Windows To The World: With Amsterdam’s attractions in full view, this masterful apartment reflects a quiet modern beauty

A beautiful home in Amsterdam, the charming capital of the Netherlands renowned for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene and breathtaking architecture, has been designed as a reflection of its surroundings. Nestled in a grand building at a prime location overlooking the bustling wharf on one side and the old town on the other, this expansive apartment is a haven of elegance and refinement. The interiors embrace Dutch vernacular design and modern aesthetics in a way that is both harmonious and outstanding.

The designers at Studio Piet Boon devised a logical and functional plan for the home that offers plenty of room for not just living but work and play, with an evident emphasis on the spaciousness of its 2,500 square feet, a luxury in the city. The décor is a masterclass in understated elegance, with a neutral colour palette, clean lines and an emphasis on natural light.

As you step inside the apartment, you are immediately struck by the sleek modernism that pervades every aspect of the living space. The entrance welcomes you with a majestic floral vase on a centre table surrounded by contemporary artwork. Spotlights trained on the painting and a central pendant light give the feeling of entering an art gallery instead of a home. This expansive gallery hall affords a clear separation between quarters for living and sleeping.

The capacious open-plan living area is flooded with natural light, pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows to create a feeling of bright airiness that is nothing short of breathtaking. The palette of the walls and upholstery is kept rather monotone, allowing the colour-rich artwork to pop out by contrast. The owners boast a large art collection that can be spied on almost every wall and encompasses an eclectic mix of abstract work, figure drawing, silhouettes and sculptures, hinting at their diverse tastes.

Connecting doors from the hall are crafted from glass to encourage the entry of optimum light for an open and congenial living experience. As the banks of windows stretch right across the hall and living area, views of the cityscape are mesmerising. The colour story in the main lounge is shades of grey, giving the space a restful solemnity.

At one end, facing a TV wall, a large leather sectional sofa sits on a plush grey carpet, with two grey cube-shaped minimalist coffee tables placed in the middle like enormous dice. On the other side, facing the windows, two commodious recliners are paired with a large wooden coffee table formed of two overlapping discs, allowing for moments of contemplation while enjoying morning coffee.

The windows extend into a bright kitchen, where cooking is a delight set against the city vista. The area is dominated by a dappled-marble central island equipped with a smart cooking hob, while its functionality is enhanced by an enclosed pantry and ample storage space within the minimal lines of cabinets above the sink.

Positioning the dining area on the other side of the kitchen island makes food service a breeze at dinner parties. A long grey rectangular dining table with plush chairs is highlighted by a beautiful abstract hanging light that sprouts a series of fish-bowl-like lamps – an attention-grabbing statement piece as guests sit down to dine.

Adjacent to the pantry is the entrance to the study. Like every area of the flat, this is a pleasingly spacious and minimally furnished space. The lack of visual clutter here serves to curtail potential distractions from work – though gorgeous views of the city and the water may easily grab the eye and occupy the mind. The adjoining balcony, set with a pair of casual chairs, is an enchanting spot to take a breather from a busy schedule and reflect on the tranquillity found in this wholesome, well-balanced home, even in the midst of a bustling metropolitan city.

The master bedroom is a serene retreat offering the perfect blend of comfort and style, with plush rugs and elegant artwork. Vertical hardwood panels flank the soft white headboard wall in a play of tones and textures. Spectacular clusters of pendant lights dangle low from the ceiling on both sides of the bed. Matching the disparate designs of the living-room coffee tables, a rectangular side table appears on one side of bed and two round ones on the other; indeed, this interplay of contrasting shapes can be seen across the apartment.

The bedroom has been bestowed with a timeless residential-suite ambience, replete with all the imaginable luxuries. Hallways lead to a magnificent his and hers walk-in closet and a large bathroom, clad completely in natural stone, which benefits from a double shower and yet another astonishing view of Amsterdam.

Leading off the bedroom is a large balcony overlooking the IJ, Amsterdam’s iconic waterfront. Bedecked with a large comfy sofa and planters, it is an ideal space to drink in the night air over a nightcap or two before retiring ahead of another peaceful day ensconced in modern splendour above the restless city.

Photos: Studio Piet Boon

Amazing Amsterdam: The insiders’ guide to the never-dull Dutch capital

When it comes to the best places to live in the world, there are only five that appeal more than the Netherlands, particularly its capital Amsterdam. As that particular accolade bears the imprimatur of the United Nations (as detailed in the body’s 2018 World Happiness Report), that’s pretty much as official as you are going to get.

1. Amsterdam Guide

Anyone minded to uncover why the Netherlands has developed such never-leave-ability should start their investigation in Amsterdam, the national capital. Here, among the ‘Exhibit A’s’, are historic monuments, trendy hipster cafes, quaint canals, a world-class red light district and more museums than you explore in any one trip.

The city, itself, dates back to the late 13th century, when a dam-cum-bridge was built across the River Amstel to protect local inhabitants from the ever-present danger of flooding. The nearby settlement eventually became known as Amsterdam.

2. Relaxed neighbourhoods in Amsterdam

Although a relative youngster compared to such venerable Dutch cities as Rotterdam and Utrecht, Amsterdam soon flourished, quickly emerging as one of the region’s key commercial ports. Later, during the 17th century Dutch Golden Age, the city became an economic powerhouse, boosted by such innovations as the establishment of the world’s first stock market. 

Before long, it was seen as the world’s wealthiest city. Its affluence and influence only grew as its trading network extended across North America, Africa and Asia. Buoyed by the success of the semi-state-owned Dutch East India Company – now considered the world’s first transnational conglomerate – it then went on to annex both Sri Lanka and Indonesia. 

4. The canals in Amsterdam are a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Today, although such glories are long gone, the city remains as one with its waterways, once the commercial arteries that ferried the finest goods from across the world into its very heart. Its 165 canals and 1,281 bridges, in fact, all constitute parts of one of UNESCO’s most singular World Heritage Sites. 

Without a doubt, though, many of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions can be found very much on dry land and, more particularly, within the Museumplein (Museum Quarter), home to innumerable historical repositories of the very finest examples of Dutch historical and cultural artefacts.

5. Rijksmuseum

A good place to start would be the Big Three – the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk. Perhaps the biggest of these is the Rijksmuseum. Originally constructed 100km away in 1800 in The Hague, it settled into its current location in 1885. Within the imposing exterior architecture is a veritable treasure trove of works from many of the Dutch Old Masters, the majority of them created during the region’s Golden Age.

A total of 8,000 pieces are on display, including such celebrated pieces as The Night Watch (Rembrandt), The Milkmaid (Vermeer) and The Meagre Company (Hals). Discerning visitors tend to arrive early and head straight to the second-floor Gallery of Honour where most of these masterworks are to be found.

6. Van Gogh Museum

Almost directly adjacent to the Rijksmuseum is the Van Gogh Museum, an institution solely dedicated to the life and works of this magnificent Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. Opened in 1973, it boasts the world’s largest collection of the uni-lobed artist’s paintings and correspondence. For the most fulfilling experience, opt for the informative audio guide facility as you peruse your way across Van the Man’s finest works. 

For those intent on uncovering more contemporary cultural icons, look no further than the nearby Stedelijk. Boasting more than 90,000 of the 20th and 21st centuries’ artiest artefacts, virtually every significant cultural movement from modern times is represented here, including Pop Art, De Stijl and Neo-Impressionism, often by their very finest manifestations.

3. Amsterdam is a bicycle-friendly city

Further away, tucked in an unassuming canal-side construction is Anne Frank House, one of the city’s most chilling repositories of remembrance, It was here that Anne Frank, a 13-year-old Jewish girl, hid from the Nazi pogroms that blighted the city at the height of WWII before being caught and transported to the German concentration camps claimed her life. Her now-famous diary, which recorded her time in hiding, did survive and remains a powerful condemnation of the horrors of the time.

The original hidden annex where Anne and six others took sanctuary for two long years is now open to visitors. For many, it remains a place of pilgrimage and sombre reflection. Afterwards, should you have the appetite, drop by Pancakes Amsterdam next door and sample the Netherlands’ unique take on this classic breakfast offering. Or, for a spot of probably desperately-needed cheer, meander down the canal-hugging Prinsengracht for a spot of retail therapy.

7. Concertgebouw in Museumplein

If your quota of museum meanderings is yet to be wholly filled, there are still plenty more to choose from. Amsterdam, after all, boasts more than 75 different museums, dedicated to everything from houseboats to household pets. After that, you probably deserve a bit of a sit down and the opportunity to explore those intriguing aromas wafting from many of the city’s curiously full cafes. Enjoy.

Text: Tenzing Thondup
Images: AFP