At home in two centuries
Shrill and colorful, Anja Parry's job is hectic and loud in her husband Alain's. She works as a stylist for the leading Dutch fashion magazines, runs the hip Amsterdam restaurant "Balthazar's Keuken". With the serenity of the Dutch, they master their time-consuming working life and, in parallel, the education of their three sons Beau, 12, Zep, 10, and Bruin, 6 years old. It is obvious that Anja and Alain long for peace in their private lives, for the quiet security that an old house can offer.
Modern life behind old walls
A few years ago, when they lived in the apartment directly above Alains Restaurant, it became clear that for a family of five, this apartment would be too tight in the long term. The Parrys longed for a home with plenty of space, light and personal charm. And this opportunity arose when a friend sold two houses in the same neighborhood. "We knew right away that we can not go wrong," recalls Anja. "The dimensions alone impressed us: our old apartment had about 120 square meters.
In our new home, that's almost the size of our living room. "However, this spaciousness only came about because Anja and Alain joined the two houses - 17th and 19th century - to one." We really had a lot here Do, "says Anja," because we wanted to make our home from the various apartments with several kitchens and bathrooms. For this we have torn out many walls, bathtubs, sinks and radiators. And we even cultivated it for our professional kitchen. "The effort was worth it." We have preserved many historic elements, such as the high ceilings, cassette doors, wooden floorboards and the approximately 200-year-old wooden staircase that leads to the rooms of our sons , And there is a reason for that, "says Anja Parry.
Natural tones in urban ambience
"It feels good to have things in a modern household that convey a sense of history." That's why the Parrys worked on old wooden doors for their wardrobes and used them as cupboard doors as if they had always been here in the hallway. And instead of having the old staircase replaced by a new staircase, it was preserved and reinforced with steel columns - unusual but always stable.
The more modern elements in the house of the Parry are not casually submerged in the charm of the old houses, but they are not crowded either. The simple gray cement floor, for example, fits perfectly with the furnishing concept and takes up the colors that have always been common in the Netherlands. The concrete base already in the living room, which had been installed by a previous owner, was kept by Anja and Alain. Equipped with new upholstery and cushions, it gives off a comfortable sofa.
Wood, cement and crochet - a mix with style
The crochet blanket on the bed is from Zara, the metal lamp in the form of a cow's head comes from France, and the bedside table is a unique piece by the Dutch furniture designer Piet Hein Eek.
Patterns and white walls complement each other
In the entrance area hangs an unusual wallpaper. Anja made them from drawings of her sons: she copied and enlarged the most beautiful patterns and stuck them close to the wall. "I like unusual combinations and compositions," says Anja. "But only one thing is really essential, especially if you have children: a home must work well and be comfortable at the same time."
That's the look!
Do you like the style of Anja Parry's house in Amsterdam? These colors, furniture and accessories capture the atmosphere.
Colors à la Rembrandt
The Dutch are masters of muted colors - and have been for many centuries. Anja Parry, too, appreciates the traditionally rather dull nuances and relies on gray in many variations, on black, dark brown and green on walls and floors. Even furniture has been painted in subtle colors. In Germany you will find the appropriate shades z. For example, at Peter Interior Farben (Hamburg, Tel. 040/48 25 09, www.peter-interior-farben.de): English Gray, Black and Blue, Cement and Bruno meet Anja's color choice exactly.
wall decorations
Whether photos or drawings, family pictures or art, in picture frames you can really put them in the limelight. Different sizes and different frame shapes side by side are creative From about 12 Euro, Ikea (Hofheim / Wallau, Tel. 01 80/535 34 35, www.ikea.de), Habitat (Dusseldorf, Tel 02 11/86 50 90, www .habitat.net).
From the new World
The Adirondack chairs are traditional garden chairs from New England, which are also becoming more popular with us. From 275 Euro, American Heritage (Augsburg, Tel. 08 21/439 72 87, www.american-heritage.de).
Thick fur
Whether as a rug or pillow case, whether by cow or springbok: skins are the latest trend to bring nature elements into townhouses. 129 euros, Cape Grace (Hamburg, Tel.040 / 27 80 58 84, www.capegrace.de).
exemplary
The book on the topic: Schmidt et al., "Patterns: New Patterns in Design, Art and Architecture", Birkhäuser (Basel, Tel. 00 41-61 / 205 07 45, www.birkhaeuser.ch), 59,90 Euro.
