Japanese minimalism meets chill California vibes in this chic Amsterdam home.
A converted Amsterdam garage brings together Japanese aesthetics and a casual California vibe.
VALÉRIE BOERMA AND BART VAN SEGGELEN, the pair behind Dutch design firm Barde + vanVoltt, are known for their effortlessly cool interiors, having worked on offices and homes around the world—from Los Angeles to Portugal. Their most recent feat? Transforming a converted garage in the middle of Amsterdam into their dream home. “It’s not typical; that’s what makes it so fun,” says Boerma of the property, which the couple bought two years ago after a long search. “All of the spaces overlap. There are no corridors or hallways. There weren’t too many places like [this one] that we could design entirely according to our own style. And suddenly we found this pearl.”
When decorating the house, Boerma and van Seggelen each channelled their own specific skill sets. “We really are a design duo,” says Boerma. “I work with clients a lot and [focus on] the use of space. Bart is a more intuitive, autonomous designer who can immediately see what suits a [room]. We work well together.”
They looked to both Japan and L.A.—where they’ve spent a lot of time, in particular, for work and because van Seggelen is an avid surfer—for inspiration. That can be seen clearly throughout the home, where there are surfboards propped up against the walls here and there. “I grew up surfing and skating,” says van Seggelen. “I get inspiration from that and from hip hop.” The latter is reflected in the models from KAWS (an American artist who has collaborated with musicians like Kanye West) and stylized bear figures by Bearbricks. “I choose ceramics and objects [for our home] because I like them,” says Boerma. “The accessories that Bart chooses represent a real passion. Although sometimes I have to say ‘Did you buy a doll again?’”
The Japanese influences, meanwhile, come through in the house’s clean lines and refined details. “The combination [of aesthetics] works well,” says van Seggelen. “L.A. is somewhat rawer. If an interior is completely Japanese inspired, you dare not sit anywhere. It’s [almost] too perfect.” Especially striking are the custom-made ceiling-high glass doors with wooden frames. The couple opted for wood because they wanted to combine a warmer material with the concrete flooring. “We like to design things that are not obvious,” says van Seggelen. “The furniture makers and builders we work with try to make anything possible.”
And just because their home has been carefully designed doesn’t mean that no fun is allowed. Their daughter loves to jump on the B&B Italia Tufty-Time sofa. The concrete floor also has its benefits. “I skateboard around the house every day while my daughter is on her scooter,” says van Seggelen. “We value beautiful interiors, but it must also be possible to live in them.”