Decorating Guides
Decorating Around the World: Creative Amsterdam Style
Get ideas for the playful details, fearless color and art in these inspiring Dutch homes
With a rich history that includes Delft tiles and Vermeer, Amsterdam today is home to many inspiring independent artists and designers who always seem to be ahead of the curve. I was lucky enough to spend a small part of my honeymoon on a houseboat in Amsterdam, and I will always remember the amazing creative energy of this region. Come along as we peek inside the vibrant, colorful world of Dutch interiors.
Fearless color. Throughout Amsterdam, I noticed shops and homes decorated with a much more adventurous approach to color than we tend to see here in the States. In Ilaria's home, vibrant aqua and lemon yellow mingle with red, pink, florals and multi-hued granny crochet for a bold look.
Quirky details. Dutch photographer and blogger Ilaria Chiaratti's home is filled with quirky, one of a kind details like the colorful tapestry, floral printed Moose sculpture, and eclectic mix of chairs in her dining room.
This South Holland home gets the eclectic mix spot-on, with a reclaimed wooden table, mix-and-match chairs, colorful glass tulip lights, and a large original painting in dark tones.
Marlous Snijder creates one-of-a-kind felt animals for her shop, Planet Fur, and pours an equal amount of creativity into her lovely home in Utrecht. I love the wire tulip-shaped light and electric orange cat lamp!
Another view into Marlous's home reveals a pale lime accent wall and artsy light, with hot-pink chair cushions in the room just beyond. This is a look that is cheerful and bright — the kind of home that makes you smile when you walk in the door!
A focus on art. I have been a fan of Amsterdam-based artist Nina van de Goor for several years now. I love her bold, colorful prints and unique hand-painted vintage china. It's no wonder this talented artist has a way with displaying artwork in her home.
Here, Nina has filled a large wall above her sofa with an eclectic mix of art. Notice how she even squeezed a few pieces in above the door, emphasizing the gallery-like feel.
Elsewhere in Nina's home, two large Expedit shelving units from Ikea store books and the vintage dishes Nina uses in her work. The top surface serves as rotating display space for paintings, framed prints, pottery and vintage treasures.
Blogger and vintage collector Kay de Bruin also has an eye for art, gravitating towards interesting indie pieces. This grouping works wonderfully well against the dusky blue wall of a child's room.
Another corner of Kay's home shows an eclectic collection of art prints and photography, unified with slim black frames. This soft putty gray is another wall color that works beautifully with art.
A completely different take on the art wall, this view of Dutch blogger Iris's bedroom reveals a lovely loose canvas printed with a favorite text.
In Iris's living room, she has hung a trio of original paintings. As much as I adore art prints, it does feel refreshing to see original work in the home, too!
Playful and avant-garde. Dutch designers are something of a risk-taking bunch. Take this light fixture, for instance — it reminds me a bit of a giant spider, but in a cool, artsy way. I find Dutch design exciting because of this willingness to think outside the box, though that means it won't necessarily appeal to everyone!
In Iris's son's room, a parade of huge animals tramps across the walls, while imaginative toys like a giant wooden crane and little red car invite play.
From the trompe l'oeil wallpaper to the surrealist-inspired hat and mustache hanging over the cradle, this nursery is a far cry from most I see here in the States!
Tell us: What do you think of Dutch design? Would you try out any of these decorating ideas in your own home?
More: Eclectic Coast Home in Holland
Contemporary Character in a Dutch Suburb
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Tell us: What do you think of Dutch design? Would you try out any of these decorating ideas in your own home?
More: Eclectic Coast Home in Holland
Contemporary Character in a Dutch Suburb
How to Create a Vision for Your Own Home