My Houzz: Creative Living in a Tiny Amsterdam Apartment
A stylish couple have mixed vintage finds, worldly treasures, industrial pieces to create a cosy and eclectic home
Holly Marder
5 July 2014
Although this Amsterdam rented home already had plenty of character, interior designer Rosa van den Kerkhof and Dirk van den Wijngaard turned it into a cosy home that oozes with personality. A combination of vintage pieces, new industrial furniture and cultural treasures mixed in from their world travels gives this small, light-filled home a playful and eclectic look.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Rosa van den Kerkhof and Dirk van den Wijngaard
Location Amsterdam
Size 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Rosa van den Kerkhof and Dirk van den Wijngaard
Location Amsterdam
Size 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Van den Kerkhof lived in the apartment upstairs for almost six years before this one became available. The wooden floors and the apartment’s charming original features, including the marble fireplace surround and high ceilings, instantly attracted the couple. ‘There was also central heating!’ she laughs. ‘If you’ve ever spent a winter in a high-ceilinged, drafty old apartment in the Netherlands, you’ll know that’s an instant selling point.’
The founder of her own interior design business, Studio Nest, van den Kerkhof loves to mix several design styles. ‘An interior is an extension of your personality,’ she says. ‘I think it’s boring to stick with just one style.’
This cognac leather armchair was a lucky find on the Dutch secondhand site Marktplaats. Piles of magazines within arm’s reach and a large pouf turns the previously empty space between the dining and living rooms into a comfortable reading nook.
See more footstool ideas
This cognac leather armchair was a lucky find on the Dutch secondhand site Marktplaats. Piles of magazines within arm’s reach and a large pouf turns the previously empty space between the dining and living rooms into a comfortable reading nook.
See more footstool ideas
In the living room, the couple paired a contemporary charcoal grey sofa with a vintage chair, graphic black and white rug, and an array of textured cushions.
Van den Kerkhof originally studied theatre design until she realised it wasn’t the right fit. The correlation between theatre and home design led her to the world of interiors. ‘When you design theatere, you are translating a story into scenery, so it is quite similar to designing an interior, except that it’s a more concrete and lasting form of design,’ she says.
Van den Kerkhof originally studied theatre design until she realised it wasn’t the right fit. The correlation between theatre and home design led her to the world of interiors. ‘When you design theatere, you are translating a story into scenery, so it is quite similar to designing an interior, except that it’s a more concrete and lasting form of design,’ she says.
‘I like things that are used, that have a story in them,’ van den Kerkhof says. ‘I feel it enhances the look and feel of a space.’
This cream vintage leather chair was her first vintage purchase, and, to this day, it is one of her favorite pieces.
Rug: Ikea
Browse geometric designs
This cream vintage leather chair was her first vintage purchase, and, to this day, it is one of her favorite pieces.
Rug: Ikea
Browse geometric designs
“Working in the interior design industry has definitely influenced my style,” van den Kerkhof says. During her interior styling studies, she worked at Baden Baden, the former showroom of the iconic Dutch designer Piet Boon, whose style combines modern elements with sustainable materials. ‘I learned a lot about styling from my colleagues and was highly influenced by Piet Boon’s symmetrical style. I have since tried to let go of that a bit in order to create my own style.’
The Moroccan tray table is a gift from her father, who has traveled extensively around the world.
The Moroccan tray table is a gift from her father, who has traveled extensively around the world.
This collector’s item vintage armchair is another piece given to van den Kerkhof from her father. When he was young, he accidentally painted it without realising its worth. It is one of her favourite pieces - here, she’s paired it with an inexpensive vintage stool that she re-covered.
The couple’s most recent purchase is their Foscarini Diesel Fork floor lamp, which adds a touch of utilitarian chic to the room while adhering to contemporary lines.
Shelving unit: Expedit, Ikea
The couple’s most recent purchase is their Foscarini Diesel Fork floor lamp, which adds a touch of utilitarian chic to the room while adhering to contemporary lines.
Shelving unit: Expedit, Ikea
Van den Kerkhof gave an antique French cabinet a new lease on life with charcoal grey paint and some new handles from Zara Home. The piece now provides practical storage for the couple’s TV.
The apartment sports a warm colour scheme of black, grey and neutral tones, with the exception of a few well-placed bursts of colour. ‘I love grey combined with wood for a warm look,’ she says.
The apartment sports a warm colour scheme of black, grey and neutral tones, with the exception of a few well-placed bursts of colour. ‘I love grey combined with wood for a warm look,’ she says.
A low console is home to books, music, art, drinks and another one of the couple’s favourite items - a funky lamp that van den Kerkhof purchased while working at Baden Baden.
Above the console, a gallery display features framed artworks by South African artist Marlene Dumas, a Matisse print, an Etsy art print and works from a collection of art called ‘Vita Brevis Ars Longa’ (translated: Art Is Long, Life Is Short). Van den Kerkhof painted the dog picture when she was 15.
Above the console, a gallery display features framed artworks by South African artist Marlene Dumas, a Matisse print, an Etsy art print and works from a collection of art called ‘Vita Brevis Ars Longa’ (translated: Art Is Long, Life Is Short). Van den Kerkhof painted the dog picture when she was 15.
Although the apartment doesn’t offer much in the way of storage or space, the couple love their home for its authenticity and original detailing.
In the dining area, bright tangerine lamps draw the eye up, toward the high ceilings, and emphasise the gorgeous original sash windows with stained-glass detailing.
Pendants: Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen
In the dining area, bright tangerine lamps draw the eye up, toward the high ceilings, and emphasise the gorgeous original sash windows with stained-glass detailing.
Pendants: Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen
Van den Kerkhof has carved out a tiny workspace in the corner of the apartment, which is where she does all of her design work and meets with clients.
The desk chair was found abandoned on the side of the street near a rubbish bin. ‘It was dirty and old, and it has a paint mark on it. Most people would say it’s trash, but I love it!’
Drawer unit: Alex, Ikea
The desk chair was found abandoned on the side of the street near a rubbish bin. ‘It was dirty and old, and it has a paint mark on it. Most people would say it’s trash, but I love it!’
Drawer unit: Alex, Ikea
This treasured sideboard spent most of its life in van den Kerkhof’s parents’ living room. When she went off to study, the cabinet went with her. Having undergone a few facelifts, from white to deep red, its new pale grey hue and new handles make the perfect addition to the dining room.
On top of the vintage sideboard, a wooden tray is used as a base for a vase, a small book bought during a weekend in Paris, brushes and pencils used during her studies, and a stone her father gave her when she was young. A candlestick from Ikea gives the arrangement height.
On top of the vintage sideboard, a wooden tray is used as a base for a vase, a small book bought during a weekend in Paris, brushes and pencils used during her studies, and a stone her father gave her when she was young. A candlestick from Ikea gives the arrangement height.
Renting can be a limiting design factor, so the couple made the kitchen their own by accessorising it with practical and pretty items. Wood cutting boards provide a soft accent against the kitchen’s white tiled walls.
A single shelf holds a collection of decorative blue and white china bowls, crisp white kitchen accessories and some of their favourite cookbooks.
A single shelf holds a collection of decorative blue and white china bowls, crisp white kitchen accessories and some of their favourite cookbooks.
A silver Moroccan sugar pot and cup are part of a set given to van den Kerkhof by her father. The matching tray table is in the living room. When her father was young, he worked on a boat and traveled a lot, collecting bits and pieces along the way. Van den Kerkhof pairs these treasures with practical utensil storage beside the stove in the kitchen.
Floor to ceiling curtains in a soft latte colour accentuate the bedroom’s high ceilings. Crisp white bedding is a soothing backdrop for a contrasting black pendant lamp.
Outdoor space comes with a hefty price tag in this part of the world, so the pair was pleased to have this balcony to enjoy warm weather.
A comfortable sofa on the balcony overlooks the charming Dutch style architecture for which Amsterdam is famous.
‘The area we live in is really lovely, with lots of cafes and shops, and a food market on Saturdays,’ van den Kerkhof says.
Do you like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
‘The area we live in is really lovely, with lots of cafes and shops, and a food market on Saturdays,’ van den Kerkhof says.
Do you like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
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Yes it is very nice, a bit cluttered and making housework difficult, maybe not so dusty living high up. I really love the sideboards, I have seen a lot in the past and they are all different, mainly old and wooden.