The White House

Culture

Jun 25

Take a turn off Russell Square and you’ll find yourself in the apartment of Nathan Herrmann - a sprawling two bedroom penthouse where the main colour choice, is white.

Having moved in February from an equally impressive home in Soho, this time it was all about a calmer, lighter sense of space. “I got settled just before lockdown started. I moved from Soho to have a fresh start after a divorce and wanted a calm neighbourhood, lots of light and some outdoor space. Thanks to COVID, I think I’ve already spent more time in this flat in 2020 alone than I did in my last flat over 4 years”.

“I was keen to move in quickly after I bought - so I simplified renovations to only last a month. The ceilings are low as the flat was added to the roof of the building later so I removed overhead lights, took away curtains to open up the windows, painted everything white - and then changed the floors from a laminate wood to a light grey resin”.

“ I love the Calder tapestry (pictured above). It’s from the US bicentennial in 1976. Calder collaborated with AUBUSSON to have the made. I love the texture and depth and the design reminds me both of my birth year as well as some design from my earliest memories at my parent’s home”.

“The yellow artwork is by an Italian artist, Bonalumi. He was part of the Zero movement with Fontana and wanted to think about the canvas in 3 dimensions. I love what he did here with a simple piece of cardboard”.

“The Algae sculpture (pictured below) is by my friend Nika Neelova. She is an amazing Russian artist and has recently been inspired by fossils and nature”.

“The Pyrenees sofa was made in 2007 by my friends, Fredrikson Stallard. It was one of their first big pieces and it was in their home until they renovated their home this year. I had an empty space in my living room perfect for it - so I stole it from them”.

“I found the dining set at a Danish importer based in Nottingham 15 years ago. The chairs are covered in the originally blue- green boucle. The fabric is starting to wear - but I’m putting off replacing it as I haven’t been able to find a match to the original”.

“I bought the mini bar in the living/dining room (pictured above) 15 years ago at the same Nottingham shop. It’s made of rosewood in the 60’s and was originally a hotel minibar (it has a working fridge on the right hand side!). I found a matching one in 2020 on eBay - so now I have a set and put one in the kitchen!”.

“I really wanted to change the kitchen to add more storage space for dishes and wine - but COVID came and it became too complicated - so I am still thinking about next steps”.

If your house was on fire, which three items would you take with you?

“I’m practical - so I would probably take my phone and my passports if the flat were on fire. Things can always be replaced. But I’m also sentimental - so I would also grab some photo albums I have hidden away”.

How has your taste evolved over the years?

“I have always found grey calming. A decade ago I was very interested in a mad men era style. Now I am I bit more keen on the 70’s”.

who/what inspires your taste?

“I think movies and tv are a great inspiration. I recently watch the biography of Halston and really wished I could move into his apartment. ”.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

“I think London is the best city in the world and feel so privileged to live here. But I would also love a little holiday home in Italy where I’m in love with the food, the wine and the sun”.

Do you collect anything?

“I’m a minimalist - so I don’t like to have too many things! But I would love to collect more art and currently spend an unhealthy amount of time browsing anything artsy”.