HOUSE
Gabriele Chiave created his dream abode in Amsterdam, full of open spaces and mementos from decades of travel.
Gabriele Chiave loves an open space where all the living happens. When the chance arose to create his dream abode in Amsterdam, he jumped at the chance, filling it with dazzling objects he has acquired from 25 years of travel, as well as his own visions and inspirations.
Acosmopolitan at heart, Gabriele Chiave’s roots are spread out all over the world: France, Africa, South Africa, Rome and Milan. He recently settled in the Dutch capital and accepted the position of creative director at Marcel Wanders. His current home reflects who he is as a person: “An open space where all the living happens, that’s what I love.” In Milan he lived in a loft, but finding something similar in Amsterdam was no simple task. He’d almost given up on finding an inspiring home, when a good friend told him about a loft by architect Marc Koehler on the edge of town. Chiave accepted the challenge. “Purchasing a concrete shell loft and designing your own space is an exceptional opportunity for someone like me.”
After his purchase, Chiave had to decide on all the electrical outlets, which he took as the right time to create a sound interior design. He asked Magdalena Strak to collaborate with him. “We created a large open space surrounded by a loft. This promoted flow and an awareness of the whole space at all times. By creating height in the middle, the light can come in from every angle.” Around the large open area, nicknamed ‘the piazza’, are the kitchen, lounge and master bedroom. He separated the sleeping and studio spaces from the living space in his design. The bedroom upstairs is located away from the windows, while the studio is at the front to catch the light.
The kitchen is downstairs. He reads his paper in the lounge near the windows. The stairs with storage underneath and the powder room are hidden behind the kitchen.
Chiave, whose day-to-day life is dictated by a stacked calendar, makes sure to guard some of his time for his personal life, which plays out mostly at home in his loft. The kitchen is his kingdom: that’s where he feels most relaxed. The layout of his home is tuned in on this; as soon as you enter the home, you’re in the kitchen. This is where he makes coffee or pours himself a glass of wine. His iPad is always within reach. Sometimes he calls his parents in Italy while cooking a meal. The design of the home is an extension of his personality, but is also a space he loves sharing with others.
In his loft, he can showcase the collection of objects he has acquired over the past 25 years: “I still love diversity in my interior.” He mixed his grandmother’s cupboard from the ’sixties with a Driade cabinet. “I also have Moooi pieces, because I love contrast and polarity.” Because of his knowledge of many cultures, Chiave is able to experience the different facets of art and design. “I enjoy a classical and techno concert equally. That’s Gabriele Chiave,” he says.
His art collection from South Africa and South America is stunning. His friend Daniele Innamorato’s art takes up some of the large wall space.
If his life takes a different turn in the future, the loft can tailor to his needs. The steel and glass facade of the
“I HAVE A LOT OF MOOOI IN MY HOME.” GABRIELE CHIAVE
master bedroom can be extended into the studio, so this, too, becomes an enclosed space, separated from the piazza. For now, he’s keeping all the spaces open. And he’s also in keeping with the Wanders-influenced look and feel. He is, after all, a designer with access to pieces from Moooi, Flos and Poliform. “I have a lot of Moooi in my home. But my opinion is a home represents the person or persons in it. Without me being physically here, you can still detect my taste, my style and personality in the interior design. For example, my record collection, trumpet and music corner is an easy giveaway for the fact I love music.”