A compact city home shaped by restraint
Located near Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, this pied-à-terre was designed as a contemporary urban counterpart to the owners' country residence. The brief was to create a compact city home that balanced sophistication with warmth, offering a calm retreat while remaining perfectly suited to everyday living and entertaining.
The apartment occupies a contemporary building characterised by its gently curved architecture. Rather than introducing a contrasting interior language, the design embraces these architectural forms through rounded detailing, carefully composed sightlines and a restrained material palette. The result is an interior that feels intrinsically connected to the building itself.
One of the project's defining challenges was a long, low recess in the living room, created by the roofline of the neighbouring building. Although it contributed to the apartment's floor area, its unusual proportions limited conventional use. Instead of concealing this condition, the recess was transformed into a sculptural architectural feature behind the seating area. Integrated lighting, bespoke planting and softly curved finishes turn an awkward constraint into a calm focal point that enriches the living space.
The same design approach continues throughout the apartment. Low bespoke cabinetry and a wine storage area were carefully integrated beneath restricted ceiling heights, while travertine surfaces visually extend the architecture and add warmth and permanence. Initially hesitant about natural stone, the clients ultimately embraced its subtle texture and timeless character, making it one of the defining materials of the project.
Comfort extends beyond what is immediately visible. Acoustic treatments are discreetly integrated throughout the apartment, creating a quieter living environment despite the generous open-plan spaces. Bespoke wall textiles, bronze-tinted mirrored surfaces, Viabizzuno lighting and Salvatori stone detailing further reinforce the restrained architectural language without overwhelming the interior.
De Hooch Pied-à-Terre demonstrates how careful spatial planning, refined materiality and meticulous detailing can transform a compact urban residence into a timeless home where architecture, comfort and craftsmanship exist in quiet balance.
Natural materials and subdued colors create a calm atmosphere. “When you enter, you leave the city’s frenzy behind. Although much is happening, nothing demands attention,” says Robert Kolenik. High-end materials like natural stone and solid oak add tactile emotions. Amid this serenity, design elements like the Via Bizunno lighting fixture in the dining area, luxury wall textile by DWC, and Salvatori marble in the wet areas stand out.
Bronze-tinted mirrored doors separate the living and dining areas, maintaining a sense of connection. The fireplace hides a workstation, integrated television, and custom cabinet with LED lighting. A unique feature is a 1.50 meters tall, 1.20 meters deep recess in the living room wall, transformed into a poetic green space through technological innovation. This apartment blends nature and urban living with a distinctive Manhattan vibe.
In this pied-à-terre, New York meets Amsterdam,
adorned with the beguiling beauty of mother nature.
