My Houzz: Casually Collected Rotterdam Nest for One
“In my home I mix special, vintage items, with new items that I really like,” Smit says. “I am not one to spend a lot of money on decorating, so I enjoy finding a way of making it all work together.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Hilde Smit
Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Size: 40 square meters, One bedroom, one office, one bath apartment
Smit's favorite decorative item in her home is this beautiful vintage inspired mirror, which she picked up from a homewares store in Amsterdam. The mirror is accessorized with dried twigs and mercury glass candlesticks for a naturally glam look. Several indoor plants bask in the sunlight that streams in through the windows.
"I like the combination of natural wood with white painted wooden furniture," Smit says, who effortlessly combines both in her casual and comfortable living room. The beige linen curtains were found at a local thrift store, and the coffee table is a second hand piece. The tripod floor lamp was snapped up for a steal at a flea market during the Dutch national holiday, Queens Day. Smit replaced the aging lamp shade with a new linen shade and the piece now looks as good as new.
Smit's bedroom is a soothing palette of beige, white and pale blue. At the foot of the bed, a large wooden wardrobe adds vintage charm to the space. Smit purchased it via a second hand website from its previous owners, who had loved the piece dearly and held sentimental attachment to it. They were pleased to see the wardrobe go to a good home, however, and Smit is equally as fond if it.Bedspread: IkeaLadder/bookshelf: MarskramerPaint color: custom mixed by Flexa
Smit uses this solid wood table in her home office to do arts and crafts projects, and it doubles as a dining table for when guests visit. The piece was inherited from her grandparents, and pairs well with two industrial chairs.While Smit enjoys adding new items to her home, she enjoys the thrill of the chase for special items that are one of a kind. "I prefer to take my time in looking for special items rather than just go and buy everything new from stores like Ikea."
Above the guest toilet hangs a card holder with a collection of Parisian-themed postcards. Smit's home is a work in progress, and the young art teacher is always on the lookout for creative additions to create a soothing space to live in. On her wish list is a piece of art by an artist other than herself, and a vintage make-up table and mirror for her bedroom.
White floors and windows pour light into the living room of the third floor apartment making for an airy open space. “I find spaces that are mostly light and white really beautiful. I also love it when natural light comes streaming in from outside,” Smit says.
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