At home with Sebastian Herkner
Wallpaper|April 2023
The German designer and 2023 Wallpaper* Design Award winner finds inspiration in his extensive travels around the globe and the spirit of optimism of his adopted hometown of Offenbach
By Rosa Bertoli
At home with Sebastian Herkner

Where do you currently live?

I have lived in Offenbach for more than half of my life. It’s the city where I studied product design and established my design studio. In addition to this apartment, my husband and I have a small apartment in Berlin to escape the studio routine from time to time.

Can you tell us about your neighbourhood?

Offenbach was the German city of leather production. Famous brands including Goldpfeil and Montblanc have manufactured wallets and bags here. Since the decline of the industry, the city has tried to reinvent itself and find a new identity. I find this spirit of optimism very inspiring.

How would you describe your home?

Our home is always changing. We love to buy crafted objects on our holidays; an old wedding chair in India, bowls in Bangkok or a ceramic head in Sicily. They always remind us of special moments and show the beauty of manufacturing.

What’s the story behind your favourite piece of furniture?

The Boat of Life was a present from close friends for my 40th birthday. It was made for me by Indigenous people from the Colombian Amazon, and it shows the good and bad encounters in life. There are squirrels on top of the boat. Squirrels are actually running around our studio’s courtyard and the craftspeople did not know about it.

How do you start your days?

This is less romantic. I watch the news and read emails on my phone while lying in bed.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Wallpaper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Wallpaper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WALLPAPER مشاهدة الكل
COOL RUNNINGS
Wallpaper

COOL RUNNINGS

Palace founder Lev Tanju is bringing his own unexpected brand of weirdness and love of eclectic mash-ups to Fila's new contemporary line

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025
LIVING COLOUR
Wallpaper

LIVING COLOUR

Mexico's San Miguel de Allende is home to a bold young crowd of talent that's thriving off the city's brightly-hued heritage

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025
STARS ASCENDING
Wallpaper

STARS ASCENDING

In a rapidly changing world, the route designers take to discover their calling is increasingly circuitous. We profile ten creatives forging their own paths to success

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 2025
SUITE DREAMS
Wallpaper

SUITE DREAMS

Cathay Pacific’s new aircraft interiors turn the inflight experience into an art form, upgrading the business-class cabin for the next generation of flyers

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
Brutal harmony
Wallpaper

Brutal harmony

The Escheresque Italian villa designed by Fausto Bontempi for sculptor Claudio Caffetto

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
LOCAL HERO
Wallpaper

LOCAL HERO

London studio Holloway Li’s recent makeover of Polish hotel Puro Poznan is right up our street

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
STAR TURNS
Wallpaper

STAR TURNS

An exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi unveils the stellar shortlist for this year's Richard Mille Art Prize

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025
SCREEN GEM
Wallpaper

SCREEN GEM

A multifaceted residence in Beverly Hills puts the beauty of potentiality in the frame

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
SOFT SPOT
Wallpaper

SOFT SPOT

We've taken a shine to Bottega Veneta's collaboration with Flos on a special edition of a Gino Sarfatti lamp

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
Between the lines
Wallpaper

Between the lines

Frequently drawing comparisons with Francis Bacon, painter George Rouy is gaining peer points for his use of classic techniques to distort the human form

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025