Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Dutch Family's Light and White Dream House
Minimal color palette keeps life simple and clean; furnishings and accents sprinkle in character
Like many European house hunters, Taco and Petra Elink Schuurman wanted an older home with charm and character. But after much debate, they went with building a new home that would combine their sought-after historic character with modern practicality. The new construction includes every item on their wish list for their family of four, including a large plot of land, a garage, a spacious kitchen, a fireplace, high ceilings and ample bedrooms.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Petra and Taco Elink Schuurman and daughters Emilie and Fleur
Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs, the Netherlands
Size: 2,370 square feet (220 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Petra and Taco Elink Schuurman and daughters Emilie and Fleur
Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs, the Netherlands
Size: 2,370 square feet (220 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
A collection of Eames chairs and a bright and cheerful painting, called “Lady in Red” by artist Gerdine Duijsens, jazz up the simple dining area.
Table: Loods5
Table: Loods5
A cubby on the other side of fireplace wall provides a place to stylishly store firewood.
Contemporary furnishings arranged around a custom TV cabinet allow for comfortable viewing in the main living room.
TV console: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone; gray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals
TV console: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone; gray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals
Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the living room is bathed in light during the day; understated Venetian blinds give the room privacy at night. Custom built-in bookshelves flank the windows, showing off favorite books and framed family portraits — and providing extra storage in cabinets below.
Bookshelves and cabinets: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone
Bookshelves and cabinets: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone
The open plan allows guests and hosts to stay connected while meals are prepared in the kitchen.
Rug: Perletta Limone; gray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals
Rug: Perletta Limone; gray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals
The modern family kitchen boasts contemporary appliances and clean lines. A charcoal gray accent wall creates a sleek backdrop and smooth connection with the Brazilian slate floor tiles. Red accessories, such as a modern high chair from Stokke Tripp Trapp, contrast well with the combination of gray, white and light wooden furnishings.
Gray paint: Ikea188
Gray paint: Ikea188
A dedicated area for the kids in the kitchen includes a table and chairs beside a chalkboard wall. The blank canvas encourages the daughters to scribble away during breakfast or homework time.
Gray paint: Ikea188; chairs: Charles Eames DSR; high chairs: Stokke Tripp Trapp
Gray paint: Ikea188; chairs: Charles Eames DSR; high chairs: Stokke Tripp Trapp
On the first-floor landing is an antique dresser beside three modern feature windows. Family photographs hang in a gallery wall above.
Antique dresser: Antiek De Toren
Antique dresser: Antiek De Toren
In the master bedroom, an ornate mahogany antique side table contrasts with its backdrop of glossy white wardrobes.
A simple collection of black and white family photographs serves as a stylish floating headboard.
Bed throw: Ikea
Bed throw: Ikea
Simple, white Roman blinds dress the large windows in the master bedroom.
"We always look around us in restaurants, hotels, shops, lifestyle magazines, on vacation," Petra says. "Design ideas come from everywhere."
"We always look around us in restaurants, hotels, shops, lifestyle magazines, on vacation," Petra says. "Design ideas come from everywhere."
While the rest of the house employs a subdued palette of grays, white and cream, pink and red take center stage in daughter Emilie's playful room.
A slide and blackboard mix fun with creativity in her cheerful bedroom. A two-toned feature wall continues the girly theme.
Red paint: Flexa VTWonen 'Signaalrood'; pink paint: Signaalroze, Flexa VTWonen; chalkboard: Mala, Ikea; slide: Virre, Ikea; chair: Kritter, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea
A slide and blackboard mix fun with creativity in her cheerful bedroom. A two-toned feature wall continues the girly theme.
Red paint: Flexa VTWonen 'Signaalrood'; pink paint: Signaalroze, Flexa VTWonen; chalkboard: Mala, Ikea; slide: Virre, Ikea; chair: Kritter, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea
The couple's younger daughter, Fleur, shares her cozy nest with her doll, who has a matching bed beside hers. Baskets at the foot of Fleur's bed provide handy storage for books.
Doll's bed: Ikea 'Duktig'; flower lamp: Smila Blomma, Ikea; baskets: Hema
Doll's bed: Ikea 'Duktig'; flower lamp: Smila Blomma, Ikea; baskets: Hema
A calming palette of pale pink and white makes for a perfect princess retreat. A feature wall of thick vertical candy stripes adds a whimsical backdrop for Fleur's treasured dollhouse.
The feminine pattern in an Ikea floor lamp complements the spots, stripes and checks throughout the room.
Chest of drawers: Koppang, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea
The feminine pattern in an Ikea floor lamp complements the spots, stripes and checks throughout the room.
Chest of drawers: Koppang, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea
A wet-room style shower is to the left of one of the bathroom entrances. Tall cupboards to the right provide necessary storage for toiletries, and slate and ceramic tiles combine to create a space that is as practical as it is stylish.
Tiles: Mosa
Tiles: Mosa
The couple's office/guest room occupies the top floor. The space mixes modern lines and furnishings with old world charm, with antique maps and family photographs in mahogany frames.
A painted strip of charcoal gray against a crisp white makes for a simple and attractive accent wall.
Filing cabinet: Ikea PS
A painted strip of charcoal gray against a crisp white makes for a simple and attractive accent wall.
Filing cabinet: Ikea PS
The antique mahogany guest bed sits across from the desk area.
The en suite guest bathroom features clean lines and modern fixtures.
Taco and Petra were able to select all the finishes during the building process, from the color and type of brick to the design of the front door.
The couple chose one of two larger custom home designs in the neighborhood. In choosing the lot, "We had to take into account factors such as where the sun sets and our positioning with our neighbors,” Petra says. And each plot came with a home design with its own unique details.
The couple chose one of two larger custom home designs in the neighborhood. In choosing the lot, "We had to take into account factors such as where the sun sets and our positioning with our neighbors,” Petra says. And each plot came with a home design with its own unique details.
Petra is happy with their decision to combine functionality with character and create the ultimate family home. "With the two of us in busy jobs and two school-age daughters, it is a wonderfully practical house," she says.
Houzz call: Do you live in a modern, creative home? Share it with us.
Houzz call: Do you live in a modern, creative home? Share it with us.
The house took 16 months to finish, including 10 months of building. “The main surprises were the ridiculously high costs to make small changes such as moving electrical sockets to non-standard locations," Petra says. "Canceling certain items such as heaters actually cost us money." There was also little flexibility in opting for extensions, which prompted them to take up certain projects after completion, such as installing floor heating, building attic extensions and finishing the kitchen.
Fireplace: Petra vanTrigt