CHECK IN / CHECK OUT: Amsterdam
Stay in a charming 17th century B&B in the heart of the city and roam through an under-the-radar house museum for some chic design inspiration
Check In: The Weavery
Built in the 1670's to house a family of Flemish silk weavers, this darling (and well-priced) little 2-room B&B is just a 5 minute walk from the museum quarter and has been lovingly renovated to preserve its original character as a private home. As such, the exposed timbers, patina-ed Dutch tiles and original wooden staircase impart the feeling of what Amsterdam was like during the city's Golden Age. In a lovely continuation of craftsman history, the artistic couple who run The Weavery have a shop selling handmade sustainable Moroccan Berber rugs on the ground floor so if you like what you see in your room, you can head downstairs to purchase it. The B&B is self-catering, but don't be surprised if a home-baked treat is waiting for you in your room, and the owners are happy to steer you to their favorite neighborhood coffeeshop/take-out/shopping destinations.
Check Out: Museum Van Loon
This elegant canal mansion on the Keizersgracht dates from around the same period as The Weavery so staying in one and visiting the other offers a wonderful panoply of the breadth of 17th century Dutch cultural life. Here, art and aesthetics are the heart of every room, with original paintings and antiques, handpainted murals on the walls, priceless rugs under your feet, and a seductive palette of jewel-toned furniture that feels like a masterclass in color theory. There is usually a wonderful temporary exhibit going that connects the classic past with present-day artisans, and the grand formal garden outside is an oasis of serenity.
For more exclusive travel content with a focus on design and craft, explore In Hand.
Written by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti and Meghan McEwen, IN HAND is part travelogue and part travel ethos — exploring the intersection of design, craft and travel; celebrating people, places and objects.