My Houzz: 'When We Buy It, It's Forever'
This family is picky about what fills their vintage-chic Netherlands apartment, and the strategy works beautifully
Holly Marder
June 15, 2013
Years of experience as a buyer for some of the largest retailers in the Netherlands — including Dutch department stores de Bijenkorf and Loods 5 — have made Bianca Kempenaar rather selective when it comes to furnishing her own home. “When you attend furniture shows in cities like Paris and Milan, you get really picky about what you like, because you see a lot,” says Kempenaar, who lives with her husband, Jeroen Roodnat, and their 2-year-old daughter, Kate, in a renovated 1930s energy building in the Netherlands. “We take our time to buy something, but when we buy it, it’s forever.”
Kempenaar and Roodnat were patient when buying their apartment. But Kempenaar knew they’d found the right home after she stood on her husband’s shoulders to peek into the windows at the large, open white space with high ceilings and endless possibilities. “It was love at first sight,” she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Bianca Kempenaar, Jeroen Roodnat and daughter Kate
Location: Bloemendaal, the Netherlands
Size: 220 square meters (about 2,368 square feet); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Kempenaar and Roodnat were patient when buying their apartment. But Kempenaar knew they’d found the right home after she stood on her husband’s shoulders to peek into the windows at the large, open white space with high ceilings and endless possibilities. “It was love at first sight,” she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Bianca Kempenaar, Jeroen Roodnat and daughter Kate
Location: Bloemendaal, the Netherlands
Size: 220 square meters (about 2,368 square feet); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Kempenaar loves midcentury Dutch designers, particularly Cees Braakman for Pastoe, and furnished much of the space with pieces from that era. "There’s just something about Dutch design that I really like,” she says. “Perhaps it’s the craftsmanship. To design furniture in the 1950s that's still up-to-date 60 years later is true craftsmanship."
The couple's most prized possession is without a doubt their vintage buffet in the dining room. "It's the love of my life, after Jeroen of course," Kempenaar says. "It’s got a Mad Men feel to it, with a foldout bar."
The radio that sits on top was a gift from an elderly neighbor who recognized the buffet as being similar to one he had owned back in the '50s. “He received the radio as a wedding gift and wanted me to have it, so he donated it, and we absolutely love it. It still works,” Kempenaar says.
Pendant lamps: Bertjan Pot's Random Light, Moooi; chairs: Eames armchair, Vitra; table: MDF Italia; pink vase: Hella Jongerius for Ikea
The couple's most prized possession is without a doubt their vintage buffet in the dining room. "It's the love of my life, after Jeroen of course," Kempenaar says. "It’s got a Mad Men feel to it, with a foldout bar."
The radio that sits on top was a gift from an elderly neighbor who recognized the buffet as being similar to one he had owned back in the '50s. “He received the radio as a wedding gift and wanted me to have it, so he donated it, and we absolutely love it. It still works,” Kempenaar says.
Pendant lamps: Bertjan Pot's Random Light, Moooi; chairs: Eames armchair, Vitra; table: MDF Italia; pink vase: Hella Jongerius for Ikea
White Eames armchairs surround an MDF Italia dining table made from a ceramic leaf built into aluminum legs.
The couple picked up the vintage filing cabinet from online vintage design store Neef Louis. “We just loved the piece and the history that came with it. There were old filing cards from 1910 still in there when we bought it,” Kempenaar says.
The couple picked up the vintage filing cabinet from online vintage design store Neef Louis. “We just loved the piece and the history that came with it. There were old filing cards from 1910 still in there when we bought it,” Kempenaar says.
The couple's daughter enjoys a spacious play area in the family room, with a vintage school desk and chairs purchased through Neef Louis. The Tomado shelving unit with multicolored shelves was purchased secondhand.
“We love to play records,” Kempenaar says. “I have a very old Sam Cooke record from back in the '70s from my parents that I love to play, and I just adore Springsteen.”
Probably one of her most sentimental pieces is the original photograph of Johnny Cash taken in 1965. Kempenaar's husband gave the photo to her upon the arrival of their daughter. “He really wanted to give me something special, so he wrote a letter to the photographer, Baron [Wolman], saying that he really wanted to give me this photograph," she says. "The photographer wrote a letter back describing what was happening at the time he took that picture in about 1965. He never realized that June Carter was standing there in the mirror when he took the photograph. It’s very dear to me. There is something very magical about it.”
Framed abstract pieces by illustrator Charley Harper that revolve largely around nature hang nearby.
Probably one of her most sentimental pieces is the original photograph of Johnny Cash taken in 1965. Kempenaar's husband gave the photo to her upon the arrival of their daughter. “He really wanted to give me something special, so he wrote a letter to the photographer, Baron [Wolman], saying that he really wanted to give me this photograph," she says. "The photographer wrote a letter back describing what was happening at the time he took that picture in about 1965. He never realized that June Carter was standing there in the mirror when he took the photograph. It’s very dear to me. There is something very magical about it.”
Framed abstract pieces by illustrator Charley Harper that revolve largely around nature hang nearby.
Armchair: Vitra
The couple purchased the white shelving unit in the hallway between the kitchen and dining room from Habitat to display books and special ceramic pieces.
Kate's artwork is proudly displayed in the kitchen.
"We spend loads of time in the kitchen," Kempenaar says. "Kate stands on the pink stool while I’m cooking."
When the couple moved into the unit seven years ago, there was no kitchen, and the floors were concrete. They installed three charcoal-gray modular kitchen units by German kitchen company Bulthaup. "We didn't want a typical built-in kitchen," Kempenaar says. "We love the simplicity of the three separate modules and the huge drawers for storage. After all these years, we are still really happy with the design."
Stool: Ikea
When the couple moved into the unit seven years ago, there was no kitchen, and the floors were concrete. They installed three charcoal-gray modular kitchen units by German kitchen company Bulthaup. "We didn't want a typical built-in kitchen," Kempenaar says. "We love the simplicity of the three separate modules and the huge drawers for storage. After all these years, we are still really happy with the design."
Stool: Ikea
A neon 'Yes' sign hangs over one of the units. "'Yes' is just such a positive word,” says Kempenaar, who loves cooking and entertaining in her family kitchen.
A single vintage coffee tin sits atop another module. "I love to have all these old things around me," Kempenaar says. "It makes a house a home. Not everything has to be stylish or designer."
Floors in what was formerly a dark basement for storing charcoal have been treated with epoxy screed for a light, smooth and durable finish.
Kate's room is a colorful space showing Kempenaar's vintage design style. She sells the paper honeycombs through her online shop, A Day with Kate.
Rug, dresser: Ikea; prints: Isak London; bed: Leander
Rug, dresser: Ikea; prints: Isak London; bed: Leander
Kempanaar added colorful ceramic handles to the Ikea dresser.
A yellow Eames armchair by Vitra adds a bright jolt of color to the little girl's play area. The dollhouse belonged to Kempanaar when she was a girl.
Shelves: Ikea
Shelves: Ikea
In the main bedroom, a soft gray and white color scheme creates a soothing escape.
Old photographs of Kempenaar as a child hang over the bed. "There's something about pictures taken back then," she says. "They're less polished."
Bed: Auping; side tables: Invisible Table, Kartell; floor lamp: Artemide; chair: Friso Kramer for Revolt; rug: Ikea
Old photographs of Kempenaar as a child hang over the bed. "There's something about pictures taken back then," she says. "They're less polished."
Bed: Auping; side tables: Invisible Table, Kartell; floor lamp: Artemide; chair: Friso Kramer for Revolt; rug: Ikea
Credenza: Webe; lamp: Front's Rabbit Lamp, Moooi
Wooden figurines by Muji adorn the vintage credenza.
Prints hang uniformly above the toilet.
The apartment is housed in this stately 1930s building, which boasts a regal entrance featuring original marble and brass detailing. “I love that during the renovation, the exterior was left in its original state,” Kempenaar says.
Storm Guard has been a trusted name in the roofing and construction field for over a decade. Our team of experts... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Related Stories
Contemporary Homes
Houzz Tour: Boston Pied-à-Terre Designed for Evenings
By Becky Harris
A designer found on Houzz infuses a condo with a sultry vibe inspired by supper clubs and luxe boutique hotels
Full Story
Guesthouses
Houzz Tour: Light-Filled 704-Square-Foot Modern Cottage
By Becky Harris
An architect and a designer create a light and airy feel, cozied up by layers of textures
Full Story
Outbuildings
Family Gatherings in Argentina Inspire a Pavilion and Guesthouse
By Becky Harris
A new yard adds room for hosting, swimming and bringing part of one homeowner’s culture to her family’s Seattle home
Full Story
Transitional Homes
Houzz Tour: Organic Style on an Avocado Ranch
By Becky Harris
A designer uses a soft neutral palette, handmade tile and reclaimed wood to update a 1980s contemporary home
Full Story
Transitional Homes
Houzz Tour: Elegant, Earthy Ranch House for an Empty-Nest Couple
Design styles, warm neutral colors and special details blend in a Minnesota ranch-style house with a finished basement
Full Story
Contemporary Homes
Houzz Tour: Colorado Forever Home Is a Family Affair
By Becky Harris
The mountain home was designed for gatherings and to make the most of views of Pikes Peak and surroundings
Full Story
Contemporary Homes
Houzz Tour: Open and Inviting Mountain Home Near Lake Tahoe
By Becky Harris
A designer creates a warmly minimalist California getaway that can stand up to snow and mud
Full Story
Homes Around the World
Houzz Tour: Period Home Gains Color and Character
By Kate Burt
Before-and-after photos show how a bold palette and restored features bring warmth and personality to this English house
Full Story
Modern Homes
Houzz Tour: New Home Gets a Midcentury Modern Makeover
By Julie Sheer
A designer in Boston reworks the kitchen and primary suite and adds style with furnishings, lighting and more
Full Story
Barn Homes
Houzz Tour: Old Barns Become an Airy, Modern-Rustic Home
A barn home in Devon, England, sits lightly on the land and offers simple, relaxing spaces for an extended family
Full Story
denisela, you asked my question. I love card catalogs because I'm a perpetual student who became a teacher and a bookworm as well. My idea of a home is a library with... the other bits you have in a house.
I saw one idea for a library card catalogue on Houzz, I believe: use the extra-long drawers for storing wine! I don't even drink wine, but it gave me enough of an excuse to put a library card-catalogue on my wish-list because I could say, 'But it's useful, really! See - you can store all this wine in it!'
Of course, you've GOT to have a place to keep all your love-letters, by name and cross-referenced by year, right? (Oh, email. Texts. Forgot.)
Maybe the thing to do is invent a lifestyle that needs a card-filing cabinet, and go from there.
But seriously, that one is so HUGE that I think getting at anything that you would want to use every day (apart maybe from socks, sorted by color?) would be annoying, and there would be the risk of filling it with all kinds of random stuff that you can never find again if you ever want it, and then you have to throw it all out when you move. But, perhaps, things like Christmas ornaments in the highest drawers - something you don't get at every day and don't want people touching. Maybe line some of the drawers with anti-tarnish cloth and put the 'good' silver in there.
I say, 'Get one and figure out how to use it later.' Perhaps it will become the most interesting item in your home once everyone starts using the drawers for 'treasures only.'
I bought forever pieces when I married 50 years ago and have just happily passed many onto my children as I now live in 80 meters. They were in the same condiction as when I bought them and are as loved by my children as I loved them. And I now have a few IKEA pieces to fill in for what I needed to buy. No problem there