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Two Story: A Danish-Designed Cafe, Shop, and Gallery in an Amsterdam Canal House

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PlasterIssue — Life in Layers

Two Story: A Danish-Designed Cafe, Shop, and Gallery in an Amsterdam Canal House

March 4, 2026

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.

two story occupies the first two floors of a historic house on a sque block wi 17
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.
the house has been put to many uses over the years, including as a street art g 18
Above: The house has been put to many uses over the years, including as a street art gallery, travel agency, and car dealership.
&#8\2\20;the café is our way of welcoming people with open arms,&#8\2\ 19
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.
&#8\2\20;the ambition was to create warmth and intimacy, to preserve the tr 20
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.
atelier axo designed the brushed stainless steel bar as a &#8\2\20;quiet ar 21
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.
justus has a law degree and runs his own pizza restaurant. two story is his and 22
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.
the walls throughout—and the water station built out of concrete blocks—are 23
Above: The walls throughout—and the water station built out of concrete blocks—are finished in Danish brand St. Leo’s matte Marble Paint, which the company describes as “merging the sensory quality of plaster with the deep color profiles and effortless application of paint.” The shade is Herluf Trolles Gade, a “stone white.”

The painting, “The Two of Us,” is by British artist Lara Voce.

the spiral pendants are ingo maurer&#8\2\17;s \1983 willydilly lights made 24
Above: The spiral pendants are Ingo Maurer’s 1983 Willydilly lights made of adjustable white cardboard clipped with a transparent clothespin. The cafe’s ceramics are by Ancher Studio of Denmark.
the aim was to create, in atelier axo&#8\2\17;s words, &#8\2\20;a pared 25
Above: The aim was to create, in Atelier Axo’s words, “a pared-down yet tactile and warm space—a setting that supports both the experience of art and social interaction. The choice of materials emphasizes texture and calm.” Their Moroccan-tiled Otto Table stands alongside canted shelves that were inspired by the house’s original built-in shelving.

Linde selects art, ceramics, glassware, and other objects “not just for aesthetic appeal, but to exist as beloved companions for someone’s everyday.”

this way to the gallery. 26
Above: This way to the gallery. this way to the gallery. 27

Above: The exhibition space displays two of the house’s few original interior details: uncovered and restored ceiling beams and a parlor mirror. The new floor is wide-board oak. Atelier Axo designed the Ebba Bench and sideboard in stained oak with a lacquered finish to create “a visual connection” between upstairs and down. Their Two Story furniture designs are available upon request: for details write to [email protected].

linde presents new work by emerging artists every three months. she studied at 28
Above: Linde presents new work by emerging artists every three months. She studied at a hotel management school in Switzerland, worked in e-commerce for Cartier, and has a masters in visual and digital media. “The idea for Two Story had been living in my mind for years,” she says. Photograph by Studio Aest.
lara voce&#8\2\17;s &#8\2\20;three yellow pears&#8\2\2\1; hangs on 29
Above: Lara Voce’s “Three Yellow Pears” hangs on an offset gallery wall,  “a sculptural intervention introduced to bring greater clarity and composure to the space. Behind it, a series of old chimney stacks creates an irregular footprint,” explains Caroline. “Rather than attempting to conceal this complexity , we responded by allowing the wall to shift in and out, tracing the latent geometry of the structure while refining it.”

Two Story (@twostory.amsterdam) is at Singel 395 H 1012 WN Amsterdam.

Two more Atelier Axo projects:

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