Houzz Tours
Netherlands
My Houzz: A Light and Open Amsterdam Home Perfect for Family Living
This Dutch home, with its light rooms and clever storage, is designed to suit a busy, growing family
Soon after journalist-writer Sanne Bloemink and Rutger Lambriex bought their 1920s Amsterdam town house, they had to move to New York City for a six-year work assignment. They rented out the house while they were gone, but since they planned to return to the Netherlands with their three kids after the assignment finished, they wanted to update the interior and make the house more family friendly.
For help, they turned to architect Pim van Oppenraaij of Studio Higgs, who worked with the pair long distance to reconfigure the layout, add a bathroom and introduce more light and colour, while choosing finishes that could withstand kids.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Sanne Bloemink, Rutger Lambriex and their children, Julian (9), Teuntje (6) and Merel (4)
Location Amsterdam
Architect Pim van Oppenraaij of Studio Higgs
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
For help, they turned to architect Pim van Oppenraaij of Studio Higgs, who worked with the pair long distance to reconfigure the layout, add a bathroom and introduce more light and colour, while choosing finishes that could withstand kids.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Sanne Bloemink, Rutger Lambriex and their children, Julian (9), Teuntje (6) and Merel (4)
Location Amsterdam
Architect Pim van Oppenraaij of Studio Higgs
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
One of architect van Oppenraaij’s goals was to create more light and space, while establishing connections between the home’s different levels using interior windows. The spacious open-plan living room and kitchen offer sight lines to three different areas. Light is injected into the space’s otherwise dark and moody middle through a large window that peeks into the hallway. The artwork is by Czech artist Daniel Pitin.
Check out these ideas for open-plan living
Check out these ideas for open-plan living
The couple was inspired by the Williamsburg kitchen, designed by Plain English in London. The kitchen island has built-in storage space, eliminating the need for cabinets above the worktops. The cabinets on the far wall stretch from floor to ceiling.
Wall paint: Parma Gray No. 27, Farrow & Ball; pendant lamp: Stoerelampen
Wall paint: Parma Gray No. 27, Farrow & Ball; pendant lamp: Stoerelampen
The glossy white piano is 6-year-old daughter Teuntje’s favourite spot. She loves to play as soon as she comes home from school.
There were multiple fireplaces in the living room, but the couple kept just one. They moved it from the middle of the room to a spot closer to the window, creating a cosy seating area.
Floor lamp: Tolomeo, Artemide; print above fireplace: Daniel Pitin
Floor lamp: Tolomeo, Artemide; print above fireplace: Daniel Pitin
Rug: Raw Materials; sofa: Room & Board; art: Premiär, Ikea
The two daughters, Teuntje and Merel, share a room. The bedroom used to be two separate spaces. Merel’s bed is placed against a wall that was formerly a built-in wardrobe. The wardrobe doors are now used in the main bedroom.
Paint: Pink Ground No. 202, Farrow & Ball; bookcase: Expedit, Ikea
Paint: Pink Ground No. 202, Farrow & Ball; bookcase: Expedit, Ikea
Teuntje sleeps on this side of the bedroom and has her own small play area. The nook was created by tearing down the wall that separated the original two rooms.
Basket: Hable Construction; coat tree: P’kolino
Basket: Hable Construction; coat tree: P’kolino
For space efficiency Teuntje has a loft bed with a desk underneath for crafting and doing homework.
Julian’s room was formerly a bathroom. During the makeover everything was removed and the space was transformed into his bedroom, with a loft bed to save space.
Wall paint: Stone Blue, Farrow & Ball
Wall paint: Stone Blue, Farrow & Ball
Bloemink also went with a blue hue for the walls in the master bedroom, using yellow as an accent colour to give the room a warm feel.
Pillows, curtains: Hema; bed: Room & Board; wall paint: Farrow & Ball
Pillows, curtains: Hema; bed: Room & Board; wall paint: Farrow & Ball
A vibrant turquoise dresser adds an extra jolt of colour. Above it are portraits of the three kids. The wardrobe doors were recycled from the daughters’ bedroom.
Dresser: Etsy; book stand: Sapien, Design Within Reach
Dresser: Etsy; book stand: Sapien, Design Within Reach
This bathroom was added during the renovation. The architect put it between the main bedroom and the girls’ room, taking space from both rooms, so the bathroom lacks a window. A walk-in shower is hidden behind the wall of shelves. The Portuguese floor tiles are from Design Tegels.
AFTER New stairs to the basement were installed and lined with a bookcase wall. The large collection of books was formerly kept in the basement, but the homeowners wanted to include them in the new design.
The kids love to sit at the bookcase wall with their friends and read.
Browse more ways to display your books
Browse more ways to display your books
To bring more light into the basement, the architect incorporated this window. When the kids read here, they are still visually connected with the living room.
To get more light into the basement home office, the owners inserted a narrow glass band in the floor of the room above. The glass is positioned in front of French doors, maximising the amount of light flowing downstairs.
See tips for illuminating a basement
See tips for illuminating a basement
This sofa is another popular reading spot for the kids.
Book stand: Sapien, Design Within Reach
Book stand: Sapien, Design Within Reach
There’s also a guest room in the basement, where crafts made by the kids add cheer to the space.
Liked this? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Liked this? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Curtains: Hema; wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball; children’s table and chairs: Design Within Reach (chairs are Series 7 Children’s Chairs); pendant lamp: Tolomeo INC Double Shade Suspension, Artemide; dining chairs: Bottega Side Chair in Off White, Design Within Reach; baskets: Hable Construction