Avenue article, Antiques4Yu, antiques for Ming Yu, dealing in fine 17th - 19th century art and antiques, clocks, paintings, porcelain,candlesticks - candelabra, sculptures, longcase locks, mantel clocks, pendules, cartels, barometers.

An 'AVENUE' article concerning 'Living with payable antique'

Published in a Dutch popular magazine 'Avenue', on trends, art and interiors,
in September 1978, on page 138 - 139 -140 - 141 .
The canal house of Van Os & Yu at the Herengracht in Amsterdam persisted many centuries.
It was changed into an office and now again restyled into its original purpose.
The present inhabitants, two antique dealers and collectors have adapted the house with dignity.
They combined new and old elements with plenty of antiques but avoiding the feeling of being in a museum.

	This canal house descends from 1636. The original construction contained a basement, ground floor and first floor. In 1830 a second and third floor were added. The house stands on a corner, that gives it many windows ensuring abundantly light. A pleasant feature, but less favourable for furniture sensitive to light or cracks because of dryness. After being used as an office, the seize 4,50 x 12 meter was to small to create apartments. So the whole space was converted into a house for private living.
	From office to living accommodation - residence. The first floor became the antique store, the first floor living room, the second floor kitchen and dining room, the third floor bathroom and bedroom. The attic is persevered for the dog and two cats. The house is furnished with Dutch antiques and antiques from the Louis XVI and Empire period. For the lounge a chimney was found from a house at the Keizersgracht in so called 'Bleu Turquin', a marble quality no longer found. A second chimney for the opposite site is in the Dutch Louis XVI style. The fabrics in the Empires style for curtains and chairs are from the company Le Lièvre in Paris and made 70% of silk.
	Le Lièvre is the firm that realised the upholstering in the Dutch Royal Palace on the Dam during the reign of Louis Napoleon (brother of Bonaparte). Archives material is used for the actual design and upholstering Le Lièvre. Ceiling spots are installed for smooth lighting. And a Dutch 18th century longcase clocks, returned form New York in bad condition, is given the right maintenance to enrich the living room.
	The portrait of the owners - at the staircase - is made by Corstiaan de Vries. It was especially made for this particular spot. The kitchen marble and bath facilities are from the firm Cortlever. Freom the inside of the house one can enjoy the beauty of the canal. Because the house is on a corner, the other side gives sight on a little street alive with a variety of shops

Portrait of Ming Yu & Wouter van Os , by Corstiaan de Vries.
Corstiaan de Vries has his own special and recognizable place in the international world of the portrait. His images of people and animals, translated on a flat sheet in colourpencil, are desirable objects for many private collectors.

Home ENG

Home NL