My Houzz: Modern Style and Abstract Art Intertwine in Amsterdam

Michiel Leeser likes mixing old with new. The 19th-century Amsterdam home he shares with his teenage daughter, Elisa, features the original ornamental ceiling trim and stained glass. “When we bought the house, it was still in its original state,” says Leeser, an owner of several job recruiting websites. “Like all 19th-century homes, there were small, square rooms. So the first thing we did was tear down the walls to open up the space and let in the light.”

The more modern layout gave way to open spaces and opportunities to highlight Leeser’s collection of semiabstract and modern art pieces.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Michiel Leeser, his daughter, Elisa, 15, and their Frisian stabyhoun, Max
Location: Amsterdam
Size: 150 square meters (1,615 square feet); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a dressing room, workspace and roof terrace

Leeser was charmed by the original 19th-century architectural details, like high ceilings and mantelpieces, but wanted to combine the formal rooms into one open space. A wall separating the two rooms was removed, and Leeser had new wide-plank flooring installed.


The granite-gray couch is daughter Elisa’s favorite spot in the house. Above it hangs the most important piece of art: a belly sculpture made by her late mother, Susana López.


López, who passed away six years ago, worked as a flight attendant and was also an artist. On each flight to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, she bought wooden belly sculptures made by the Makonde people and took them home to create art pieces. Her work, which she called happy bellies, was exhibited in Amsterdam, and sold to many admirers.

This particular piece depicts the faces of Elisa and her mother, and symbolizes their bond.

Belly sculpture art is displayed prominently throughout the house. Says Leeser, “Through her art we cherish our memories of her.”


During the renovation, Leeser preserved many of the house’s original features, including the ornamental ceiling trim and the stained glass windows.


The focal point in the living room is the red chaise lounge, shown here with the family’s Frisian stabyhoun, Max. “We don’t really sit on it that much, and Max spoiled it a bit by occasionally wiping his mouth on it,” says Leeser.

The antique French cabinet was a wedding gift and dates to 1835. On both sides of the cabinet, Leeser displays framed batiks that he bought on a trip to Indonesia.


Leeser tucked a media unit and floating shelf into a living room nook. “(This space) used to be a small room, but we tore down the wall to unite it with the rest of the living room,” he explains.

The globe beanbag chair is dog Max’s favorite spot. He enjoys “literally sitting on top of the world,” Leeser says.

The painting is by Amsterdam-based artist Lon Hendriks. Leeser went to one of her exhibitions and bought several of her paintings for the house.





“I like semiabstract, modern art,” says Leeser. “I chose these pieces because their color scheme matched the furniture and accessories, and because they resonated with me.” This piece is also by Lon Hendriks.

Leeser has a girlfriend with two kids of her own. The oversize dinner table is indispensable when they come over to eat. The chairs are Eames replicas.


Leeser replaced the original kitchen with cabinetry and finishes that are modern and glossy. “I love to have breakfast on the bar stools,” he says. “And when guests come over for dinner, it’s nice that they can sit at the bar while I’m cooking. It keeps the conversation going.”


Leeser travels a lot and compiled a selection of his travel photos into collages.


The hallway is decorated with a pair of tribal masks that Leeser acquired on a trip to South Africa.


Products from Kvik give the renovated bathroom a sleek allure. The walk-in rain shower in the corner is fitted with a glass door. To use the small space as efficiently as possible, the bathtub was placed on the diagonal. “I wanted the bathtub under the window, but it wouldn’t all fit,” Leeser says. “Now I’m actually happy with the way it is.”


Leeser put up Japanese screens to diffuse incoming light. The black concrete sink and granite floor are a perfect accompaniment to the screens, allowing your eyes to rest on the contrasting glossy white tub.


Leeser kept the design clean and simple in his own bedroom. On a trip to Iceland, he and his daughter saw stools covered with sheep pelts and wanted to re-create the look. “But since we didn’t want to have excess baggage, we decided to just buy the sheep pelt and do it ourselves with locally bought stools,” Leeser says.


Elisa’s room is perfect for a teenager, with space to display her travel mementos and a lounge area for sleepovers.


Narrow stairs lead to a spacious roof terrace overlooking the neighborhood. The terrace is Leeser’s pride and joy. In the summer he spends most of his spare time up here, maintaining an edible garden with herbs and fruits like raspberries, strawberries, Italian herbs and mint. “The roof terrace is our home away from home,” Leeser says. “It is our own private retreat on top of our house.”


“When the weather permits, we do just about everything on our roof terrace,” says Leeser. “We have gatherings, we lounge here, and sometimes we even put up a screen and watch movies under the star-filled sky.”


“We don’t throw that many parties,” Leeser says. “But when we do, we turn on our festive lights and we transform the roof into a dance floor.”


Elisa and Michiel join Max in his favorite spot.

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