Contemporary Netherlands Home
It didn’t take long for designer Tessa Weerdenburg of Nu interieur | ontwerp along with her husband, Martin, to comprehend the potential of the three-story family home. The Scandinavian architecture and opinions of the water motivated the couple to buy the day after their first screening. As soon as they snapped it up, they changed it into a fashionable nest showcasing a contemporary lifestyle and creative, personal touches. “I really like the space we have,” Tessa says. “Having water around us makes us feel as though we’re on a vacation daily.”
at a Glance
Who lives here: Martin and Tessa Weerdenburg and brothers Lieve, Bente and Roos
Location: Pijnacker, the Netherlands
Size: 180 square meters (roughly 1,937 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 1 bath
That is interesting: Tessa created the bed linens for her brothers’ rooms .
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The family spends all the time at the dining area, which can be fundamental to the rest of the house. “On the weekendswe begin with breakfast, lunch and from 1:00 we find ourselves at the exact same table,” Tessa says.
Upholstered dining chairs give warmth and texture to the space. The light fixture, by Gino Sarfatti for Flos, catches the eye in the entry; it has a steel central structure with brass arms extending outside, each holding a single bulb.
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The first floor was one large, open space, therefore Martin and Tessa eliminated the kitchen in where the office is now to create a bigger kitchen. They also divided the kitchen and dining area by including a reflective wall. Though visitors can flow freely in the kitchen to the dining area, the wall provides just enough separation between the two busiest rooms in the house.
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Tessa gave this console to Martin as a present. It exhibits the family’s personal favorite items, including new photographs along with the children’s artwork. The cube-shape lamp is one of Tessa’s favourite bits.
Table: Habitat; lamp: Mr. Ed Bookend, by Roderick Vos for Functionals
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Open shelving provides the kitchen a light and spacious feel and holds the family’s crisp white china. The wide drawers beneath the stone countertops give ample storage to other kitchenware.
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The minimalist, tidy surfaces result in a practical kitchen that is as practical as it is fashionable.
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Views of this water were an appealing feature for the couple. They love spending some time at the dining room due to the connection with the outside: The outdoor patio sits along with a small waterway, and in summer time the doors are often left open.
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To create a peaceful environment, Tessa and Martin combined a neutral colour palette with texture, layering in white and black components to add comparison. “We wanted the house to seem warm and comfortable,” Tessa says.
Negative tables: Nu interieur | ontwerp
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Comfortable seating in front of the fire makes for a relaxing place. The fireplace has been an addition during the renovation.
Pouf: Casalis; carpeting: Perletta rugs
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Every component of this home has been designed with the family in mind. “We have really busy lives and also work a lot with our very own businesses,” Tessa says. “When we are in house, we would like to enjoy our lives with the children.”
This very small table and chair set in the family room provides a place for the girls to do arts and crafts or even browse novels without compromising on the room’s aesthetic.
Table: Nu interieur | ontwerp; white chairs: Ikea; wooden seat: classic
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Many vignettes around the house display family photographs together with decorative products. Tessa likes to encase things inside glass vases, as seen here with a cactus plant.
Candlestick: Ikea
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Layout and function go together within this contemporary TV cupboard, which Tessa and Martin made themselves. The footstool was also designed by Tessa.
TV cupboard and Kruk Tess footstool:Nu interieur | ontwerp
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An owl is encased on an integrated shelf.
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Just outside the dining space, a twisting staircase leads up to the bedrooms.
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Tessa’s creative bits extend to each of three of her brothers’ bedrooms, with bed linens she made herself.
Stool: Hema department store; mattress: Ikea
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Tessa created this linen and felt owl doll as well.
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This cozy little nook in youngest kid Bente’s bedroom provides the perfect location for doing homework and crafts.
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Middle daughter Lieve’s mattress was designed by Tessa. The layout adapts to function with a baby all the way to a young adult.
Bed: Willemien, Nu interieur | ontwerp
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Tessa also made this cosmetic felt garland, motivated by an idea she spotted on one of her beloved Dutch craft websites, Vlijtig.
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Patterned background and framed photographs of the 3 sisters add an additional personal touch.
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Tessa designed earliest daughter Roos’ bed, and Martin made it. A colorful row of cotton ball lighting adds fun and whimsy to the light-filled bedroom.
Bed: Nu interieur | ontwerp
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The bathroom is modern and includes a wood-sided tub, stone tiling and a rain shower in a nook behind the vanity.
Light fixture: Artemide
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The master bedroom keeps to the subdued colour scheme located throughout the rest of the house. Minimalist closet cabinetry keeps clothing tucked away neatly.
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The artwork above the mattress is by illustrator Sanne van Winden, who created those two drawings of Tessa and Martin’s old house in the historic town of Delft particularly for them.
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The Scandinavian-style architecture and waterside place uttered Martin and Tessa’s hearts when they first saw the house.