a few weeks ago i decided it was about time for me to go back to amsterdam and discover some of the awesome new places i’ve been reading about (at pauline’s petitepassport.com, among others). it was also the perfect opportunity to pay a visit to design studio stout & co’s headquarters, and they kindly offered to put me up for the night at their brand new bed and breakfast.

stout & co is run by stefan and steven, a belgo-dutch couple with impeccable taste. they develop everything from complex dams to the interiors of suit supply stores worldwide, as they are both proficient in landscape architecture and development, and interior architecture. they are actually building their own duplex apartment on top of their office building in amsterdam – i visited the construction site and was already in awe (they’re going to plant a tree on their rooftop terrace. i want a rooftop terrace with a tree!)

unsurprisingly, their wonderful bed and breakfast is nothing like any other b&b you’ve ever seen. the rooms are so large they are more like little studios or apartments, and they are decorated so that you’ll never want to move out again. the bathrooms are gorgeous, quite simply put. the details are whimsical but never over the top, and they have a distinct belgian touch. another stylish couple – bert and yves of de invasie and dift – has consulted on the branding of stout & co and has worked with steven and stefan to make it into a kind of platform for design talent across the borders.

of course you could book your stay at stout & co and just be out exploring all day, but the owners would rather get to know their guests, perhaps give them a little tour of their design studio downstairs, and treat you to a delicious (and big!) breakfast in their common room. they also printed out their favorite places in amsterdam on little cards you can take with you, so you’ll never be without insider tips.

if i ever have to be in amsterdam again for a day of meetings, i won’t hesitate to spend the night here again. it’s a wonderful place for a little work and a lot of play, and i felt right at home there.

i was wearing the j.brand sweater kindly gifted to me by the label and the himmeli necklace i designed for diamanti per tutti // you’ll also spot a little pink pouch by american vintage and my favorite coat ever by dondup

photos by stephanie duval