My Houzz: Ultra Modern in Rotterdam

Both Zarebski and van Hal enjoy cooking and entertaining, and it was important for the kitchen to meet their design and practical needs. Located on the third floor of the home, the kitchen features a slender custom island that's seven meters long and 40 centimeters off the ground. The glossy white cabinets are MDF (medium-density fibreboard) and includes electric-powered drawers and cupboards. Other features include a 6-centimeter granite countertop, a five- burner induction stove and a round Küpersbusch extraction hood. To the left (not pictured) are built-in stainless steel appliances: a refrigerator, oven, microwave and dishwasher.

On the back wall is a custom designed shelf unit featuring LED accent lighting to store glassware and cooking books.

Architect and friend Willem van Genugten helped Zarebski design the kitchen of his dreams. “Everyone told me the island was a bad idea because the room was so narrow, but I love kitchen islands for the way they create togetherness in the kitchen,” Zarebski says.

A unique feature of the kitchen island is a sliding buffet bar. The idea is to open up extra space in the dining area to accommodate guests when entertaining, while also having the option for extra seating in the kitchen.

The master bathroom is spacious and modern, featuring a handmade oak vanity with touch drawers, twin oval freestanding basins, and a luxurious oval freestanding bath.

“I always wanted to have a big bathroom, because in Holland, bathrooms are notoriously small,” Zarebski says. “In fact, this is not called a bathroom, but a ‘bath salon’ for its size.”

The bathroom was designed with luxury in mind. The large shower features side-by-side shower heads, a hand shower and an overhead rain shower. They deliver 27 liters of hot water per minute.

Zarebski says, “I wanted comfort and a special bath because I love to take baths. I read books, watch films, and I even study in the bath.”

To create a soothing atmosphere in the otherwise large space, Zarebski chose a neutral color palette. The rectangular tiling along the back wall helps to warm the space, while maintaining a modern look and feel. The space is softened with the roundness of the bath and vanity basins.

The neutral-hued rectangular tiling from the bathroom continues into the guest bathroom.

The entrance of the home leads into Zarebski's office. It was a conscious choice to make the ground floor Zarebski's work space to take advantage of the home’s fabulous views on the higher floors from the living areas. The space combines a Victorian aesthetic with contemporary accents.

The dark green walls and large crystal chandelier play off the glass desk and modern furnishings, such as the iconic Eames aluminium desk chairs and the bright orange cashmere Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and footstool.

The goal was to maintain a balance between classical and contemporary design, while making a bold and dramatic statement. “I love drama,” Zarebski says. “What I find most important is to mix styles and try to create a balance.”

Lighting was an integral part of the home’s design, and was used to enhance the features of the rooms and to bring the different colors into play. “Though the green is very dark, I balanced it with a lot of white and soft wood, and the lighting brings it all out even more,” Zarebski says.

The office features a custom-made built-in library and custom sliding doors which lead into a room that is used as a meeting and presentation area. The space also functions as a guest bedroom, and opens out onto a back patio and a 1,000 square meter communal garden.

A lift from the ground floor goes to the kitchen and the rooftop terrace, making transporting groceries easy.

The fourth floor of the house is the living and entertainment area. A large Vasily Kandinsky Museum of Modern Art print injects vibrant color into the neutral space.

Overlooking the dining room below, a casual seating area allows Zarebski, Tom and their guests to admire the views from the large windows.

“This house is not practical,” Zarebski admits. “I went for aesthetics rather than functionality when designing it, so it’s all looks. I love beautiful things.” A large wrap-around sofa creates a cozy and comfortable space for the couple to enjoy watching movies in their entertainment area.

Zarebski's parents have owned a construction company in Poland for 20 years, so it’s little wonder he followed in their footsteps. With a wealth of experience behind him, Zarebski went into this project with clear vision. The duo proved to be quite the team, with Zarebski, left, taking the design lead, and van Hal, a freelance editor, taking the research lead on the neighborhood.

Once run down and unsafe, the neighborhood is now an attractive area for young professionals and families, thanks to an injection of funding by the local council. With its close proximity to downtown Rotterdam and the city’s iconic harbor, it is one of Rotterdam’s most exciting residential areas. As a community, homeowners in the neighborhood have rebuilt or remodeled nearly every building, redesigning the interiors to give it a fresh update.