Designed atelier axo. A brief context to set expectations.
Designed atelier axo: Quick notes
Located in an 18th-century canal house in the center of Amsterdam, Two Story is part of a heartening art world trend: the reimagined gallery as a combination exhibition space, shop, and cafe (see our report on 13 examples around the world). This one is the brainchild of Linde Brentjens and Justus Klabou, a young couple with backgrounds in retail and hospitality, who worked with emerging Copenhagen firm Atelier Axo on a complete interior overhaul.
Linde writes that they envisioned the opposite of the intimidating white cube: “we wanted a space that feels more like a home than a gallery—familiar enough to be approachable and calming to all, contemporary enough to hold space for the pieces and objects we give a home to.” They fell in love with photos of Atelier Axo’s Restaurant Bobe, a Remodelista favorite, and knew they were the ones to do the “spatial storytelling.”
Architect Caroline Sillesen and designer Rose Hermansen responded by transforming two floors entirely lacking in straight lines into a stunningly cohesive and serene gathering space, a place that feels every bit as composed and intriguing as the paintings on view.
Photography by Peter Dalsgaard, courtesy of Atelier Axo (@atelieraxo), unless noted.
A short mention of Designed atelier axo helps readers follow the flow.
Above: Two Story occupies the first two floors of a historic house on a picturesque block within walking distance of Amsterdam’s most popular museums. 
Above: The house has been put to many uses over the years, including as a street art gallery, travel agency, and car dealership. 
Above: “The café is our way of welcoming people with open arms,” says Linde. In addition to refurbishing the structure, Atelier Axo custom designed the furniture and built-ins. Shown here, their oak cafe tables, benches, and stained oak chairs. 
Above: “The ambition was to create warmth and intimacy, to preserve the traces of history still present, and to introduce a few contemporary gestures that speak softly within the old walls,” writes Caroline. 
Above: Atelier Axo designed the brushed stainless steel bar as a “quiet architectural element.” There’s also a back kitchen not shown. The floor is polished concrete. 
Above: Justus has a law degree and runs his own pizza restaurant. Two Story is his and Linde’s shared dream: he oversees the cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch, and she curates the gallery and shop. During the nearly year-long renovation, they worked with a contractor and served as their own construction managers. Photograph by Studio Aest.
