Home Tour: Bright + Cheerful Dutch Row House
Hey guys! Are you ready for a gorgeous home tour that I photographed for decor8 this month? Hello, it's Holly Marder back again to take you through another lovely interior. For February, to chase away those winter blahs, it's all about this bright, peppy and fun family home, packed with sweet accessories and pops of cheerful color. Are you ready? Let's go, and remember, you can click on any image to enlarge!
Pastel hues and quirky pops of neon layered upon a crisp white base have transformed a 1935 Arnhem, The Netherlands, row house into a home with heart belonging to Antoinette te Pas, her partner Henk Jansen and their two sons, Teun and Roef. With a penchant for Scandinavian style, a charming blend of old and new and a feminine color palette, Antoinette has created a happy haven that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
In search of a new home with a garden and space for a growing family, Antoinette and Henk became the owners of their 125 square meter abode in 2001. Though much needed to be done, it was love at first sight. Over the years, the couple renovated the kitchen and bathroom, removed a wall that once separated the kitchen and living room and replaced the downstairs floor. “To start with we painted everything white, and each time we saved some money we had something refurbished,” Antoinette says.
Starting with an all-white base for the floors, walls and furniture, the couple slowly infused their home with bright pops of color and large doses of personality. “I love adding pretty colors to the white backdrop,” Antoinette says. “Although a light base is very risky with a dog and two kids, it makes things so crisp and bright.” The peppy, cheerful atmosphere of Antoinette's home is largely owing to the accessories and art thoughtfully placed throughout, many of which are by Antoinette's favorite brands such as HAY, Donna Wilson, Foekje Fleur and Ferm Living. “I shift things around at home often, and really enjoy shopping for and finding beautiful accessories,” Antoinette continues, “Creating a setting where my family and I feel comfortable is what I love. Sitting on the sofa surrounded by beautiful accessories in a neat and tidy home makes me really happy.”
The sofa, purchased locally 6 years ago, remains a favorite spot for the family of four, who can often be found unwinding together, “I love relaxing on our sofa reading a magazine and drinking a cup of tea during a rare moment alone,” says Antoinette.
The couple’s most prized possession - and undoubtedly the most eye-catching item in the room - is an original Herman Brood painting above the sofa. “I bought this years ago at Herman’s atelier. It was a really fun experience to have a look ‘behind the scenes’. Now that Herman is no longer alive, the painting must be worth a lot more than what we paid for it, but I will never sell it for any price.”
Allowing the striking blue hues of the painting to lead the way, Antoinette acquired a blue replica Eames chair with contrasting pink accessories dotted throughout. A pink Studio Snowpuppe origami lamp and poster by Zilverblauw are a couple of Antoinette's favorites. “I have been following the blog Zilverblauw for quite a while now. I have a few more posters by her hanging around the house.” Among other cherished pieces is the vintage IKEA 'Järpen' wire chair that was rescued from the attic of Antoinette’s mother which was left unused there for over thirty years. Another IKEA piece is the 'PS collection' dresser, originally natural wood and white, which Antoinette painted all white and updated three of the handles for a fun and colorful look. She's added additional whimsy and intrigue to the space with a Kartell gnome stool, too.
The dining room connects the living room through an ensuite walkway with built-in shelving and employs the same white base punctuated by colorful lighting, accessories and fresh flowers taking center stage.
The couple gave their scrap-wood dining table a fresh new look last year by painting it mint green, offsetting their 'Brakig' chairs from IKEA creating cohesion with the neighboring living room and kitchen color schemes.
The antique corner cabinet was painted white and was a gift from Antoinette's aunt. The yellow HK Living pendant light above the dining table is a cheerful addition to the space. So many details abound in this home!
There are vignettes in every corner and the dining room is no different as Antoinette created a small exhibition of plates on the dining room wall, which includes pieces by Donna Wilson, House of Rym, HAY and a metal letter by Stoer Metaal, adding a sculptural element to the vignette. Antoinette uses the shelf below to display accessories and favorite items along with fresh flowers.
The kitchen is filled with color, happiness and is accented by a black and white tiled floor, chalkboard wall and a large yellow cabinet with double glass doors providing storage for the small and very sweet galley kitchen.
The couple’s sons, Roef and Teun, share a large bedroom on the first floor of the house. “They used to each have their own room but Roef always slept with us. One night he slept in Teun’s room on a mattress on the floor, which he really liked, and since then they have shared a room,”Antoinette says. Roef’s former room has become a dressing room.
The bedroom features vibrant Ferm Living wallpaper and a teepee (tent) - adorned with a string of Cotton Light Balls - made by their children’s grandmother. The horse and pouf are by Colorique. Next to the bed is a Fur Neil poster by Martin Krusche.
The boys’ bunk bed is centered in the room, creating various cozy areas within the single large space. To the right of the bed, an oversized vintage map of Holland is suspended above two vintage school desks and chairs, giving the children space to do their homework and create. The map was an online find, the desks came from the kid’s school and the chairs were purchased at Stoer Metaal. Behind the desks, along the back wall, a reading nook has been created out of mattresses placed on the floor - the covers made by their grandmother out of blankets - giving the boys a cozy and comfortable spot to unwind, relax and read.
The master bedroom blends Nordic simplicity with touches of romance and whimsy. The white foundation is offset with grey ‘Brakig’ wallpaper by IKEA, while a single shelf displays a collection of vintage favorites. Playful posters by Sammy Rose and Seventy Tree hang above the bed and a mint green Studio Snowpuppe lamp mirrors the geometric lines seen in the wallpaper. The Tomado-look-a-like book rack was purchased at Bol. The bed and nightstands are IKEA.
Antoinette finds inspiration in magazines, blogs and from her favorite interiors shops, thrift shops and flea markets. “It’s not so much that I want to create a specific style, I just put some accessories together that look pretty. But there are definitely Scandinavian influences here and there.”
The couple has plans to continue fine-tuning their home’s interior, starting with the painting of a few doors and minor adjustments made to the family bathroom. Long term however, they've set their eyes set on a larger scale project promising more space and quality of life for them in their family home. “Our biggest wish is to redecorate the attic because it's old and neglected with a lot of potential and space. A perfect spot for the kids to play and chill. As soon as our budgets allows it, this project will happen!".... And we can only imagine how gorgeous it will be, right decor8 readers?
What do you think about this home?
Photography/Text: Holly Marder / Editorial assistance: Jessica van der Liende / Editor: Holly Becker