When Swantje Hinrichsen and her partner moved into a 1928 brick house in Münster, Germany, they were met with old-world charm and one glaring omission: a kitchen. But for this imaginative couple, a blank slate was an opportunity—not a limitation.
What followed is a remarkable testament to ingenuity, resourcefulness, and artistic flair. By repurposing parts from a decade-old Ikea kitchen and combining them with thrifted pieces, homemade solutions, and a strong personal aesthetic, Swantje turned an empty space into a functional, stylish, and soulful heart of the home—all on an extreme budget.
From Spare Parts to Signature Style
The story begins with a practical decision. Swantje’s boyfriend, a schoolteacher, had previously installed a freestanding Ikea kitchen in his old apartment. Rather than starting from scratch, they salvaged everything—cabinets, cooktop, oven, and sink—and brought it all to their new home. As luck would have it, the pieces fit remarkably well into the new 28-square-meter kitchen space. But that’s where the luck stopped and creativity kicked in.
Swantje, a graphic designer and illustrator, wasn’t content with a purely functional setup. Instead, she layered personal touches and clever DIY enhancements to elevate the space from a patchwork of old parts to an artist’s kitchen with character and coherence.
An Open, Airy Layout with Thoughtful Details
Rather than opt for traditional overhead cabinets, the couple installed a single, handmade shelf that spans the length of the kitchen wall. This choice opens up the room and lets the French doors do what they do best: flood the space with natural light. The result is an inviting, uncluttered kitchen with a sense of calm and spaciousness.
The base of the kitchen is composed of Ikea’s now-discontinued Värde series—solid birch units that offer both open and closed storage. These freestanding pieces allow flexibility in layout while retaining a cohesive, natural look. Inset into one of the larger units is the couple’s original induction cooktop and AEG oven, which, despite being over a decade old, remain perfectly functional.
A second Värde unit supports the kitchen sink, linked together by a butcher block counter—another Ikea component that ties the space together with a warm, unified tone.
Handmade, Secondhand, and Full of Soul
But what truly sets this kitchen apart is Swantje’s eye for design and her love for tactile, meaningful objects. Every corner offers a glimpse into her world: a pegboard cut and crafted by hand to disguise a gap behind the fridge, handmade ceramics from fellow artists, and quirky accents that reflect her playful aesthetic.
“The pegboard wasn’t just decorative,” Swantje explains. “It solved a practical issue and gave me a place to hang tools I actually use.” Inspired by high-end birch plywood pegboards she’d seen online, she took the DIY route and made her own—complete with spots for tongs, cutting boards, and everyday utensils.
The shelf above the countertop serves not just for storage, but as a rotating gallery. It holds LAND Mugs by Danish ceramicist Mette Duedahl, a terracotta pitcher from Another Country, and a stylish Geo Vacuum Jug by Normann Copenhagen—evidence of Swantje’s admiration for minimalist, well-crafted pieces.
Everyday Practicality Meets Artistic Expression
This kitchen isn’t just for show. It’s a fully operational space where beauty and function meet on equal terms. A Norman Copenhagen rolling cart adds mobile storage and workspace. A Shaker peg rail, sourced from Sweden’s Artilleriet, holds dish brushes and tea towels—each carefully chosen for both look and use. The floor, a beautifully aged pine original to the 1928 house, adds authenticity that no new material could match.
Even the lighting choices are personal: a sculptural wooden accordion wall light from Dutch designer Studio M.oss adds warmth and drama, while an antique sideboard, refreshed with Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue, adds a pop of color and vintage charm.
Swantje’s approach to decorating is fluid. Dish towels are rotated, accessories swapped out, and artwork updated to match her ever-changing mood and creative impulses. It’s a kitchen that evolves with its owner, never stuck in one look or trend.
A Kitchen with a Story
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Swantje and her partner’s kitchen is how much it reflects their personalities. The mismatched chairs around the dining table—a mix of bentwood, Eames, and salvaged school seating—speak to a love of eclectic design and lived-in comfort. The dining table itself, a scratched and scarred estate-sale find, is open to the adjoining living room, fostering a natural flow and inviting energy.
An oversized armoire allows the couple to keep visual clutter at bay, making the room feel more spacious than its 301 square feet. And if you look up, you’ll spot the Brass Dots Mobile by Swantje’s friends at Lappalainen—a final, floating touch of whimsy that completes the space.
Lessons in Creative Living
Swantje’s kitchen is a masterclass in how limitations—whether financial, spatial, or architectural—can inspire some of the most inventive designs. Through patience, resourcefulness, and a clear sense of personal style, she turned reclaimed materials into a cohesive, functional, and utterly charming kitchen.
In a world where renovation often comes with a hefty price tag, this space proves that beauty doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little vision and a lot of heart, even the most humble Ikea parts can be transformed into something truly special.
Words like “budget” and “secondhand” may conjure up images of compromise—but in Swantje’s kitchen, they’re badges of creativity. What was once a puzzle of old parts is now a personal masterpiece—a living, breathing example of what’s possible when art meets everyday life.
