Along the banks of the Rijn, an early 20th century home once again commands attention with its detailed facade and waterfront position. Known as Home Wilhelminalaan, the residence was redesigned by Studio Modijefsky, who transformed the historic property into a layered family home built around entertaining, comfort, and the changing atmosphere of the river.
Located in the Netherlands, the project combines the original classical residence with a series of modern additions including a private bar, wellness wing, wine room, and multi-functional spaces. The result feels expansive without losing the charm of the original house. Large windows frame views of the Rijn throughout the home, while warm materials and custom detailing bring consistency across both the old and new sections of the property.
Warm Materials and Fireplace-Centered Spaces
The living room unfolds behind textured glass doors, immediately introducing a softer and warmer atmosphere. Earth-toned fabrics, walnut wood, natural stone flooring, copper accents, and wool upholstery create an interior palette that feels rich without becoming heavy.
An open fireplace anchors the main seating area, while a custom wall element stretches across the ground floor to visually tie the surrounding rooms together. Integrated cabinetry and shelving add functionality while helping the large open-plan spaces feel cohesive.
A custom-built sofa fits neatly into the curved niche overlooking the garden, while integrated lighting and tailored detailing turn this corner into a quiet reading spot surrounded by the warmth of the fire and filtered daylight.
Orange-toned rugs soften the tiled flooring and add bursts of color throughout the living areas, while sculptural furniture pieces bring texture and contrast into the space.
A Dining Space Framed by Walnut and Soft Neutrals
Positioned between the living room and kitchen, the dining area acts as a natural gathering point within the home. A dark walnut dining table introduces depth against the lighter surrounding palette, creating visual definition without interrupting the openness of the floor plan.
The transition between spaces feels effortless. From the dining area, views stretch toward the kitchen, living room, and garden, allowing the home to feel social and open from every angle.
Soft neutral finishes keep the atmosphere calm, while the darker timber tones anchor the room and echo the walnut detailing seen throughout the interior.
A Warm Kitchen With Industrial Touches
The kitchen combines warm timber cabinetry with industrial materials to create a space that feels both refined and practical. One wall is dedicated entirely to integrated storage and custom cabinetry, including textured glass fronts that add visual depth and subtle transparency.
At the centre of the room, a large island faces the garden and incorporates a built-in breakfast nook for casual meals and morning coffee. Stainless steel countertops introduce reflection and texture against the softer wood finishes, giving the kitchen a slightly industrial edge.
Despite its functionality, the kitchen maintains the same warmth seen throughout the rest of the home, continuing the layered material palette established in the living spaces.
A Garden Designed Around the Rijn Views
The outdoor spaces were designed by Arjan Boekel and connect the main house, extensions, and waterfront through a series of seating zones and pathways.
Light outdoor furniture selected by Studio Modijefsky creates areas for dining, lounging, and entertaining throughout the garden. Near the BBQ area, larger gathering spaces encourage long outdoor dinners, while smaller seating spots closer to the water take advantage of the evening light across the Rijn.
The landscaping helps blur the transition between indoor and outdoor living, especially with the extensive glazing found throughout the extensions and serre spaces.
A Sunlit Home Office
Custom-built furniture combines storage and sculptural detailing, turning the compact workspace into an inspiring creative studio. The atmosphere feels airy and bright, offering a completely different mood from the richer material palette found elsewhere in the home.
The atelier also highlights the flexibility of the redesigned floor plan, where spaces can shift easily between work, creativity, and relaxation.
A Richly Layered Entertaining Space
The private bar sits within one of the home’s new extensions and introduces a darker, more atmospheric mood. Warm brown tones, terrazzo detailing, geometric brass shelving, textured glass, marble, and zellige tiles combine to create one of the most visually layered spaces in the house.
A square-pattern timber floor grounds the room, while brass bottle displays turn the back wall into a sculptural feature. Large windows maintain a visual connection to the garden, helping the bar feel open despite its darker palette.
Designed for hosting friends and family, the space feels luxurious yet welcoming, with material contrasts adding depth from every angle.
Travertine Surfaces and Garden Views
Connected directly to the bar, the wellness area includes a steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi, and lounge space wrapped almost entirely in travertine finishes.
Adjacent to the wellness spaces, a multi-functional lounge features sculptural seating, handcrafted side tables, warm lighting, and a concealed fold-out bed hidden inside custom cabinetry. The atmosphere feels intimate and hotel-like while still connected to the rest of the family home.
The engraved travertine feature wall introduces texture and movement across the interior, while greenery softens the stone surfaces and brings the garden visually indoors. A travertine-clad jacuzzi positioned beside large windows looks directly toward the landscape outside.
A Skylit Staircase at the Center of the Home
The staircase acts as one of the defining architectural moments within Home Wilhelminalaan. Positioned centrally in the hallway, it draws daylight down from a rooflight above, brightening both levels of the home.
The transition upstairs feels open and airy thanks to the soft natural light and flowing circulation around the landing. Materials remain restrained, allowing the form of the staircase and the changing light throughout the day to become the focus.
As visitors move upward, the staircase creates a gradual shift from the social downstairs spaces into the quieter private rooms above.
Soft Materials and Seamless Storage
Upstairs, the bedrooms continue the warm material palette established downstairs but in a softer and lighter way. A seamless poured floor stretches throughout the upper level, helping the rooms feel calm and unified.
The master bedroom combines custom bedheads, integrated lighting, selected rugs, and curated furniture pieces to create a layered but minimal atmosphere. Sliding wardrobe doors disappear behind cabinetry, keeping storage visually hidden and maintaining clean lines throughout the room.
Wood detailing and large mirrors reflect natural light and help the bedroom feel open while still warm and intimate.
Travertine and Soft Light Overlooking the Rijn
Connected directly to the main bedroom, the bathroom combines travertine, tiles, and poured flooring in a light neutral palette. A large sink, shower, toilet, and bathtub are visually tied together through travertine plinth details that run across the space.
Large windows frame views toward the garden and the Rijn, bringing daylight deep into the bathroom and reinforcing the home’s connection to the waterfront setting. The overall atmosphere feels bright, warm, and quietly luxurious without becoming overly decorative.
A Home Designed Around Flow and Entertaining
One of the strongest aspects of Home Wilhelminalaan is how the floor plan links multiple functions across the property without making the house feel fragmented.
The main residence connects naturally into the extensions housing the bar, wellness area, multi-functional room, wine room, garage, and boathouse. Views through glazing and aligned pathways maintain visual continuity between each volume.
Upstairs, the private rooms follow a more restrained material palette while continuing the same custom detailing and built-in storage solutions seen downstairs. The overall layout supports both large social gatherings and quieter everyday living, adapting easily depending on how the spaces are used.
Home Wilhelminalaan shows how a historic waterfront property can evolve without losing its original charm. Through warm materials, custom craftsmanship, layered extensions, and strong visual connections to the Rijn, Studio Modijefsky transformed the residence into a home designed equally for entertaining and quiet moments by the water.