A few of my favorite things: Yvestown

Hello it’s Yvonne Eijkenduijn from The Yvestown Blog here and I’m dropping in to show you some of my favorite things while Holly is moving across the big pond to set up home in Germany. My husband, the one with the golden hands a.k.a. Boris, and myself are in the middle of a drastic renovation. We bought a double fronted house from 1896 in a Belgian border city of The Netherlands exactly a year ago. As I type this I find myself in one of the rooms that we use as our living room, my office, book storage and the electrical and plumbing transit. You can imagine it looks lovely here. I’m going to share some photos of the things that give me a homely feel in a house that still doesn’t feel like a home yet.

The inside of my desk drawer is white, my primary decorating color, and holds all my geek things like Apple docks, headphones, a dictaphone, my National Trust handbook (which I should toss out and replace with a new one) and my notebooks full of scribbles and plans. It makes me happy when I open this drawer as the contents tell a lot about my personality, it’s a little bit like coming home.

I’m a blanket person, it’s something I inherited from my mother as she’s one too. There are always baskets full of folded blankets everywhere in my house. Often when I have friends over we sit under blankets on the sofa with our feet up. As I’ve always lived in old houses with high ceilings it can get rather cold and blankets provide such instant coziness, warmth and comfort. And it looks incredibly cute when we’re all huddled up under them.

The sunroom is the one room in my house that is actually almost done. I don’t like it yet and there’s still a lot of decorating needed, like finding prints for the frames above the Swedish kökssoffa and a bigger rug. It’s also the one room in the house that we’re not going to use. Maybe when the old barn outside is gone and when there will be a garden to look at, we can sit in this room. But we’re not much of a ‘sit around and do nothing couple‘ — rooms need to be functional and this one isn’t for sure.

There is a super functional room in my house, tucked away downstairs, and it is my sewing room in one of the cellar rooms. Although it still needs proper paint that keeps mold out, it’s pretty perfect as everything is in place and it’s my crafter’s paradise.

When I’m not spending time with my elbows covered in paint I’m cooking. I strive to cook a homemade meal at least 5 days a week even when it’s just me and that’s quite often. My cooking style is quite fusion as I love to mix different food cultures together. My big cooking influences are Donna Hay and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall from the River Cottage. In a couple of years, when the barn goes down, I want to grow my own fruits and vegetables and have a couple of chickens. I’ll be an urban farmer!

I want to wish Holly and Thorsten a good move and lots of joy, happiness and good health in their new home country. We’ll definitely get to see each other more :o) – xox Yve

(images: the yvestown blog)

Tags: favorite things

44 Responses to “Yvestown: My Favorite Things”

1 Shanon commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

Hi there! You have such a light and lovely home. Thanks for sharing! =)
Shanon´s last blog ..*A Holga Thank you!
2 Benita commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

Yay! Yvonne! I missed you!
Benita´s last blog ..The Do
3 Kat commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Hello Yve
what a beautiful post, your home is beautiful too I love decor that starts with a White base and has accents of color it’s so light and fresh. The sunroom looks wonderful. I love blankets too I seem to have a growin collection…I’m sittin under a cream and grey Scottish wool window pane checked one as a type actually! I have ALways wanted a crochet one like that in your picture, one with a White or cream base to it. If anyone knows any online stockists that aren’t too pricey and mail to the Uk I’d be grateful?there are many about that have a dark base to th but this ones So nice here. Thanks for sharin your home Y, with good wishes kat x
Kat´s last blog ..Songs that touch my heart
4 Sarah commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Yvonne, great to see you here. Love that sun room, perfect to tuck uo and read some of those magazines!
Sarah´s last blog ..DESIGN THERAPY: Tord Boontje
5 Andrea commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

I’ve been avoiding my creative work because of my dingy basement studio…Now I have the inspiration to change it, because mine isn’t much different in terms of size, lighting, etc.
Thanks,
Andrea
Andrea´s last blog ..Current Photo Practice
6 simply hue commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

What a sweet, happy home. Thanks for sharing it with us! :)
simply hue´s last blog ..Spolight on Photographers, Day 3
7 Pixie commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

What beautiful pictures. I love the white floors! So fresh and clean.
Pixie´s last blog ..Movie to See: Julie and Julia
8 Design Cracker commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

Oh it’s so nice to see you again. I am loving being subscribed! I’m just not sure why I didn’t do this years ago. I have always loved your talent since I met you on flickr long time ago.
Deborah
Design Cracker´s last blog ..Design Quote for Monday
9 Mr. Kate commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

I love your sunroom! The white floors are amazing, do they ever scuff? And what is that delicious looking thing in the last picture…. i think i’m ready for lunch.
I used a lot of white in decorating my new place and i blogged about it here: http://www.mrkate.com/2009/07/24/orange-you-glad-you-like-turquoise/ I would love to see what you think.

Good luck with your renovation!
: ) kate
10 Sarah commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:32 pm

Your home is lovely :-)
If you like Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall, you might want to try out Valentine Warner too – he’s a big fan of seasonal cooking and oozes an infectious enthusiasm that has me giggling in a very coy way (!)
Sarah´s last blog ..PMC Level 1 MCSJ
11 lovelyvelo commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

this is all absolutely exquisite… so very lovely!
12 sirvart commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

This has got to be one of sweetest sewing room I’ve ever seen !!!
It’s always a pleasure to read your blog it’s so creative, xoxo.
sirvart´s last blog ..Madame Butterfly Necklace/Choker
13 Alison commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

I have blankets piled everywhere too, (my husband sneaks around turning the AC to 60 when I’m not paying attention) but I had never thought of putting them in a basket. I love that idea! Thanks.
Alison´s last blog ..She used to be a blogger.
14 leni commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

beautiful home!
15 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Ahh…so lovely, bright and cheerful! I adore the ” baskets filled with blankets” in every room and even though that room won’t be used it is lovely….thank you for sharing your home with us. Just beautiful!
xo
Melis
16 jennifer commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm

Your home looks lovely, Yvonne! I love the color scheme.
17 edwina commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

hey yvonne , i just love your blog thanks for sharing your fave things !!
18 Lauren commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

What gorgeous photos of your work-in-progress!
19 Cookie Cutter commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

Your house is not done yet and it’s already looking so beautiful?! I love the use of white as the primary colour and accenting it with lots of other colours. Thanks for sharing!
Cookie Cutter´s last blog ..Nihon Ikimashio! Part 7
20 alli michelle commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing! I adore your sunroom, I would love to have one in my house.
21 Kim commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:47 pm

I wish my sewing room looked like that!

& whatever is in that pot looks super delish!
Kim´s last blog ..What I Would Wear…If I Ran The Circus
22 Jessica commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm

This is so lovely!
23 leslie commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:28 pm

I love all the fun colors against the white… so inspiring…that sewing room is amazing!!!
leslie´s last blog ..Color Me Pretty Column
24 Tamar commented:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:50 pm

Hello Yvonne,
So good to read you here!!! as always I love your photos, your house and the colors in it.
And good luck and hugs to Holly during her big move!
Tamar´s last blog ..Back to School designs
25 jessica commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:32 am

hi yvonne! what a treet to see you popping in on decor8. i so look forward to peeking into your life and the progress of your new home.
26 andrea of ffft commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 12:54 am

Burt’s Bees… good call. I will come and live in your sunroom, thank you… I think it’s lovely… but you might always find me in your sewing room… so jealous :)
andrea of ffft´s last blog ..… Up Where the Air is Clear
27 chichi_mangou commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:12 am

you’re sunroom is just perfect!
I need one just like this! not to high, with natural light: make me feel so good and creativ!
28 chichi_mangou commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:14 am

*your
29 Caroline commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:21 am

Looks lovely. I can see you have the same picture on the wall as I have, in you sewingroom.
Caroline´s last blog ..Kaka kanske?
30 karin commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:40 am

what a lovely piece Yvonne, intimate and honest, really love looking at photos of your house of course, as always :)
31 kathrin commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:47 am

oh it’s so great to have you posting something over here! and I love your sunroom, it’s such a bright and sunny and happy place! thanks for sharing!
kathrin´s last blog ..Alles beim Alten
32 hoyoyi commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:09 am

GORGEOUS!!! CAN’T WAIT TO SEE MORE PHOTOS ^ ^
hoyoyi´s last blog ..Friday, July 24, 2009
33 Sara commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:17 am

Your photos are always so inspirational and I look forward to seeing what is yet to come.
Sara´s last blog ..After
34 lieke commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:34 am

je hebt een supermooi huis! al dat wit is prachtig.. jaloers..
35 Elisabeth commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:50 am

Thanks for the cooking inspiration ! I’m going to check Donna Hay’s website.
Elisabeth´s last blog ..Fairy Tales Wedding
36 Nicola commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 4:00 am

Yvonne – your new sun room looks beautiful. Love the pink light shade.
Nicola´s last blog ..Apartment Love
37 Irene commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 6:11 am

Hi Yvonne!
Nice and sunny, and definitively not dull. Such a welcoming place!
all my best to Holly, too!
Irene´s last blog ..Home style tips from Kelly Hoppen
38 Torie Jayne commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 7:19 am

Hi, I love the pic of your draw and your sunroom is gorgeous, I love the colour scheme, thanks for sharing x
Torie Jayne´s last blog ..Vintage vacations
39 Lucy@attic24 commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 7:42 am

Its lovely to catch up with you Yvonne, I miss your blog updates enormously!
Looking forward to your new look blog coming soon….hoping the summer is happy for you, and you’re enjoying your kitchen :o)
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucy@attic24´s last blog ..BB (Big Blanket), Ta-dah!
40 ibb commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 10:25 am

I love the decoration style of your new home.
I will love to have so big room for “my things”. Actually I have the pc in front the TV, while have all other things in selves…quite messy little home
ibb´s last blog ..La Blanca. Fiesta
41 Pam commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Everything is so pretty!

I love that afghan, it is so colorful!
Pam ´s last blog ..TFF – Mexican Tortilla Chicken Soup
42 Marie commented:
August 6th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Ooohhh love you summer room thanks for sharing x
43 Yvonne commented:
August 7th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

THANK YOU SO MUCH … for all these wonderful and sweet comments. I’ll be back blogging in a week or two, I’m working on a new website/blog with lots of information about me and my cooking and decorating and gardening. I’m so looking forward to get back in the game. You all give me that extra push xoxoxox
Yvonne´s last blog ..Sunroom Version 2.0
44 GirlWhimsy commented:
August 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

Your home is quite lovely! I love starting with white backgrounds and then filling the spaces with bold pops of color! I looove your decorating style and your blog. Thanks for stepping in for Holly. It was definitely a pleasure!
GirlWhimsy´s last blog ..Vintage-Inspired Collection of Kate Spade

When you comment…

Please feel free to comment, whether you agree with the opinions found on this blog or not, your voice is important to other readers who share this space. Constructive criticism can be useful if left in a tone meant to help and not to shock or overly offend. However decor8 reserves the right to delete any comment that is abusive, profane, rude, or considered spam.

Comments are the sole responsibility of their authors. decor8 is not responsible, nor will be held liable, for blog comments. For more, please read the full disclaimer.