In his living and dining room, Christoph Kümmecke has created a workspace that goes far beyond a functional desk: a deliberately curated living space that nurtures creativity, concentration, and wellbeing in equal measure. In this conversation, he explains why clarity and structure are not at odds with creativity for him – and how every piece of furniture in his home tells its own story.
Where is your desk, and what did you pay attention to when setting it up?
CK The pandemic era motivated me to create a workspace within my own four walls. The only question was: where? It had to be a place that inspires me, grounds me, and allows me to work with focus at the same time. My top priority was that my home working environment should feel like a living space with soul rather than an empty utility room – so that my physical, social, psychological, and spiritual horizons could be stimulated as fully as possible. I settled on my living and dining room, initially as a provisional additional office. Plenty of natural light, a wonderful view of greenery, enough open space, and a deliberately curated interior all contribute to my creativity, motivation, and sense of meaningful work in this room.
What do you do at your desk, and how long do you spend there?
CK At my desk I spend most of my time communicating: writing and responding to emails, making phone calls, reviewing and editing images, developing creative concepts and strategies, reading magazines, or browsing the internet. Honestly, I stay there too long – but that tells me I genuinely enjoy being in this space. Breaks vary quite a bit depending on what I’m working on. I try to take regular ones: with a coffee on the balcony, preparing a lunchtime snack in the kitchen, or taking a short walk in the park around the corner.
Creative chaos or structured system?
CK A clear and structured workspace is extremely important for the kind of work I do and for my personality type. I follow a creatively structured system that I maintain with something close to perfectionism. The more clarity and the less chaos in my surroundings, the greater my potential to express myself creatively, strategically, and efficiently. A stimulating interior and well-chosen office accessories are another source of inspiration for me. Music also plays a role: calm, unobtrusive sounds play in the background of my daily routines.
How do you curate your interior, and which design elements foster your creativity?
CK Clear structures, natural colors, and a minimalist living style enormously support my creative thinking and actions. My interior choices are mostly intuitive, aimed at creating a symbiosis of calm, composition, and serenity. I enjoy truly feeling different material qualities in detail – whether wood, fabric, or natural stone textures. This varied interplay of form and material creates a qualitatively eclectic living style within my four walls. Ultimately, every object in my home has a deliberate place; redundancy is avoided entirely, so that the focus of my creative thinking can concentrate on what truly matters.
„Clear structures, natural colors and a minimalist living style support my creative thinking and acting enormously.“
What does a piece of furniture or accessory need to be like in order to fit into your space – and how do you find these pieces?
CK A piece of furniture or an accessory needs to trigger some kind of emotion in me, whether through its form, its particular history, or its material quality. My home is made up of numerous vintage and contemporary design objects, each of which I associate with a certain emotional resonance and personal story. I came across the most special finds at flea markets, in classified ads, in selected magazines, on travels, or through artist friends.
