DUTCH WOODEN CABIN

Timeworn accessories, grainy woods and natural materials create a unique ambience in Anneke Herbers’ atmospheric home

This rustic country home was passed down through the family, with a strong connection to nature

❝ I WANTED TO CREATE A SOCIABLE HOUSE FOR ALL MY ENJOY❞ FAMILY TO

For Anneke Herbers, it was a case of keeping it in the family when it came to the country house she now lives in – it originally belonged to her parents. ‘At first the house was a base for my father and my daughter Marjon to keep and breed horses in the paddocks and stables at the rear of the property,’ she explains. Then in 2000, as her father grew older, he invited Marjon to take over the house, so she could continue working with the horses. Eventually Anneke and her late husband Gerhard also moved in to help and be near the family.

Moving into the house helped Anneke establish her interior style. ’The décor was very different in those days to what it is now,’ she explains. The exterior of the property has a rustic, cabin-like feel about it, yet inside it the walls were decorated with old-fashioned plaster and there were lots of inherited pieces that were tricky to work with. Anneke went back to basics and started afresh, while being mindful of how her parents had lived and used their home.

‘Key to my look is my love of country style,’ says Anneke. ‘I‘m drawn to down-to-earth and unassuming pieces.’ The furniture and accessories she has carefully curated sit harmoniously together in the cabin, set against glorious views of the pastures and paddocks beyond. The look feels authentic to the surroundings, >

and the connection with nature can be seen in Anneke’s choice of materials used across the walls, floors and furnishings. The house radiates texture, from chalky tactile paints and hand-plastered finishes on the walls, to warm grainy woods, etched marble details and soft, scrunched linens.

A passion for Belgian interiors also plays a part in the look Anneke has created for her home. ‘I’ve always been an admirer of this classic style,’ she explains.

‘It is a blend of craftsmanship, handsome, oversized furniture and an honest handmade quality.’ The style throughout is both refined and elegant, but effortlessly relaxing and timeworn in equal measures.

Anneke was keen to design sociable yet cosy spaces for friends and family to gather in, and this led to an open-plan design with a carefully co-ordinated, cohesive feel. The same colours and textures are used throughout to help the flow, with different zones divided up by specially chosen furniture. In keeping with Anneke’s style, most are large in scale and instantly delineate the main function of each area.

She has chosen to decorate using a natural palette that‘s inspired by the surrounding landscape and the inherent colours of the materials used to build her home – clay, sun-baked reeds and hewn timber beams. ‘I used the odd tonal trace, like the dark spruce velvet >

❝I LOVE BELGIAN STYLE. IT’S CLASSIC, ELEGANT YET TOO❞ BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLE,

and a plaster pink linen fabric on the two living room sofas,’ she says. ’And I love the mossy greenery of understated arrangements of seasonal flowers and foliage, which I’ve placed in pots and planters.’

There is low-key pattern – seen in embroidery details, tiles and antique carving – which evokes a calm and serene feel. Lamps and lighting are kept to a minimum. And, as is frequently seen in North European homes, candles are dotted throughout the space, lit to add ambience, homeliness and warmth as and when needed.

This home features many unique touches and details, from the mixing of chalk paint colours to the updated and upcycled finds, including a beautiful wrought-iron gate that was personalised by Gerhard. The house is also filled with artisan-crafted, handmade and imperfect pieces, each with its own story behind how it was made, recycled and created.

‘I hope my home is a successful marriage of authentic styling, natural character and of-the-landscape colours,’ says Anneke. ‘More than just welcoming, I wanted to make a warm and open-hearted home that will age and mellow with grace and poise.’

Taken from Home for the Soul, by Sara Bird and Dan Duchars of the Contented Nest, £19.99, Ryland Peters & Small

Living room Dark coloured chalk paint walls evoke a moodyhued backdrop. A striking statue and artwork draws the eye. For similar floor lamp, try ebay. Tub chair, Wayfair has similar

Living room Linen fabrics, raw wood furniture and woven baskets add textural interest. Sofa, coffee table and accessories, Herbers Lifestyle. Similar global homeware can be sourced from India Jane

Kitchen-diner Anneke reused old kitchen cabinets in the new space. Other items were sourced from reclamation yards, local markets and brocante stores, many of them in Bruges. For similar accessories and units, try The Packhouse, Lassco and Home Barn

Dining area Anneke has created an eye-catching scheme with dramatic pendant lights positioned above the simple wooden table and chairs. Chairs, Aura Peeperkorn; table and lighting, all Herbers Lifestyle

Kitchen Anneke kept the original floor and added handmade oak units. Similar splashback tiles, Topps Tiles. For similar wall paint, try Graphite, Annie Sloan

Entertaining space Anneke converted an old garage into a party and entertaining space. Table and seating, Herbers Lifestyle. Sheepskins, for similar try Nordic House.

Main bedroom The Scandinavian-style scheme incorporates raw woods and a white palette. For similar bedlinen, try Linenme. For a similar lamp, try Oka. For similar furniture, Homebarn has a good selection

Hallway Anneke removed the stain and paint from the staircase herself, and kept the original floor tiles. For a similar console, try The Packhouse. Wall paint, for similar try Chicago Grey, Annie Sloan

Washroom The Moroccan tadelakt plaster finish on the lower half of the walls was done by Anneke. A counter-top basin carved from stone was bought at a brocante store. Wall paint, for similar try Old White, Farrow & Ball. Waffle towel, Nordic House, is comparable