Westwood residence
2020 | Haarlem, The Netherlands
For our city dwelling clients, the move to the coastal town of Haarlem was a well-considered lifestyle choice, having seen many of their friends with children making moves out of Amsterdam. Wanting to start a family of their own, they began to explore the options in the same neighborhood as their best friends. When they stumbled upon a beautiful period townhouse with unique Tudor like detailing on the façade, they fell in love. Avenue Design Studio was enlisted in the early planning stages to help with a cohesive total design spanning from the material finishes throughout, kitchen and bathroom design, to the colour scheme, and finally, the selection of numerous furniture pieces and lighting. With an inherent respect for the architecture, a contemporary stamp was applied to the overall look and feel of the property without being stripped of its charm. ‘It was important to us from the start to adapt some elements of the architecture, bringing them back in a way that felt contemporary.’ From the classic tiled entryway, the richly painted paneling flanking the period marble fireplace, shaker style kitchen and a selection of dramatic marble varieties throughout, timelessness and history were paramount in the design process. Layered onto this beautiful base is a mix of furniture of varying styles and time periods. A vintage Marcel Wanders floor lamp and Martin Visser side chairs, a mid-century teak and glass coffee table and an ocher velvet contemporary sofa, modern lighting and a vintage kilim rug, and naturally, a James Bond style bar cart from the 70s. All woven together in a space that feels considered, masculine yet tactile, dramatic yet restrained, luxurious yet everyday. This balancing act is perhaps what made this project so enjoyable to piece together.
