Bender: The sounds! I love the creaking of our floorboards. And even in summer, the ground floor is nice and cool thanks to thick sandstone walls.

Stegemann: What I really like is the distinct atmosphere that an old house provides. They’re cozy all by themselves, without you having to do anything to make it happen.

Had there been much renovation work done in the past?

Bender: About nine years ago, our landlord did a basic renovation. Last year everything apart from the pipes and wiring was redone in a major refurbishment. We took the opportunity then to install a new kitchen unit. It was a mega upgrade from the previous work when they had just put in hardware store OSB boards that were screwed together and had no cabinet doors, and all fitted with electric appliances found in the attic.

That sounds crazy! What was important to you when designing the new kitchen?

Stegemann: Firstly, that it had closed cupboards. We planned the new kitchen together with the guys from Parallelwerk, a young company from the town of Bad Kreuznach. We had a very clear idea in mind right from the start: Fenix surfaces, no high cabinets, overhead lighting, a recessed stove, and a wooden worktop which we hope will soon take on a beautiful patina.

And the yellow cabinetry?

Stegemann: We chose yellow since the adjacent kitchen door frame was gray. All shades of gray and black were out then, but I didn’t want white either. Apart from green, blue, and red, yellow was the only other color available in the brand’s line—but it harmonizes wonderfully with the wooden floor and the white walls.

Bender: And it goes well with the sofa in the living room, which came out a decade ago with an ochre cover, and which is now a real collector’s item!