![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_hero-1-852x479.jpg)
Studio Modijefsky overhauls 119-year-old restaurant Bonnie in Amsterdam
Timber, tilework and plummy hues helped Studio Modijefsky foster a "warmly familiar" atmosphere inside this long-standing Amsterdam restaurant.
The restaurant, Bonnie, has been a landmark of Amsterdam's Amstelveenseweg neighbourhood for the past 119 years – under the old name of Cafe Bos – so was in desperate need of an overhaul.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_3-852x1278.jpg)
"This revived bar strikes the perfect balance between old fashioned and warmly familiar," explained the locally based Studio Modijefsky, which came up with the venue's new name.
"Bonnie is a nod to the past, celebrating all the devoted bar owners who served drinks and listened to stories for longer than they can remember, making everyone feel instantly at ease."
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_4-852x1278.jpg)
Hints of the restaurant's history are immediately visible as soon as diners walk into Bonnie. A new wooden drinks bar that stands in the entryway has been carved with a linear pattern that resembles the panelling of the old counter.
Following the tradition of Bonnie's former owner, this bar will have a special cabinet dedicated to Jenever, a gin-like, juniper-flavoured drink created in The Netherlands.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_6-852x1278.jpg)
Other bottles of liquor are openly displayed inside boxy gold-framed shelves that are mounted on the rear wall. They sit against a purple-tile arched panel, its shape a nod to the huge vaulted windows that now punctuate the restaurant's facade.
Slabs of veiny grape-coloured marble serve as a backing to the drink taps, and a row of plum leather bar stools have been placed in front of the counter.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_12-852x1277.jpg)
To emulate the tiled flooring of typical bistros, blue, white, black and pale-yellow tiles have been arranged in a graphic square pattern across the floor of Bonnie's entrance and lower-ground level dining area.
The upper half of the room's walls are wood-lined and inset with large mirrored panels, while the lower half is clad with glazed mustard-yellow tiles.
A deep-purple seating banquette runs along the back of the space.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_8-852x1136.jpg)
The furnishings at Bonnie's appear very traditional at first, but have been finished with a quirky twist.
For example, a handful of the timber dining tables feature checkerboard-style countertops. The exposed-bulb wall sconces have also been set on hexagonal bases.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_0-852x1278.jpg)
A short flight of steps leads up to the restaurant's mezzanine level, which is meant to have a slightly more cosy and intimate feel.
Like downstairs, surfaces have largely been lined with grooved timber panels or mustard-yellow tiles, but the ceiling has been upholstered in rich burgundy fabric.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_2-852x1278.jpg)
The square-pattern flooring seen in the entryway has also been reiterated at this level using wooden blocks.
A selection of framed sketches and paintings left behind by the previous owner have been hung on one of the walls as decor, along with a curved lighting fixture that, again, is meant to mimic the shape of the restaurant's windows.
![Bonnie restaurant in Amsterdam designed by Studio Modijefsky](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/06/bonnie-restaurant-interiors-amsterdam-studio-modijefsky_dezeen_2364_col_11-852x1136.jpg)
Bonnie joins a number of hospitality projects that Studio Modijefsky has completed in the buzzing city of Amsterdam.
Others include Karavaan, a restaurant that boasts a travel-themed interior, and Bar Botanique Cafe Tropique, which is filled with green foliage.
Photography is by Maarten Willemstein.