Mini apartment in Monaco: Design studio .PEAM has created a relaxing and elegant space in just 26 square meters.
Is it possible to live on 26 square meters? We’ve known this since we were in school: it’s possible. However, most people generally choose not to move into a small apartment as they get older. Maybe it’s the fear of having too little storage space or even living in a cramped house. Interior designer Andrea Harbeck, founder of the .PEAM design studio in Starnberg, sees things differently: “The decision to move to a small apartment means one thing above all: reducing the number of objects and furnishings. You have to think carefully about what you really need and what you can do without, which is certainly difficult, but also interesting, according to the designer.
That’s why Harbeck couldn’t resist when she was asked to refurbish a mini-apartment in Munich. “We wanted to show that you can create a stunning looking home even in 26 square meters,” he says. “Of course, this is a very small space, and it takes a lot of discipline from the client to limit themselves. But that’s what we find attractive and modern.”
Soft colors create a relaxing mood
Moving into a mini apartment entails a range of decisions: How much closet and closet space do you really need? Is it necessary to take with me all the cups and mugs accumulated over the past five years? What is the main goal, what is important to us? “At the end of the day, the pieces, furniture, and accessories that are left are the essence of the things that reflect the identity of the homeowner,” says Harbeck. In the case of this apartment in Munich, the client is a culinary enthusiast, so it was important to have a well-equipped kitchen and work surface. The result is a bespoke kitchen almost four meters long, which also hides a washing machine and additional storage space behind brushed stainless steel fronts. The reflective surface creates an interesting contrast with the white oiled larch of the window frames. Natural white lime plaster covering the walls and ceiling complements the required range of colors and materials. “The more monochrome the selection, the more serene the setting seems to be,” says Harbeck.