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My Houzz: Minimalist Living in Rotterdam
A couple's simple and clutter-free design philosophy keeps their 5-story home light and bright
Hello! I am a contributor for Houzz, writer and interior stylist based in the Netherlands. Always in search of beauty in all forms, I founded my lifestyle blog Avenue to satisfy my thirst for design and lifestyle inspiration. I am the loving mother of a beautiful little girl called Lola, and the adoring fiancé of a handsome Dutchman.
Hello! I am a contributor for Houzz, writer and interior stylist based... More »
For Bram Gloerich and Martje van der Brugge, a clean, open and minimal space feels like home. In their five-story house in Rotterdam, they keep things super simple, injecting color through a selected few accessories.
Gloerich began developing their city home in 2007, transforming a multi-story property from a demolition site into a large and spacious home. The project is part of a major community development of which Gloerich was the chairman, and was completed in January 2011. While a few finishing touches are yet to be made, the couple love their new spacious house, and are proud to have created a home where they can grow old together.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: Bram Gloerich and Martje van der Brugge
Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Size: 250 square meters. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and guest toilet, spacious kitchen and dining, living area, two home offices, patio and shared rooftop terrace.
Gloerich began developing their city home in 2007, transforming a multi-story property from a demolition site into a large and spacious home. The project is part of a major community development of which Gloerich was the chairman, and was completed in January 2011. While a few finishing touches are yet to be made, the couple love their new spacious house, and are proud to have created a home where they can grow old together.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: Bram Gloerich and Martje van der Brugge
Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Size: 250 square meters. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and guest toilet, spacious kitchen and dining, living area, two home offices, patio and shared rooftop terrace.
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by Holly Marder
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| Just off the entrance, the living room sets the tone. Crisp white walls and the home's sheer space highlights the contemporary furniture. Lightly whitewashed oak floorboards run throughout. The couple decreased the size of the living room in favor of creating a balcony overlooking the ground floor below. This allows light to flow in from large windows to both the ground floor and the first floor. Chairs: Gispen, recovered by De Ploeg fabric Sofa: Gerard van den Berg by Montis Coffee table: Linteloo TV cabinet: Ikea |
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| A wooden staircase winds its way up one side of the five-story house. Sofa: Gerard van den Berg by Montis Coffee table: Linteloo |
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| Gloerich and van der Brugge added a kitchenette in the living room to be able to make tea and coffee without having to run upstairs to the kitchen. Kitchenette: 'Attityd' by Ikea |
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| When the couple first purchased the property, it was actually two homes in one building, hence the two front doors. When their neighbors decided to sell, Gloerich and van der Brugge jumped on the opportunity to buy their half and create one large home that would be big enough for a family. From the front entrance, a short staircase leads into the living room, and another staircase leads down into Gloerich'shome office. |
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| The ground floor home office is long and spacious, with nothing but a desk and two chairs. "I discovered that when it's empty around me, my head is clear," Gloerich says. Double doors lead onto a sunny patio; the perfect place to unwind. When the couple finished the patio at the end of the summer last year, they got about one week of nice weather before it was too cold to enjoy being outdoors. They look forward to making more use out of it this summer. Chairs: Lord Yo by Philippe Starck Table: Ikea |
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| The initial design of the kitchen took place before the couple took over the second part of the house, and from this view you can see through to the kitchen. The living room used to be where the dining room is now. The fuss-free, spacious dining room features an eclectic mix of chairs and a custom heavy oak abbey table. "We didn't really think too hard about design," van der Brugge says. "We were given a lot of things and it all just came together quite well with what we already had." Candlestick: Bauhaus Chairs: Lord Yo by Philippe Starck |
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| Gloerich and van der Brugge wanted to keep the kitchen as simple, light and spacious as possible. "When a space is open, empty and full of light, I feel fresh," Gloerich says. Gloerich and van der Brugge decided against wall cupboards to accentuate the height of the kitchen ceilings and keep things open. "I wanted it all to look very open, and think that cupboards up to the ceiling can close off a space," he says. Stool: Lyra for Magis Wooden side table: Ikea |
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| The kitchen features 4-mm stainless steel countertops with a sunken cooktop. "I like stainless steel a lot. I chose this design because it's so no-nonsense," Gloerich says. "We didn't want details that appear to be more than they are. What you see is what you get — that's what we wanted." |
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| The i-cooking gas cooktop by ABK InnoVent features a flush-mount gas burner cooktop. The look is sleek and minimal, and keeps countertops free of the mess that accompanies cooking. Without a drip plate, corners or crevices, dirt and food particles can be easily wiped away. |
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| With no wall cupboards, extra storage is essential. The cupboards along the opposite wall provide storage space and houses the oven. "A timeless design was important to us, something that would still work for us in five years and beyond," Gloerich says. "You just don't know what you'll like in 10 years' time, and I think we'll still be very happy with our kitchen," van der Brugge adds. Stool: Lyra for Magis Wooden side table: Ikea |
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| A todaycollection of cooking books and crockery provides a splash of color. |
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| Against a crisp white backdrop, these colorful glass vases add a bit of playfulness. The vases were a gift from Gloerich's mother, whose glass collection includes pieces from Sweden, Scandinavia and Venice. Glassware: Kosta Boda |
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| "Like Bram, I like a fresh, clean — maybe for some people a little bit empty — space that's minimal," van der Brugge says. "I would go crazy in a space where there are things, other things and more things all over the place! ... Eventually we will add more things that we like, but we don't just go out to buy stuff simply to fill the house." Light fixture: Knappa by Ikea Candlestick: Bauhaus Chairs: Lord Yo by Philippe Starck Table: Custom |
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| An original lithograph by the famous Dutch artist Corneille, a gift to Gloerich from his parents, adds color and fun to the space. |
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| Van der Brugge's home office on the third floor is light-filled and clutter free. An antique writing desk given to the couple by Gloerich's parents is paired with a modern desk chair for a clean and streamlined look. |
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Two side-by-side windows pour ample natural light into the master bedroom.
Simple white bed linen and crisp white walls and natural wood floors makes for a soothing escape.
Simple white bed linen and crisp white walls and natural wood floors makes for a soothing escape.
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| During the reconstruction, Gloerich and van der Brugge created an open-plan bathroom off the master suite. |
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Inside the bathroom, floor-to-ceiling stone tiling makes for a clean and modern look. Behind a glass divider is a rain shower and ample space for two.
White sheepskin rugs on either side of the bed are the only accessories in an otherwise crisp white bedroom.
White sheepskin rugs on either side of the bed are the only accessories in an otherwise crisp white bedroom.
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| The couple chose quality Clou fixtures for their bathroom. |
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| On the same floor as the master suite, a multi-functional room offers a spacious spot to store hanging clothes, dress, sleep or relax. |
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| A day bed offers visitors a place to sleep, though Gloerich and van der Brugge often use this room for relaxing and watching TV. A 1970s original Alky chair in electric blue and the throw add pops of color. Chair: Alky by Piretti for Castelli |
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| The rooftop terrace offers 360-degree views over Rotterdam. In the distance is the mast of the city's iconic Erasmus Bridge. Situated in the up-and-coming Katendrecht neighborhood of Rotterdam, the home offers city living as well as space and a friendly atmosphere for families and young professionals. Gloerich and van der Brugge enjoy Rotterdam's metropolitan lifestyle, and believe their home offers all they might need for family life later on. |
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Ideabook updated on Jan. 31, 2012.
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But they are young and maybe someday they will come to see that those practical enhancements can be added without disturbing the minimalist look.
Also, I understand building the kitchenette in the Living Room for entertaining purposes - but I would have added shelving above the sink and hidden the whole lot behind built-in sliding panels or attractive French or double-doors -- all of which I think would have enhanced the minimalist look and eliminated the visibility of any possible clutter.
Still, Bram and Martje should be commended on achieving their lovely dream house with a miminalist look -- they are off to a splendid start!