Could you tell us about the origins of the brand? What moment in your history are you most proud of?
The year 2005 plays a pivotal role in the history of Schönbuch. That’s when we took over the brand, which had been specializing in high-quality entrance furniture since its founding in the 1960s. At that time, its brand image and product portfolio felt a bit outdated. We saw the potential it held. With intuition and a clear vision, we brought Schönbuch into the present. Today, the brand has an international appeal and is known worldwide for its clean design, expressive colors, and unique look.
What’s behind the brand’s concept and its name?
Schönbuch was founded in 1960 in Holzgerlingen, a town in the Schönbuch forest south of Stuttgart—hence the name. From the very beginning, it was renowned for high-quality entrance furniture. The range of coat racks, wall hooks, hangers, mirrors, and shoe cabinets is still vast today and stands out beautifully from everything else on the market. But we’ve evolved far beyond being just a specialist for entrance areas. Today, we are a brand that also offers smaller furniture and designer pieces that can be used in any room. One of our key strengths is our made-to-measure storage systems with endless customization options. What all of our products have in common is that, beyond aesthetics, functionality and top-notch quality always play an essential role.
Which value is most central to the brand? How do you implement this in your daily work?
Our furniture and accessories are not just products; they are design objects that surprise with craftsmanship and small, refined details. Thanks to their clear design language, they fit seamlessly into any space—whether it’s an old building, a 1970s bungalow, or a loft. They look just as good next to mid-century pieces as they do alongside Bauhaus icons and design classics. In short, Schönbuch furniture is like a style chameleon.
What’s your favorite piece from the current collection, and why?
There are many. But if we had to highlight one, it would be CANVAS, the piece of furniture with endless design possibilities. The idea from designer Christian Haas was to create an interior line that, like a blank canvas (hence the name CANVAS), can be freely and individually composed. It features various carcasses available in numerous heights, widths, and depths, which can be fitted with drawers, doors, or flaps, and comes with many handle options. Since the carcasses, fronts, handles, and bases are available in 29 different colors, no lowboard, sideboard, highboard, console, or cabinet looks the same. This product was not only a press favorite but is also beloved by our partners and interior designers.
“Momentum” is the theme of this season and Melagence’s paper. What does “momentum” mean to you?
For us, momentum means the moment we are in right now. It’s about the opportunities that exist at this precise point in time—not earlier, not later. It’s about the things we want to surround ourselves with at this very moment. It’s about feeling the zeitgeist.
What does longevity mean to you?
High-quality craftsmanship and flawless execution, which result in products that retain their value. Also, a design that is timeless yet exciting enough to captivate generations to come.
What do furniture design and fashion have in common? What can these two disciplines learn from each other?
Furniture and fashion have a lot in common. Fashion is often referred to as a person’s second skin, while a home is considered the third skin. Both are about personal expression on one hand and personal well-being on the other. In terms of design, both fashion and furniture focus on proportions, colors, materials, and the combination of different elements.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? What role does fashion play in that?
Carolin:
I draw inspiration from everywhere. I’m a visual and highly intuitive person, constantly picking up on things I see and incorporating some of them into my work. The results are always surprising. Fashion plays a major role for me—often unconsciously—especially when it comes to choosing colors for our products. Fashion is my origin and will always remain a key part of my inspiration. The styles of my fashion label casa nata frequently reflect parallels to Schönbuch’s designs: clarity in form, bold color choices, and product longevity.
What role do sports play in your life and work?
Carolin:
Sports are my lifeblood. I grew up with daily physical activity, no matter the sport, and I still need it to clear my mind. During particularly stressful times, meditation and Yin Yoga help me a lot. For strength and posture, I regularly practice Pilates.
Michael:
I enjoy jogging or hiking—it helps me relax the most. But I also do strength training at the gym to keep my body and mind balanced.
What does team spirit mean to you and your work? Can you give us an example where teamwork was crucial in overcoming a challenge?
We are the best example of how important a strong team is. Everything Schönbuch represents today, we’ve built together. Michael manages the economic aspects with an entrepreneurial perspective and financial expertise, while Carolin shapes the brand’s unique look with her unerring sense of trends and colors. We have different strengths but share a common goal: to create designs that are desirable and work globally.
What are you expecting from the coming year? What are you most looking forward to professionally?
We’re very excited about being present for the first time at Melagence during Paris Fashion Week in January. We’re also looking forward to the Salone del Mobile in Milan in April and our gallery in Brera, which we’ll be showcasing with a very special look once again. Another highlight is 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. There, we’ll present the world of Schönbuch—not just for three days but for an entire week—in a dedicated space that Carolin will stage spectacularly.
Schönbuch often collaborates with various designers. What’s important to you in a creative partner? How do these collaborations contribute to the brand’s innovation and relevance?
We collaborate with internationally renowned names like Sebastian Herkner, Christian Haas, and Luca Nichetto, but we also give young, up-and-coming talents a chance to bring their ideas to life with Schönbuch. What they all have in common is their ability to create something surprising that everyone intuitively understands and wants to integrate into their lives and homes. These are products that stand out but still maintain the same clear design language—pieces that are desirable yet always functional. These collaborations express our boundless creativity and openness, our desire to keep creating new things, and our commitment to designing products that simply bring joy.
How do you define success, both as designers and entrepreneurs?
For us, success is when people find our products desirable and incorporate them into their personal spaces. When customers eventually become fans of the brand and return to Schönbuch again and again. And when we ourselves love our products so much that they naturally become part of our own home. Creating today’s classics for tomorrow!
