Years of experience as a buyer for a number of the largest retailers in the Netherlands — including Dutch department stores de Bijenkorf and Loods 5 –‘ve made Bianca Kempenaar rather discerning when it comes to furnishing her own home. “If you attend furniture displays in cities like Paris and Milan, you get very picky about what you like, since you see a lot,” states Kempenaar, who lives with her husband, Jeroen Roodnat, and their 2-year-old daughter, Kate, in a renovated 1930s energy construction in the Netherlands. “We take our time to purchase something, but when we purchase it, it’s forever.”
Kempenaar and Roodnat were individual when buying their flat. However, Kempenaar knew they had found the right home after she stumbled on her husband’s shoulders to peek into the windows in the large, open white area with high ceilings and endless possibilities. “It was love at first sight,” she states.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Bianca Kempenaar, Jeroen Roodnat and daughter Kate
Location: Bloemendaal, the Netherlands
Size: 220 square meters (about 2,368 square feet); two bedrooms, 1 bath
Holly Marder
Kempenaar loves midcentury Dutch designers, especially Cees Braakman for Pastoe, and furnished much of the space with pieces from this era. “There is nothing about Dutch design I love,” she states. “Maybe it’s the craftsmanship. To style artwork in the 1950s that’s still up-to-date 60 years after is authentic craftsmanship.”
The few most prized possession is without a doubt their vintage buffet in the dining room. “It is the love of my life, after Jeroen of course,” Kempenaar states. “It has got a Mad Men feel to it, with a foldout pub”
The radio which sits on top was a gift from an older neighbor who recognized that the buffet as being similar to one he’d possessed back in the ’50s. “He obtained the radio for a wedding gift and desired me to possess it, so he given it, and we absolutely love it. It works,” Kempenaar states.
Pendant lamps: Bertjan Pot’s Random Light, Moooi; seats: Eames armchair, Vitra; table: MDF Italia; pink vase: Hella Jongerius for Ikea
Holly Marder
White Eames armchairs surround an MDF Italia dining table made from a ceramic leaf built to aluminum legs.
The couple picked the vintage filing cabinet from on line vintage design shop Neef Louis. “We simply loved the piece and the background that came with it. There were older filing cards from 1910 still in there when we bought it,” Kempenaar states.
Holly Marder
Rug: Ikea; floor lamp: Tolomeo Mega Terra, Artemide; java table: Roderick Vos to get Linteloo
Holly Marder
The couple’s kid loves a spacious play area in the living area, with a vintage college desk and chairs purchased through Neef Louis. The Tomado shelving unit with multicolored shelves has been purchased used.
Holly Marder
Roderick Vos designed the coffee table .
Rug: Ikea
Holly Marder
“We love to play records,” Kempenaar states. “I have a very old Sam Cooke listing from back in the ’70s in my parents whom I love to play, and I just adore Springsteen.”
Probably one of the most sentimental pieces is that the first photograph of Johnny Cash taken in 1965. Kempenaar’s husband gave the photograph to her upon the birth of their daughter. “He really wanted to give me something unique, so he wrote a letter to the photographer, Baron [Wolman], saying that he really wanted to provide me this photograph,” she states. “The photographer wrote a letter back explaining what was happening in the time he took that film in about 1965. He never realized that June Carter was standing there in the mirror when he took the photograph. It is very dear to me. There is something quite magical about it.”
Framed subjective pieces by illustrator Charley Harper that revolve mostly around nature hang nearby.
Holly Marder
Armchair: Vitra
Holly Marder
Holly Marder
The couple purchased the white shelving unit in the hallway between the kitchen and dining room from Habitat to exhibit books and special ceramic pieces.
Holly Marder
Kate’s artwork is proudly exhibited in the kitchen.
Holly Marder
“We spend lots of time in the kitchen,” Kempenaar states. “Kate stands on the pink stool while I’m cooking.”
Once the couple moved to the unit seven decades back, there wasn’t any kitchen and the floors were concrete. They installed three charcoal-gray modular kitchen components by German kitchen company Bulthaup. “We did not need a typical built in kitchen,” Kempenaar states. “We love the ease of the three distinct modules and the tremendous drawers for storage. After all these years, we are still very happy with the plan.”
Stool: Ikea
Holly Marder
A neon ‘Yes’ sign hangs over among the components ” ‘Yes’ is just such a favorable note,” states Kempenaar, who loves entertaining and cooking in her family kitchen.
Holly Marder
There sits A vintage java tin atop a different module. “I love to have all these previous things around me,” Kempenaar states. “It makes a home a home. Not everything must be stylish or designer.”
Holly Marder
Floors in what was formerly a dim basement for keeping charcoal have been treated with epoxy screed to get a light, smooth and durable finish.
Holly Marder
Kate’s room is a colorful space showing Kempenaar’s vintage design style. She sells the paper honeycombs throughout her online shop, A Day with Kate.
Rug, dresser: Ikea; prints: Isak London; bed: Leander
Holly Marder
Kempanaar added vibrant ceramic handles to the Ikea dresser.
Holly Marder
A yellowish Eames armchair by Vitraadds a bright jolt of color to the little girl’s play area. The dollhouse belonged to Kempanaar when she was a woman.
Shelves: Ikea
Holly Marder
In the primary bedroom, a soft gray and white colour scheme produces a soothing escape.
Old photos of Kempenaar as a kid hang over the bed. “There is something about pictures taken back then,” she states. “They’re less polished.”
Mattress: Auping; side tables: Invisible Table, Kartell; floor lamp: Artemide; seat: Friso Kramer for Revolt; carpeting: Ikea
Holly Marder
Credenza: Webe; lamp: Front Rabbit Lamp, Moooi
Holly Marder
Wooden figurines by Muji decorate the vintage credenza.
Holly Marder
Prints hang above the toilet.
Holly Marder
The apartment is housed within this stately 1930s building, which boasts a regal entry comprising original marble and metal detailing. “I love that throughout the renovation, the outside was left in its original state,” Kempenaar states.