This “Narrow, Empty Shell” Turned into the Loveliest Small Home of All Time

Written by

Adrienne Breaux
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne loves architecture, design, cats, science fiction, and watching "Star Trek." In the past 10 years she's called home: a van, a former downtown store in small town Texas, and a studio apartment rumored to have once been owned by Willie Nelson. She currently lives in her…read more
Leela Cyd
Leela Cyd
As a photographer, Leela is looking for the in-between moments, the details and the emotion of places, people or things. She spent over a decade as a stylist so her work is carefully constructed, layered with personality, but always has a feeling of freedom and joy. Growing up…read more
published Jun 14, 2024

This “Narrow, Empty Shell” Turned into the Loveliest Small Home of All Time

Written by

Adrienne Breaux
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne loves architecture, design, cats, science fiction, and watching "Star Trek." In the past 10 years she's called home: a van, a former downtown store in small town Texas, and a studio apartment rumored to have once been owned by Willie Nelson. She currently lives in her…read more
Leela Cyd
Leela Cyd
As a photographer, Leela is looking for the in-between moments, the details and the emotion of places, people or things. She spent over a decade as a stylist so her work is carefully constructed, layered with personality, but always has a feeling of freedom and joy. Growing up…read more
published Jun 14, 2024
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Bedrooms
Square feet

517

Sq ft

517

Marijn Kruikemeier and Liya Yang had a big task ahead of them when they bought this 517-square-foot flat in Amsterdam’s Jordaan area in 2020: The original floor plan of the space was lacking in rooms and walls!

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Credit: Leela Cyd

It was one big open space, long and narrow. They had the “complete freedom to come up with a new layout,” but that was the challenge, too.

Credit: Leela Cyd

The idea was to add in specific rooms but not block any precious daylight. The solution they came up with is a cozy dining nook at the front of the narrow space, a corridor with the kitchen, bathroom, and living area in the middle, and then a cozy bedroom space at the back.

Credit: Leela Cyd

A small extension at the back of the home (with the help of a contractor, they admit) has French doors that lead out into a garden, expanding the living space of their small home.

Credit: Leela Cyd

The thing that really makes their home incredible is all the customization of the furniture, cabinetry, and joinery, all done designed and made by Marijn in his workshop located in Amsterdam.

Credit: Leela Cyd

“The curved slatted oak wall is the central element of the apartment and plays a key role in the overall design,” Marijn explains. “It seamlessly conceals both bathroom and kitchen (appliances and storage), creating a unified aesthetic.” 

Resources

Credit: Leela Cyd

DINING ROOM

  • Table and Bench — MI Studio
Credit: Leela Cyd

KITCHEN

  • Kitchen — MI Studio
  • Lighting — MADE 
  • Tap — Quooker
Credit: Leela Cyd

BEDROOM

  • Bed — Swiss Sense
  • Wardrobe — MI Studio
  • Lighting — IKEA

Thanks, Marijn and Liya!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.