00:04The apartment is in the Jordaan area in Amsterdam, situated on the ground floor with a small garden.
00:12The idea was to create a space that was able to fit normal size furniture.
00:17We wanted to bring in as much natural light as possible and maximize storage.
00:22We also love cooking and entertaining, so we took the opportunity to have a full size kitchen and also sneak
00:28in a mini bar.
00:30We design and custom made all the cabinetry, furniture and joinery in a workshop located in Amsterdam.
00:42My name is Marijn Kruikmeijer, I'm a woodworker, designer and founder of ME Studio in Amsterdam.
00:49My name is Lia Young, I'm a pitch coordinator at a law firm and we live here together with our
00:55dog Yip.
01:06The apartment is located in the city centre of Amsterdam, one of the most historic parts of the Netherlands.
01:12Between the canals and around the corner of the M Frank House.
01:19But in the apartment itself you don't notice anything about the crowds.
01:27We think it's important for designing a small space that we shouldn't compromise on living enjoyment.
01:36For example our kitchen, it's a normal sized kitchen.
01:40There's a dishwasher, there's an oven.
01:42Large TV so you can sit with four people on the couch.
01:46A dining area, it isn't big but you can still have dinner here with eight people.
01:53The building was built in 1905.
01:55The previous owner had the building foundation repaired and delivered it as an open space with only the basic structural
02:02elements.
02:03But lacked features like flooring, plumbing and electricals.
02:08When we bought our apartment there was no floor plan so we had complete freedom to come up with a
02:13new layout.
02:15At the back was the old kitchen.
02:16We could tell by the remains of a fireplace and soot on the wall.
02:20We moved the old kitchen to the middle of the house to create a long kitchen.
02:25We extended the house at the back so that we could create a bedroom.
02:29This required the demolition of a wall.
02:32And also bring more natural light into the house by installing large French doors.
02:38We divided up the rest of the space using a smart unit as the centerpiece.
02:43And created a living room, bathroom, toilet and dining room.
02:53The apartment is situated on the ground floor and has a private entrance.
02:58The front facade has been restored by the previous owner.
03:09The dining area is by the window at the front of the apartment.
03:13The dining table is solid oak with a cast iron leg.
03:18There is a corner seat made of oak plywood with velvet upholstery.
03:23It also has storage for our shoes.
03:25A large mirror hangs above the seat and reflects the space to make it appear larger.
03:33There are pleated curtains that provide privacy during the day but plenty of natural light.
03:38In the evening they can be completely closed.
03:44Everything here was custom made to better fit in the space.
03:48There are two large hidden doors next to the TV.
03:51We cover the doors in a moss green wallpaper.
03:55Behind the left door is the toilet.
03:59There is a floating toilet, small white sink with black tap.
04:04As the toilet sits under the neighbour's stairs, there is a slight slope in the ceiling but it doesn't really
04:10affect the use of the space.
04:11And we think it's worth it to have a separate toilet.
04:15The toilet feels like taking a step back in time with its green wooden panelling, offering a playful nod to
04:21the historic Jordaan district.
04:23The dining space is connected to the kitchen.
04:26The kitchen is floating with lights underneath for a spacious feel.
04:31The top is part side with a high backsplash and a narrow shelf in the same material.
04:36There is an induction hub with an integrated hood, a tap providing boiling, sparkling and filtered water and the sink.
04:44Three wall lights provide the ambience in the kitchen.
04:47The kitchen fronts and drawers are dark smoked oak to contrast it from the rest of the apartment.
04:55Opposite the kitchen is a large oak slab wall unit where the built-in dishwasher, oven, fridge and more storage
05:02space for kitchen appliances.
05:04The unit is not really a wall but a large storage for our kitchen appliances that would not have been
05:10possible with a floating kitchen.
05:12It also acts as a divider between the kitchen and the bathroom while providing storage for both areas.
05:19In addition, a niche has been created for the coffee maker.
05:30From the kitchen you enter the living space.
05:34You see a large window where daylight can come in from the bedroom.
05:38There is a large white corner sofa against the wall.
05:42On the right is a large custom oak cabinet with space for all our memories, cooking and reading books.
05:49The TV is hidden inside the bottom cabinet and emerges through an electronic lift mechanism.
05:55This allows us to tuck away the TV when we are not using it.
06:02Additionally, there is a bar hidden behind pocket doors with a mirror including wine racks and racks for wine glasses.
06:13We placed a mirror at the back of the wine and glass racks to add an illusion of volume.
06:20It makes you feel like you are in a little bar when using the space.
06:28The bathroom is through a hidden door.
06:31The white tiles and blue walls create a spaciousness and a fresh look.
06:37On the left you find a floating sink including drawers.
06:41We use the same quartzite counter as the kitchen.
06:47There is a heated towel rack and a large building closet with pushed to open doors for even more storage
06:52space.
06:53On the inside of the door is a fitting mirror milled in.
06:57Besides using it as a mirror it also reflects the small space to make it appear larger.
07:03The walk-in shower has a rain shower head and a niche for shampoo.
07:09The bathroom has a dropped ceiling which hides the mechanical ventilation.
07:18The bedroom is located at the back of the apartment.
07:22The bed has a cork back wall with built-in sockets to conceal a phone charger and two wall lights.
07:30Surrounding the bed is a custom made built-in wardrobe where there is space for clothes.
07:35It is pre-finished plywood in terracotta.
07:40There is a white built-in cupboard for washing machines and dryer.
07:47A built-in desk helps to create a small office space when working from home.
07:55There are two doors leading to the garden.
07:57The door next to the desk is used as entrance to the garden.
08:01In the summer we open up all the doors including the large French doors for cross-ventilation.
08:07The window between the living room and bedroom can be closed using a curtain for privacy.
08:12When the curtains are open it brings natural light into the living space.
08:23At the back of the apartment you can find our garden.
08:27It is the extension of our home where we can escape the daily rush of the city.
08:32There is a dining table for eating outside in nice weather and the small lounge area at the back.
08:42We believe that living in a small space is not a limitation if you are creative and innovative.
08:50It is also considered a sustainable choice.
08:52It promotes efficient use of resources and reduces environmental impact.
08:58One of the key advantages is reduced energy consumption.
09:01Heating, cooling and lighting a small area requires less energy compared to a larger space.
09:09It promotes a more minimalistic lifestyle.
09:12With a small space you are motivated to declutter and focus on essential items.
09:27What do you think there is so fun?
09:29With a company we can take away.
09:29With a .
09:32Advice of Living one in residence there would be Party city.
Comments