There are a lot of achievements in your life, that you can be proud of: birth of children, marriage, promotion, moving to a new country, may be getting a new Sony Play station, but one of the things that personally i would consider: is buying your first place. You will never forget it, believe me! If you remember, i already covered the moment, how it can be funny and tricky to buy your place in Amsterdam. However, today we are not going to talk specifically about it, we are going to visit an amazing place of somebody, whose apartment KleinSpace Loves! – Werner’s House.
Werner and me has met up on one not very sunny November Amsterdam day and i was very happy that he gave me a chance to show his apartment to you guys. So hopefully you will enjoy it:) Also, as always, Werner has replied some questions from KleinSpace, so you can know more about the process, how he got this place and why he selected it among others.
How long ago did you move to this place?
In June this year I received the keys of the apartment. My home is located in the Indische buurt in Amsterdam Oost.
Was the search of the house in Amsterdam difficult? And why did you decide to move to the east part of the city?
The quest for a house in Amsterdam is always tricky and very much depending on the budget. I was looking for a two room apartment in a friendly multicultural area. For several months I kept an eye on all properties that were added to real estate websites and after having visited three apartments, I have put down an offer on my current place. It was love at first sight.
The Indische buurt in Amsterdam oost is upcoming and attracts a lot of young professionals who are buying their first property. The area is very charismatic and has plenty of shops, a market, restaurants and bars. For almost ten years, I lived in oud west, which has a completely different feel. I was not looking for an apartment in a particular part of city, I was looking for a place that I could make my home.
What were the things that you have been looking for?
I like to invite family and friends over for dinner, so a bear necessity was a kitchen with enough space to sit down at the kitchen table with a glass of wine, while others or myself are cooking a gorgeous dish. In addition to that, a separate bed room and a balcony where on the wish list as well.
How is it to live in a small(er) space?
The apartment is approximately 48 square meters and has a small attic. It can be quite challenging to live in a small apartment when it comes down to storage. In the bedroom I have two build in wardrobes, that gives me just enough space for clothing. I am living alone, so sharing the place with a partner would require a lot of creativity. In return for the limited space in the bedroom, the kitchen and the living room are rather spacious. The living holds big white cupboards where I can store all the administration/ books / cd’s and stuff that cannot face daylight anymore. Living in a small space has pros and cons. Less cleaning is a big pro.
Anything specific, that you can recommend to people before starting the search of a house?
Make an overview for yourself of things in your future apartment that are an absolute must. Once again, depending on the budget you will often have to make concessions. Amsterdam is a popular city to live in and finding that perfect place requires your full dedication. Buying a property is an intense experience and comes with a mix of feelings. Trust on your gut feeling and act on it accordingly.
Where did you get the inspiration for designing your place?
The previous owners left the apartment in perfect condition. It already had the French oak floor and the walls and ceilings were white. Literally a white canvas. I had exactly in my mind how the apartment eventually would look like and of course I could not wait to get started. I am a big fan of natural tones and my inspiration came from different other interior designs and lots of visits to furniture shops. Most of the decoration was moved over from my previous apartment and inspired me to find the furniture. Internet nowadays is a great tool to get inspired and helps you to find everything you need and more.
What can you wish readers of KleinSpace in the upcoming 2014?
I wish everyone to trust on their own creativity. Don’t be afraid to take a risk. You are the one who needs to feel at home and comfortable. Taste is very relative, however we are all sensitive to a good atmosphere that brings serenity. When you are able to establish that, your mission is accomplished.
We thank Werner for providing us the opportunity to be guests in his home and we wish him all the best and wonderful in the upcoming 2014!
Photography: Liubou Minniyeva/ KleinSpace
kleinspace.wordpress.com 