A long communal table is lined with mismatched wooden chairs, their carved backs and varied forms reinforcing a sense of informal gathering. Whitewashed brick walls and patterned curtains frame the space, while looping red pendant lights introduce a bold, contemporary gesture that animates the otherwise traditional setting.

Ebenrieder: Stephanie Thatenhorst Reimagines a Bavarian Farmhouse with Expressive Flair

Words by Eric David

Stötten am Auerberg, Germany

Set in the rolling foothills of Bavaria’s Allgäu region, a 200-year-old farmhouse has been reborn as a design-led guesthouse that feels both grounded in its rural origins and unmistakably contemporary. Now comprising five apartments and four guestrooms, Ebenrieder retains the tactile presence of its vernacular architecture while embracing a renewed spatial and aesthetic clarity courtesy of Munich-based interior designer Stephanie Thatenhorst, whose vividly expressive scheme boldly fuses the building’s rustic character with a strikingly modern design sensibility. Drawing loosely on the spirit of 1960s Milanese interiors, she has orchestrated a playful interplay of colour, pattern and form, establishing a dynamic dialogue between the past and present that unfolds throughout the guesthouse.

Framed through soft-focus greenery, the farmhouse’s white plaster and weathered timber façades emerge against a terracotta-tiled roofscape. Wooden shutters and modest window openings reinforce its vernacular identity, while the lush garden foreground introduces a biophilic softness, blurring the boundary between cultivated landscape and built form.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A close-up of the gabled façade highlights traditional craftsmanship: pale plaster walls punctuated by timber-framed windows with hinged wooden shutters and a decorative star-shaped vent. The interplay of warm wood tones and mineral surfaces underscores a restrained, rural aesthetic, where subtle detailing lends character without ornamentation excess.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

Spatially, the project benefits from the building’s generous proportions. In the former barn, a double-height communal area, rising all the way to seven metres, unfolds beneath the roof structure, its openness contrasted by the more intimate two-bedroom apartments and guestrooms housed in the adjacent main building, each conceived with its own distinct character. Among them, the ‘Atelier’ apartment has been conceived with creatives in mind as a place not just to stay but also host workshops and exhibitions. Large openings throughout the premises frame views of the surrounding hills and mountains, reinforcing a connection to place while allowing natural light to articulate the varied textures and colours within.

Materially, the interiors are defined by a deliberate tension between old and new, expressed through the interplay of the property’s original building fabric and carefully calibrated contemporary interventions. Hardwood floors, mineral plaster walls and exposed timber beams lend the interiors a grounded, almost elemental quality. Against this, Thatenhorst introduces a vivid counterpoint: metallic furnishings, polished surfaces and plush textiles which serve to shift the atmosphere from rustic to unexpectedly urbane, introducing a subtle sense of refinement.

A wide view of the timber-framed interior reveals the farmhouse’s structural rhythm, with exposed beams articulating zones for dining and circulation. A patterned rug anchors the table setting, while a ladder and soft drapery hint at adjacent spaces, creating a fluid interplay between openness and intimate enclosure.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A rustic dining nook is framed by heavy timber beams, where a simple wooden table and traditional chairs sit atop a geometric woven rug. A red-accented pendant light introduces a subtle contemporary gesture, while large windows with slatted screens filter daylight, reinforcing a tactile connection to the surrounding landscape.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A sculptural black wall-mounted lamp arcs across a softly textured plaster wall, set against exposed timber beams that reveal the farmhouse’s original structure. The composition highlights the dialogue between industrial precision and rustic materiality, with the fixture’s crisp geometry contrasting the irregular grain and patina of aged wood.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A custom storage unit pairs vertical timber slats with perforated cane-front doors in muted pink, creating a layered textural composition. Set against dark, ribbed wall panelling and framed by exposed beams, the piece reflects a thoughtful integration of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary colour accents.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A spacious living area unfolds in warm daylight, where timber floors and plaster walls create a calm, neutral backdrop. A cylindrical column clad in mustard-glazed tiles acts as a sculptural focal point, while simple wooden furniture and large openings frame views of the surrounding rural landscape.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A double-height living space is anchored by a tall, rust-red tiled fireplace wall, its geometric grid pattern adding subtle texture. Pale plaster surfaces and exposed timber beams frame the composition, while a woven basket of firewood and a single lounge chair introduce warmth and domestic intimacy within the expansive volume.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A generous living area balances rustic architecture with mid-century references: a curved rust-toned velvet sofa anchors the space, set against pale plaster walls and exposed timber trusses. A patterned geometric rug and a traditional tiled stove create a dialogue between heritage and contemporary comfort.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A closer composition highlights the interplay of old and new: a richly detailed green tiled stove contrasts with a low, modern velvet sofa and a graphic rug in blue and red tones. A simple wooden side table and sculptural lamp reinforce the balance between vernacular craft and curated contemporary elements.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A minimalist seating vignette unfolds around a translucent acrylic table that refracts coloured light across the floor. Two mid-century-style lounge chairs in deep blue flank the piece, while yellow-tinted wall panels cast a soft glow, creating a quietly theatrical interplay of light, colour and material.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A bathroom composition pairs ribbed sage-green wall-mounted basins with brushed brass fixtures, set against dark mineral plaster walls. Oval mirrors framed in muted coral introduce a soft geometric rhythm, echoed by sculptural pendant lights with red accents. A weathered wooden bench below grounds the space in rustic tactility.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A compact workspace juxtaposes rough stone walls and timber beams with a vividly lacquered red desk and matching lamp, introducing a distinctly mid-century accent. Soft pastel panelling tempers the composition, while diffused light enhances the tactile contrast between rugged surfaces and the smooth, sculptural furniture elements.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

Colour plays an equally decisive role. Rather than adhering to a restrained palette, Thatenhorst introduces bursts of saturated hues—rust red, mustard yellow, deep blue—alongside softer pastels that wash over joinery and built-in elements. These tones animate the otherwise muted envelope of timber and plaster, lending each room a distinct identity. At times, colour is deployed in broad gestures, such as floor-to-ceiling tiled walls; in other spaces, it appears in more controlled accents, spanning lighting fixtures through to cabinetry details.

The furnishing strategy further reinforces this layered approach. Mid-century icons, including seating by Gio Ponti and Verner Panton’s Flowerpot lamps, coexist with contemporary pieces from brands such as Arflex, Dimore Milano and Valerie Objects, as well as bespoke elements designed by Thatenhorst herself. Interspersed among them, antique farmhouse pieces, including a 400-year-old tiled stove, provide a patina anchoring the interiors in their rural context.

A quiet corner pairs a low, striped lounge chair with terracotta-toned brick flooring and a graphic rug in mustard and blue. A slender arched floor lamp introduces a mid-century note, while coral plaid curtains soften daylight, balancing rustic plaster walls and exposed timber with a playful, Milanese-inflected palette.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A dining space combines rustic structure with playful, Milanese-inspired design: exposed timber beams frame a sculptural straw pendant light above a simple wooden table. A bold geometric rug and coral-toned curtains introduce colour, while a dark blue bench adds depth, creating a layered yet cohesive interior composition.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A bedroom alcove is partially revealed through patterned curtains, where crisp white bedding meets a richly ornamented textile headboard. Pale green cabinetry and a minimal wall lamp introduce a soft, contemporary layer, while exposed timber beams and plaster walls anchor the space in its vernacular farmhouse context.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A compact bathroom composition juxtaposes a ribbed white basin and cobalt-blue vanity with warm terracotta-toned plaster walls. A pastel pink mirror frame and sculptural pendant lights introduce a playful, Memphis-leaning geometry, while matte black fixtures anchor the composition with graphic clarity and contrast.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

Framed through ribbed glass partitions, a compact sleeping nook unfolds in warm timber and muted tones. A built-in bench with blue gingham upholstery sits beneath a sloping roof, while coral-painted joinery and textured curtains create a layered interplay of transparency, colour and intimate spatial sequencing.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A dining corner blends rustic and contemporary elements: antique wooden chairs gather around a painted table, while a patterned bench and curved floor lamp introduce softer forms. Ribbed glass doors and muted curtains mediate light, articulating a layered transition between spaces under exposed timber beams.
A compact washbasin in ribbed sage-green finish is set against a backdrop of pale square tiles and mineral plaster. Brass fixtures add warmth, while a geometric-edged mirror and minimal shelf introduce subtle graphic accents, exemplifying Thatenhorst’s interplay of tactile materials and restrained colour contrasts.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A built-in sleeping alcove in muted blue joinery frames crisp white bedding, enriched by a decorative textile band. Heavy curtains and ribbed glass partitions define the threshold to an adjacent space, while timber floors and beams reinforce the balance between crafted enclosure and open, flowing interior.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

An open-plan apartment blends vernacular structure with mid-century sensibilities: timber-framed sliding glass doors with arched detailing reveal a sleeping alcove, while pastel cabinetry and geometric tiles introduce a soft chromatic rhythm. Exposed beams and layered textiles create a warm, domestic atmosphere, balancing rustic materiality with a playful, contemporary spatial clarity.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A dining setting centres on a monolithic round table surrounded by mismatched antique wooden chairs, their patina contrasting with the smooth, contemporary surface. A floral rug introduces softness, while a curved red floor lamp arcs overhead, lending a subtle retro accent against pleated textile backdrops.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A built-in sleeping platform is framed by warm timber and smooth plaster, creating an intimate, alcove-like retreat. Crisp white linens contrast with the tactile surfaces, while minimal lighting and simple cabinetry below—punctuated by red handles—underscore a restrained, almost monastic interpretation of comfort.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A bedroom beneath a pitched roof pairs exposed timber beams with softly textured mineral plaster walls, creating a calm, rustic envelope. Crisp white bedding is offset by a sculptural coral side table and a geometric rug, while black wall-mounted lamps introduce a restrained, mid-century counterpoint.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

Viewed through a timber-framed opening and graphic tiled surface, a rustic sideboard and curated artefacts create a layered composition of old and new. The foreground’s geometric tiles contrast with the raw wood textures beyond, articulating Thatenhorst’s design language where contemporary interventions frame and elevate vernacular elements.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

In a communal dining area, exposed timber beams and polished concrete floors set a grounded, rustic base, softened by floor-to-ceiling green plaid curtains filtering daylight. Pleated fabric pendant lights introduce a sculptural rhythm overhead, while simple wooden furniture reinforces a pared-back, almost Scandinavian sensibility with a tactile, handcrafted edge.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A rustic sideboard vignette layers raw timber construction with curated folk artefacts, including carved wooden moulds arranged along a simple shelf. Set against mineral plaster and exposed structural beams, the composition evokes a quiet, almost archival sensibility, where craftsmanship and patina articulate the farmhouse’s enduring material and cultural memory.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A sculptural stair detail highlights the expressive use of mineral plaster, where soft-edged forms meet crisp timber steps. Light grazes the textured surface, emphasising depth and shadow, while the pared-back composition reflects a minimalist, almost monastic interpretation of the farmhouse’s structural language.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A compact sleeping platform is framed by vertical timber slats, creating a semi-enclosed retreat beneath the sloping roof. A ladder leads to the raised bed, positioned to capture expansive countryside views, while woven cabinet fronts and warm wood tones reinforce a calm, cabin-like intimacy rooted in craft and landscape.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

Ebenrieder’s programme of experiences throughout mirrors the same thoughtful interplay between tradition and reinvention. A sauna and a farm garden with an outdoor pool, sun terrace and raised beds anchor the retreat in its rural setting, while yoga sessions in the former cowshed, fermentation workshops, pottery classes and wild herb foraging reinterpret time-honoured practices through a contemporary lens. Much like Thatenhorst’s interiors, these activities do not seek to preserve the past in aspic, but to reactivate them, allowing the rhythms of agrarian life to coexist with a more design-conscious way of inhabiting the present.

  • A cosy corner unfolds in layered textures: timber-clad walls and ceiling enclose a reading nook with patterned cushions and a low lounge chair. Red plaid curtains frame a small window, filtering soft daylight, while a geometric rug introduces a contemporary note within the otherwise traditional, cabin-like atmosphere.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A compact wash area combines a freestanding oval basin with earthy plaster walls and a woven textile curtain. Above, a sculptural pendant light and radiating mirror introduce graphic detail, while matte black fixtures and timber elements maintain a grounded balance between refinement and rustic tactility.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A textured wall of pale blue tiles with raised circular motifs creates a subtle, tactile backdrop for a minimalist console. A small framed artwork and glass vessel introduce delicate colour accents, while the composition’s restraint emphasises surface, pattern and quiet material refinement.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A cosy corner unfolds in layered textures: timber-clad walls and ceiling enclose a reading nook with patterned cushions and a low lounge chair. Red plaid curtains frame a small window, filtering soft daylight, while a geometric rug introduces a contemporary note within the otherwise traditional, cabin-like atmosphere.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A cosy corner unfolds in layered textures: timber-clad walls and ceiling enclose a reading nook with patterned cushions and a low lounge chair. Red plaid curtains frame a small window, filtering soft daylight, while a geometric rug introduces a contemporary note within the otherwise traditional, cabin-like atmosphere.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A bathroom vignette layers vernacular and contemporary elements: a solid timber console supports a pastel basin, set against earthy plaster walls. Patterned red curtains filter daylight from a window with carved balustrades, while a sculptural pendant light and framed mirror add a refined, Milanese-inflected touch.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A long communal table is lined with mismatched wooden chairs, their carved backs and varied forms reinforcing a sense of informal gathering. Whitewashed brick walls and patterned curtains frame the space, while looping red pendant lights introduce a bold, contemporary gesture that animates the otherwise traditional setting.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A rustic dining nook pairs whitewashed brick walls and a solid wood table with a playful, Milanese-inspired twist: red tubular pendant lights looping overhead. Patterned dark textiles frame a timber window, filtering warm daylight that grazes the textured surfaces, while a handcrafted ceramic vessel anchors the composition in quiet, farmhouse tactility.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • In a kitchen, a stone countertop and integrated sink meet pastel cabinetry and a timber-framed window, where patterned curtains introduce a graphic layer. A glossy, dome-shaped table lamp and small decorative objects add a playful, Milanese-inflected touch, contrasting with the otherwise restrained, rustic material palette.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

  • A long communal table is lined with mismatched wooden chairs, their carved backs and varied forms reinforcing a sense of informal gathering. Whitewashed brick walls and patterned curtains frame the space, while looping red pendant lights introduce a bold, contemporary gesture that animates the otherwise traditional setting.

    Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A spa setting centres on three low, upholstered daybeds in a bold geometric textile, their pattern offset by warm plaster walls and timber detailing. Soft pendant lights and coral-toned side tables introduce a gentle rhythm, while the restrained palette balances graphic expression with a calm, immersive atmosphere.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

A vignette pairs a vintage wooden workbench repurposed as a console with sculptural lighting and a minimalist oval mirror. Rolled towels below suggest hospitality use, while a textured green stool introduces a tactile contrast, embodying the project’s blend of vernacular craftsmanship and refined contemporary detailing.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

The exterior juxtaposes restored and newly built volumes, clad in untreated timber and crisp plaster, reflecting a neo-vernacular approach. Clean-lined gabled forms and a solar-panelled roof sit alongside stacked firewood screens, embedding sustainability into the rural aesthetic while maintaining the scale and rhythm of traditional Bavarian farm architecture.

Photography by Daniel Schäfer.

Ebenrieder: Stephanie Thatenhorst Reimagines a Bavarian Farmhouse with Expressive Flair