Whether spacious or small, stepping into the home of a designer tends to shift your perspective on how to live. In the Zürich apartment of German designer Niklas Mellmann, that becomes especially evident. Working with limited space pushes him to be more selective and, most of all, more creative. He favours pared-back, Bauhaus-inspired lines, offset with the occasional moment of colour.
A self-proclaimed quintessential Taurus - also meaning, a natural host - Niklas brings that same sense of intent to how he lives. We drop by to talk smart spatial solutions, thoughtful choices across interiors and fashion - including precious vintage finds and his growing collection of designer bags carefully stored away in a wardrobe - and the joy of having people over.
By Kaira van Wijk. Images: Niklas Mellmann
Just around the corner from Patumbah Park – where in-season cherry blossoms frame the view through its stone pillars – we find the apartment of multi-faceted creative Niklas Mellmann, tucked away on a calm side street. We climb all the way up the wooden stairs of this Altbau building, where he lives in a loft with a rooftop overlooking the city. ‘When the sun comes out, summer is in full swing, it’s like a little neighbourhood up here. No one on the streets, we’re all out here in the sun, just passing out drinks.’
And as small as the space is in square metres, the way he’s approached it feels smart (more on that later). We couldn’t have expected less from someone like Niklas. After studying industrial design in his native Germany, he narrowed it down to user experience design. Alongside that, he teaches at the Schule für Gestaltung, modelled spontaneously after being discovered in an infamous Zurich nightclub, gives indoor cycling (and soon barre) classes at a studio around the corner, and shares his love of fashion and travel online.
This afternoon he looks sharp in a pair of stiff denim, a white T-shirt and staple accessories like a Loewe belt. Speaking of his style, he laughs: ‘There’s more where that came from. I collect bags.’ As he pulls open a wardrobe and holds up a favourite – a Loewe Puzzle bag in bright colour blocking – it subtly nods to Bauhaus, one of his key references, alongside a coffee table book on Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. ‘I like clear lines, and I think that works very well when you have slightly more limited space.’
Even so, he’s not afraid to punctuate that clean palette with colour. Mostly a warm, expressive orange, woven through a painting by a friend above a USM sideboard, an Artemide Nesso lamp, a cosy patterned blanket on the black Togo chair, and a single-stem orange poppy by Silkhaus. On the dining table, tulips. Niklas: ‘You don’t see any difference between the real and artificial ones. That comes down to good design, I love that.’
Your love of design started…
‘With cars, funnily enough. From a very young age, I was drawn to cars. I always wanted to become a car designer, that was the dream growing up. I was raised near the town where Opel is from, and my grandfather worked there, so it felt very close. After school, I started looking into it and that’s how I found industrial design, which felt like a broader, more natural fit. Now I live in Zurich and, come to think of it, it’s such a car city. Classic Porsches and older Mercedes, the occasional Ferrari or Lamborghini lining the streets. You still see car spotters around. Somewhere deep down, there’s still that appreciation.’
A design piece that fascinates you today…
‘Jony Ive, the former Apple designer, immediately comes to mind. Since leaving, he’s set up his own studio and is doing incredible work. Recently, he redesigned a rostrum for auction house Christie’s. The way everything connects, the mechanisms, how parts fold in, it’s incredibly considered. I just find that level of thinking fascinating.’
Your take on decorating a smaller space…
‘I think in this apartment the layout does most of the work. It’s a studio, but the wooden stairs up to the terrace naturally divide the living and sleeping areas. I’ve always been drawn to pure, simple lines, probably from my background in industrial design. I like a space that feels unfussy, not overly decorative, and I think that works particularly well in a smaller space. That said, I’m not afraid of colour. The orange came about almost by accident, but I love how it feels both calming and energising. A lot of what I have is secondhand too. I get stuff from Tutti, a secondhand site, and there’s this great vintage shop in Wiedikon: 2punkt2. That’s where I got this USM sideboard, such a classic.’
Furniture-wise, how to choose in a limited space?
‘With a smaller space, you have to be smart. My bed, for instance, is a game changer because it has drawers underneath. It forces you to think practically, but also more selectively. I could have many more design objects, but here I have to choose the ones I truly love and actually need. I also like to think in terms of multifunctionality. My nightstands are actually stools stacked on top of each other, so when I have people over, they double as extra seating. I’ve had twenty people here in this flat, and then you just pull them in. It’s about being a bit creative, thinking slightly outside the box.’
The one design gesture you won’t compromise on…
‘I’ve had that Togo leather sofa by Ligne Roset for a long time. I seem to gravitate towards 70s pieces, I just love them. It’s not the most comfortable couch if you want to properly lounge while watching a film. With friends, we joke that sitting on it with the low seater opposite feels like a therapist’s office: “so, tell me about your childhood.” (Laughs) Visually, though, it’s perfect for the space. The low, sculptural lines create a kind of cornered seating area without it feeling too traditional. It sits close to the floor, and almost invites you to drop down onto the rug and sit there instead.’
Your travel suitcase and this little Louis Vuitton Sporty 30 travel bag is on display. Hidden gem place to visit?
‘Last year, a friend and I went to Dijon, quite spontaneously. We had planned to go to Paris, but it was Fashion Week and hotels were around €500 a night, so we thought, let’s try something else. It turned out to be such a good decision. It’s only about two and a half hours by train from here, on the way to Paris, and it really feels like a smaller, quieter version of it. The architecture is beautiful, very historic but well preserved, and there are so many good restaurants and wine bars. It felt surprisingly lively, without the crowds. You do have to check opening times, things can be a bit unpredictable, but that almost adds to the charm. It was one of those trips that completely exceeded expectations.’
Back home, you like to host…
‘I do! I’m a total Taurus, the full stereotype. I love creating a homey, beautiful space and bringing people together.’
Go-to prep…
‘When it comes to drinks, I always have some bubbles in the fridge, Crémant, Prosecco, champagne. I also make sure I have everything for a good dirty martini, that’s one of my favourites. Coffee is essential too. I genuinely look forward to my first cup the night before, so I invested in a proper machine early on. And I love starters, I’m such a sharing person. I’d almost skip a main for it. Just a table full of simple things, grilled vegetables, good mozzarella, bread, something to pick at. It’s easy, but it always works.’
How you dress for the day-to-day versus getting together?
‘It doesn’t really change that much. I actually wear a lot of women’s pieces. For trousers especially, I often go to the women’s section, the fit is just better, a bit more interesting. I’d say 90% of the time when I get compliments, it’s on something from the women’s section. I remember being in Paris with my mum and we ended up buying the same pair of trousers (laughs), we both just loved them. Even with basics like sweaters, there’s often a subtle detail or crop you don’t find in menswear. When it comes to bags, it’s really about craftsmanship for me. I like pieces that feel lived-in, like a well-worn Kelly (on my wishlist) or this old Louis Vuitton I got from the 70s or 80s. It’s all about character.’
