Walk through the aptly named Neutral House in the Netherlands by , where family living takes a pared-down turn.
is a boutique design firm led by interior architect . The studio pride themselves on honouring craftsmanship; an honour and respect that runs deep in their heritage restorations.
Capturing the studio’s ethos is their Neutral House, located in Amsterdam South and home to a young professional couple with two young kids and a busy lifestyle. In a city where Niels Maier says the overall design language leans towards bombastic, the designer has created interiors that beautifully reveal the exact opposite sentiment.
According to Niels the brief was exceptionally clear; the studio needed to open up the structure and its living areas, so the clients could enjoy family life together. The home’s architecture was typical of the area with three levels. Across these levels, Niels has created space for a kitchen, kitchenette, cinema room, home office, guest bedroom and bathroom, master bedroom and ensuite, and two kids bedrooms connected to a ‘junior’ bathroom.
“We opened up all of the levels, adding a slim black extension with sliding doors to connect inside and outside. To create calm, we hid certain elements that you can literally open up if you want to use them; the tv cabinet is an example of this.”
What is particularly pertinent in Niels’ design work is the way gentle light interacts with each space, playing with the material palette. “The need for a soft, calm, pared down and natural atmosphere was key to the project,” he said.
Naturally, the designer selected materials based on a neutral palette, including bleached rough oak, soft greys, honed marble, white architectural finishes and concrete in the bathrooms and on the kitchen floor. “The steel glass doors were made in a soft grey tone to heighten the softness of the space,” he said.
The consistency of Studio Niels’ design language creates a cohesive atmosphere for the family within. As Niels describes, all spaces merge seamlessly for a soft and naturally luxurious home.
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