The Design of Capital Kitchen: The Inner Human Being 

Did you know that you can enjoy incredible food and thought-provoking art under one roof in the heart of Amsterdam? At Capital Kitchen, we serve more than just meals—we serve experiences. 

Housed in the historic Diamond Exchange, Capital Kitchen is more than a place to eat. It’s a place to reflect, connect, and be inspired. Every element of the restaurant revolves around one central theme: The Inner Human Being. But what’s the story behind this theme? And how did Maarten Spruyt, the creative genius behind the design, bring it to life? Let’s take a closer look. 

Meet the Designer: Maarten Spruyt 
When Maarten Spruyt was invited by Willem Sijthoff to reimagine the interior of Capital Kitchen, he wasn’t exactly blown away by what he saw. “It was very provincial—lots of lines and diagonals, all very restless. Not the kind of vibe you’d expect from a creative hub,” he recalls. 

But that challenge lit a spark. Maarten took on the role of interior decorator, curator, designer, and storyteller. His vision transformed the place that was just a restaurant into an inspiring destination where art and dining meet. 

The Inspiration Behind the Design 
For Maarten, designing a restaurant isn’t about trends. “I wasn’t interested in creating a hip restaurant—who cares about that? My goal was to tell an honest story,” he explains. 

And that honest story starts already with the menu. “When you read a menu, neurons start firing in your brain. You think, ‘What do I want to eat to nourish my inner self?’ Then, your salivary glands kick in. You begin to crave certain dishes. That’s where the experience starts,” Maarten says. 

To reflect this, he printed imagery of salivary glands and other internal processes on the organic table surfaces. The idea is simple: when you come to a restaurant, you’re there to nourish your inner self. And with this art and dine experience, you can feed your inner self by nourishing it with food and inspiration.  

The Materials and Colors of Capital Kitchen 
The interior design isn’t just about what you see but also how it makes you feel. “All the colors are intentionally soft because we all need a bit of softness in our lives,” Maarten shares. 

Even the materials have a story. The stainless steel from the kitchen is echoed in the outer shell of the bar and complemented by the silver aluminum wallpaper, creating a dialogue between the back-of-house and the front-of-house. It’s all about connection—between materials, spaces, and people. 

The Inner Human Being: Art Everywhere You Look 
Wherever you look—left, right, up, or down at your table—you’ll find artwork inspired by The Inner Human Being. Through each piece, Maarten invites you to turn inward, encouraging introspection and sparking creativity. 

The art you’ll find in Capital Kitchen isn’t just decorative; it has depth and meaning, each piece contributing to the narrative of the inner self. Because at the end of the day, creativity and experience always start from within.  

Every Artwork Has a Story 
The art in Capital Kitchen isn’t just there to look pretty (though it definitely does). Each piece has something meaningful to say about the inner self, and every piece comes with its own story. 

To share these stories with you, we’re launching a new blog series: Art à la Carte: The Story Behind. Each blog will dive into the inspiration behind one of the artworks in our space and its connection to the theme of The Inner Human Being. 

C You Soon 
Curious to see the art and experience it for yourself? Whether you book a table or just pop by, we promise you’ll leave inspired. 

Hope to C you soon at Capital Kitchen!