Utrecht Townhouse

With a combination of clean, modern lines and richly contrasting classical materials, the ground floor of this townhouse has been transformed into an elegant living space. Authentic details blend with refined interior design to create spaces rich in character.

The townhouses around Wilhelminapark in Utrecht were built in the early 20th century to offer the well-to-do an alternative to the bustle of the city centre. Our clients’ spacious neoclassical house dates from 1900 and is set in a terrace of houses at the western side of the park.

The townhouse has four floors, with a living room occupying the entire first floor. Originally a reception space, the ‘period room’ on the street side of the ground floor features an ornamental ceiling and marble mantelpiece. The remaining spaces on this floor, once used by servants, were relatively small before renovation.

In renovating this townhouse, we redefined the ground-floor kitchen as a luxury open kitchen, opening directly onto both the rear garden and the period room at the front. A few strategic architectural alterations enlarged and brightened the space, bringing it into better proportion with the rest of the house.

A striking new pivoting door leads visitors directly from the hall into the open kitchen. The wall between the kitchen and period room has been replaced by large built-in storage units with double doors, allowing the open kitchen and front room to function as two interconnected spaces.

The authentic details and ornaments in the house have been painted white, while the new floor in the hall and open kitchen is finished in polished white marble. Interior fittings in smoked oak veneer provide contrast while adding warmth and intimacy.