apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Yay, I am glad to see our first non US entry. A very cool apartment, and I love how much character those wooden floors have.

When you say it is a renovated old school building, does that mean it actually once was a school. Or is that just saying its "old school"?

its nice to see something that looks lived in but put together and not over staged. i LOVE the dandilion picture above the bed!

55 (meters squared) = 592.015073 square feet

I think the hyphenated "school-building" indicates that it's an antiquated school-building, as opposed to an old-school building.

By the way - to convert m^2 to sq. ft, you multiply the size in m^2 by 3.28^2 (or 10.7584). So this one is 55 x 10.7584 = 592 sq. ft. Interesting - that's the exact same size as my place, which is in an old factory-building.

I've seen some european design books that purport to convert m^2 to sq. ft. by simply multiplying by the number of feet in a metre (3.28) - but that's totally wrong.

is it just me or does the floor plan sketch bear no resemblance to the photos?

I'd love to see a photo of the glass display case that is the coolest element. Also, what is the wall covering behind the dining room table. It was a bold (and successful) choice to go with such a big pattern, and I think it works well with the large hanging lights.

Can I ask where the gigantic dandelion picture came from??

I second AndyJohnson's observation...

I really like the patterned wall next to the dining area and the large photograph by the bed.

"I second AndyJohnson's observation..."

Third.. hmmmm something isn't right.

Perhaps the floor plan is an older version of a furniture layout. But yes, it should have been updated to accurately portray the (lovely, sunny) space.

Really cool wallpaper and dandelion picture. We've been planning on putting the same chandelier in our bedroom as well (Dutch by Design?).

I think I get it - the bed is actually turned 90 degrees from what the plan shows, and the sofa is actually parrallel with the kitchen and facing the windows, which means the table is where the sofa is drawn on the plan....

But regardless, the space looks really nice. Excellent artwork on the walls.

re: sketch...

was made by heart before i moved in. there appeared to be two bedroom windows, and furniture ended up in different places in the end.

Regarding photos/floorplan...quite astute observation but...

Is it possible that the dandelion-backdrop is a screen where the door opening is (in the floor plan)?

The floorplan doesn't have the bedroom windows drawn in, either.

The furniture placement in the LR is different from the drawing, too. But it does still work...sorta. I think people maybe draw things differently than how reality actually might be...

Yeah for tiny Rotterdam apartments! Like the wallpaper and artwork.

wow, really beautiful!

i saw the pictures before reading anything and i thought to myself, "this looks very european." :)

loving the unexpected bursts of color.

I would LOVE to live in this space...

More dandelion love.

Technically, wouldn't you be in the West Coast (of Europe)? I like your place. Clean, simple, yet very livable. Cozy.

I loveLoveLOVE the kitchen and glass cube storage (partially seen behind the couch)! I wish that had been better represented here. :( (As seen in a previous 'flickr find' recognition post.)

I love the overall feel of Aad's space and his usage of color. Great built-ins doubling as seating, nice natural light and simple drum shades above the table. I love how everything came together after being thrifted --while some pieces you can tell are more expensive, it almost proves that you don't have to have TONS of money to have an amazing space.

Looks very cozy!

Additionally, now that I'm really looking at the space, I love how the focuses of the rooms aren't on TVs or computers, but on the natural views. I feel like every space is meant for practicality and good conversation. I'd love to read a book lying on that couch or have a meal and a great bottle of wine at that table.

I really dig the nurse artwork for some reason. And the window bench. Jealous!

Is is just me or does the "To Contest Page and All Entries" not take you to any of the entries?

I don't think that three photos will be enough to judge in this contest. I want to see the famous cubic kitchen storage.


This is lovely; a simple, clean background punctuated by those great oversized graphic elements (the dandelion and the beautiful wallpaper).

Cassis--

Three photos definitely wont be enough!

I don't know if it's 'legal' to link to other photos, but like I said in an earlier comment, Aad's space was featured in a 'flickr find' post that can be found under "Silly Narziss". (I'll be fair and not directly link, but I do suggest that you look at the rest of his space --not in context of the contest.)

It was hard to only show three photos of my space. It is so small (293 sq ft) that it's hard to get back far enough to capture the whole space.

...and what is up with AT LA: please post entries!

I'm so sad that you're moving from this space in 3 months! Yipes! I think I'd have to be heavily sedated to be dragged out of that place.

I agree there should be a few more pictures but this space is great. I love the layout and how you've made it appear much larger. I think the painted wood floors help in making this place seem much larger.

I really like the dining area. The wallpaper, the lights, the table, all perfect. Thanks for sharing with us.

answering a few questions:

-nurse by christian junghanns (neopop.de)
-wooden floors were put in by myself
-dandelion is photo wallpaper by eijffinger.nl
-as is the lis-de-france wallpaper
-window bench was homemade storage/sitting solution
-and sorry, i never realized the floorplans would be posted too, else i would have drawn a very new one.


:) aad

more props for the 'wall decor'!!!

LOVE the nurse painting, the amazing light (you are so lucky!) and the built in storage window seat - that is genius and the scale of it in that space looks perfect. Thanks for sharing Rotterdam!

becky

That dining room looks very familiar, but not sure from where.

The wallpaper in the dining room is so amazing! I would never think to mix white walls, silver-ish chairs and an oak table like that but it's great. Inspiring space. If only I could get rid of all my stuff and have that kind of serentiy in the home.

my parents had those same chairs when i was a kid! i know they're not uncommon, but if i could find another set knowing what they could look like based on your wonderful re-finish, i would snap them up!

my fav so far!

While I don't like every single detail, I like to overall feel. The hanging lamps over the table are great.

Missing the photo of the coolest element

HEY! We live in Bergen op Zoom! Dag! I love it, very Dutch but still with a uniqueness thats gorgeous. Heel mooi!

love, love (I have a simliar wallpaper). What is your tv sitting on?

I really love this place, particularly the art. However, I am biased because I have seen it so many times before. I am amazed at how this place has not changed at all from previous submissions. Perhaps its just the same pics being used over and over.

My own place changes all the time as my mood changes. I would find this place much more interesting if I could see how it evolves over time.

The dandelion pic makes me want to sneeze! (But I love it.) Also love the wallpaper, and how the whole dining area is put together.

I love your apartment. It's beautiful! - sunny, bright, cheerful and clean with character. I'm wondering were the dressers in your bedroom are from? Thank you.

Wat leuk! Ik vind het mooi zo mooi. Welke buurt zit het in Rotterdam?

I've probably said it before, but I completely love your place! I still have your post in the Livejournal saucydwellings community saved and I look to it for inspiration all the time.

I too love this place and wish there were more pictures.

Aad and AnnaPDX, would you let us know where we can see more of this?

I remember seeing this before and still love it. I particularly like the bed being on the floor and the huge painting above with the image and colors, the surrounding white, and the beautiful surpise of a chandelier.


I find this much more appealing and real than an obviously overly expensive renovation.

Very charming and I'd enjoy living in this space.

sorry to those asking for more pics, i think posting links here would be a way of circumventing the 3-pics-only contest rules.


:) aad

Wow, what a cool, relaxing, comfortable space. I love the floor, love the storage/window seats, love the dining room with that wallpaper, the color scheme, the light, even the nurse!

more questions answered:

- rotterdam: historic delfshaven
- drawers in the bedroom by ikea
- tv stand: old sil print wooden case on wheels
- rental place

:)

Love it! Great use of the space; cool and modern with a bit of levity...somehow more interesting than most American spaces.

I was going to say, this place looks exactly like the city flat my husband had before relocating to the states - he's from Hannover, Germany. It's the exact layout, size, almost the same aesthetic. Only my husband had these floor to ceiling bright orange drapes in a mostly white room.

Anyway, I love it -- I mean, it's just such an amazing space (bones) first of all, but then what you've added to it only enhances it's features. I really like the wallpaper in the dining room, it's very dramatic and unexpected, especially the pattern you've selected.

And I am so excited to see a Dutch apartment in this contest. Yeah!

Holly

Nice use of space, and more overall, art. Seems there could be so much more color to liven it up.

love this space! the light and colors- love the gray- and the punch of color in the bedroom. i love how the minumum color scheme allows the outside to add its own element. very no fuss- cool modern w/o being slammed over the head with it. understated and beautiful, and lived in.

One of my favourites. A warm, inviting space, while still feeling clean and spare.

loverly home. beautiful art. thanks for the inspiration.

Fantastic place, congratulations. It's the closest I've seen on here to mine, or should I say, what I would be thrilled mine turned out like once I finish. Cozy, stylish, unique. What else can you ask for?

Kate, I also got an allergic reaction to the dandelion picture.

Fancy dining room wallpaper seems a bit too dark for the more casual, light-colored furniture.

Bed looks very comfty, though.