i29 Reinvents a Historic Canal House in Amsterdam

The archetypal Amsterdam canal house constitutes much of the Dutch city’s residential landscape. Dating to the 17th century, these four- or five-story waterfront row houses were conceived as hybrids: part living space, part warehouse storage for goods transported along the canals. They were built sturdily of wood and masonry construction with heavy beams, i29 co-founder Joeren Dellensen explains, “which is why they still exist.”

Albeit not always in the greatest shape. Take this compact 1675 house near Amstelveld square. Though designated a state monument, it had fallen into ruin before new owners initiated a meticulous two-year restoration and update. “From the start we knew i29 had to be involved in the project, to instill their out-of-the-box, serene, and perfect design,” notes the client, who first hired the firm nine years ago to craft an “invisible kitchen” for the family’s Paris apartment that was entirely concealed behind sliding wall panels imitative of decorative molding.

Here, architectural interventions were strictly limited by mandates protecting heritage houses. “We were not allowed to demolish any walls,” co-founder Jasper Jansen says, noting that the project was a collaborative effort among firm members. “And we couldn’t build any, either, even though very few existed in the space.”

Instead, color performs the role of spatial demarcation. “We used color as a tool to expose the architectural shell to the fullest and to make interventions that define functions,” Dellensen notes, adding that the classic hues chosen “are in sync with the monumental quality of the building.” Complementary blues, greens, and grays are muted and somewhat smoky, contrasting with swaths of crisp white.

Related Post: i29 & Chris Collaris Evoke High Contrast for a Summer Residence in Vinkeveen, the Netherlands

The 1,240-square-foot interior of the Amsterdam canal house, adjoining a rear garden, offers long sight lines and elements of delightful surprise. A steep, curving stairway, every bit original, connects the three full floors plus three intermediating half levels. The entry opens into a cozy seating alcove with wide steps down to the ground floor, which had to be lowered for foundation repairs. Occupying the majority of this level is the eat-in kitchen, where custom oak millwork is coupled with chairs by Naoto Fukasawa and lighting pendants by Ludovica and Roberto Palumbo. At the far end of the space, a green glass volume marks entry to a pass-through bathroom leading to a hidden bedroom with garden access.

Fittingly, the living room on floor two retains its characteristic plaster walls and bas-relief ceiling ornamentation, painted creamy white, and restored pine flooring. Behind the rotating bookshelf lies a surprise: a moody blue cocoon in which to read or relax. On the opposite side of the room is another surprise: Interior windows provide a split-level view of the entry seating nook below and the study a half-flight above, where a swath of springlike green frames the built-in desk.

Up on the third floor, “sleeping quarters radiate comfort like a true hotel experience,” Dellensen remarks. Exposed beams trace the peaked ceiling in the main bedroom. Two-way mirrored panels enclose the WC/shower stall, offering sight lines out (into the wet area’s Japanese-inspired soaking tub and beyond) but not in. Up a ladder, an additional mini level is squeezed in below the roof’s bell gable to function as the daughter’s bedroom. So enamored are the homeowners by their pied-à-terre’s charm that they are spending even more time there than they envisioned.

Related Post: i29 Updates Classical Interiors of Landmarked Enlightenment Building in Amsterdam

Sigma: paintwork (stairwell)

kvadrat: acoustic wall fabric (living room)

Aleksandra Gaca: pillow fabric (reading room, living room)

norR11: lounge chair, ottoman (living room)

maruni: chairs (kitchen)

concraft: concrete flooring

quooker: sink fittings

blumenberg: custom tub, custom sink (bathroom)

glas xl: two-way mirror

water revolution: taps

Foscarini: pendant lights

schneinder interieurbouw: custom furniture and woodwork

seasons parket: oak flooring

G.K. Visbeen & Co: general contractor

kodde: restoration architect

16 Furnishing Highlights from 3daysofdesign 2021 in Copenhagen

More than three days could easily be consumed to fully embrace 3daysofdesign 2021, held in Copenhagen this month—despite a global pandemic. In showrooms, galleries, and special event spaces around the city, there was no shortage of freshly launched furnishings, with much of the industry flying in directly from the Milan Furniture Fair. Once again the seemingly effortless ethos of Scandinavian design shined (or rather, was painstakingly hand-waxed to a soft touch, as one table collection is).

From a surprising candle holder met with much fanfare to a kit embracing 1970s electronics nostalgia to a round and layered easy chair and more than a few designs dusted off from the archives of Danish design masters, here are 16 furnishings that caught our eye at 3daysofdesign 2021.

Interconnect Candle Holder by Colin King Studio for Menu

A pronounced geometric celebration of a single candle that makes for an unorthodox center piece, the Interconnect Candle Holder by Colin King Studio for Menu is available in brass or painted steel.

Beogram 4000-series Service Upgrade Kit from Bang & Olufsen

Nostalgia for the 1970s is great..until you try hooking up the speakers. What if you could upgrade a record player half a century old with current tech? “We see e-waste climbing at a large scale,” said Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, creative director of design at Bang & Olufsen as he presented the electronic’s company’s Beogram 4000-series Service Upgrade Kit. With the kit, a vintage Beogram turntable1, introduced in the 1970s, can be restored and connected to a modern sound system.

Easy Chair by Verner Panton for Verpan

Plush and layered round shapes determine the geometry of Easy Chair by Verner Panton, designed in 1963. Now the sculptural, fully-upholstered chair returns to production, thanks to the archives of Verpan, the licensed manufacturer of designs by the Danish architect and designer.

Adesso by Josefine Winding for Gubi

Adesso, a limited-edition series of six cast-concrete side tables by Josefine Winding in collaboration with Gubi and available through Arden Asbæk Gallery, premiered among 15 sculptures, also by Winding, in the exhibition “Adesso: In the Moment.” A portion of the tables’ proceeds will be donated to charity SOS Children’s Villages through MyFoundation.

Jari Low by OEO Studio for Brdr. Krüger

Initially designed for Inua, world-renowned Copenhagen restaurant Noma’s Tokyo outpost, solid oak Jari low tables by OEO Studio can be shipped flat-packed. “The idea was tables as low as possible that could break down an otherwise slightly hard environment with organic and soft shapes,” says Jonas Krüger, creative director and co-owner of Brdr. Krüger, the 5th generation, family-owned manufacturer of the tables. “The different sizes can adapt to any seating setting, singled out or in clusters.” The tables are hand-waxed for a soft touch and available in six variations, from small side table to large elliptical.

Space Invaders by Luca Nichetto for Stellar Works

Stacked supersized Murano glass beads form the blown glass and steel Dhala table lamp in the new Space Invaders collection by Luca Nichetto for Stellar Works. The collection also includes an additional lamp and two trays.

Oxford by Fritz Hansen

Working from home during the global pandemic had many pining for that rare find: a comfortable, ergonomic home office chair that’s not ugly. In steps Fritz Hansen with the Oxford task chair. Initially conceived by Arne Jacobsen for professors at St. Catherine’s College in Oxford, England, the chair returns updated with modern necessities like increased lumbar support, adjustable seat, and angled armrests that tuck under a desk.

Imi by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo

Handmade ceramic side table Imi by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo is a colorful, shiny, and round tribute to German minimal artist Imi Knoebel. Two sizes are offered in several color combinations.

Barnum pouf by Vipp

Six-piece construction adds sculptural beauty to the versatile Pouf—be it seat, footrest, or side table—from Vipp. On the occasion of 3daysofdesign and to take full advantage of a one-of-a-kind showroom space in a century-old former pencil factory, Vipp also launched its own dining experience. An initiative to engage with the local community, Vipp Supper Club will highlight diverse chefs. First in line is Italian chef Riccardo Canella, formerly research and development sous chef at Noma.

Watercolour by Lykke Bloch Kjær

Watercolor paintings by Danish architect and designer Finn Juhl inspired the hues found in the Watercolour textile collection by Lykke Bloch Kjær for House of Finn Juhl. Locally woven by Danish weaver Kjellerup Væveri, the collection is available in 32 shades in a wool-cotton blend. Shown is Juhl’s Reading dining chair, upholstered in Blue Bonnet.

Front desk by Pedro Sottomayor for Mor

Designer Pedro Sottomayor, founder of Mor, a new Portuguese furniture brand embracing simplicity, chose a sunny Copenhagen apartment for its entry into the global market. Two nearly invisible drawers and cable storage are integrated into the slim lines of the Front desk, also by Sottomayor. Available in various sizes in solid ash, oak, or walnut, the desk can be used for home office or hotel reception.

Konami by Damian Williamson for Fredericia

The inner armrests of Damian Williamson’s upholstered Konami sofa for Fredericia softly curve inward like a ‘little wave’—hence its Japanese name, which means the same.

Recycled Noah by Trimm

For Recycled Noah, a collection of indoor lounge furniture, manufacturer Trimm Copenhagen deep dives into sustainability. Washable, zero waste, 100 percent recycled textile in earth-tones is paired with a soft, beaded interior of 100 percent recycled polyester fiber.

OW58 T-Chair by Ole Wanscher for Carl Hansen & Søn

A T-shaped backrest points out the craftsmanship of the OW58 T-Chair by Ole Wanscher for Carl Hansen & Søn. The archival piece, almost an inch higher than the one designed in 1958 to serve a taller humanity, joins the two chairs and a stool by the designer already in production by the manufacturer.

Connect Sofa by Anderssen & Voll for Muuto

Small feet are behind the elegant hover of the wood-framed Connect Sofa by Anderssen & Voll for Muuto. To achieve optimal comfort, a deep, low seat and loose upholstery conceal cold foam filing and cotton wadding.

Twiggy Wood by Marc Sadler for Foscarini

The Twiggy lamp by Marc Sadler for Foscarini earns an update just in time for its 15th birthday. With a honey-hued wood diffuser, carbon fiber stem, and a new LED circuit, Twiggy Wood is warmer in both light source and form.