BAR
Intoxicated colorblocking

The former breakfast room of a hotel in Regensburg’s old town has been transformed into the wine concept store “Tipsy”: Starred chef Anton Schmaus, the Pure Interieur Team and Popstahl are drunk on colors.

by Linda Pezzei | 4/6/2023

While it might not be the first project German restaurateur Anton Schmaus has realized together with the team of architects at Pure Gruppe, it is certainly the most colorful one. As of late, connoisseurs with a soft spot for German wine have been meeting in the new location situated right in the heart of Regensburg’s old town next door to the “Sticky Fingers”, a further successful venue in Schmaus’ portfolio. And relaxing in a homely atmosphere reminiscent of “your friends’ kitchen”. Small wonder then, that the sulfur yellow Popstahl kitchen unit takes pride of place at the “Tipsy”.

Alongside functionality, the “Tipsy” primarily catches the eye through its very coherent and attractive corporate design: The creative minds at Regensburg-based agency klein,laut supplemented the space-defining elements – such as colorfully painted wine racks made of steel mesh and an oversized and multifunctional counter in salmon pink – with a window bench in ultramarine blue, a sitting area in coral, and a wall bench dipped in turquoise and yellow. The walls and ceilings also merge seamlessly with the delicate sea of colors, with two avant-garde chandeliers successfully rounding off the spectacle and lighting up the scenery.

While fitting all the built-in furniture precisely was no easy feat for the craftspeople due to the challenging situation involving an old building and the constraints of a heritage listing, the loose furniture was placed causally around the room, creating a light and carefree atmosphere. The result is an interior that is thoroughly composed, yet feels refreshingly light: “punchy, edgy, smart und easy”, to use the architects’ words. According to owner Anton Schmaus, the “Tipsy” can most definitely be seen as blazing the trail for a young and hip scene: “The entire stance is casual and easygoing, without a hint of snobbish attitude. We show that wine need not just be presented in stuffy vaulted cellars but also in an urban ambience.” The fact that kitchen manufacturer Popstahl, known for its bright hues, makes the perfect fit for this brave color concept lies also in the company’s preference for straightforward minimalist solutions. Popstahl founder and manager Ralf Weissheimer told Stylepark that “the architects at Pure Gruppe discovered Popstahl in Berchtesgaden and then introduced me to Anton Schmaus. We share a passion for German wine and – as you can see with ‘Tipsy’ – are both courageous when it comes to colors,” At any rate, those who want to enjoy wine and colors are certainly in good hands at the Tipsy.

5 questions for Ralf Weißheimer, founder and manager of Popstahl

Linda Pezzei: Colors play a big role in your product portfolio – does that present a challenge to architects, or does it instead serve as a stimulating source of inspiration?

Ralf Weißheimer: It’s a bit of both. Color can help in the design process – it can provide the guideline but can also get in the way. I see color as life, whereas black and white are wasted opportunities. Grey, however, is colorful.

Who are your customers?

Ralf Weißheimer: Our customers are as individual and diverse as the colors on the RAL chart. Many have creative backgrounds, but certainly not all of them. What they all have in common is a search for something special. I hope that Popstahl is more than just a lifestyle fad, and instead is enduring design. The longevity of a product is what protects it against trends. It should and will still exist after many years. Ideally, it is timeless.

You name Otl Aicher as an inspiration – which aspects do you feel have particularly shaped Popstahl in terms of function?

Ralf Weißheimer: His notion of the workshop, a place where dishes are created in an analog way, by hand. The books “The Kitchen is for Cooking” and “Analog and Digital” have also impacted on my view of the kitchen and things in general.

What makes the wine concept store “Tipsy” by Anton Schmaus in Regensburg so special, and why were you happy to be part of the project?

Ralf Weißheimer: Color meets wine – I thought that would have to be amusing. And it was! The interior design by my colleagues at Pure Gruppe lets you dive into a different world. The color scheme is a firework for the eyes. And Anton Schmaus and his team then also provide the guests with culinary delights. The collaboration with Anton was and continues to be very pleasant and professional.

Who do you really want to build a kitchen for in the future?

Ralf Weißheimer: For Nils Holger Moormann, for his own home. After a first meeting and sketches we lost sight of the project during the pandemic. And I’d like to build a kitchen for the Carl-von-Stahl building, a beautifully located Alpenverein cabin up at an altitude of 1,736 meters on the Austrian side of the Berchtesgaden Alps.