Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Modern Netherlands Stream-Side Home
A Dutch family forgoes their traditional past and looks to clean lines, a limited color palette and minimal accessories in their new home
When Jacob and Liesbeth van Balen moved into their new home, they wanted to leave behind their traditional style and embrace an updated, modern aesthetic. The couple hired Netherlands interior design company Nu interieur | ontwerp to create a spacious and light family home that would combine traditional design styles with a clean, modern look. "The home was built to support our lifestyle," Jacob says. "It is a comfortable and warm family home, with sufficient space and the play of light through the windows."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jacob and Liesbeth van Balen, with their two daughters
Location: Maasland, the Netherlands
Size: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jacob and Liesbeth van Balen, with their two daughters
Location: Maasland, the Netherlands
Size: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
The open layout provides a place to dine right in the kitchen and a small area for watching TV. Double doors lead out to a patio.
To the right, a wall of built-in cupboards disguises a very spacious hidden pantry and storage area.
To the right, a wall of built-in cupboards disguises a very spacious hidden pantry and storage area.
A wraparound countertop provides ample preparation space in the kitchen and a place for the couple to leave their keys when entering the house. A built-in book shelving unit conveniently stores cookbooks. A five-burner gas stove provides extra cooking space for their frequent dinner parties.
Granite countertops, crisp white cupboards and sleek handles make for a decidedly modern kitchen. Low cabinets ensure that the room maintains a light and airy feel.
The van Balen family loves gathering to relax on this oversize charcoal gray sectional from Cartel Living.
Interior designers Tessa Weerdenburg and Nathalie Fransen brought in basic furnishings so that the couple's own traditional pieces would tie in without the newer pieces stealing the show. "We were going for a peaceful, relaxing feel in this room," Weerdenburg says.
Sofa, armchairs: Cartel Living; curtains, rug: custom made by Interieur Decor Delft
Interior designers Tessa Weerdenburg and Nathalie Fransen brought in basic furnishings so that the couple's own traditional pieces would tie in without the newer pieces stealing the show. "We were going for a peaceful, relaxing feel in this room," Weerdenburg says.
Sofa, armchairs: Cartel Living; curtains, rug: custom made by Interieur Decor Delft
The large sofa is a great place for unwinding in front of the television, which is displayed atop a narrow white TV cabinet.
The designers sent the coffee table to the company who made the floors to give it the same pale finish as the smoked oak floorboards. The result is a completely cohesive look.
The designers sent the coffee table to the company who made the floors to give it the same pale finish as the smoked oak floorboards. The result is a completely cohesive look.
This sideboard was one of the few items that the van Balens wanted to bring along with them from their previous home, so it served as a staple piece in creating the home's theme. "The warm color of this sideboard, with a hint of red in it, was the starting point for the rest of the house in terms of the furnishings," Weerdenburg says. "To make it more modern, we combined it with browns, lots of white and gray."
When it came to designing the home's layout, one of the top items on the couple's wish list was to separate the kitchen from the living room. Double glass doors now lead from the living room into the kitchen.
When it came to designing the home's layout, one of the top items on the couple's wish list was to separate the kitchen from the living room. Double glass doors now lead from the living room into the kitchen.
The addition of a glass panel beside a pale oak staircase adds visual interest to an area that is often overlooked.
The lamp above the stairs is by Scandinavian company Secto Design.
The lamp above the stairs is by Scandinavian company Secto Design.
The pale oak tones throughout the rest of the house are carried through to the bathroom, where this family of four shares a contemporary double vanity with several deep drawers for storing bathroom products.
The master bedroom is a calming space for Jacob and Liesbeth to relax together as a couple. Pale tones of white and beige, and a mix of modern and classic furniture, make for a soothing escape.
Because the couple's previous home was more traditional in style, the designers were initially very surprised that the couple loved their decidedly more minimalist concept. "They took a risk in embracing a whole new style for themselves, but they are now very proud of the fresh new look," Weerdenburg says.
Chair: York, Cartel Living
Because the couple's previous home was more traditional in style, the designers were initially very surprised that the couple loved their decidedly more minimalist concept. "They took a risk in embracing a whole new style for themselves, but they are now very proud of the fresh new look," Weerdenburg says.
Chair: York, Cartel Living
Writing a letter, sitting down at the laptop or getting ready for the day can all be done at this clever, minimalist wall unit by Keijser & Co. Around the corner is a spacious walk-in wardrobe.
Wall unit, chair, chest of drawers: Keijser & Co.
Wall unit, chair, chest of drawers: Keijser & Co.
This cozy nook makes the perfect escape for reading a book or simply taking a break from a busy day. The contemporary chaise lounge is by Keijser & Co. Several windows bathe the room with light during the day, and in the warmer months, the couple enjoy the use of a little balcony off to the right, along with gorgeous views of the forest beyond their back garden.
The bed and side tables are by Keijser & Co. With simple white bed linens and minimal accessories, the look is fresh, clean and modern.
A sleek sideboard makes for a simple and elegant TV stand.
Sideboard, bed: Keijser & Co; bed linens: Ikea
Sideboard, bed: Keijser & Co; bed linens: Ikea
The redbrick exterior has a traditional gable roof, and the patio maintains a lovely connection between the indoors and outdoors. During the warmer months, many a summer evening can be spent in the garden, on the neatly groomed patio.
The back patio is as pretty as it is practical for entertaining, with large stone pavers, immaculately groomed garden beds and plenty of seating. A stream runs along the back of the house, and a forest beyond that. "We love the freedom of living in this neighborhood. To have a little forest in our back garden in a very crowded and populated area is quite special," Jacob says.
The lady of the house, Liesbeth van Balen, enjoys the view over the garden from her living room.
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, modern home? Share it with us!
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, modern home? Share it with us!
The kitchen was one of the most important rooms, since the van Balens like to entertain and spend a lot of time here together as a family. Stainless steel built-in Miele appliances, including a built-in coffee maker, keep the space feeling light, spacious and practical.