. I’d describe it as ‘Contemporary Natural’ – a sustainable approach featuring durable, timeless furniture, personal DIY touches and design classics. Lots of wood and natural materials, calm and understated, but not minimalist.

What makes a piece of furniture good in your eyes? What significance do durable classics hold for you?

I’m fascinated by furniture design that is timeless and fits effortlessly into every single era of a century. Added to that is the craftsmanship and robustness of these classics. I like the idea of passing on such furniture to my children. 

For a long time, you didn’t have any original Thonet chairs around your dining table. What are the differences between a plagiarism and the original?

From a distance, you might not see much difference, but the closer you get, the more the finer details stand out. The precise craftsmanship, the outstanding feel and the seating comfort. By buying an original, you honour the design, the courage and the skill of those who created it. So you’re not just investing in a piece of furniture, but in a piece of cultural history. It’s a good feeling to be surrounded by such pieces.

You’ve chosen bar stools by Sebastian Herkner for your kitchen counter. Why?

There isn’t a single contemporary designer I admire as much as Sebastian Herkner. I’ve been following his work for many years and really appreciate his sensibility. Especially in his collaboration with Thonet, you can see how he understands how to preserve the manufacturer’s design heritage while interpreting the piece of furniture in a modern way, without it being ‘retro’ in any sense.

Which Thonet pieces are still on your wish list?

Where do I start? There are quite a few. Right at the top of the list is an S 412 with a stool in a – by my standards – bold colour combination. I also think the LUM 125 floor lamp is magnificent! And the outdoor furniture, and so on and so forth…