White Interiors Brighten a Cottage

Tessa Weerdenburg jumped at the chance to buy a country cottage in the Netherlands right alongside one owned by her parents, where her family spent summers when she was a kid. Now she is able to maintain the tradition going with her three daughters.

However, while the place was perfect — about a two-hour drive from her family’s main dwelling in Pijnacker — that the inside felt streamlined, dated and dark. The house has just two bedrooms for a family of five, therefore Weerdenburg needed a means to make the room feel larger. White paint and budget-friendly furniture saved daily.

in a Glance
Who lives here: It is a vacation home for Martin and Tessa Weerdenburg and daughters Lieve, Bente and Roos.
Location: Drenthe, the Netherlands
Size: 70 square meters (about 753 square feet); two bedrooms, 1 bath

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The few first added a few coats of white paint to the present wood trim around the windows to match the white walls. This immediately made their streamlined living room look and feel larger.

They made built-in-looking units by mixing three white Billy bookcases out of Ikea, subsequently customized people by incorporating doors.

Sectional: MÃ¥nstad, Ikea; java table: Rex; storage device, armchair, blanket: Ikea; rug: Perletta Carpets; feces: Hema; pillow: Tas-Ka; feces: Kruk Tess

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Weerdenburg warmed all the white with a couple pale wooden accents, such as at this workstation, where her daughters like to write and read. “I did not want it to look particularly styled, however I did want it to have a bright and light appearance and texture, such as a Swedish summer cabin,” she states.

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The couple commissioned a classic TV stand from their principal home to make bench seating at a simple breakfast nook. The seat stores toys and board games. New white window blinds include privacy while maintaining a light and airy cabin feel.

Pendant lighting: Brasa, framework ledge: Ribba, both by Ikea

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While the kitchen cabinets are original, the few upgraded the countertop and tap with newer versions.

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They included this glass Ikea cupboard to store extra dishes. Weerdenburg swapped out the stock knobs with leather grips that she made.

Cabinet: Hemnes, Ikea

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A central electrical fireplace in the living area heats the cabin during cooler months.

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Two original slim closets flank a full size bed in the main bedroom. The few added Besta cabinets from Ikea to match in between. A ledge displays framed photographs from family holidays.

Tray: Kruk Tess, Nu interieur | ontwerp; bedding: Ofelia Vass, Ikea; pillow: Tas-Ka; lights: Tral, Ikea

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In this compact area, the family tries to keep attachments to a minimum to prevent clutter.

Bag: Tas-ka; lamp: Tral, Ikea

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Their three daughters share the other bedroom. “My parents had four kids, and all of us shared a room in their cabin,” states Weerdenburg. “If desired, we could always put a tent up in the backyard, or use the backyard shed to make an extra sleeping area.”

Bed linens: Tas-ka; pendant: Ikea; beds: habit

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Weerdenburg customized the built-in closet with a single cognac brown leather handle. On one of the walls, the women hung their favorite pictures and artwork projects using washi tape.

Watch more about tape’s usefulness in decorating

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The few recently added this storage shed to their lush green land.

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A wooden gate leads to Weerdenburg’s parents’ cabin next door. During the autumn and winter, the family sits at chairs covered in sheepskins, lights a fire and enjoys evenings gazing up at the stars while sipping on hot chocolate.

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