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My Houzz: Contemporary, Understated Netherlands Home
Handmade accents, family-friendly comfort and a palette of peaceful colors give this house Scandinavian charm
Hello! I am a contributor for Houzz, writer and interior stylist based in the Netherlands. Always in search of beauty in all forms, I founded my lifestyle blog Avenue to satisfy my thirst for design and lifestyle inspiration. I am the loving mother of a beautiful little girl called Lola, and the adoring fiancé of a handsome Dutchman.
Hello! I am a contributor for Houzz, writer and interior stylist based... More »
It didn't take long for designer Tessa Weerdenburg of Nu interieur | ontwerp and her husband, Martin, to realize the potential of their three-story family home. The Scandinavian architecture and views of the water prompted the couple to buy the day after their first viewing. Once they snapped it up, they transformed it into a stylish nest showcasing a contemporary lifestyle and creative, personal touches. "I love the space we have," Tessa says. "Having water around us makes us feel as though we're on a holiday every day."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Martin and Tessa Weerdenburg and daughters Lieve, Bente and Roos
Location: Pijnacker, the Netherlands
Size: 180 square meters (about 1,937 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: Tessa made the bed linens for her daughters' rooms by hand.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Martin and Tessa Weerdenburg and daughters Lieve, Bente and Roos
Location: Pijnacker, the Netherlands
Size: 180 square meters (about 1,937 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: Tessa made the bed linens for her daughters' rooms by hand.
by Holly Marder
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The family spends most of their time in the dining room, which is central to the rest of the house. "On the weekends, we start with breakfast, and by 1:00 we find ourselves still at the same table," Tessa says.
Upholstered dining chairs give warmth and texture to the room. The light fixture, by Gino Sarfatti for Flos, catches the eye from the entry; it has a steel central structure with brass arms extending out, each holding a single bulb.
Upholstered dining chairs give warmth and texture to the room. The light fixture, by Gino Sarfatti for Flos, catches the eye from the entry; it has a steel central structure with brass arms extending out, each holding a single bulb.
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| The first floor was originally one big, open space, so Martin and Tessa removed the kitchen from where the office is now to create a larger kitchen. They also divided the kitchen and dining room by adding a sectional wall. Though traffic can flow freely from the kitchen to the dining room, the wall provides just enough separation between the two busiest rooms in the house. |
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| Tessa gave this console table to Martin as a gift. It displays the family's personal favorite items, including new photographs and the children's artwork. The cube-shape lamp is one of Tessa's favorite pieces. Table: Habitat; lamp: Mr. Ed Bookend, by Roderick Vos for Functionals |
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| Open shelving gives the kitchen a light and spacious feel and holds the family's crisp white china. The wide drawers under the stone countertops provide ample storage for other kitchenware. |
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| The minimalist, tidy surfaces make for a practical kitchen that is as functional as it is stylish. |
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| Views of the water were an appealing feature for the couple. They love spending time in the dining room because of the connection with the outdoors: The outdoor terrace sits alongside a small waterway, and in the summer the doors are often left open. |
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| To create a peaceful environment, Tessa and Martin combined a neutral color palette with texture, layering in black and white elements to add contrast. “We wanted the house to look warm and comfortable,” Tessa says. Side tables: Nu interieur | ontwerp |
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| Comfortable seating in front of the fire makes for a relaxing spot. The fireplace was an addition during the renovation. Pouf: Casalis; rug: Perletta carpets |
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Every aspect of the home was designed with the family in mind. "We have very busy lives and work a lot with our own businesses," Tessa says. "When we are at home, we want to enjoy our lives with the children."
This tiny table and chair set in the family room provides a place for the girls to do arts and crafts or read books without compromising on the room's aesthetic.
Table: Nu interieur | ontwerp; white chairs: Ikea; wooden chair: vintage
This tiny table and chair set in the family room provides a place for the girls to do arts and crafts or read books without compromising on the room's aesthetic.
Table: Nu interieur | ontwerp; white chairs: Ikea; wooden chair: vintage
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| Several vignettes around the house display family photographs along with decorative items. Tessa likes to encase items within glass vases, as seen here with a cactus plant. Candlestick: Ikea |
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Design and function go hand in hand in this contemporary TV cabinet, which Tessa and Martin designed themselves. The footstool was also designed by Tessa.
TV cabinet and Kruk Tess footstool: Nu interieur | ontwerp
TV cabinet and Kruk Tess footstool: Nu interieur | ontwerp
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| An owl is encased on a built-in shelf. |
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Just outside the dining room, a winding staircase leads up to the bedrooms.
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| Tessa's creative touches extend to all three of her daughters' bedrooms, with bed linens she made herself. Stool: Hema department store; bed: Ikea |
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| Tessa made this felt and linen owl doll as well. |
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This cozy little nook in youngest daughter Bente's bedroom provides the perfect place for doing homework and crafts.
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Middle daughter Lieve's bed was designed by Tessa. The design adapts to work with a baby all the way to a young adult.
Bed: Willemien, Nu interieur | ontwerp
Bed: Willemien, Nu interieur | ontwerp
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Tessa also made this decorative felt garland, inspired by an idea she spotted on one of her favorite Dutch craft websites, Vlijtig.
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Patterned wallpaper and framed photographs of the three sisters add an additional personal touch.
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| Tessa designed oldest daughter Roos' bed, and Martin made it. A colorful row of cotton ball lights adds fun and whimsy to the light-filled bedroom. Bed: Nu interieur | ontwerp |
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The bathroom is modern and has a wood-sided bathtub, stone tiling and a rain shower in a nook behind the vanity.
Light fixture: Artemide
Light fixture: Artemide
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| The master bedroom keeps to the subdued color scheme found throughout the rest of the house. Minimalist closet cabinetry keeps clothing tucked away neatly. |
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| The artwork above the bed is by illustrator Sanne van Winden, who created these two drawings of Tessa and Martin's old house in the historical town of Delft especially for them. |
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| The Scandinavian-style architecture and waterside location stole Martin and Tessa's hearts when they first saw the house. |
Ideabook updated on May 2, 2012.
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It is a lovely home!