Studio Het Arsenaal B.V.

A beautiful ambiance with lots of beautiful things.. It is a great pity that Jan is no longer there.. What he has built up deserves respect... Also a lot of respect for his wife who continues it with love...only a pity that the attitude is sometimes a bit less...haughty..😕 As if people who 'have less' are looked down on.. I come from sales myself and I assure you: even if someone does not wear expensive clothes or a Chanel bag...you still really do not know what someone has to spend..! This is really a great shame... I really hate that attitude and that is why I then shop at my favorite addresses where you are treated with respect.

The famous dutch designer and architect Jan des Bouvries turned this 18th Century military’s store house for weaponry info a center with design studio’s and shops and in the middle of the place a Nice place for lunch, coffee , tea and drinks. The Arsenaal is situated in the fortfied city of Naarden-Vesting close to Amsterdam which has a Unesco Heritage status and is very much worth visiting because of its museums and history. There are many old buildings and fortificaties to visit. But it is also a town with fine restaurants like Aquavite, Fines, Arsenaal and nice pubs like Demmers en De Doelen. Naarden-Vesting is Holland in a nutshell and worth a day’s visit and more relaxed than overcrowded Amsterdam.

It was very quiet and that is nice if you want to get inspiration. Unfortunately, the brasserie was not open on this beautiful sunny day. I was able to buy my favorite perfume at st. John. I do have the feeling that Jan des Bouvrie is missed very much.

Beautiful studio where beautiful designs by Jan des Bouvrie are exhibited. From beautiful works of art to complete kitchens. During one of the bike rides we stopped once and admired beautiful art.

This is where I completed my military service in 1981/82. Upon entering, the mailroom was in the right corner, where about nine soldiers/drivers were stationed. The upper floor was for the staff. It was beautifully restyled by the Jan de Bouvrie team. Always great to see it again.