Name: Dave & Pieter
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
We are Dave and Pieter. We live in Amsterdam with our Turkish ex-stray dog Lola. Our apartment is on the two top floors of an Amsterdam monument in the historical centre of the city. We bought it from a developer who restored and renovated the house and sold it turn key. We both have busy careers and didn't think we'd be up to renovating a place ourselves.
The main floor features a long and narrow living room with open kitchen and library nook. It was a bit of a puzzle working around the narrow space, but we managed by placing a love seat to separate the sitting area from the rest of the house.
Our style is best described as vintage chic or thrift store chic. Our furniture is a mix of bohemian, souvenirs from travels, IKEA, antiques, vintage and design. A LOT was found on the street, stuff we find walking our dog. Other items came from our childhood homes, thrift stores, second hand shops or trough online auction or market sites. We also have quite a few hand-me-downs from friends. Items enjoying a 2nd life here. When we moved in, it was the first place where our furniture 'met' after living in two different houses before. Dave's house was more modern, Pieter's more bohemian/classic/vintage.
Framed record sleeves, small antique prints, a massive painting done by an art school friend and art from the art library adorn the walls along with framed black and white pictures of members of the royal family of opera singers.
The result is a place we both love to spend time in. A big bonus of our apartment is the light. We are quite high so we have sun coming in the front in the morning, and in the back, by the French balcony, in the afternoon until sun down.
With two and a half flights of narrow stairs leading up to the apartment most of the furniture had to be hoisted in through the pulley outside the bedroom window on the 3rd floor. Other stuff came in through the living room window on the 2nd floor. Hardly anything fits through the narrow door downstairs.
We are inspired by French and English classical homes, bohemian design, movies, the 60's and American decorating.
We managed to create a comfortable and classy home without spending a lot of money. Our house is filled with memories and we love entertaining here.
Thanks Dave & Pieter!
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Nice finds, the highboard credenza is beautiful. I could only imagine the great finds in the thrift in Amsterdam.
Turkish stray pup wonderful would of liked to seen a close up.
A House Call in Amsterdam and the guys say "We are quite high so.."... classic. ;)
Where did you get the fruit bowl with windmill silhouettes? It's awesome.
Ooh, I want to see the outside of the place, too.
very nice..good to see people use 2nd hand thrift finds instead of buying ugly new "high end" furniture...
The first and fourth pics are great, love them!
That bowl....my god!!!! I need that bowl!!!!!!!
Hi guys, thanks! The bowl is actually available at one of my clients webshop with Dutch souvenirs with a design twist. They're called Thinkingofholland.com.
The chairs belonged to my partner's grandfather's cousin. (you still with me?)
And lol @ Lamina about 'high' ;-)
Our house can also be found here http://homevoyeurs.com/2009/02/05/see-how-i-live-check-my-own-home/ but mind you, this was when we first moved in. It looks a lot better now.
Oh, and I hope me mentioning two sites won´t get me blocked? Just realised it can be considered spam?
First of all, I lOVE your apartment. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures! I will be in Amsterdam for the first time at the end of August. I have an antique shop in a tourist town in the mountains just north of Atlanta, Georgia. I am dying to find out where I can find bargains. I have heard (but I don't know if it is true) that you are not allowed to have yard sales in Amsterdam; that people simply abandon items on the street. I am looking for thrift stores that have vintage china, jewelry, pottery, dough bowls, and anything else that is interesting.
Hi Peter! I love your home. My name is Callie Zanandrie. I’m a Producer for HGTV’s new international design series. I came across your website and thought you might be interested in applying for a brand new show on HGTV.
HGTV’s new international design series is looking for four homeowners who have moved to Amsterdam and have turned their house into a home. The show will focus on exploring the overall design of the home as well as the lifestyle and culture of the city. In each episode, the host will explore four homes looking for great design ideas and highlighting the value-added elements within each space. From interior design to the lifestyle and culture of the area, the homeowners will give viewers a first hand look of what it’s like to live overseas.
We’re looking for American Expats as well as second homeowners who have a stunning space, an outgoing personality and who want to share their new life with their friends and neighbors back in the States.
This is a great opportunity! Also, if you think of any other organizations, businesses or people that could help me get the word out I would greatly appreciate your help.
Kindest Regards,
Callie Zanandrie