Willem and Jolanda live in a remarkable historic home in the east of the Netherlands. Together with Karin, stylist at By Mölle, they designed an interior with care for natural materials and the history of the house. Built around 1500, towards the end of the Middle Ages, it has lived many lives and has a rich history. “It’s a cliché,” say Willem, “but every day you can feel the atmosphere that has built up in this house over the centuries. That makes living here such a privilege.”
a love of craftsmanship
What matters is where things come from. “We've always loved beautiful pieces made with care and craftsmanship from natural materials. Whenever possible, we like to meet the makers too. That gives each piece extra meaning for us. We also seek calm and an atmosphere that honours the history of the house. British architect John Pawson, known for his minimalist, light spaces, is an important source of inspiration for us."
finding harmony
The challenge was creating a sense of harmony and bringing everything together. “How do we make everything work together without the individual pieces losing their character? How do we allow each one to stand out while complementing the others?” When they first met Karin from By Mölle, there was an immediate connection. “We had plenty of ideas ourselves, but Karin kept surprising us. Sometimes it felt like a leap of faith, but little by little, our home began to take the shape we had imagined but couldn’t quite achieve on our own.”The house has many favourite spots. Their day follows the light through the rooms. In the morning, they have breakfast in the kitchen, where the sun falls across the dining table. Around midday, they read in the knitting chair or the living room. Later in the day, they sit at the worktable in the bedroom, where the afternoon sun comes through the window.
natural materials
“We’re so happy we chose natural materials. Linen and wool are beautiful to look at, but they also feel so lovely that you want to touch them. Even opening or closing the linen curtains is a moment to enjoy. You naturally hold the fabric a little longer to feel the texture of the linen. The same goes for the cushions, rugs and bed linen. Timelessly beautiful, pure, honest and warm.”
an eye for detail
The walls are hung with beautiful photographs Willem and Jolanda have taken since 2012, mostly during their holidays in Scotland. “The hobby has rather taken on a life of its own. You start to see everything around you differently. At first, we photographed landscapes, then increasingly details: patterns, simplicity and the unspoilt beauty of nature. And sheep, especially their distinctive faces. We never planned to hang our own work on the walls. But over time, we realised that these photographs are exactly what makes the house feel like ours.”
the isle of Harris
In the eighties, they crossed the North Sea several times a year to travel from village to village through England. On a trip to northern Scotland, they found themselves in the harbour at Ullapool. They wondered where the ferry was going. The following year, they bought tickets to find out. That was how they came to know Harris, an island in the Outer Hebrides. They have now been returning for more than fourteen years. “It’s so beautiful, unspoilt and pure. Harris feels like our second home.”

Their advice for anyone planning a visit isn’t a route or an address. “Harris is an island with many faces. We’re drawn to the unspoilt landscape, but also to the sincerity of the people. With the constantly changing weather, every visit is different. You’ll find beautiful photographs online, but only going there gives you a true sense of the place. Harris is somewhere you have to feel, in every sense of the word.”

Back home, their love of simplicity, natural materials and craftsmanship with a story is reflected in every room.

get the look:
linen bedding clay
mohair blanket terra
Ejer bedframe
By Mölle eco mattress
Willow rug cumin
FAD lamp
J39 chair
linen curtains flax
linen café curtains warm white
Shelves library