Portrait of a Penthouse
The spirit of this family apartment masterfully unifies pure simplicity
with substantial design statements.
A true dream home, the 250 sqm penthouse is situated in the prestigious boutique seven-storey residential complex De Hooch in the Dutch capital. The artfully crafted residential building has a distinctive facade featuring flowing forms and rhythmic ceramic wall tiles. This cosmopolitan quality is effectively translated into the awe-inspiring, personalized interior where generous furniture and an open-plan kitchen strike a pose. “When we first saw the apartment, we were immediately captivated by the spaciousness,” says one of the home owners. “The beauty of the interior design by Kolenik is that this perception of our home has only been enhanced. Each design choice strengthens the interior as a whole, truly elevating the entire living experience.” One of the client’s desires was for their new home to have a wall covered in wooden slats reminiscent of a ski lodge interior. A wood and velvety-soft nubuck wall panelling is the contemporary take on the ski lodge association, adding a personal touch and intuitively relating to the tiled vertical pattern of the building’s facade.
“To experience poetry in your home on a daily basis is magical,
I wouldn’t have wanted it differently”
The mirrored kitchen design uses two downdraft extractors integrated into the cabinets on both sides of the cooking area. Because nothing distracts, it’s the area where the family spends most of their time socializing with guests. “At first, we were a bit reluctant about the central placement of the kitchen area. It’s more visible and demanding than a closed-off kitchen area. But then I came to realize that it’s like wearing fashion. To enjoy great beauty, you have to compromise a bit on comfort. Now, I’m enjoying the beauty of our home every single day. To experience poetry in your home on a daily basis is magical, I wouldn’t have wanted it differently.” For the wet areas, Kolenik opted for natural stone. A selection of warm colours, natural materials and tactile materials together create a genuine sense of belonging, which is enforced by a keen eye for detail. “It looks and feels modest and extravagant at the same time. It’s our dream home.”
