CHD Interiors Takes Amsterdam

At CHD, we love to travel for antiques and have been doing it for years in England, but this spring, we headed to Amsterdam to expand our antiquing adventures. In between viewing the stunning tulips and sipping tulip spritzes, we got to work scoping out Amsterdam’s incredible antique scene. Read on to learn about the treasures we discovered and get some of our best tips for enjoying a trip to Amsterdam!

What Makes Dutch Antiques So Special?

Dutch furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, while clearly influenced by the popular styles adopted by powerful monarchs at the time, also has its distinct styling. Dutch antique furniture is noted for its voluptuous, sturdy, and highly decorative look. Often crafted in the bombe style, these pieces often have lovely curved substructures with exotic veneers. As a colonizing culture, the Dutch also had access to wood worldwide and used it in their furniture making. While many pieces were crafted from mahogany and inlaid with these exotic woods, burl walnut, oak, and other domestic woods were used. Dutch furniture is beautifully crafted and well-adorned without being overly ornate.

The Dutch Tile Tradition of Delftware

The Dutch tile tradition of Delftware can be traced back almost 400 years to a small Dutch village called Delft. Inspired by Chinese blue and white porcelain, craftsmen began experimenting with tin-glazed earthenware to mimic the glossy effect of porcelain. These craftsmen started to add their monograms and a new tile tradition was born. Nowadays, you can find this special type of tile throughout Amsterdam.

New antiques and tile are heading to CHD soon. Be on the lookout!

Tiptoeing Through the Tulips

Have you ever wondered why the Netherlands are so famous for their tulips? Tulips first bloomed in a valley somewhere between Northern China and Southern Europe. The Ottoman Empire brought them to present-day Turkey, where they spread throughout Europe. Cultivating tulips became so popular that, at one point, a single tulip bulb was valued the same as a house in central Amsterdam! Over the past few hundred years, the Netherlands has perfected the art of growing tulips, resulting in the beautiful blooms we see today. Biking through the tulip fields was one of the highlights of our trip.

Tips for Your Trip to Amsterdam

Where to Stay

The Jordaan neighborhood is a charming, picturesque, neighborhood-style area. It is centrally located to everything, and you can escape the masses of tourists and pretend to be Dutch for a week while also being able to sneak off to the tourist sites easily. The Hotel Mercier is a stunning boutique hotel in Jordaan with exceptional customer service, tasty candies, and delicious specialty cocktails.

Getting Around

There is no easier city to navigate than Amsterdam! With an Amsterdam City Card, you can use public transportation to go anywhere in the city on an easy “jump on/jump off” tram that makes the underground metro easily accessible as well (and even the airport). From Jordaan or “Central Dam,” you can quickly get anywhere in the city in 15 minutes.

Can’t Miss in Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum
Anne Frank House (Be sure to book well in advance)
Rijksmuseum
The Flower Market
The Waterlooplein Market (The oldest flea market in Amsterdam)

Dutch Dining

The Pancake Bakery. Dutch Pancakes and Stroopwafels are a MUST.
Pesca. At this amazing, one-of-a-kind seafood restaurant, you get to pick your seafood, and they provide various course offerings and wine pairings. You’ll visit the “Seafood Market” and the “Wine Market” before enjoying a tapas-style meal!
Kaasbar. The Dutch are known for their amazing cheese. Sit at this bar with a good glass of wine while the more than 20 varieties of delicious Dutch cheese pass by on the “Cheese Train.” When you see one you want to try, pick it up and enjoy!
Foodhallen. It is an amazing, vibrant environment with food stalls and all types of food, from Mediterranean to Indian to Mexican. We loved the specialty gin and tonic bar.
Toscanini. Incredible Mediterranean/Italian food in a quaint setting in Jordaan.

Day Tripping from Amsterdam

Keukenhoff Tulip Gardens. During tulip season, which runs from late March to May, almost 7 million flowers bloom to create a stunning landscape of color.
Giethoorn Village. In this fairytale village, no cars are allowed – instead of streets, there are canals. Rent a boat or simply stroll along the footbridges to take in the magic of this little village.