What happens at
Hontscharenko’s
place?
A contiguous set of steps connecting two floors. The staircase, isn’t that a brilliant constructive idea. Respect for the innovative mind that invented it. Wiki tells me: ‘The earliest known constructed staircases date back to around 6000-5000 BCE. These were simple, functional structures made of mudbrick and stone.’
For 24 years now I live (still pleasantly) in a corner house build in 1939, it has two solid staircases made of Canadian pine. I had them uncovered, no textile such as a carpet, no paint or whatsoever, sandpapered the steps back in original condition, added a few layers of matt varnish. That was okay, it looked genuinely Antique, distinctive, clean and full of character. Now I decided its time for another style, time for modern minimalism.
Redesigning my house that was a project I planned to do many years ago. Face-lifting the stairs was part of the plan. Not an easy quick fix. I had to tear down the wall that separated the hall and living room to create a feeling of spaciousness.
The two little walls are visually connected, not only demarcate the floor of the living room they also emphasise the open design, they are not pure decorative but also functional because they replace the transition wall, which I demolished, between two different spaces.
To the right the stairs going up to the bedroom and bathroom. The white steps contrast with the blue wall. I’ve painted the previous white wall in this kind of blue, I mixed it with a little bit grey to give it more depth. The colour blue is here prominent and superior, its calm and mysterious. Colour is emotion. The dark grey-blue stripes on the steps (they have the effect carpet rods) creates a special graphic dynamic.
Integrated sculptural element attached in the corner of the ceiling. Of all geometrical forms the triangel is my favourite, next to the circle.
The staircase from ground level connecting with the first floor. It has the classic measurement ratio of the steps, easy to climb. You can still feel the dignity of its age, 86 years old. I like how it bends at the top, making a smooth left turn. Politically correct.
No doubt I have developed a soulful connection with my stairs. Nice. By the way, notice I am not using stair railings anymore. I am in balance without their support.
Modern Minimalism, that means considering not to use Globe Lamp. Cliche of interior designers. Alternative? Spotlights.
White folded curtain is covering the front door which has two small narrow windows. The curtain is decorative and functional. It prevents voyeurs from peeking. The curtain plays and dances with the feathery light coming in from outside the house. Here it is evening summertime Amsterdam just before sunset falls in.
The curve of the stairways stands out, more then it did before. The big reversed L-shape is new, result of serendipity, it occurred out of the blue.
The staircase follows the rest of the house, pay attention to the black and white plinth stripes. I use them not only as plinths. Black and white, in the colour theory of Bauhaus the utmost extreme gradual contrast, but the clock hanging on the wall (Dutch Design) shows that black together with light (glossy) pink can be as bold.