Amsterdam-based artist and author Lilia Luganskaia has always been captivated by the interplay between modern life and nature. Her body of work, encompassing modernist-inspired sculptures, photographic compositions, and video art, reflects this ongoing fascination. With pieces acquired by prominent institutions like the Rijksmuseum and Foam Museum, Lilia's art resonates deeply with both critics and the public.

Originally from Russia, Lilia's journey led her to Amsterdam in 2011. "I'm Russian, but also Dutch now," she shares. Embracing her dual identity, Lilia has woven the cultural fabric of both cultures into her art, creating pieces that speak to universal themes of identity, belonging, and nature. Lilia's personal life is as vibrant as her professional one. She is married to Timo, a Dutch illustrator who works with media such as the New Yorker, NYT, Vogue, and big tech companies. The couple's love story began in 2013, and they have shared many adventures since. 

One of Lilia’s books, Investigation of Love, dives into a quirky bureaucratic journey she went through with the Immigration Service. To switch her residence permit to her partner’s, she had to send photos to prove her relationship with her future husband to a faceless immigration officer. This book turned into a visual story of their love, using objects and images to explore whether pictures can truly capture the essence of something as abstract as love.

Finding a house in Amsterdam

"We moved in together in 2014, renting a house initially. After moving a few times, we finally bought our apartment," she recalls. Their housing journey in Amsterdam was marked by the city's well-known housing crisis. "Even ten years ago, there was already a crisis with apartments," Lilia notes. In a serendipitous twist, when the couple was unable to find a suitable apartment in 2015, they ended up living on a houseboat for a year. "It was awesome in spring and summer, but a disaster during the cold months. Still, it was a romantic and unforgettable experience."

Eventually, they found their dream home in Amsterdam West. Despite its dilapidated condition—cracks in the walls, no floors, kitchen, or bathroom—the apartment had potential. "It was completely stripped down, but it was within our budget and centrally located," Lilia explains. With the help of a real estate agent and a mortgage adviser, they navigated the complex process of purchasing the property. Lilia found that searching for apartments was mostly her job. “It was mainly me looking on Funda and sending links to our agent,” she laughs. The agent's job was more about setting up viewings and dealing with the paperwork.

For the financial side, they brought in a mortgage advisor who helped them choose a bank, prepare documents, and assess the apartment. The costs were about €1,500 for the mortgage advisor and around €2,000 for the agent.

Their journey kicked off with a viewing at the end of 2015. Lilia feels they were lucky because the ad for the apartment went up just before the holidays. With everyone caught up in Christmas and New Year’s festivities, there was hardly any competition, so finally the couple got their apartment with a mortgage rate of 3.4%.

Moving in

By April, they had moved into their new home after a speedy two-months renovation. Their creative touch turned the space into a cozy, welcoming home. They turned one of the two bedrooms into a workspace, added a bathroom with a bathtub (a rare gem in Amsterdam), and designed a spacious living area filled with art books and vinyl records, all seamlessly combined with the kitchen. The big private garden is a fantastic bonus, offering a peaceful retreat in the quiet part of Amsterdam West. The only downside of this apartment is the lack of natural light as this is a ground-floor apartment. “You need to sacrifice something, with upper floors, you don’t get a garden,” Lilia admits.

Neighborhood of Amsterdam West

Lilia's neighborhood is an integral part of her life and work. Located near the Jordaan, a picturesque neighborhood by the canals, it's a green, tranquil area surrounded by water. "It's like a triangle island with no need for strangers to be there, which makes it really calm," she says. The proximity to shops, cafes, and restaurants, combined with the serenity of her immediate surroundings, creates an ideal living environment.

The couple's day-to-day life is rooted in their neighborhood. They often walk to their studios, located several minutes away. "In Amsterdam West, there are a lot of coffee places, but our favorite is Monks. We've become friends over the years," Lilia shares. For dining out, they love hitting up local gems like Morgan & Mees. The spacious and classy vibe makes it a go-to spot where they can enjoy a meal without the hassle of making a reservation (almost impossible in busy Amsterdam).On Sundays they visit a market in Jordaan for a stroll and a coffee. 

Lilia shares that their neighborhood is a fitness lover's dream, saying, "We have a ton of great spots nearby, like an awesome yoga studio and places for HIIT workouts." She’s a fan of the Classpass app, which makes it easy for her to hop between various fitness studios around the city. They mostly get around by bike or on foot, thanks to the city’s super walkable layout. In the winter, they find themselves walking everywhere, enjoying the convenience of having everything within easy reach—no need for long bike rides through the cold

Despite the challenges of the housing market, Lilia and her husband are contemplating their next move, possibly looking for a bit more space. Yet, the thought of leaving their cherished neighborhood and all its perks makes them hesitate. “The neighborhood is fantastic, and our neighbors are amazing—something so rare and valuable in Amsterdam,” Lilia notes. She highlights how their current apartment ticks so many boxes: great location, excellent sound insulation, cozy warmth in winter, and cool comfort in summer. “So, even though the apartment isn’t huge and the building itself isn’t the prettiest, finding something nice at a reasonable price in Amsterdam is really tough,” she admits.

For now, the couple is content in their charming apartment with its garden, a rare gem in Amsterdam. The couple's home, with its blend of practicality and aesthetic appeal, mirrors Lilia's approach to her art—thoughtfully crafted, deeply personal, and intimately connected to the world around her.