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Interior

How An Office Space Was Redesigned Into A Warm And Stylish Home

how-an-office-space-was-redesigned-into-a-warm-and-stylish-home
How An Office Space Was Redesigned Into A Warm And Stylish Home
The primary suite begins with mirrored doors and leads to a calming retreat divided by a see-through shelf, keeping it open yet cozy. Exposed original brick makes a bold feature in this serene ensuite, offering texture and a timeless link to the home’s past.

What happens when you peel back layers of a standard office space? In the hands of Dutch design firm TANK, the answer is something unexpectedly warm, playful, and deeply personal. Their renovation of De Korendrager in Amsterdam turns a former workplace into a character-filled family home, one that honors its past while embracing modern life.

This was once just another conventional office. But behind the bland surfaces, TANK found charm: original brick walls, old doors, and dramatic wooden beams hidden beneath years of paint. These relics became the soul of the redesign, lending texture and history to the newly imagined residence.

Before

BEFORE - Step inside a former Amsterdam office, now a stunning family home full of hidden details and warm design.

After

The front door opens to a quiet reveal: behind what were once blank stucco walls, original brick and wood doors have been carefully uncovered and cleaned, exposing the building’s true character. Years of paint stripped away, the entry now tells the story of the home’s past the moment you step inside.

The front door opens to a quiet reveal: behind what were once blank stucco walls, original brick and wood doors have been carefully uncovered and cleaned, exposing the building’s true character. Years of paint stripped away, the entry now tells the story of the home’s past the moment you step inside.

The new kitchen is a showstopper in light wood, centered around a generous island that anchors the open-plan space. It’s clean and contemporary, yet doesn’t compete with the raw beauty of the old charred beams above.

This light wood kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring a central island, charred ceiling beams, and a cozy window-side swing chair for relaxed mornings.

A cozy breakfast corner and a hanging chair by the window create quiet places to take in the view, coffee in hand.

This light wood kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring a central island, charred ceiling beams, and a cozy window-side swing chair for relaxed mornings.
This light wood kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring a central island, charred ceiling beams, and a cozy window-side swing chair for relaxed mornings.

The living room melts seamlessly into the kitchen and dining area, but it holds its own thanks to a standout feature: a wood wall made from 150-year-old German pine boards, discovered beneath the office floor. This reclaimed timber now wraps from wall to floor, grounding the space. The fireplace is flush-set, adding warmth without fuss.

Reclaimed 150-year-old pine boards wrap this warm living area, where a seamless fireplace and wood wall add rustic texture to the open-plan space.
Reclaimed 150-year-old pine boards wrap this warm living area, where a seamless fireplace and wood wall add rustic texture to the open-plan space.
Reclaimed 150-year-old pine boards wrap this warm living area, where a seamless fireplace and wood wall add rustic texture to the open-plan space.

A 16-meter (52-foot) plywood bookshelf runs the length of the apartment, hiding bedroom doors and bathroom sinks in plain sight.

A 52-foot-long plywood bookshelf lines the hallway, concealing bedroom doors and even a bathtub—functional, beautiful, and full of surprises.
A 52-foot-long plywood bookshelf lines the hallway, concealing bedroom doors and even a bathtub—functional, beautiful, and full of surprises.

Behind the hidden doors: rooms just for the kids. One has a playful swing, the other feels like a soft retreat for a toddler. The design is thoughtful but relaxed, giving each child their own space without straying from the home’s style.

Behind the hidden bookshelf doors are sweet and playful kids’ rooms, complete with swings and soft, inviting details for rest and play.
Behind the hidden bookshelf doors are sweet and playful kids’ rooms, complete with swings and soft, inviting details for rest and play.

The hallway of shelves eventually leads to a mirrored entrance. Inside the primary suite, floor-to-ceiling closets create a gentle transition to the bed. A semi-transparent bookshelf divides the room from the ensuite, keeping the space open and airy.

The primary suite begins with mirrored doors and leads to a calming retreat divided by a see-through shelf, keeping it open yet cozy.
The primary suite begins with mirrored doors and leads to a calming retreat divided by a see-through shelf, keeping it open yet cozy.

From the hallway, you can already catch a glimpse of the bathroom’s standout feature: an original wall left exposed. It anchors the space with texture and age, a subtle contrast to the otherwise sleek finishes.

The primary suite begins with mirrored doors and leads to a calming retreat divided by a see-through shelf, keeping it open yet cozy. Exposed original brick makes a bold feature in this serene ensuite, offering texture and a timeless link to the home’s past.
Exposed original brick makes a bold feature in this serene ensuite, offering texture and a timeless link to the home’s past.

By revealing the soul of an old office and layering it with light, play, and personal touches, TANK have created a home that feels both fresh and lived-in. It’s a space that tells a story with every step.

Photography by Teo Krijgsman

Source: Contemporist