Rendez-Vous

E

mmanuel de Bayser, like many dedicated shopkeepers, lives above his store. But The Corner Berlin is not exactly your average shop – and its owner is a connoisseur-collector of mid-century modern design.

Situated in Berlin’s bustling Mitte neighbourhood, in the old East of the city, The Corner Berlin was started 12 years ago by Emmanuel de Bayser and his partner Josef Voelk. Intended to be ‘a platform in Berlin for the best international design, from fashion to interiors, books, beauty and more’, as Emmanuel puts it, The Corner Berlin has become one of the city’s top shopping destinations for those looking for something beautifully designed and beyond the ordinary.

Four years ago, Emmanuel bought an apartment in the same building in which the shop is situated – a building that was built in the early decades of the 20th century, and which survived both the Second World War and its time in Communist East Berlin. It’s a grand, imposing structure with elegant period features that include a sweeping staircase and a vintage lift clad in intricate cast ironwork that softens the neoclassical lines of the architecture that surrounds it.

Emmanuel confesses to being more or less continuously in pursuit of pieces by designers he loves, both on the Internet and in brick-and-mortar antiques stores – in short, ‘Wherever I can find them!’ And having been collecting for 20 years, he tends to need new points of focus every now and then. His collection of Jouve ceramics was begun in part, he says, because ‘I had no space any more for furniture.’

As with all connoisseur-collectors, Emmanuel’s relationship with his pieces is a highly personal and considered one. Speaking of the ceramics, for example, he says that he finds them ‘meditative… I love to look at them, to make new groupings based on colour or shape’ and adds that they ‘give another layer of life to the furniture’. And asked why his collection is focused predominantly (although not exclusively) on French design, furniture and collectables from the middle of the 20th century, he says, ‘This genre of design is timeless, and also mixes so well with the architecture from older periods. It has a lively character that somehow both contrasts and fits with other styles.’

When he bought the apartment four years ago, Emmanuel gave the 160m2 space a sensitive renovation. This included retaining the basic layout of the rooms as well as keeping some of the finishes intact. The mid-century kitchen was upgraded, for example, but the original flooring, as well as the built-in cupboards and the ceiling detail, were all carefully restored rather than simply being replaced.

In spite of the fact that Emmanuel’s apartment and store are situated in the centre of one of the busiest historical districts of East Berlin – surrounded by museums, restaurants, hotels, bars and parks – it must be very easy to find an excuse to regularly pop upstairs to enjoy his private design wonderland. Which just goes to show that living above the shop has some very obvious advantages.

EMMANUEL DE BAYSER Berlin

EMMA N UEL DE BAYSER , B er lin

8 9

E

mmanuel de Bayser, like many dedicated shopkeepers, lives above his store. But The Corner Berlin is not exactly your average shop – and its owner is a connoisseur-collector of mid-century modern design.

Situated in Berlin’s bustling Mitte neighbourhood, in the old East of the city, The Corner Berlin was started 12 years ago by Emmanuel de Bayser and his partner Josef Voelk. Intended to be ‘a platform in Berlin for the best international design, from fashion to interiors, books, beauty and more’, as Emmanuel puts it, The Corner Berlin has become one of the city’s top shopping destinations for those looking for something beautifully designed and beyond the ordinary.

Four years ago, Emmanuel bought an apartment in the same building in which the shop is situated – a building that was built in the early decades of the 20th century, and which survived both the Second World War and its time in Communist East Berlin. It’s a grand, imposing structure with elegant period features that include a sweeping staircase and a vintage lift clad in intricate cast ironwork that softens the neoclassical lines of the architecture that surrounds it.

Emmanuel confesses to being more or less continuously in pursuit of pieces by designers he loves, both on the Internet and in brick-and-mortar antiques stores – in short, ‘Wherever I can find them!’ And having been collecting for 20 years, he tends to need new points of focus every now and then. His collection of Jouve ceramics was begun in part, he says, because ‘I had no space any more for furniture.’

As with all connoisseur-collectors, Emmanuel’s relationship with his pieces is a highly personal and considered one. Speaking of the ceramics, for example, he says that he finds them ‘meditative… I love to look at them, to make new groupings based on colour or shape’ and adds that they ‘give another layer of life to the furniture’. And asked why his collection is focused predominantly (although not exclusively) on French design, furniture and collectables from the middle of the 20th century, he says, ‘This genre of design is timeless, and also mixes so well with the architecture from older periods. It has a lively character that somehow both contrasts and fits with other styles.’

When he bought the apartment four years ago, Emmanuel gave the 160m2 space a sensitive renovation. This included retaining the basic layout of the rooms as well as keeping some of the finishes intact. The mid-century kitchen was upgraded, for example, but the original flooring, as well as the built-in cupboards and the ceiling detail, were all carefully restored rather than simply being replaced.

In spite of the fact that Emmanuel’s apartment and store are situated in the centre of one of the busiest historical districts of East Berlin – surrounded by museums, restaurants, hotels, bars and parks – it must be very easy to find an excuse to regularly pop upstairs to enjoy his private design wonderland. Which just goes to show that living above the shop has some very obvious advantages.

EMMANUEL DE BAYSER Berlin

EMMA N UEL DE BAYSER , B er lin

8 9

10 11

Emmanuel de Bayser’s Berlin apartment is situated in an early 20th-century building in the historical Mitte district and has all its period features – including the elegant staircase with its intricate balustrades – intact.

In the compact entrance hall of the apartment, a witty pop culture-referencing artwork by Zach Reinie hangs above a marble Eros table by Italian designer Angelo Mangiarotti. The ceramic piece on the table is by French mid-century master ceramicist Georges Jouve.

10 11

Emmanuel de Bayser’s Berlin apartment is situated in an early 20th-century building in the historical Mitte district and has all its period features – including the elegant staircase with its intricate balustrades – intact.

In the compact entrance hall of the apartment, a witty pop culture-referencing artwork by Zach Reinie hangs above a marble Eros table by Italian designer Angelo Mangiarotti. The ceramic piece on the table is by French mid-century master ceramicist Georges Jouve.

12 13

A curvaceous pair of cream Ours Polaire easy chairs and matching Ours Polaire sofa by French designer Jean Royère, which are set around a coffee table by Austrian-born designer Paul Frankl.

The wall-mounted light (next pages) and Antony wood and steel occasional chair are by French designer Jean Prouvé and the wooden stools and wallmounted display unit are all by Charlotte Perriand.

The petite grey Oeuf (Egg) chair is also by Royère. The black metal standing lamps are by French lighting designer Serge Mouille and the dark-glazed ceramics are by French ceramicists Pol Chambost and Georges Jouve. The white ceramic piece on the marble mantelpiece is by André Borderie; above the fireplace hangs a contemporary abstract artwork by young Berlin-based artist XOOOOX. The narrow wooden table beneath the display unit is by Alexandre Noll.

12 13

A curvaceous pair of cream Ours Polaire easy chairs and matching Ours Polaire sofa by French designer Jean Royère, which are set around a coffee table by Austrian-born designer Paul Frankl.

The wall-mounted light (next pages) and Antony wood and steel occasional chair are by French designer Jean Prouvé and the wooden stools and wallmounted display unit are all by Charlotte Perriand.

The petite grey Oeuf (Egg) chair is also by Royère. The black metal standing lamps are by French lighting designer Serge Mouille and the dark-glazed ceramics are by French ceramicists Pol Chambost and Georges Jouve. The white ceramic piece on the marble mantelpiece is by André Borderie; above the fireplace hangs a contemporary abstract artwork by young Berlin-based artist XOOOOX. The narrow wooden table beneath the display unit is by Alexandre Noll.

T

he founders of the leading Danish design company Friends & Founders, Swedish Ida Linea and Danish Rasmus Hildebrand live in a house from 1674.

They feel like part of the house’s history and are inspired by the abundance of beautiful details and sumptuous space. Their beautiful furniture and objects are inspired by geometric shapes and clean silhouettes, based on their life in a historical setting.

Ida Linea and Rasmus Hildebrand instantly fell in love with the large rooms and the many windows offering beautiful daylight. But above all they loved the old stories, from people having lived here for the past centuries.

The house is called “Karlsberg” and is located north of Copenhagen, midway between the forest, beach and city.

Over time, both the royal cook, counts and countesses, Danish and English artists, have lived here, and they have all contributed to the history. When Ida and Rasmus saw the house for the first time, five years ago, they felt that the house had all the qualities they had been looking for, a perfect setting for their family life with children, lots of dinners and parties for their friends and their Danish-Swedish family. And of course a wonderful space where they could work, be creative and expose their collection of minimalist and geometric furniture.

The house was renovated with respect for the authenticity and the biggest challenge was the basement underneath the house, which in the end needed a full excavation – the entire project took three years. Today, when you step inside, an elegant atmosphere greets you, expressed by the beautiful architecture and historical layers with large rooms, beautiful doorways and amazing views. It was an aesthetic balancing act to reconcile the couple’s modern lifestyle, while maintaining the natural character of the house.

‘We are modern people, who have now taken over the house for a time, and we do not live as they did centuries ago, when the house was built. Therefore, we have

been forced to plan and to adapt it without making major interventions. The goal was to create a home for work, where we would feel good and where each room could have its own expression and be different in style’, say Rasmus and Ida. For them the individual is the centre and the decoration should identify them as an individual and as a family.

A home with soul, where you feel good and with room for creativity. Therefore, everything is chosen with great care. A fine blend and beautiful composition of furniture and objects, showing their personal style.

To move from a flat in the city to a house in the countryside inspired the couple to create new interior collections. They found out that it is nice if furniture and design accessories can be used both inside and outside.

They were forced to re-evaluate the way you decorate and live. Suddenly they had an expanded living space, where you can move in and out and where you begin to work in a different way than you did in the past. Friends & Founders’ “Favourite Spot philosophy” is based on flexible furniture that can be used by anyone in different environments and that can meet different needs. This way of thinking is part of the Friends & Founders’ concept, which also includes that their design is to inspire and to support the way we have chosen to live and work.

Their “Non Iconic Collection philosophy” is also about creating furniture and decor that enhances the uniqueness of the individual. Something which Ida and Rasmus also try to pursue when decorating their own home: ‘Our inspiration comes from the house with its history and from our lifestyle. The result that feels good in the moment and until next time you change the decor comes to life by experimenting and by not being too comfortable – meaning daring to change, moving things around, changing colours and cutting down on some ideas. Over the years, we have made us a natural personal style, which suits our lifestyle and our aesthetic attitudes. We have created a framework and we enjoy being at home in the house with our children. It is important.’

IDA LINEA & RASMUS HILDEBRAND North of Copenhagen

I DA L I N EA & R A SMUS HI L DEB R A N D, N o r th o f C ope nhage n

24 25

T

he founders of the leading Danish design company Friends & Founders, Swedish Ida Linea and Danish Rasmus Hildebrand live in a house from 1674.

They feel like part of the house’s history and are inspired by the abundance of beautiful details and sumptuous space. Their beautiful furniture and objects are inspired by geometric shapes and clean silhouettes, based on their life in a historical setting.

Ida Linea and Rasmus Hildebrand instantly fell in love with the large rooms and the many windows offering beautiful daylight. But above all they loved the old stories, from people having lived here for the past centuries.

The house is called “Karlsberg” and is located north of Copenhagen, midway between the forest, beach and city.

Over time, both the royal cook, counts and countesses, Danish and English artists, have lived here, and they have all contributed to the history. When Ida and Rasmus saw the house for the first time, five years ago, they felt that the house had all the qualities they had been looking for, a perfect setting for their family life with children, lots of dinners and parties for their friends and their Danish-Swedish family. And of course a wonderful space where they could work, be creative and expose their collection of minimalist and geometric furniture.

The house was renovated with respect for the authenticity and the biggest challenge was the basement underneath the house, which in the end needed a full excavation – the entire project took three years. Today, when you step inside, an elegant atmosphere greets you, expressed by the beautiful architecture and historical layers with large rooms, beautiful doorways and amazing views. It was an aesthetic balancing act to reconcile the couple’s modern lifestyle, while maintaining the natural character of the house.

‘We are modern people, who have now taken over the house for a time, and we do not live as they did centuries ago, when the house was built. Therefore, we have

been forced to plan and to adapt it without making major interventions. The goal was to create a home for work, where we would feel good and where each room could have its own expression and be different in style’, say Rasmus and Ida. For them the individual is the centre and the decoration should identify them as an individual and as a family.

A home with soul, where you feel good and with room for creativity. Therefore, everything is chosen with great care. A fine blend and beautiful composition of furniture and objects, showing their personal style.

To move from a flat in the city to a house in the countryside inspired the couple to create new interior collections. They found out that it is nice if furniture and design accessories can be used both inside and outside.

They were forced to re-evaluate the way you decorate and live. Suddenly they had an expanded living space, where you can move in and out and where you begin to work in a different way than you did in the past. Friends & Founders’ “Favourite Spot philosophy” is based on flexible furniture that can be used by anyone in different environments and that can meet different needs. This way of thinking is part of the Friends & Founders’ concept, which also includes that their design is to inspire and to support the way we have chosen to live and work.

Their “Non Iconic Collection philosophy” is also about creating furniture and decor that enhances the uniqueness of the individual. Something which Ida and Rasmus also try to pursue when decorating their own home: ‘Our inspiration comes from the house with its history and from our lifestyle. The result that feels good in the moment and until next time you change the decor comes to life by experimenting and by not being too comfortable – meaning daring to change, moving things around, changing colours and cutting down on some ideas. Over the years, we have made us a natural personal style, which suits our lifestyle and our aesthetic attitudes. We have created a framework and we enjoy being at home in the house with our children. It is important.’

IDA LINEA & RASMUS HILDEBRAND North of Copenhagen

I DA L I N EA & R A SMUS HI L DEB R A N D, N o r th o f C ope nhage n

24 25

142 143

In the living room an array of flushed closet doors in the same lime-rendered texture as the walls allows the furniture to stand out; a combination of new and classical danish design pieces. The shelves were designed in the 1960’s by Ask’s father.

142 143

In the living room an array of flushed closet doors in the same lime-rendered texture as the walls allows the furniture to stand out; a combination of new and classical danish design pieces. The shelves were designed in the 1960’s by Ask’s father.

144 145

MA B ER L I N, B er lin

144 145

MA B ER L I N, B er lin

148 149

The concrete island is an impressing center piece in the big kitchen and dinning area, setting the mood and order. The dining table was designed and built by the architects from leftover birch plywood from the construction site.

148 149

The concrete island is an impressing center piece in the big kitchen and dinning area, setting the mood and order. The dining table was designed and built by the architects from leftover birch plywood from the construction site.

I

slands Brygge is an old industrial harbour area in Copenhagen with both private housing and industrial buildings. Jette Egelund, owner of the Danish company Vipp, lives in this area close to the Vipp headquarters.

The flat is situated in a former pencil factory with the original windows and columns.

The building where she lives is from 1919 and the pencil factory sold it for office use and residential in 1985.

Today it is an inspiring environment, surrounded by traditional manufacturing workshops such as steel workshop, Copenhagen Furniture carpentry, an old bike workshop, galleries and music band rehearsal rooms.

The interior, with its large paintings on the walls and the grand piano surrounded by bookshelves and easy chairs reflects an interest in design, art and classical music. It is a home of creativity. The open space apartment has big windows, bright walls, and enough room to gather the whole family. Besides the large open living room, the apartment has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a child’s room for the grandchildren when they visit.

Jette Egelund is the daughter of Vipp founder, Holger Nielsen. She grew up with long lasting industrial design and you do not find many fashionable period items in the flat. Instead, she picks quality over trends. She favours the everlasting products from Danish and foreign designers like the Erik Jørgensen couches, Wegner’s Flag Line chair and the black dining table from Vitra. Furniture that suit the minimalist/industrial style in the flat.

The Vipp kitchen placed in one end of the open space living area, is one of the first ever made by Vipp. Above the kitchen island hangs the new Vipp pendant. These products are quite special to Jette: ‘When I took over the company from my father in 1993, we were three people and only producing bins to the professional home market. The kitchen and the new lamp series show how far we have come by developing Vipp and what we are able to accomplish by teamwork, talent and believing in the values that built Vipp back in 1939.’

One end of the living room has floor to ceiling bookshelves and a huge piano.

‘Art, music and culture in general have always been of great interest to me and I’d like our home to represent that passion,’ Paintings from Danish painters Birkemose, Jørgen Nash - brother of the famous Danish painter Asger Jorn – and Rita Kern Larsen, which Jette inherited from her parents, adorn the walls. Living with a conductor the grand piano should have a central place in the apartment.

‘We, and especially Mogens (who is head-conducter at Mogens Dahl Concert Hall), use the piano daily for concert practice, pure enjoyment and sometimes together with the grandchildren - to teach them a thing or two.

Vipp is a major part of Jette’s life – and has been for nearly 25 years. However, there is another family that is more important than the family company.

‘Family first. Even though Vipp has been a family business since 1939 and runs in our veins, it will never be more important than what we got as a family. Especially now with the grandchildren’, says Jette and she continues : ‘I never expected things to go this well. I hoped, but did not expect it. With my son, Kasper Egelund (Vipp CEO), and daughter, Sofie Egelund, building up Vipp in the US, a lot of our time is concentrated on the company.

However, when we have the time I cherish the moments with my grandchildren and family in this apartment’.

Jette has a very active lifestyle. Often you will even find her handling customers in the Vipp Concept Store in Copenhagen. Always taking initiative to try out new things.

Furthermore, she is neighbour to the grand Copenhagen canal, where BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) have made a public bathing establishment, where you can swim in the canal, which Jette Egelund is very fond of and often does.

JETTE EGELUND Copenhagen

J ETTE EG EL UN D, C o penhagen

152 153

I

slands Brygge is an old industrial harbour area in Copenhagen with both private housing and industrial buildings. Jette Egelund, owner of the Danish company Vipp, lives in this area close to the Vipp headquarters.

The flat is situated in a former pencil factory with the original windows and columns.

The building where she lives is from 1919 and the pencil factory sold it for office use and residential in 1985.

Today it is an inspiring environment, surrounded by traditional manufacturing workshops such as steel workshop, Copenhagen Furniture carpentry, an old bike workshop, galleries and music band rehearsal rooms.

The interior, with its large paintings on the walls and the grand piano surrounded by bookshelves and easy chairs reflects an interest in design, art and classical music. It is a home of creativity. The open space apartment has big windows, bright walls, and enough room to gather the whole family. Besides the large open living room, the apartment has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a child’s room for the grandchildren when they visit.

Jette Egelund is the daughter of Vipp founder, Holger Nielsen. She grew up with long lasting industrial design and you do not find many fashionable period items in the flat. Instead, she picks quality over trends. She favours the everlasting products from Danish and foreign designers like the Erik Jørgensen couches, Wegner’s Flag Line chair and the black dining table from Vitra. Furniture that suit the minimalist/industrial style in the flat.

The Vipp kitchen placed in one end of the open space living area, is one of the first ever made by Vipp. Above the kitchen island hangs the new Vipp pendant. These products are quite special to Jette: ‘When I took over the company from my father in 1993, we were three people and only producing bins to the professional home market. The kitchen and the new lamp series show how far we have come by developing Vipp and what we are able to accomplish by teamwork, talent and believing in the values that built Vipp back in 1939.’

One end of the living room has floor to ceiling bookshelves and a huge piano.

‘Art, music and culture in general have always been of great interest to me and I’d like our home to represent that passion,’ Paintings from Danish painters Birkemose, Jørgen Nash - brother of the famous Danish painter Asger Jorn – and Rita Kern Larsen, which Jette inherited from her parents, adorn the walls. Living with a conductor the grand piano should have a central place in the apartment.

‘We, and especially Mogens (who is head-conducter at Mogens Dahl Concert Hall), use the piano daily for concert practice, pure enjoyment and sometimes together with the grandchildren - to teach them a thing or two.

Vipp is a major part of Jette’s life – and has been for nearly 25 years. However, there is another family that is more important than the family company.

‘Family first. Even though Vipp has been a family business since 1939 and runs in our veins, it will never be more important than what we got as a family. Especially now with the grandchildren’, says Jette and she continues : ‘I never expected things to go this well. I hoped, but did not expect it. With my son, Kasper Egelund (Vipp CEO), and daughter, Sofie Egelund, building up Vipp in the US, a lot of our time is concentrated on the company.

However, when we have the time I cherish the moments with my grandchildren and family in this apartment’.

Jette has a very active lifestyle. Often you will even find her handling customers in the Vipp Concept Store in Copenhagen. Always taking initiative to try out new things.

Furthermore, she is neighbour to the grand Copenhagen canal, where BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) have made a public bathing establishment, where you can swim in the canal, which Jette Egelund is very fond of and often does.

JETTE EGELUND Copenhagen

J ETTE EG EL UN D, C o penhagen

152 153

Acknowledgements The publisher wishes to thank all artists and creatives who opened the doors to their private homes and workspaces: Emmanuel de Bayser, Ida Linea & Rasmus Hildebrand, Malene Birger, Michala Jessen, Sophie Cauvin, Ashley Maddox, Michaël Verheyden, Hanne Bloch, Charlie Ferrer, Louise Liljencrantz, Ask Anker Aistrup & Mar Vicens, Jette Egelund, Anita Le Grelle, Arjaan De Feyter, Audur Skúla & Hjörtur Fjeldsted, Marie De Andreis.

We are also grateful to all writers and photographers and to Julia Mincarelli, Emilie Rigaud and Jorge Baron for their precious help when preparing the publication of this book.

Do you wish to know the greatest sources of inspiration, the all-time favorite rooms, pieces of furniture and shops selected by each artist / creative portrayed in this book?

Send us an e-mail: info@betaplus.com and you will receive this precious extra information immediately.

PUBLISHER BETA-PLUS Publishing www.betaplus.com DESIGN Polygraph’ - Nathalie Binart EAN 9782875500373 © 2017, BETA-PLUS All rights reserved.

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