My Houzz: Vintage Finds and Handmade Pieces Create a Warm and Cosy Home
A blogger peppers her home in the Netherlands with things she’s found, things she’s made and things she loves
Holly Marder
6 November 2015
Photographer and blogger Ilaria Chiaratti fills her cosy apartment in the Netherlands with retro, second-hand and handmade pieces to create a colourful haven brimming with creativity and a distinctive vintage-eclectic style.
Chiaratti has an eye for vintage design and uses elements of old and new to put together her unique mix-and-match home. Here, through her blog, IDA Interior LifeStyle, she shares her inspiration for interior styling, her crochet works and her home’s evolving design.
Chiaratti has an eye for vintage design and uses elements of old and new to put together her unique mix-and-match home. Here, through her blog, IDA Interior LifeStyle, she shares her inspiration for interior styling, her crochet works and her home’s evolving design.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Ilaria Chiaratti of IDA Interior LifeStyle and her husband
Location Eindhoven, the Netherlands
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Chiaratti’s love affair with blue is clear; varying shades, such as on this powder-blue Eames Eiffel rocking chair, are scattered throughout her home.
The apartment’s décor was inspired by Scandinavian design. ‘My home is a place that really reflects me and my personality,’ Chiaratti says. ‘My taste is eclectic, but of course I like a fresh and young look.’ The basket on the floor is filled with her crocheting supplies.
Crown basket, Ikea. Rug, Zara Home.
Browse more timeless rocking chairs
Who lives here Ilaria Chiaratti of IDA Interior LifeStyle and her husband
Location Eindhoven, the Netherlands
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Chiaratti’s love affair with blue is clear; varying shades, such as on this powder-blue Eames Eiffel rocking chair, are scattered throughout her home.
The apartment’s décor was inspired by Scandinavian design. ‘My home is a place that really reflects me and my personality,’ Chiaratti says. ‘My taste is eclectic, but of course I like a fresh and young look.’ The basket on the floor is filled with her crocheting supplies.
Crown basket, Ikea. Rug, Zara Home.
Browse more timeless rocking chairs
Chiaratti says her favourite piece of furniture would have to be this second-hand chair made from teak and covered in fresh turquoise fabric. The bright upholstery and distinct retro appeal inspired the rest of the space, with its warm wooden accents amid bright bursts of colour.
The multi-coloured crocheted baby blanket folded over the back of the chair was one of Chiaratti’s first crochet works, while the crochet cushion was purchased from Yvestown. She made the wall decoration from recycled toilet roll tubes, which she cut up and arranged in a flower pattern.
TV cabinet and baskets, Ikea.
Crocheted blanket; pouffes; cushions; lampshade; rug, all IDA Interior LifeStyle, Etsy.
The multi-coloured crocheted baby blanket folded over the back of the chair was one of Chiaratti’s first crochet works, while the crochet cushion was purchased from Yvestown. She made the wall decoration from recycled toilet roll tubes, which she cut up and arranged in a flower pattern.
TV cabinet and baskets, Ikea.
Crocheted blanket; pouffes; cushions; lampshade; rug, all IDA Interior LifeStyle, Etsy.
The white Ikea TV cabinet is topped with six photography prints by friend and blogger Ivy from Domestic Stories. The deep blue bowl was bought in Tunisia and was a gift from Chiaratti’s grandmother.
Prints, Domestic Stories, Etsy.
Table runner, Tablecloth.com.
Prints, Domestic Stories, Etsy.
Table runner, Tablecloth.com.
Chiaratti’s creativity and personality are apparent all over her home. The cushions scattered on the couch and daybed are mostly handmade. Some are crocheted and some are made of fabric.
Flower pots, Ikea.
Flower pots, Ikea.
This white minimalist retro-inspired chair is an Ikea purchase; faux sheepskin draped over it helps warm it up during the cooler months.
Rug, Zara Home.
Rug, Zara Home.
The daybed is covered with a handmade white throw from Sardinia, which was given to Ilaria by her grandmother. Chiaratti made the cushions and crocheted cover on the pouffe.
A funky midcentury sideboard from Dutch secondhand website Marktplaats is certainly at home in this vintage-inspired apartment. Chiaratti made the crocheted blanket on top of the stool as well as the garland on the wall above the sideboard. The owl cushion was purchased in Cambridge and the crocheted cushion is by Yvestown.
Chiaratti’s sideboard hosts a collection of whimsical pottery owls amid a few scattered doilies. The distressed wooden Christmas tree leaning against the wall is from Wood & Wool Stool.
A vintage cabinet houses a collection of vintage teacups and teapots (some gifts from family and some found in antiques shops).
Chair and crown basket, Ikea.
Chair and crown basket, Ikea.
Above the cabinet sits a shelf arranged with a selection of photographs in wooden frames. A display of trinkets add to the apartment’s vintage charm.
The black-and-white photographs were taken while Chiaratti was on her honeymoon in Thailand.
Chiaratti uses these quaint porcelain vintage milk jugs to hold freshly cut roses.
In the kitchen, wall shelves display some of Chiaratti’s collection of brightly coloured crockery.
Shelves, Ikea.
Check out clever style steals to add personality to your kitchen
Shelves, Ikea.
Check out clever style steals to add personality to your kitchen
In the dining area, mismatched chairs emphasise the inviting and colourful style of the apartment. Eames chairs are coupled with various Ikea designs in different colours and styles. The large piece of fabric displayed on the wall behind the dining table is a fun and inexpensive way to bring colour and pattern into the space.
Orange chair and fabric, Ikea.
Orange chair and fabric, Ikea.
On the dining room table, a pale-blue vintage enamel water jug filled with roses ties in beautifully with the bright colours on the wall.
Chiaratti started her blog IDA Interior LifeStyle two years ago, inspired by Holly Becker’s blog Decor8. ‘It’s a great way to share my crochet works and my photography,’ she says.
Moose head, Mihou.
Moose head, Mihou.
Her home office is where the magic happens. In this cosy little room, she works on her photography, assignments for her interior styling course and her blog. The yellow pendant light is another DIY project. Chiaratti purchased an old light fitting from a vintage shop, removed the fabric and spray painted the frame a vibrant yellow.
Desk and shelves, Ikea. Vintage pink lamp, Van Dijk & Ko. Blanket and vintage heart garland, IDA Interior LifeStyle, Etsy.
Desk and shelves, Ikea. Vintage pink lamp, Van Dijk & Ko. Blanket and vintage heart garland, IDA Interior LifeStyle, Etsy.
Chiaratti loves creating interesting and fun items for her home. This paper ‘Welcome’ sign above the bed in the guest bedroom is another of her projects.
She also uses her own bedroom to display her crochet works, including the white throw on the end of the bed, the cushions, lampshade on the bedside table and the crochet rug on the floor.
Bed linen, Ikea.
Bed linen, Ikea.
Chiaratti’s love for crocheting was inspired by two women she met at a car-boot sale in Belgium: Yvonne, the face behind the blog Yvestown, and Ingrid, the founder of Wood & Wool Stool. Chiaratti knew that she had a creative streak and could crochet, so she began working on her first cushion, followed by a blanket.
When people started commenting on her work, she opened up an Etsy shop. ‘Crocheting is a passion,’ Chiaratti says. ‘It is something that relaxes me… sometimes a little too much!’
Bedside table, Kartell.
When people started commenting on her work, she opened up an Etsy shop. ‘Crocheting is a passion,’ Chiaratti says. ‘It is something that relaxes me… sometimes a little too much!’
Bedside table, Kartell.
The dresser in her bedroom was purchased via Van Dijk en Ko and Chiaratti added a few dainty floral cross-stitch patterns. A tree branch holds her jewellery.
Dresser, Van Dijk en Ko.
TELL US…
What do you think of this handmade home in the Netherlands? Tell us in the Comments below.
Dresser, Van Dijk en Ko.
TELL US…
What do you think of this handmade home in the Netherlands? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Not keen, reminds me of the flatting days 1960. don't like plastic but do like the crochet. i have done numurous blankets, they have a purpose.
So much of this is not to my "taste", not all of it by any means, but that doesn't really matter because I love that this is a real home. Her personality is everywhere and it seems filled with love.