When designers are given the opportunity to tackle their own home, the result is the expression of unrestrained ideas and the interrogation of beliefs and ideals. It is a considerable privilege, a daunting task and a journey that founder, Thomas Geerlings and his wife Danielle undertook with gusto.
The couple bought a rather ruinous house along the canal near the Amstelveld in and spent over a year renovating the five-storey family home. “When you do projects for yourself, your first decisions are emotionally driven,” says Geerlings.
Geerlings focused on two main factors throughout the design process: firstly to create a comfortable and functional family home and secondly to respect the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of the historic building which was a former warehouse dating back to 1896. The exterior is left mostly untouched with the designer explaining that he “wanted the outer shell to be true to the original building, adding the bare minimum of technical detailing in doors and doorways to make it a comfortable environment”.
Although a former warehouse, Geerlings steered away from an industrial style. Instead, there is a sense of warmth from the combination of oak floorboards, emerald veined marble and raw cement walls. Geerlings kept materials ton-sur-ton or tonally unified with greens and greys layered in various hues and textures. The tactile materials, expressed beams and rounded forms create a sense of harmony and composure that is far from industrial. “I don’t like industrial or loft spaces. They just don’t do it for me… I like unfussy, unfinished details,” remarks the designer.
Canal House is adorned with some seriously drop-dead gorgeous art and objects to complement the elegantly restored spaces. Luscious green seating, a sofa and dining benches were custom designed by Framework as were the dining tables, bed frames, stools, benches and a five-meter long craft table for the children. These lovingly designed pieces are surrounded by Dutch art, vintage furniture and eclectic lighting.
Framework’s Canal House is characterised by unexpected imperfection and open-ended design. “I see design as rather like the composition of a painting – all these components have to talk to each other. Then you have something really interesting going on,” explains Geerlings.
Sure the spaces are overwhelmingly beautiful but they are also playful, provocative and encourage you to question the experience of home.
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