Jugendstil villa of Desireé and her Nolte dream kitchen

I am Desireé (madame.rosa.gioia), 34 years old and a social scientist. Besides my academic work, I enjoy being practically engaged and therefore support my partner in the family business, where we realize garden dreams together (DeinGartenraum). I am particularly fascinated by branding, aesthetics, and the selection of perennials – it is a pleasant change and a creative addition to my profession. Together with our two children, we enjoy life between the city and nature, which offers us many opportunities to combine our passions for science, gardening, and family.

You live in your own villa; what motivated you to buy and renovate it? And when did you start the renovation?

We came across this house, built in 1905, through a real estate portal in 2020, and during the first visit, we immediately fell in love with all its unique details and the fascinating history of the house. I always dreamed of a house with historical charm, and when the search seemed almost hopeless, I jokingly asked my partner if we could build a new house that looked old. Luckily, patience won, and in 2021 we started the renovation.

Do you handle the renovations yourselves, or do you hire professionals?

We mostly do the work ourselves. However, for tasks like electrical work and roof insulation, we bring in specialists. We have taken on projects like plastering walls, tiling bathrooms, and sanding wooden floors ourselves. It’s a lot of fun for us and saves us a lot of money at the same time.

When will the renovation be complete?

It’s unlikely to be finished anytime soon. We’ve already renovated several rooms, like the living spaces and bedrooms, but there’s still a big bathroom, a guest room, the entire hallway, and parts of the garden to be done. In the meantime, we are tackling the projects patiently and in a structured way, and we’re happy that the work won’t run out anytime soon.

How would you describe your interior design style in the villa?

I would describe our style as modern eclectic. We like to add color accents here and there and incorporate handmade furniture or heirlooms. The result is a combination of modern elements with a nod to the history of the house. The neutral base consists of light walls, wooden floors, and doors. The overall impression can best be described as classic yet playful, with a balance of modern simplicity and nostalgic charm. Our garden, on the other hand, definitely reflects Italian and Mediterranean influences.

Does your character reflect in your interior design?

Absolutely. Our home reflects our many interests and our style – versatile, vibrant, and open to new ideas. We love to design spaces flexibly, allowing the home to grow with us.

What inspired you to choose this interior style?

I think it’s our love for creativity and versatility that inspires us: from our interest in painting come artworks for the walls; or the idea and execution of building our own dining table. This creates a unique look that reflects our diverse interests. Additionally, cultural influences, especially in the outdoor design, play a big role. We’re very drawn to Mediterranean and Italian aesthetics because they create a warm, inviting atmosphere and often use natural materials.

How did you decide to go for a Nolte kitchen in this style?

Here too, we deliberately opted for bold colors and integrated modern elements while drawing inspiration from the symmetry of the living and dining areas.

Did you design the kitchen yourself or have it designed?

We approached the kitchen designer with fairly precise ideas. She found our proposals refreshing and said it was fun to work on such an unusual and unique design.

What did you enjoy most about planning or choosing the kitchen?

We planned almost exclusively with drawers, and the prospect of having so much storage space was very exciting during the planning. We also considered installing the oven and dishwasher at an elevated level – a true luxury. The highlight, of course, was deciding on the visible elements: fronts, colors, handles – making everything tangible and hands-on.

Your kitchen has no overhead cabinets; why, and what do you like most about this choice?

It emphasizes the spaciousness of the high stucco ceilings in our rooms, creating an airy and modern look.

Does lighting in the kitchen play a big role for you?

Yes. We have a large ceiling lamp but also a desk lamp on the countertop, another light in the room, and two wall lamps. Depending on the lighting conditions and tasks, we can combine these five light sources beautifully.

A light countertop and dark fronts in a country style – why did you choose this combination?

We wanted to balance modern elegance with traditional coziness – a style contrast we couldn’t and didn’t want to choose between. In our opinion, this combination creates an ideal balance between freshness and warmth. The light countertop brings brightness and lightness to the kitchen, making the space feel more inviting and spacious. The dark fronts add depth and warmth, creating a beautiful contrast with the countertop and highlighting coziness and solidity.

What is the most important function of your kitchen?

I think the most important function is the open view into the dining and living areas, allowing us to always be part of the action while cooking and staying in contact with family or guests. Or keeping an eye on the kids 😉. This way, the kitchen becomes a central meeting place where you not only cook but also spend time together. The open floor plan creates a welcoming atmosphere and connects the areas, making cooking less isolated and much more sociable.

What does living in the kitchen mean to you?

For us, it means that the kitchen is not just a functional workspace but a space where communication and community are at the heart. Sometimes we turn the radio up loud and dance as a family of four (this could also fit nicely into question 14).

What were the three must-haves that absolutely had to be in your kitchen?

1. A dishwasher with storage space for daily dishes right above it.
2. A refrigerator with an ice cube maker.
3. A T-shaped kitchen island for social cooking.

Your kitchen looks very tidy; do you have tips for internal organization to make the best use of the available space?

I’m not necessarily the best person to talk to about tidiness, but I find it incredibly helpful that we have almost exclusively drawers instead of traditional cabinets. This gives us a good overview and makes everything easily accessible. Each drawer has a specific theme: for example, one for canned goods, one for baking utensils, one for storage containers, and one just for spices. This clear organization keeps everything in its place and saves us time searching.

Should your kitchen be more practical in everyday life, or was design the priority?

A clever design that is thoughtfully practical makes it easy to organize everything well while creating an inviting atmosphere. Our kitchen combines both, offering storage space, functionality, and a look that we absolutely love.

Is the interior design just as important as the exterior appearance?

The exterior appearance is, of course, the first thing that catches the eye, but good internal organization makes the space much more pleasant to use and helps keep the kitchen tidy and harmonious.

What are your top three household tips?

1. Family first: For us, family comes first. It’s important to consciously make time for shared experiences with the children – whether it’s spending time in the garden in the fresh air or playing a game together. If necessary, the household tasks can wait, as these moments are priceless and remain in memory, unlike a dust-free home.
2. Everything should have its place: Clear organization makes tidying up much easier. If everything – from stuffed animals to vases – has a fixed place, it’s easier to find things and quickly tidy up the rooms.
3. Divide the work: Sharing household tasks among us relieves a lot of stress. It creates a good team feeling and saves time, which can then be spent on the beautiful moments.

What is your favorite place in your home and why?

That’s not so easy to say, but I think our large dining table is my favorite spot. It’s bright, the sun shines in beautifully, or if it’s colder, the fire in the stove crackles nearby. This is where we work, paint, learn, eat, and tell stories. It’s the heart of the living area, and there’s always action here.