Architect Stephanie Thatenhorst - a design studio of hotels and retail to a cool dentist

Munich-based design studio and architect Stephanie Thatenhorst recently added to her foray into the world of hotels by creating the hotly anticipated Ullrhaus in Austrian resort, St. Anton, due to open in summer 2021. Thatenhorst has long been the go-to interior creative for private residences, hotels, restaurants and retail spaces. Here's why.

A true chameleon stylist, Stephanie dips into a creative plethora of design heritage, whereby not one specific touchpoint defines her touch. This ability to reference the eras of design beyond what's on-trend is precisely why her work is so refreshingly alive; it's edgy, clever, disruptive, and often, but not always, popped with sorbet colours.  Wabi-Sabi aficionados can just as easily find peace as would those seeking a little eccentric zest from the oriental to mid-century. Natural raw materials and a passion for the crafts root her concepts with handcrafted elements, carpentry, hand weaved textiles and traditional loom fabrics.

As an architect by trade, Stephanie, German design award winner 2020, narrates space with cohesive confidence and decorative intricacy; this is her trademark of creative playfulness. 

"For me, architecture is the interaction between people and the built space in harmony with their individuality and with nature. My work, therefore, encompasses the conceptual portrayal of the construction project, its personalized application and supervision to its interior design."

Collaborative by nature, the all-female studio works alongside fellow designers and manufacturers to create a catalogue of statement pieces, "I like to find those smaller manufacturers from across the world and see how I can showcase their work and supporting the trade. This is why I also opened my studio shop so people can come and source and buy in a setting that showcases crafts." Her boutique shop opened in 2019 on Theresienstraße in Schwabing, Munich, and is designed like a stylish, magazine-worthy apartment.  Great for the perfect find, those treasures for the home. 

The end user's journey is perhaps her cornerstone in the design process, from the retail environment, the busy restaurant to the comforts of a modern home that sings with character, to creating the coolest dentist in Munich that we all wish was closer.     

"Cool reflective walls, polished marble floorings and a chunky poppy seed red tufted rug can create drama; equally, solid natural timbers juxtapose a polka dot mid-century lounger. My designs make people feel happy."

Recent commissions include a new retail flagship for hip eyewear brand MYKITA, and Ullrhaus - a fabulous new hotel of reductive luxury, where considered design marries Alpine soul named after the ancient Norse, Ullr the fabled god of skiing, appropriate for St. Anton.  Wish project? " I would love to create for a yacht - either a motorboat or full sail, I think there are so many possibilities to deck out a marine vessel - preferably anchored somewhere warm." 

Stephanie Thatenhorst is on a design adventure, a wonderer of style who brings her signature aesthetics of happy, fun and urban touch to interiors and someone who can make the humble hessian rug take centre stage. Farmhouse to the townhouse, ski resort to the plastic surgeon's practice, this innovative architect and designer is your easy-going style guru who likes nothing more than to hug flamboyance.