Downsizing in style

After their children grew up Caroline and Auke Thijssen swapped their suburban family home for this converted city warehouse, which they radically updated

- LISA FAZZANI

Living room

This space is upstairs on the first floor. ‘I bought the sitting room rug and cushions from a Moroccan seller at Etsy. The bank of sofas is very grey, so the space needed colour.’

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Moving to this converted warehouse signalled a life change for Caroline and Auke Thijssen, who were considering a move back into the centre of Arnhem after their children left home.

‘I had an appointment with the owners because they were selling up and wanted to hire me to design the interior of their new house,’ says Caroline. ‘When I saw this house, I decided to sell our current house, and renovate this one. It’s the best idea I’ve ever had. Our detached house with a garden was nice when the children were young, but we craved city life.