It seems like it was fate that brought designer Stephanie Thatenhorst to the modern home she now calls her own — a sprawling apartment that she wasn’t sure was right for her and her two children.
Stephanie had designed the interior of a client’s apartment in the building, and he was hoping for a nice neighbor. Even as she politely declined, she knew that spaces like this have a way of calling you back.
Three weeks later, Stephanie was still visualizing a new life in the grand apartment. She checked again, hoping for an easy excuse to let it go — perhaps it would already be off the rental market — but surprise, surprise, it was still waiting. "At that moment, I knew," she says. "This was meant to be my home."
The large dining table and its extra-comfy chairs were chosen because this is a spot in the apartment where so much life takes place: meals, conversations, and creativity.
The best rugs inject life into a scheme, just like the multicolor rug in this dining scheme — we love this Anthropologie design for the same reason.
But Stephanie couldn’t justify using such a large space just for living. To make it work, she adopted a model already popular among interior designers — the space would be a living canvas: a show flat, as well as her home.
It would be a place where design meets daily life; where clients don’t just get to see her work, they get to feel it, live in it — if only for a moment — the way she does.
"I wanted this living room to feel inviting and full of character," says Stephanie. "The pieces shift over time — it’s always evolving." The decorative plasterwork perfectly complements the modern aesthetic.
"My personal projects are my most important calling card; only there can I show my soul and signature 100 per cent," Stephanie says. Different from her previous home, this one is more colorful, experimental, and personal — decorating with color throughout for spaces that evoke joy.
"It’s a playground for my creative ideas. I allowed myself full freedom to play with a bold palette; integrate art in unexpected ways, and really live my design philosophy to create a breathing environment that grows and changes with us."
"This was designed to blend sculptural form with functionality — I love how the mirrored backsplash adds unexpected depth," says Stephanie of this minty blue kitchen. The handles were inspired by the apartment’s original stucco details.
Crafted from locally-sourced stoneware in Portugal, this organically-shaped, blue-gray bowl from TOAST would stylishly store fruit on your table, just like the one in this home — or be used as a serving bowl for family meals or when hosting.
Living with children allows little room for rigidity. And for Stephanie, achieving balance means embracing an "imperfect perfection", leaving the home to evolve with its people and their personalities.
"I guided the aesthetics, but let my children choose the details in their rooms," she says. "Their presence brings spontaneity and playfulness into the home. It’s a philosophy that leans into lived experience, rather than a staged ideal.
"I believe in letting children express themselves through their environments; it nurtures creativity and gives their rooms meaning."
"We played with contrast in the bathroom — the graphic tiles meet warm elements such as the vanity and fabric. A small room, but it makes a statement," says Stephanie.
Go against the grain and opt for a primary-colored bathroom mirror like Stephanie — it's an unexpected and fun design choice.
Function, too, plays a vital role. Smart design, she believes, starts at the foundation. "One trick to keeping it as tidy as possible is to invest in intelligent design solutions," she says, pointing to built-in storage and furniture that balances beauty with practicality.
"I believe in 'controlled chaos': embracing a layered look, but with a structure underneath. Having a strong visual concept helps everything feel intentional, even if it’s not minimal."
Each room carries its own mood and intention, so Stephanie’s modern bedroom was designed to promote rest and reflection. "I wanted it to feel like a quiet escape," she says. "The soft layering of textures gives it a cocoon-like quality that I love."
Clients can visit Stephanie’s flat by appointment and may go anywhere, except for the children’s rooms. Other than enjoying the designer’s interpretation of beauty, visitors really get a taste of her lifestyle, imagining how a family lives in those spaces.
What’s clear is that the most cherished moments happen in the kitchen, immersed in the everyday rituals of family life. "Cooking, chatting around the kitchen counter, sharing moments — that’s the true luxury of home life for me."
