When Jacob and Liesbeth van Balen moved into their new house, they desired to leave behind their traditional style and adopt an updated, modern aesthetic. The couple hired Netherlands interior design company Nu interieur | ontwerp to make a light and spacious family home which would unite conventional design styles with a clean, modern appearance. “The house was built to support our way of life,” Jacob says. “It’s a comfortable and warm family home, with sufficient distance and the play of light through the windows”
in a Glance
Who resides: Jacob and Liesbeth van Balen, with their two brothers
Location: Maasland, the Netherlands
Size: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
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The clean-lined walnut dining table was one of the few items that the couple wished to bring with them from their previous home. Coupled with black leather armchairs and a sculptural lighting fixture, it creates a comfortable location for parties and family dishes in the kitchen.
The kitchen was one of the most important rooms, since the van Balens prefer to entertain and spend a lot of time here together as a family. Stainless steel built in Miele appliances, such as a built in coffee maker, keep the space feeling comfy, spacious and functional.
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The open layout provides a place to float right from the kitchen and a little area for watching TV. Double doors lead out to a patio.
To the right, a wall of built-in closets disguises an extremely spacious hidden closets and storage area.
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A wraparound countertop offers ample prep space in the kitchen and also a location for the couple to leave their keys when entering the house. A built-in book. A five-burner gas stove offers extra cooking space to their regular dinner parties.
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Granite countertops, crisp white cabinets and sleek handles make for a decidedly modern kitchen. Low cabinets make sure that the room keeps a bright and airy texture.
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The van Balen family enjoys gathering to unwind on this oversize charcoal grey sectional from Cartel Living.
Interior designers Tessa Weerdenburg and Nathalie Fransen brought in fundamental furnishings so the couple’s own traditional pieces would tie in without the more recent pieces stealing the show. “We were going to get a peaceful, relaxing feel in this room,” Weerdenburg states.
Sofa, armchairs: Cartel Living; curtains, rug: custom made by Interieur Decor Delft
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The huge sofa is a superb location for unwinding before the television, which can be displayed atop a narrow white TV cupboard.
The designers delivered the coffee table into the company who made the floors to provide it the exact same pale end as the smoked oak floorboards. The outcome is a look.
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This sideboard was one of the very few items the van Balens wished to bring along with them from their previous home, so it functioned as a staple piece in producing the property’s theme. “The warm color of the sideboard, with a touch of red in it, was the beginning point for the remainder of the house in terms of the furnishings,” Weerdenburg states. “To make it even more modern, we combined it with browns, tons of white and gray.”
In regards to designing the home’s layout, one of the highest items on the couple’s wish list was supposed to separate the kitchen from the living room. Double glass doors today lead from the living room into the kitchen.
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Along with a glass panel beside a pale oak staircase adds visual interest to a region that is often overlooked.
The lamp over the stairs is by Scandinavian company Secto Design.
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The pale oak tones across the remainder of the house are carried through the toilet, in which this family of four stocks a modern double vanity with several deep drawers for keeping bathroom solutions.
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The master bedroom is a calming area for Jacob and Liesbeth to unwind together as a couple. Pale tones of white and beige, and a mix of modern and classic furniture, make for a relaxing getaway.
Since the couple’s previous home was conventional in style, the designers were originally surprised that the couple loved their decidedly more minimalist concept. “They took a danger in embracing a whole new style for themselves, but they’re now very pleased with the new look,” Weerdenburg states.
Chair: York, Cartel Living
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Writing a letter, sitting down in the notebook or getting prepared for the day can all be achieved at this smart, minimalist wall unit by Keijser & Co.. Round the corner is a spacious walk-in cupboard.
Wall unit, chair, chest of drawers: Keijser & Co..
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This comfy nook makes the perfect escape for studying a book or just taking a rest from a hectic day. The modern chaise lounge is by Keijser & Co.. Several windows clean the room with light during the day, and in the warmer months, the couple enjoy the use of a little balcony away to the right, along with gorgeous views of the forest outside of their backyard.
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The bed and side tables are by Keijser & Co.. With simple white bed linens and minimal accessories, the look is clean, fresh and modern.
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A sleek sideboard makes for a simple and refined TV stand.
Sideboard, bed: Keijser & Co; bed linens: Ikea
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The redbrick exterior has a traditional gable roof, along with the patio keeps a lovely connection between the indoors and outdoors. During the summer months, many a summer evening can be spent at the backyard, on the neatly dressed terrace.
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The rear patio is as pretty as it is sensible for entertaining, with big stone pavers, immaculately groomed garden beds and lots of seating. A stream runs along the rear of the house, and a forest beyond that. “We love the freedom of living in this neighborhood. To have a little forest in our backyard in a very crowded and populated area is quite special,” Jacob says.
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The lady of the house, Liesbeth van Balen, enjoys the view on the garden from her living room.
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