A 484-Square-Foot Amsterdam Apartment Has a Corner that Goes from WFH to DIY Spot
Name: Busra Ilsek and partner, Pieter Vercruysse
Location: Amsterdam
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 484 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, renting
Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox
Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I am a copywriter, and my boyfriend, Pieter, is a photographer. He likes to hang photos on the walls as much as I enjoy showcasing my book collection; that’s why we agreed to stick to minimalism in our home. Our home is in the city center of Amsterdam, and it’s a roughly 45-square-meter one-bedroom apartment with a beautiful canal view.
Me (Turkish) and my boyfriend (Belgian) come from very different backgrounds and cultures which show up in our styles and our home as well. But there is one thing we certainly agree on: No shoes in the house. We are ’90s kids. And you can tell that from the Pokemon cards and Rubik’s cubes we use to decorate our home.
A very obvious thing about me is that I love DIY projects. After not being able to find a carpet that fits our eclectic home, I decided to roll up my sleeves and make a custom rug myself. The small workstation located in our bedroom acts as Pieter’s WFH setup during the day and my DIY table at night. I like that we don’t have a TV. We make the most of the high ceiling and white walls by using a projector, which is the best for having movie nights or watching Apartment Therapy on YouTube in its full glory.
What is your favorite room and why? It’s obviously the living room/kitchen. We have a lovely east-facing window that brings lots of sunshine in. Waving at the boats passing by, watching the ducklings swim away, or simply having a long brunch in front of the window are instant mood boosters.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Playful, functional, kitsch, organic modern.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last item I purchased is the Gadhouse Brad Retro Vinyl Record Player in blue.
Any advice for creating a home you love? DIY when possible, get inspired but never copy, and most importantly fill your home with stuff that makes you genuinely happy no matter what the brand or the price tag is.
This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form