The joy of colour

Katrijn Berkelmans and Wim Visser’s standardlooking 1960s house has a surprise inside – it’s a masterclass in bold colour and pattern

Living room

Katrijn has used the same bold palette throughout: ‘In one room the blue will be more prominent, while in another there will be more pink or green or gold,’ she says.

BUY THE KEY PIECES

Sari Silk blue flatweave rug, £375, John Lewis & Partners, is similar

Dining area

Statement wallpaper puts this end of the room in the spotlight. ‘At the end of the day, we have a drink here.’

BUY THE KEY PIECES

Cocarde wallpaper, £69.60 a roll, Christian Lacroix at Designer Wallpapers, is comparable

BOHO DISPLAY

Plates and badges over pattern give a layered effect

THE PROPERTY A two bedroom detached 1960s house in SintMichielsgestel, north of Eindhoven in The Netherlands.

“It was important for us to create a home that has soul and reflects us, rather than something that looks like a showroom”

Having lived in a new build for 13 years, Katrijn and Wim Berkelmans fell for a detached 1960s house just 10 minutes away from where they were living, that was crying out for a revamp. ‘I liked our previous house but it was hard to make it one of a kind,’ says Katrijn. ‘With this house, we fell for the location, charm and possibilities. It was a project I could put my creativity into. It was a spontaneous decision, but within two weeks we had sold our home and bought it.’