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Investment

2015

Black Brick Fireplace

Designation: Meant for rent
Location: Amsterdam
Rooms: 1 + 3
Measurement: 80 sq meters

This was the first designing project that I worked on here in The Netherlands, an apartment meant for investment purposes. The owner's key request was to redesign an apartment that would be suitable for rent and would include two separate bedrooms.

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"Zwia, tell us about the primary intention of this project. "

This was the first designing project that I worked on here in The Netherlands, an apartment meant for investment purposes.
The owner's key request was to redesign an apartment that would be suitable for rent and would include two separate bedrooms. Before the property was rented, there was a period of time when the family lived there too.

"Was there a significant renovation process before the redesigning?"

We made some renovation here - the floor was replaced, the bathroom was newly painted and refurbished, and some old wallpapers went out. After this was done, we could proceed with some the home styling process.
Take this black brick fireplace for instance. We had two choices: we could either remove it or renovate it. The second option was chosen. The fireplace was painted black, a wooden plate was placed on top and a large mirror above - contributing to the atmosphere. So, no reconstruction, only repair, and an upgrade :)

"What other dominant changes were made?"

The black shelf unit in the living room, next to the white entrance door is one of them. It was previously a simple cupboard with a door. So, the door was taken out, and the cupboard's depth was reduced by 40 cm. Some shelves were added and long strips of led lights were attached behind each one. Also, we painted the entire shelf unit in black to look like the fireplace.

"That sounds like a very creative solution."

It is indeed, and that's the thing about designing - take what you already have and give it a different glance. Use what is already there in an innovative way.

"What do you especially love in this house?"

(Zwia laughs...) A lot, quite a lot... If you take a look at the pictures, you can quickly tell which was taken before and after the renovation.
I like the compact working space in one of the bedrooms which consists of just a table and a chair fitting right between the window and the closet. I like the caricature designed curtains in the other rooms, too, giving a youthful experience.
You can also notice the different night stands on either side of the bed in the master bedroom, each in its own style - to increase diversity and interest.
In this project, the owner was deeply involved with the process. Some of the photographs hanging on the walls are her own works of art, and I love them! It's an encouraging experience for me, working with an involved client who has a defined vision for the design.

"What else can you tell us about this project?"

The house was primarily designed keeping in mind the needs of separated parents, meaning that the kids stayed in the home, while the parents were the ones that swapped. Two separate bedrooms were in use for both parents, each in his/her own 'shift.' As time passed, the owner decided to rent out the house and the design fits both purposes well, I think.

"It indeed does, that Black Brick Fireplace house. Makes me want to move in there, taking a nap in this bed, beneath the white wood photo."

Thank you! I'm incredibly proud of this particular project. It's another excellent example of how minimal, sometimes even trivial adjustments, make such an expressive difference in your old-new home.

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