My Houzz: Light and Bright in an Amsterdam High-Rise

Designer Chantal Dussouchaud got a bad first impression of her new hometown of Amsterdam. OK, make that a couple of bad first impressions. After growing up in the sunny South of France and splitting her time between there and sunny Los Angeles, she moved to the Netherlands with her Dutch husband and their daughter during an unusually frosty winter. On top of the bone-chilling weather, their ground-floor house received virtually no sunshine, which plunged Dussouchaud into a life of dreary darkness. After two months she'd had enough and fled back to the United States.

She returned to Amsterdam a couple of months later to try again, and after another false start in an apartment with too many stairs, the family found a sweet spot: an 11th-floor modern high-rise with lots of natural light — and an elevator. To avoid any semblance of a cold, dark space, Dussouchaud filled the house with warm French country style and furniture draped with crisp white linen. "When people come and visit, they are always surprised when they walk in and see a warm and inviting space inside such a modern building," Dussouchaud says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Harry Dolman, Chantal Dussouchaud and daughter Sophie
Location: Amsterdam
Size: 180 square meters (about 1,937 square feet); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Though both of European origin, Dolman and Dussouchaud prefer open living plans more commonly found in the U.S., something they found in their Amsterdam high-rise. "The apartment had everything we were looking for," Dussouchaud says. "It had plenty of natural light, and it’s extremely convenient.”

A lot of the apartment's furnishings are roadside finds that Dussouchaud had reupholstered. The two regal armchairs in the formal seating area were salvaged from the side of the road in Los Angeles. Though her husband was reluctant to bring them home, Dussouchaud saw through the tired fabric and had them reupholstered. What was once an antique mannequin now works perfectly as a coffee stand between the two chairs.

Smaller armchair: Ektorp, Ikea


The living area combines both formal and informal seating and dining areas in one large, open setting.

“You can divide the space without it looking untidy,” Dussouchaud says. “I think a lot of people just don’t see how a large space can be used for multiple purposes. One thing I am good at is dividing a large space to make it comfortable for everybody.”


“I love to be eclectic," Dussouchaud says. "Not everything in my home has to be all one style for me. I love that my home is a mix of both very old pieces and extremely modern lighting.”

Dussouchaud designed the contemporary swivel-top coffee table, which is made from walnut and MDF slabs. A client gave her the plush velvet-covered love seat.


Miniature chairs surround a coffee table, making an ideal spot for daughter Sophie to read and work on crafts. Dussouchaud purchased the Chinese medicine cabinet from a client whose home she designed in Ojai, California. It was originally green, and she had it stripped and varnished; it's now one of her favorite pieces.

The sofa was another rescue operation, while the little wooden basket was found at an antiques store in Los Angeles.


Dussouchaud used contemporary lighting and other modern accents to help break up the traditional French provincial aesthetic. As a designer, she advises clients to splurge on statement lighting rather than furniture. “If you’re going to spend something, spend it on that one lamp that will make the house look spectacular,” she says.

Rug: Gåser, Ikea; pendant lamp: Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto


This antique ladder, originally painted blue, was rescued from the side of the road in Amsterdam. The artwork above the console is by artist and fashion designer friend Valerj Pobega. “I just love having anything that is completely different,” Dussouchaud says. “I’m not exactly Peggy Guggenheim, but I do love to support artists who are passionate and believe in their work.”


“When I design a house, I want it to be comfortable for everyone, including dogs, cats and kids,” Dussouchaud says. “While we have a few great pieces, they are all hard wearing and, though sentimental, they aren’t particularly delicate.”

Many of the pieces have been passed down from Dussouchaud’s family, such as the dining table, made by her carpenter grandfather, and the sideboard, which was his workbench. The table once belonged in her grandparents’ kitchen in southwest France.

Pendant: Tolomeo, Artemide


Dussouchaud found this pair of school desks at an antiques store. The small corner writing desk belonged to her mother, who used it when she was just 7 years old.


The open layout has allowed for an informal dining area, which is where Dussouchaud finds herself working most days. Weathered antique luggage and an old chess set adorn the top shelf of the bookcase.

Bookcase: Expedit, Ikea; table: Bjursta, Ikea


Dussouchaud, shown here, uses the informal dining area adjacent to the kitchen to craft linen bags stuffed with lavender harvested from a neighboring property near the family's holiday home in the South of France.


Dussouchaud uses a stencil to apply words and quotes to each scented bag.


Every inch of the apartment benefits from Dussouchaud's personal and creative touches, including the hallway. An old barn door salvaged from the shed in the couple's Beverly Hills home got a new lease on life with the addition of chalkboard panels.



An antique dish rack (known in French as a vaisselier) in the entryway displays a collection of meaningful artwork collected by the couple over the years.

Coatrack: City Coat Rack, Radius Design


The couple's main bedroom has space for a home office. Dussouchaud found this classic chair on the side of the road and had it reupholstered. "I just love finding treasures on the street," she says. The chair's curved silhouette provides great contrast with the rest of the room's more contemporary lines. Dussouchaud used the mannequin while working as a fashion designer in New York years ago.

Shelving: Expedit, Ikea


The main bedroom features a contemporary four-poster bed with white linens for a fresh vibe. "I am very drawn to natural products such as wood and linen," Dussouchaud says.


Just next door is 5-year-old Sophie's bedroom.


A muted palette makes for a calming environment for the little girl.


She enjoys a large bed and has views of the neighboring high-rises.


Dussouchaud created this wall-mounted fixture to help Sophie learn the alphabet. "Projects like this are so simple to make, and they add a personal touch to a child's room," she says. "It doesn't take much to create something meaningful for your child."


Sliding glass doors lead to Sophie's playroom.


The sunny space has a crafting table and a daybed.


Finally at home in Amsterdam, Dussouchaud enjoys the comfort, warmth, practicality and light of her high-rise home.

URL: My Houzz: Light and Bright in an Amsterdam High-Rise http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-18469.html