Vintage style

Yvonne Bakker, an interior stylist who works for several interior magazines, and Michiel van der Zee have their residence in the centre of Haarlem in The Netherlands. The house was built in 1898 and completely renovated a few years ago, making use of old building materials. Very special of this house is the city garden; right in the city you have your own small paradise and quiet relaxing place.

The 30 years old couch, named Rococo, was designed by Jan des Bouvrie and occasionaly needs a new ‘dressing’ by Yvonne. Also in this room an old leather so called gentlemen’s chair and a beautiful vintage Knoll butterfly chair.

left The 30 years old couch, named Rococo, was designed by Jan des Bouvrie and occasionaly needs a new ‘dressing’ by Yvonne. Also in this room an old leather so called gentlemen’s chair and a beautiful vintage Knoll butterfly chair.

right Through the whole house you see parts of Michiel's collection of Chinese plates

A very large oval extendable table dominates the study. This table used to be the dining table in Michiel’s old house but now serves as a giant desk. To accomodate all the books 10 Ikea Billies bookcases are posted along almost all the walls, but in order to gain ‘cachet’ the bookcases were placed on selfmade legs.

The enclosed garden leads to a garage that is rented from the owner. A lean-to has been added to the garage, supported by antique cast iron pillars the roof of which was finished with a lining of lead, providing underneath room fora collection of old cane-chairs and wood stock for the fireplace. There is also an old coatrack painted in the same colour as the wall. The garden was covered with shells, adding to the couleur locale , since the house is located close – 30 minutes by bike - to the beach.