Name: Anna
Location: Groningen, Netherlands
We own a small house in the suburbs of Groningen, Netherlands. It's classified as a starter home, relatively easy to afford, but it has no unique characteristics or personality to speak of. It was made in a factory, then put in place side by side with others that are identical to it. So it was a challenge to make it into something that belonged to us!
We like to travel, so we wanted to make sure that our interior would show that. Pieces that we brought back from various countries are featured prominently, like the masks on the wall in the living room, or the Morrocan teapot on the coffee table. The dining area wall features two mirrors from India, but we haven't been there yet. There is a store in Groningen that occasionally sells furniture from countries like India. The local people there can sell their stuff at fair-trade prices, and it's then fixed up and sold to us wealthy Westerners so we can brag about our "fabulous Indian table" ;) Anyway, we thought that was a great program.
We don't have a lot of money and the Dutch version of Craigslist is our friend; the gorgeous opium coffee table, for example, I bought for 60 euros. It had a terrible, white paint job, and I had originally intended to repaint it, but after I took the paint off the wood underneath turned out to be beautiful, so I kept it like this.
Our bedroom, to me, has a princess-y feel to it, which I love. I'm lucky my husband pretty much lets me do what I want with our home ;) Except for the lamp the whole bedroom consists of stuff I got at IKEA (I work there).
The kitchen is also IKEA (Applad with a Perso laminated countertop). When we bought the kitchen 3 years ago we put stainless steel slates against the wall but that didn't look good, so we recently had them replaced by mosaic tiles. Now, the only thing that is still and has been missing for 3 years is a cooker hood. We tend to take a long time to finish things. In fact, we're now selling the house and moving to a new one in a couple of months. So, we're starting all over later this year!
Thanks Anna!
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I like your home, especially its floors and living room. Are the living room and the dining area a single L-shaped room, like mine? Out of curiosity, how many square feet is your home? Thank you for sharing at AT.
Beautiful! And in your bedroom, that is wallpaper done right!
Plus, I love your light gray sofa. And I noticed how smartly you've design your living room because all you need to do is change the throw pillows and throw and voila! a brand new look for your living room!
Calm, cozy, worldly, unpretentious, uncluttered...perfect! Your bedroom is awesome!
I also love the wallpaper in the bedroom and I'm jealous of the shelf (I'm in California, land of the Nothing Over The Bed.)
I think you did a great job here. It's very serene and looks easy to control and clean and take care of. It would be hard for me to leave this behind in a move!
Good luck with your new place!
Gorgeous, I love it, especially the living room!
I really love the wood floors. :) Did you put those in? If so, do you remember the brand, type, etc?
Love the chairs in the living room as well as the bookcase and map.
The wallpaper in your bedroom in gorgeous!
You have an amazing home, thanks for sharing :)
How did you hang up the large map? I have one and the price to frame is ridiculous, but would love to display it.
Groningen!!!! can we get a whole house tour please?
@ Elaine: The livingroom is u-shaped, with the hall containing the stairs sitting in the middle. The first floor is about 400 square feet, the entire house is about 1200 square feet.
@ Paperkite: The floors are actually IKEA laminated floor boards. TUNDRA middle brown, to be exact.
@ Katytonic: The map is also IKEA (yay employee discount) and is called PREMIAR, it will set you back about $150.
@ Joan: Why, are you in Groningen? You can get one through our real estate agent then :P
Thanks, everyone, for your compliments! I'm flattered to even be on here, since AT only puts up what I consider to be amazing homes. My day is made!
I love your place! What is that lovely paint on your living room accent wall?
Your living room, dining area, and kitchen are laid out the same as mine. Your photos confirm by comparison that my living room is uncomfortably crowded. Your photos also reassure me that it will seem more spacious, like yours, after I release some unnecessary furnishings as planned. Thanks for the inspiration, and best of luck in your future home.
Absolutely beautiful place! I love your print of the elephant. Is it sitting on top of a Hemnes dresser? I have the same one! Looooove it!
Beautiful home, love it!
would love to see some exterior photos!
where is the hanging lamp from that is in your living room?
lovely home !! <3 <3
lovely, thank you for sharing!
i love the curtains! the colour and the way the sun bounces on it. Gives the room such an earthy feel =) I think curtains are coming back big time. Goodbye blinds!