Last year, Fritz (@fritzflat) moved into an almost identical apartment right next door to his old one. The change was subtle on paper: same building, same layout, but the new space offered upgrades in the form of better light and a terrace. He also had a plan: to document the entire process of renovating and furnishing the apartment. The project has grown into a community of over 150 000 Instagram followers, drawn to his passion for vintage design and his welcoming, open approach as he shares every step of the journey. In this interview, Fritz talks about his approach to finding timeless pieces, and the unique rhythms of making a home in Berlin.
Photos by Maja Hidde
When did you move into the place and to Berlin in general?
I moved to Berlin 5 years ago when I founded my first company. I worked on it for 3 years until I let it go and focused on my passion: interior design.
The apartment itself has a lot of character, were you looking for something like this?
Yes! I love loft apartments the most because they are never the same. My house is over 100 years old, but they renovated the attic floor just 20 years ago. So it’s a great example of turning what the building already has into a liveable space.
How do you find matching interior pieces for your home?
It might sound geeky, but I created a literal CI for my own style. With this technique I can easily match pieces together and don’t have to think about whether they fit or not. I mainly search on vintage platforms and have developed an eye for high-quality pieces.
What does art mean to you?
Art always tells a story. The art pieces in an apartment are a reflection of your emotions, I believe. Whether it’s colorful and loud or plain and silent—it’s like the cherry on top of showing your character through your interior.
Can you name three essential tips for finding the perfect vintage furniture?
Quality is key. Try to develop an eye for high-quality manufacturing. Then you can separate fakes from authentic pieces.
Make sure you have enough time. Pressure is the wrong ingredient for finding vintage treasures. I searched for my Vitsoe 606 shelf for over a year. Worth the wait.
Educate yourself—learn about designers from past eras. That way, you build a strong knowledge foundation and develop your own sense of style. You start to know which eras and design directions suit you best.
What do you appreciate most about living in Berlin?
Even though I probably live in the most gentrified part of town, I still love the honest places where Berlin still feels like 2008. I even created a Google Maps list with all my “honest places.” I love the overwhelming variety Berlin offers. It gives me peace knowing I could do whatever I want in this city—just to then do the same thing every day, haha.
