Surrounding himself with things that have meaning – that's what makes Mike from HerrKlar happy. Together with his partner and their two cats, he has created a very special feel-good place within his own four walls. We met Mike in his colourful flat and were won over by his skilful mix of colour, design and vintage!
Mike, your interior is very different from mainstream interior styles and trends. How did you arrive at it? Has your work as an art therapist played a part and inspired you?
Probably because of my artistic background, I've never been entirely rooted in the mainstream and have been more open to finding my own way. My partner and I collect objects that come with stories and speak to us. My work as an art therapist in a psychiatric clinic has actually motivated me to devote my free time to "lighter" subjects such as interiors, and not to take them quite so seriously. This is where I like to push boundaries.
Does your interior express who you are, or are you guided more by thoughts and fantasies when you design?
I probably can't separate the two. Above all, I want to create feel-good places that in turn stimulate my thoughts and fantasies – places that are completely different from the outside world. Sometimes I call it a "curated living sculpture".
When it comes to furnishing their homes, many people let themselves be influenced by other people's opinions. Has breaking free of that made you happier?
It depends on which "interior bubble" you look at. If it's the hygge/Scandi bubble, minimalism or the Japandi trend, then yes, I've rather broken away from those. But if you look to Italy, France or an arty house in New York in the USA, I don't feel quite so "alone". I'd say our interior doesn't really reflect typical German interior taste. In general, it makes me happy to surround myself with things that have meaning for me, whether visually, ideologically or in terms of design history.
What was the moment that made you decide to renovate the flat?
I've lived in this flat for 11 years. At first it was a three-person flatshare – typical of Berlin in Germany: a nice layout, but completely run-down. My partner moved in in 2016, and since then we've been gradually renovating it ourselves.
Are there any cosmetic repairs you've made to your flat that you regret?
Not many. Actually, I'd probably have chosen better-quality flooring in the kitchen – the PVC is slowly wearing through. Still better than the imitation marble tiles underneath [laughs]. We'll see what we come up with.
Do you keep each interior for a long time, or does it change often?
We actually keep the large pieces of furniture for a long time, as we often buy vintage pieces and think long and hard before anything moves in. During the pandemic we renovated a lot of rooms, but it was often necessary. The living room, for example, still had woodchip wallpaper, and that finally had to go. Smaller pieces are changed more often, but we have a rule: if something new comes in, something else has to go – it should somehow keep flowing.
As we can see, your interior is very colourful – and yet your flat feels very calm and harmonious. What's the key?
Colourful doesn't automatically mean a riot of colour. First I ask myself what mood a room should convey. Then I take stock of the things that are staying and make sketches and material collages. I often work either with one colour theme, as in the bedroom, or with two colour worlds, as in the study. It's like painting a picture in the room.
Which two interior tips do you think are complete rubbish?
From a completely subjective point of view, I think it's nonsense to always keep everything light and neutral – that doesn't automatically create cosiness. Other than that, I can't think of anything I'd reject outright.
What makes you feel at home in your flat?
The feeling of having made a decision about every object and every colour, and of consciously surrounding myself with what matters to me. Light and my two cats are also very important to my home.
You have lots of plants. How do they enhance the rooms for you?
My partner is a gardener and the plant expert – but I've always liked houseplants too. They're not only very decorative but bring a lively feel to the room and create a healthy indoor climate. Especially in a big city, I like the connection to nature.
Do you already have new design ideas, and is there anything you'd like to change in your flat?
Most recently, we redesigned the hallway, because I designed a wallpaper collection with a designer friend and one of the wallpapers now decorates the hallway. Next year it'll probably be the kitchen floor's turn, and maybe we'll change the kitchen units at the same time.
How do you approach new design ideas?
Taking stock, moodboards/sketches, colour samples, material samples, time management – and then doing it all ourselves.
Shop the look
Thank you so much, Mike, for your time and this fascinating conversation.
www.instagram.com/herrklar_com
Photo credit: Ewa Priester
