Residential N° 610: Amsterdam Penthouse by Framework Studio.

Custom designed kitchen by Framework Studio. Kitchen tap from Quooker. Table lamp from & Tradition. Barstool from Bassamfellows. Vintage chair by Adriano and Paolo Suman. Wall light by Anna Charlesworth.

Klaus Grabe lounge chair. Rino Claessens stool.

Wall art by Bastiaan Woudt. Vintage sideboard (with vintage head sculpture on top. Table by Dirk van der Kooij. Vintage Pamplona dining chairs. Vintage Verner Panton S side chair. Pendant light by Anna Charlesworth.

“The details are not the details. They make the design.”

Never the ones to mince words, Framework Studio has artfully managed to sum up the glory of this project in a quick ten words by Charles and Ray Eames, but I’ll throw in a few more because, hell – it deserves it.

A triumph of detail and rhythm, this top floor penthouse celebrates space through rigid formality and playful adornment. Located on the top floor of a former 1900s Amsterdam fire station with striking views of the Amstel River, the apartment provides a soothing antidote to the buzzing city below.

Following a very clear architectural philosophy, the studio looked to the existing bones of the fire station to bring charm and character to the newly created top floor while respecting the heritage of the building and its lush location next to the river.

Related: A Slice of Paris in Amsterdam: Family Office by Framework Studio.

Table by Bieke Casteleyn. Vases by Willem van Hooff. Yellow vase by Floris Wubben. Pendant light by Anna Charlesworth.

Ceiling light by Kreon. Wall light by Anna Charlesworth. Polished mirror art by Ben Storm. Side table by Floris Wubben. Vintage Afra & Tobia Scarpa’s Soriana Chair.

Custom made oakwood doors by Framework Studio. Chair by Philippe Starck.

From the cabinetry down to the door frames, the level of detail feels sober and clean. Referencing the linear and rigorous atmosphere fire stations tend to have, these custom designed pieces by Framework play an essential role in the overall minimalist composition with even the smallest elements making a giant impact.

Streaming with natural light from filtered floor to ceiling windows and a shining staircase skylight shadows and light interplay throughout the two floors. A ton-sur-ton palette of light herringbone floors and textured neutral walls breathe air and softness into the home. Working closely with their clients splashes of colour come from the typically opulent and extravagant curation of furniture and art pieces, a trademark of Framework we’ve come to expect – and love to uncover. Choosing some amazing pieces, the studio balances the friendly and quirky shapes of the objects with the strict precision of the backdrop creating a constant whispering dialogue between architecture and interior design.

Wall light by Anna Charlesworth. Vintage Le Corbusier table lamp. Vintage sideboard.

Vintage Philippe Starck black chair in the corridor. Wall art by Bastiaan Woudt. White vintage Pamplona chair in the foreground.

Left: Vintage Pierre Jeannett chair. Above: Custom designed bedhead by Framework Studio. Side table by Floris Wubben.

Here is the point of the article that quickly descends into a Bret Easton Ellis novel (Glamorama anyone?) diligently chronicling the furniture and objects because honestly, it’s so damn hard not to! Icons you know (and love), like the Verner Panton “S” chair and Carlo Scarpa fauteuil blissfully rub shoulders with contemporary objects like a distorted stainless steel mirror by Ben Storms.

Texturally graphic pieces by Arno de Clercq, Giorgetti and Philippe Starck blend in and add depth to the muted palette whereas others like the vintage Klaus Grabe sculptural red chaise lounge chair and Floris Wubben bedside table are more outspoken – demanding to be noticed.

Luxuriously comfortable, Framework Studio has paired clean lines, soft colours and an intimidating collection of art and objects to form a space that feels slightly disconnected from the world, just the spot to be when you need a break from it all.

[Images courtesy of Framework Studio. Photography by Thomas de Bruyne/ Cafeine.]