Bartels lives with his partner in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin. For the furnishings in his home and office, he has selected pieces from Thonet. Here, he shares his take on interior design and explains why he has chosen Thonet.
What were your priorities when it came to the interior design for your apartment? How would you describe your interior style?
My partner and I wanted to create a cosy interior with a timeless style. We were looking for high-quality, durable furniture that we could use for years and even decades. In general, we gravitate towards a Japandi style of furniture, in other words combining Japanese and Scandinavian elements, set against a more colourful mix of styles in our decoration.
For the office, however, we attempted to emulate the Bauhaus style. I wanted to have a clean look that would be conducive to working productively for long periods of time.
Where did you first encounter Thonet furniture and why did you choose these pieces?
My partner and I really wanted to have canework chairs in our home and office. I had known about Thonet for a long time because I had seen some of the brand’s furniture in a fellow film producer’s office. I had also come across Thonet furniture in the Players’ Lounge at the Olympic Stadium and I was immediately taken by its design and quality. Another deciding factor for my partner and I was that we were able to customise the design of the Thonet furniture. In the end, deciding to go with Thonet was a no-brainer for us.
Which Thonet pieces are still on your wish list?
One day, I would like to have the 2002 sofa in my office. Its elegant, minimalist look would be perfect for our Bauhaus-inspired interior style. The matching 2001 armchairs are also on our list. I need a space where I can sit down with screenwriters to create new dramas for TV streaming, and these Thonet pieces would create the ideal relaxed setting for our collaboration.
