Stepping into Van Stapele is not just a visit; it's an embrace of luxury, a journey to a place where the art of confectionery is enshrined within walls, whispering the story of design and delicacy.

This is not your usual cookie shop, cluttered with the day's bakes and the clatter of dishware. No, Van Stapele is an experience, a story composed in chocolate and framed in the finest interiors. Since 2013, Van Stapele has been baking the best cookies in Amsterdam: a single brown chocolate cookie with a heart of white chocolate. The secret recipe creates an irresistible delicacy that draws epic queues every day.

The story begins when you gaze through the pristine glass storefront. The famous cookie inspired the shop’s natural materials in a colour palette of brown shades and cream-white colours. The rich, dark wood panelling exudes a warmth that entices you, while the white marble, terrazzo flooring, and the intricate details of the brass work interlace to create a sense of timeless elegance. The shop's interior design transports you from the bustling streets to a serene cocoon where each cookie feels like a treasure, presented in a space that mirrors the high quality of the confections.

Van Stapele's uniqueness lies in its commitment to a single masterpiece—a perfectly crafted chocolate cookie, the sole focus of its passion. But the beauty isn't just in the simplicity of its offering; it's in the grandeur of its presentation. Arched wooden shelving filled with stacks of cookie boxes, lit by pendant lights like artifacts in a museum, makes every purchase feel like acquiring a piece of art.

Every element in the shop is curated to enhance the sensory experience. The scent of fresh cookies wafts through the air, the cookie-making process is on full display through the expansive glass wall, and there is even a circular window for a glimpse into how the trays upon trays of cookies travel down the conveyor belt—drawing you deeper into the space. Each cookie is a symphony of flavours, and the shop is a concert hall designed to amplify the enjoyment of every bite.

Although the scrumptious treat is for adults and children, the little ones get a special treat from the shop’s grab cabinet. Each child is given a coin when they enter, which they could slip into the cabinet and watch as a golden cookie dough ball is set in motion on a track that curls through a model of the old shop building. When the coin reaches the end of the track, a small present appears, forging an unforgettable memory for each child.

The elegance is in the details—the custom-designed furniture, the geometric harmony of the stepped ceiling cassettes, and the golden glow from the antique mirrors and softly glowing sphere light that bathes the shop in an inviting aura. These elements combine to create a sophisticated and welcoming setting, an escape from the mundane.

In crafting the narrative of Van Stapele, every touchpoint with the customer has been considered to deliver an experience beyond the taste buds. It's a multisensory delight, from the visual feast of the interiors to the tactile pleasure of holding the embossed cookie box.

For the interior design enthusiast, Van Stapele is a masterclass in creating an atmosphere that tells a story that beckons the connoisseur of cookies and culture. It's an elevated alternative, a destination that offers not just a dessert but a dessert experience. This is where luxury meets cookie, a rare confluence of indulgence and design.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project: Van Stapele

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Assignment: Interior design

Program: Retail & bakery & dough kitchen & office space

Status: Realized April 2024

Size: 300m2

Client: Vera van Stapele

Design: Studio Modijefsky, Esther Stam, Marit van der Gulik, Natalia Nikolopoulou, Agnese Pellino, Maite Margalho, Mathilda Legrand, Marie Pierron, Pauline Renlef, Christel Willers

Photography: Maarten Willemstein