Meow Meow

Forget everything you thought you knew about compact living. This 484-square-foot (45 square meters) loft in Amsterdam isn’t just a home; it’s a testament to the power of thoughtful design, custom solutions, and the transformative magic of multifunctionality. Here, homeowner Kun Freiman, alongside his girlfriend Fadeem and their cat Suck, demonstrates how to craft a truly tailored living experience where every inch earns its keep.

Kun’s design philosophy is refreshingly practical: “iterate until it feels right.” He believes in living within a space to truly understand its needs before committing to a design, a hands-on approach that has led him to personally craft many of the innovative solutions seen throughout the loft.

The Secret Weapon: Furniture That Works Overtime

When square footage is precious, your furnishings must be multifunctional workhorses. This is where Molecrate shines, a modular system that embodies versatility. Imagine a single unit transforming from a storage case to a bedside table, a room divider, a coffee table, or even a TV unit. Kun himself leverages Molecrate for his living room TV unit and a convenient side table.

What makes Molecrate a game-changer for small spaces? Its assembly requires no specialized tools or “handy skills,” and for ultimate flexibility, you can even add wheels. Constructed from high-quality, sustainable Baltic birch plywood sourced from the Baltic Sea region, Molecrate promises exceptional strength, durability, and lasting longevity. This system is designed for adaptability; a side table today can easily become two dining stools tomorrow, or transition to the sleeping area as needs evolve. For those looking to integrate this ingenious system into their own homes, Molecrate is launching on Indiegogo, offering a “secret perk” that includes everything needed for a multifunctional case and an exclusive discount.

A Bespoke Loft Reborn: Waterfront Ingenuity

This apartment building, completed in 1998, is part of a unique Amsterdam district where 1990s urban planning allowed for diverse architectural expressions, meaning each structure boasts a distinct aesthetic. Kun and Fadeem acquired this 45-square-meter unit from Kun’s mother, drawn by its impressive high ceilings, expansive windows overlooking the waterfront, and the inherent potential for a vibrant indoor plant haven. They took on the renovation themselves, transforming a standard layout into a highly customized, efficient dwelling.

Their renovation journey was a deep dive into enhancing both aesthetics and functionality:

• Elevated Entryway & Hallway: The entrance is intentionally kept clean and clear, creating an immediate sightline directly through to the water. Coats are neatly stowed in a cabinet just around the corner, preventing clutter upon entry. A mirror strategically placed above the door in the hall helps to bounce light and expand the sense of space. The distinctive ceiling light in the hall was a unique find from an abandoned factory in Istanbul, brought back by Kun as hand luggage. On the loft floor, shoes are discreetly stored in a cabinet that also cleverly doubles as a visual screen for the sleeping area.
• The Living Room’s Dynamic Core: Bathed in natural light from south-facing windows, the living room is ideal for cultivating an array of large plants. The true design highlight is the TV, ingeniously suspended from a ceiling rail, allowing it to glide back and forth. When positioned against the wall, it reveals a hidden sculpture on its reverse side. The striking pink cabinet, set against vibrant green tiles—which the couple personally laid, even embedding their signatures into one hidden tile—serves as a bold focal point. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this cabinet is a storage powerhouse, concealing a desk and a “hiding place” for their cat, though their feline friend apparently prefers the couch for scratching.
• Kitchen & Dining Revamp: The couple preserved the original kitchen’s calm gray palette, enhancing its utility with a new island. For Fadeem, an avid cook, a substantial spice rack was custom-built directly above the kitchen island. In a charmingly resourceful touch, the kitchen light is an actual street lamp, repurposed from the municipality. The washing machine, previously occupying valuable kitchen space, was thoughtfully relocated to the bathroom, creating room for a much-desired dishwasher. A round dining table introduces a beautiful contrast to the home’s otherwise linear design. While compact for daily use, it ingeniously extends to comfortably host up to eight people.
• Serene Sleeping Quarters: The sleeping area is enveloped by a set of curtains, providing not only privacy and light blockage but also creating a distinct, cozy zone for rest. Two smaller electric roller blinds offer additional sun protection and privacy. Addressing an inconveniently located light switch, Kun implemented a playful and functional solution: a massive industrial switch he discovered in an abandoned factory in Belgium, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the sleeping area.
• Integrated Storage & Flow: Floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the wardrobes enhance the feeling of spaciousness and amplify light throughout the apartment. An open drying cabinet offers ample room for laundry and smartly doubles as a room divider, optimizing spatial efficiency.
• Clever Bathroom Solutions: Even the bathroom showcases meticulous planning. They sourced a compact washing machine that fit perfectly, then custom-built cabinetry around it after expertly managing the plumbing. A particularly ingenious feature is the seamlessly integrated litter box within the bathroom cabinet.
• Expanding Outdoors: The couple extended their living area outdoors by embarking on the challenging construction of a floating deck. This complex project required building the deck indoors, partially disassembling it, maneuvering it around a central column, and then reassembling it outside – a true testament to their dedication to maximizing every available space.

The overall style of this Amsterdam loft is a harmonious fusion of personal finds, bespoke creations, and existing elements. Kun’s passion for crafting items himself, combined with unique discoveries like the industrial light switch from Belgium or the ceiling light from Istanbul, contributes to a highly functional, visually cohesive, and undeniably personalized living environment. It stands as a brilliant example of how ingenuity and a “make-it-work” attitude can transform a compact space into a highly efficient and deeply cherished sanctuary.