Capture the golden hour

Tucked within the eaves of an historic canalside townhouse in Amsterdam, this redesigned home is inspired by the warm light of cosy early evenings

How Amsterdam’s early evening light inspired the interior scheme of a cosy canalside loft

Every new assignment for Nicemakers begins with freedom of thought and inspiration, which could be a story or just a mood,’ explains Dax Roll, one half of the interior design partnership, which he founded with his partner Joyce Urbanus 10 years ago. Together, they are drawn to working on properties that have a tale to tell. And this property, referred to within Amsterdam’s ancient city archives as ‘Oranjeappel’, has just that. Built in 1615 as a grand family home, the mansion-like property later became an orphanage run by the Amsterdam Baptist Church. Over the following centuries, its traditional Dutch renaissance façade, with its charming stepped gable, has welcomed many inhabitants, the most recent of which is a friend of Dax who works in the fashion business. After buying the top two floors, tucked beneath the building’s impressive eaves, she knew the perfect person to begin the apartment’s next chapter.

‘She contacted me via Facebook,’ recalls Dax. ‘Her message read, “I haven’t seen you for a while and then suddenly I see you designing the most fantastic interiors. How about mine?”’ Of course, he and Joyce were on board, but they had one request: ‘We both wanted to see the space completely empty,’ says Joyce. ‘Only then can you experience the power of those beams and that striking roof construction.’

Their first decision was to select light wooden flooring, painted a misty grey, that would mimic the white ceiling and make the oak joists appear less dominant. ‘The roof was characteristic enough, so we didn’t feel the need to add too many colours or materials,’ continues Joyce. The unusual dimensions of the space did require

a bespoke approach, though. ‘Joyce and I puzzled over the new layout,’ adds Dax. A new kitchen was slotted into place and a staircase built to access the mezzaninelevel home office and guest bedrooms. Few walls in this home are large enough to hang substantial artworks, so a custom-made bookcase behind the living area acts as an ever-changing gallery of souvenirs and memories. The only pieces that the homeowner kept from her previous property are the industrial stage light and weathered leather armchair in the living area. This home demanded a new take.

‘It was important for Dax and I to experience the apartment at different times of the day,’ says Joyce. ‘We were sensing the atmosphere. Where are the beautiful sight lines and how does the sunlight come in?’ For them, this project was as much about creating a feeling as defining a space.

‘We actually designed the interior specifically for 5pm, the time when our client often returns home,’ explains Dax. ‘That’s why the aim was always to focus on warmth and cosiness. We wanted it to become a kind of shelter for her.’ And a shelter is more than walls and a roof. Here, it’s about that moment of relaxation and peace as the fading light of the day lends everything a gentle golden glow. nicemakers.com

‘ The roof was cha racter i s t ic enoug h , so we d id n’t feel t he need to add too many colou rs or materia l s’

‘The aim was always to focus on warmth and cosiness. We wanted the interior to become a kind of shelter for the owner’

Exterior Once an orphanage, this grand canalside property is typical of the Dutch renaissance style of architecture Living area A ‘Sweder’ modular sofa from Dutch brand Interiors DMF defines this large space, with its double-height ceiling and oak beams. The mirror above the fireplace is a vintage piece picked up in New York and the artwork is from Stichting Onterfd Goed, an Eindhoven-based art resource. The leather armchair and industrial lamp are the only two pieces the homeowner brought here from her previous property and all the tables are vintage finds. Pulling the space together is a custom-made rug by Perletta

Living area The second of a matching pair of ‘Sweder’ sofas from Interiors DMF sits in front of a bespoke oak bookshelf designed by Nicemakers. The coffee table and console behind the sofa are both antique finds. On the wall hangs a vast wooden wheel, once used to haul belongings into the upper mezzanine level, which was at one time a storage area for the whole building Dining area A custom-made oak table with grass detailing takes inspiration from the beams above. The chairs are from Project99, a Dutch company that upcycles salvaged seats, while the light is a ‘Molecular’ pendant by House Doctor

Kitchen Designed by Amsterdam-based brand Eginstill in collaboration with Nicemakers, this space features a steel splashback and cabinets, with the material chosen for its durability and ease of recycling. The tap is by Quooker and the shelves were also created especially for this home by Eginstill. The metal bar stools are by Nicemakers Study Situated on the mezzanine level, this cosy home office is full of vintage finds, like the industrial-style table lamp. The white sofa is the ‘Nelson’ from Sofacompany and the tripod lamp was bought on a trip to Lisbon – for similar try the ‘Baxter’ from Heal’s

Bathroom Located just off the bedroom, this space features a bespoke copper vanity unit installed by the previous owner that suits this home’s natural colour scheme. The two rustic wooden stools were bought at one of Amsterdam’s markets Bedroom Act of Decadence, 2008, by Dutch artist Emilio Kruithof hangs on the wall above a bed from Auping. The copper standing mirror and three industrial-style chairs are all local vintage finds See Stockists page for details