My Houzz: A Dutch Family's Light and White Dream House

Their home's most striking feature is the fireplace, set into a partition between the dining and living rooms. Petra and Taco wanted it to become an focal point and create flow between the spaces.

The house took 16 months to finish, including 10 months of building. “The main surprises were the ridiculously high costs to make small changes such as moving electrical sockets to non-standard locations," Petra says. "Canceling certain items such as heaters actually cost us money." There was also little flexibility in opting for extensions, which prompted them to take up certain projects after completion, such as installing floor heating, building attic extensions and finishing the kitchen.

Fireplace: Petra vanTrigt

A collection of Eames chairs and a bright and cheerful painting, called “Lady in Red” by artist Gerdine Duijsens, jazz up the simple dining area.

Table: Loods5

A cubby on the other side of fireplace wall provides a place to stylishly store firewood.

Contemporary furnishings arranged around a custom TV cabinet allow for comfortable viewing in the main living room.

TV console: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone; gray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals

Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the living room is bathed in light during the day; understated Venetian blinds give the room privacy at night. Custom built-in bookshelves flank the windows, showing off favorite books and framed family portraits — and providing extra storage in cabinets below.

Bookshelves and cabinets: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone

The modern family kitchen boasts contemporary appliances and clean lines. A charcoal gray accent wall creates a sleek backdrop and smooth connection with the Brazilian slate floor tiles. Red accessories, such as a modern high chair from Stokke Tripp Trapp, contrast well with the combination of gray, white and light wooden furnishings.

Gray paint: Ikea188

A dedicated area for the kids in the kitchen includes a table and chairs beside a chalkboard wall. The blank canvas encourages the daughters to scribble away during breakfast or homework time.

Gray paint: Ikea188; chairs: Charles Eames DSR; high chairs: Stokke Tripp Trapp

In the master bedroom, an ornate mahogany antique side table contrasts with its backdrop of glossy white wardrobes.

Simple, white Roman blinds dress the large windows in the master bedroom.

"We always look around us in restaurants, hotels, shops, lifestyle magazines, on vacation," Petra says. "Design ideas come from everywhere."

While the rest of the house employs a subdued palette of grays, white and cream, pink and red take center stage in daughter Emilie's playful room.

A slide and blackboard mix fun with creativity in her cheerful bedroom. A two-toned feature wall continues the girly theme.

Red paint: Flexa VTWonen 'Signaalrood'; pink paint: Signaalroze, Flexa VTWonen; chalkboard: Mala, Ikea; slide: Virre, Ikea; chair: Kritter, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea

The couple's office/guest room occupies the top floor. The space mixes modern lines and furnishings with old world charm, with antique maps and family photographs in mahogany frames.

A painted strip of charcoal gray against a crisp white makes for a simple and attractive accent wall.

Filing cabinet: Ikea PS

The antique mahogany guest bed sits across from the desk area.

Petra is happy with their decision to combine functionality with character and create the ultimate family home. "With the two of us in busy jobs and two school-age daughters, it is a wonderfully practical house," she says.

Houzz call: Do you live in a modern, creative home? Share it with us.