The Amber House Overlooking the Canal Still Holds Its Winter Furniture

This canal-side apartment, known locally as the Amber House flat, remained occupied by the van der Meer family for almost three decades. The owner worked as a museum restoration technician specializing in frame repair and preservation support for historical collections housed nearby.
The apartment reflected that careful routine:
front sitting room, compact galley kitchen, study space overlooking the canal, and a narrow guest room used partly for restoration storage and household records.

The Canal Writing Desk

Several details remain inside the property:

• restoration brushes stored in glass jars
• framed print reproductions leaning against shelves
• archival gloves folded near the desk
• maintenance invoices clipped beside the kitchen clock
• winter coats hanging near the entrance
• sketch pads and magnifiers arranged on the writing surface
• vinyl records stacked beside the floor lamp
  The surrounding canal district changed significantly after tourism restrictions and rising property taxes altered ownership patterns during the late 2010s. Many long-term residents sold or downsized as upkeep costs increased and older buildings required expensive maintenance.
  Several neighboring flats became seasonal properties.
  Others remained vacant between ownership changes.
  
  The van der Meer family reportedly remained in the apartment longer than many surrounding residents because the location was closely tied to work and routine. Eventually, however, escalating building restoration fees and retirement planning made staying impractical.
  The family relocated to a smaller residence outside the city center.
  Most furniture and work materials remained in place.
  The apartment was secured and left largely unchanged afterward.
  
  Today the apartment still reflects its former routine.
  The records remain sorted by genre.
  The brushes are still stored by size.
  And beside the canal writing desk, a small stack of unfinished frame repair notes remains exactly where it was last reviewed.