CHRISTMAS AT HOME
Twinkling lights, classic decorations and freshly cut foliage bring a festive atmosphere with a stylish touch to a serene apartment in Amsterdam
HOME PROFILE
Gwen Klous, owner of PR agency Image PR (imagepr.nl), her partner Ruben van Loon, daughter Isabeau and Puck, their Shiba Inu
An early 20th-century ground-floor flat built in the Amsterdam School style in the Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood of Amsterdam
KITCHEN
HOME OFFICE
After living together for eight years in a small apartment in Amsterdam Oost, Gwen Klous and her partner Ruben decided it was time for a change. Not wanting to move too far from their current neighbourhood, they opted to look for a new family home in nearby Watergraafsmeer.
‘It’s a child friendly neighbourhood with lots of greenery and very little traffic,’ explains Gwen. They discovered a pre-war house that had been recently renovated, providing them with the perfect blank canvas on which to create their dream family space. With 30 other applicants, the property was in demand but, fortunately, fate was on Gwen and Ruben’s side and they were able to acquire it.
CHRISTMAS TREE
Working in tandem, the couple dedicated themselves to creating a space that met all of their needs. ‘I’m mostly involved with the interior design, while Ruben’s more into the renovation side of things,’ explains Gwen. Within six months of moving in, an extension was under way. Ruben wanted it to become their bedroom while Gwen preferred to move the kitchen into it. Ruben won on this occasion but as soon as the extension was finished, they set about replanning the kitchen. Some concessions had to be made: Gwen’s dream of underfloor heating fell through, and they opted for vintage school chairs painted black in place of the more expensive designer ones she initially wanted. One element on which Gwen was not willing to compromise, however, was the flooring: ‘It’s the foundation of your home and must be absolutely right,’ she says. The couple opted for a beautiful herringbone whitewashed oak that seamlessly connects every room, creating a sense of unity.
KITCHEN AND DINING AREA
