Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Joyous and Cozy Netherlands Nest
A mix of flea market finds and original art creates an airy and romantic home in the Netherlands
In an old and quiet neighborhood between the center of The Hague, Netherlands, and the beach, Iris (who goes by only her first name) has created a warm, light-filled home for her husband and two kids. In the summer of 2010 she started a blog, Irideeën, where she shares her home styling ideas and all the lovely things that she finds on the web. "I'm so glad I started blogging, because I found a welcoming blogging community that has embraced me from the beginning and is such an important part of my life now," says Iris, who is also a jurist.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: Iris, her husband and their two young children
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Size: 935 square feet
That's interesting: The house was completely run down and divided into smaller apartments in its previous life.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: Iris, her husband and their two young children
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Size: 935 square feet
That's interesting: The house was completely run down and divided into smaller apartments in its previous life.
During their home renovations, Iris and her husband kept the original drawing room doors that separated the dining room from the living room. Separations were typical in homes a century ago in The Hague, as were high ornamental ceilings, wooden floors, stained glass windows and marble mantels.
In their previous state, the bookshelves were shorter and covered by doors. "We had them made a bit higher, and we left the shelves exposed in the living room," says Iris.
Birds and other nature-inspired prints and elements adorn the inspiration board in the study. "This is where I blog and do deco projects," Iris says. "I just love bringing the outdoors indoors, so in our entire house you will find birds and other animals, as well as many flowers and nature-inspired styling."
Although she doesn't consider herself a card collector, Iris makes and buys printed matter that strikes her as beautiful and exquisite. "My mother has the same taste and is very good at finding lovely items. I also still have some small trinkets and items from my childhood," she says, adding that they "add some fun and playfulness" to the home.
Iris keeps all of her kids' toys in neat and orderly compartments. "I like having beautiful things around me, so I try and create nice corners and pretty sights and keep the house tidy all the time — including the kids' spaces," Iris says.
Cardboard house: Kids on Roof; scooter: Boghera
Cardboard house: Kids on Roof; scooter: Boghera
Round shelves, pink accents and nature-inspired elements give her daughter's room a light and playful quality. The sconce base and cabinet, both brocante (flea market) finds, were painted in Charleston Gray by Farrow and Ball.
Shelves: Sebra
Shelves: Sebra
Like many Europeans, Iris has chosen a relatively inconspicuous TV. "I don't think televisions are very pretty, but I kind of like this white one. I don't want it to be a central focus in the living room, but from the couch you can see it perfectly," says Iris.
Iris and her family eat of all their meals together at the extendable dining table, which also doubles as a crafts table for her and her children. The china cabinet came from an antiques shop. “I love cooking, and my husband has a lovely wine cellar, so we like combining good food and wine with equally great company,” says Iris.
Dining table: Ligne Roset; chairs: IKEA; chandelier: vintage
Dining table: Ligne Roset; chairs: IKEA; chandelier: vintage
The drawing of a mother and son to the right of the mantel was made by her sister, an artist, for Iris on her 30th birthday. Reflected in the mirror is the painting made by her father. Iris' home encapsulates so much of her design philosophy: Shine a light on things that tell a story, because they are the very things that make a house a home.
More:
Maria's Dreamy Whites
Eclectic Coastal Home in Holland
Lofty Living in the Heart of the Randstad
More:
Maria's Dreamy Whites
Eclectic Coastal Home in Holland
Lofty Living in the Heart of the Randstad