Home santuary

There are many joys about living in Amsterdam; one of which is nestling inside and watching the rain pass. Our client wanted to make the most of this “gezellig” feeling with their very own wellness retreat.

A place to stretch, rest, and recline all within their Amsterdam canal home. Normally a forgotten place for storage, we transformed their attic into a home sanctuary complete with sauna, lounge, and Jacuzzi®; all the 5-star comforts without stepping outside.

Natural light, raw materials, restful furniture, and a soothing color palette: these four elements made up our formula to create ease and calm. The sauna is crafted from walnut timber and flanked by glass to allow natural light. This space stretches up and along the attic’s triangular shape to greet the restored wooden beams and spotlights by Koen van Guijze. At attic level, there is no better view of the city. We created this bespoke daybed to take in the canal view. It’s made from walnut timber and can be easily adjusted for rest or reading; the choice is yours.

A real highlight is the marble hot tub, which we modified into a Jacuzzi® for the ultimate in relaxation. All the self-care essentials can be stored away inside the walnut timber cupboards, also doubling as plinths to perch on. The marble sink’s natural finish is complemented by brushed and burnished tapware by Agape Bathrooms.

Given the attic location and the frequent use of water and steam, we used clay walls to enhance breathability. Clay’s texture is the antithesis to cold, sterile bathroom walls. When it did come to tiling, we went against the grain using a yellow ochre splashback by Sebastian Herkner.

This restful space elevates the humble bathroom and the forgotten attic; evolving these spaces from pure function to a homely retreat that feels far away from the hustle of life.