As architects, my husband and I have fantasies of building our own house one day. He has poetic visions of modernist, open, loft-like spaces with spectacular views. As for me, my visions are more prosaic: I dream of a house where every available inch is given over to integrated, built-in storage.
Happily the two aren’t mutually exclusive, as evidenced by this newly built, modern family house in Bloemandaal, the Netherlands, by Amsterdam firm Paul de Ruiter Architects. Sited to preserve and appreciate the surrounding landscape, the structure has walls of windows to connect the rooms to the outdoors. Naturally lit, free-flowing spaces work best without clutter, and this is where the house’s ingenious built-in storage steps in. The prosaic enabling the poetic–come and have a look.
Photography by Tim Van de Velde.
![built into the slope of a hill, both floors are glazed to enjoy the views of th 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-06.jpg)
![the open space on the ground floor contains the kitchen, dining, and living are 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-24.jpg)
![the kitchen cabinets and island form an anchor. 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-09.jpg)
![on the ground floor, open and closed storage made from veneered plywood forms a 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-08.jpg)
![the plywood wall extends out and serves as a backdrop for the living area. 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-10.jpg)
![sliding glass doors lead to the private quarters in the back. 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-15.jpg)
![a woodstove provides a hearth for the living area. the diagonal wall behind it 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/villa-v-paul-de-ruiter-architects-tim-van-de-velde.jpg)
![the back of the kitchen cabinets serve as a partition and as a surface for hang 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-14.jpg)
![industrial galvanized metal stairs work well with the polished concrete floors. 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-03.jpg)
![a skylight fills the stairwell with natural light. 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-02.jpg)
![on the second floor living area, a thick plywood wall houses a fireplace and al 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-01.jpg)
![the wall above the sofa provides an opportunity for shelving. 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-18.jpg)
![on the other side of the fireplace, cabinets and shelving can be hidden away vi 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-17.jpg)
![in the master bedroom, the bed is integrated into the headboard and the thickne 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-11.jpg)
![in the children\2\17;s room, a bed and desk (with nook space) are built 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-22.jpg)
![below the entry level, the architects created a basement garage. 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-23.jpg)
![the house\2\17;s layout is on full view at night. 33](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fields/Villa-V-Paul-de-Ruiter-Bloemendaal-Netherlands-Remodelista-19.jpg)
Like the look of plywood interiors? The Unexpected Appeal of Plywood explains why. And learn the nitty gritty in Remodeling 101: The Ins and Outs of Plywood.
Over on Gardenista, discover more uses for plywood in Outbuilding of the Week: A Woodshed Transformed, Italian Style.
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