A Haus We'd Love to Live In

By Marni Elyse Katz
February 10, 2012

Haus Interior

Haus Interior, New York City. Freudenberger has given over the boutique to designer David Stark, for a month-long pop-up called Wood Shop.

Nina Freudenberger of Haus Interior is a designer and shopkeeper after our own heart. Effortlessly infusing statement-making touches into rooms with decidedly neutral palettes, she creates memorable spaces that remain timeless. Her signature is the combination of slightly curvy Danish modern and mid-century pieces with clean-lined contemporary furniture for rooms that feel fresh. She then adds edge by turning to a number of motifs we love and have oft reported on—bold chevrons, rope accents, everyday objects like vintage rackets as art, and naturalistic displays with feathers.

left: Nina Freudenberger rocks her outfits as well as she designs a room. We adore her draped skirt and Lulu Frost necklace. The chevron painted floor of her store interior is to die for.

And this blonde beauty with an expert eye understands value. Her two boutiques (one in Manhattan and the other in Los Angeles) are aimed precisely at clients who might not have the cash to employ an interior designer, but still have the same good taste. In fact, the majority of the items she sells are under $100, with the exception of lamps and sculptures.

Haus Interior

Freudenberger harbors a penchant for taxidermy. Here, multiple examples are mounted behind the cash wrap at her New York City store.

The Haus Interior store in New York.

Haus Interior

Rooms designed by Nina Freudenberger

Her first shop, in New York City’s boutique-heavy Nolita, opened in June 2009. She says, “I thought the neighborhood was the perfect combination of the young working professional, and also open to emerging designers.”

After considering Boston as a possible number two (Freudenberger studied architecture nearby at Rhode Island School of Design), she decided on Los Angeles for the second shop. It opened this past December in West Hollywood. Being California, the L.A. store is four times bigger than the narrow slice in New York, which allows the designer the opportunity to offer larger scale items, including furniture.

Haus Interior

Haus Interior in West Hollywood opened mid-December (photo Credit: Brian Henniker).

Both shops, as well as her website, carry home accessory staples and vintage one-offs. Pillows and throws are consistent bestsellers. In fact, when we stopped by they had just rung up a beige and navy striped cotton throw for $40. Freudenberger says, “We stick with graphic patterns, but in neutral colors, so that no matter where you go in life, you can take it with you. We’re not focused on trendy things; we like an accessible price point and a design style that can grow with you.”

Haus Interior

Rooms designed by Nina Freudenberger

When sourcing products, Freudenberger prefers seeking out new designers to trolling vast industry design shows. Some are so new that they don’t even have experience with wholesale pricing. One artisan she’s “totally obsessed with” is basket designer just Doug Johnston. She says, “He does the most stunning baskets in interesting shapes. They’re made from ropes sewn with high strength thread, so they’re totally utilitarian.”

Haus Interior

Haus Interior recently started carrying Doug Johnston’s functional and decorative rope baskets.

For spring, she says, Haus will be “really focused on the object.” Though she won't abandon an emphasis on the functional, she says her stores "may be more decorative now, with things that you just want, like these baskets.”

Nina Freudenberger shops eBay with style:

Roll over items for details

Chevron Pillow Cover

(buy it now price, $25)

Peruvian Handmade Alpaca Throw

(buy it now price, $152.95)

Midcentury Modern Bentwood Lounge Chair

(buy it now price, $699)

Marquesa Beach White Wash Woven Trays

(buy it now price, $169)

Vintage Bell Jar Lamp

(buy it now price, $110)

Burlap Roll

(buy it now price, $99)

Turkish Bath Towel

(buy it now price, $28)

Edward Wormley Daybed

(buy it now price, $1,500)

1. Chevron Pillow Cover: “I love this pattern. The chevron is so modern and the stone and black colors keep it clean and crisp.”

2. Midcentury Modern Bentwood Lounge Chair: "I love these chairs for their wonderful shape. Plus, they remain exciting even though they are upholstered in a very simple dark gray fabric.”

3. Marquesa Beach White Wash Woven Trays: “These baskets are so neutral and simple.”

4. Peruvian Handmade Alpaca Throw: “Even though there is color in this throw, it somehow remains subtle.”

5. Burlap Roll: “I love using burlap as a quick table cloth idea for any dinner party.”

6. Vintage Bell Jar Lamp: “I think the word 'neutral' also means without embellishment, which is why I am always drawn to these very industrial-looking Edison bulb table lamps.”

7. Turkish Bath Towel: “I am totally obsessed with my Turkish bath towel collection. The patterns are so clean and the lightweight cotton feels so much better then terry.”

8. Edward Wormley Daybed: “I also love this Edward Wormley daybed. It could really work anywhere—in a living room or bedroom.”

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