one of my sweetest, most poignant learnings from living in the netherlands for nearly six years is the idea of “gezellig,” the dutch word for coziness. gezellig applies to social concepts like inviting or friendly people, parties, situations and meals, but what i have been really thinking about lately as we all “shelter in place” is how the dutch instilled gezellig in their homes. in a land where it rains at least a portion of most days, our amsterdam neighbors knew how to create welcoming spaces to retreat within and enjoy their families, while the rain drummed outside. corona is pushing us all inside now and we can learn from the comforting, warm interiors of the dutch.

the spaces are well EDITED. there were beautiful antiques, family heirlooms or flea market treasures found in most homes, but they were given the space to be appreciated, rather than being crowded in with so many other items that they were visually lost. most of us have some extra time right now… think about which pieces in your home have special meaning or valuable functional properties… keep those. but maybe you have other items that randomly found their way into your living room or office and are cluttering it up… donate those.

(this 1930’s sideboard stands out in the simple, all-white kitchen)

(this foyer is complete with one antique table)

(the grandfather clock passed down from a grandfather holds prominence in this well edited dining room)

(the simplicity of this family room showcases the interesting design of the 1960’s credenza)

(this entry room is finished with just a few antique cabinets and some greenery)

dutch interiors are spare, but inviting. during quarantine feeling comfortable in your home is more important than ever. your sofa is probably getting A LOT more use… consider throwing a cozy blanket or sheepskin on it to both protect it (my kids have been sneaking onto the sofa with SNACKS, which was formerly forbidden but i’ve gotten more lax about as long as they can’t melt) and make it a more welcoming place to cuddle up and watch a movie or read a book.

(hank spent loads of time on the sofa even before corona)

(he has a hard time deciding between the sheepskin and the moroccan rug)

(a big throw adds texture and coziness to the sofa as well)

(casper is staking out his sofa spot)

the dutch treasure family. perhaps you have boxes of old family photos or bazillions of holiday pictures stored on your computer… spend time choosing your favorites and think about hanging a photo wall. we first did this when we were living in amsterdam because we were so far away and wanted a daily reminder of those dear to us. we called it the family museum. frequently as we were walking down the hall someone would point to a photo and the storytelling would begin… “that’s your great grandma… look she has only one dimple, just like you.” “there’s your grandpa in the 70’s - can you believe those crazy, plaid pants?” “there you are when you were three… look at your chubby cheeks!” just the PROCESS of going through your photos elicits fun stories and memories, and then you can rebox the ones you aren’t using for your wall, neatly organized, of course.

(photo walls work well in a bedroom)

(or down a long hall)

dutch children are considered some of the happiest kids on earth. while there are many reasons for this, i believe one factor is that they are celebrated and enjoyed for just being kids. celebrate YOUR kids by representing them on your walls. children create some of the most joyful, uninhibited, imaginative art. you may have stacks of it stuffed in the back of a closet. pull it out, select the most inspired ones and frame them the way you would “real” art. it doesn’t have to be expensive - target, ikea and michael’s all carry well priced pre-made frames, often with matting included. if the mat size doesn’t work, you can cut a piece of nice drawing paper to fit in the frame and place the art on top. consider hanging it with the grown up art. my children love having their work properly displayed on our walls, rather than just taped onto the fridge.

(an exuberant finger and brush painting in the mudroom)

(a collaborative family painting - we taped off the canvas with blue painter’s tape and took turns choosing colors for the stripes)

(my daughter’s melted wax abstract hung with an engraving)

(a pair of graphic, charcoal dinosaurs are displayed in the living room)

we are spending more time than ever at home… take a nod from the dutch and make the space that you are quarantined in as welcoming and “gezellig” as possible.

interior photos: HBK photography

to read more about photo walls click here and here

to read more about “modern gezellig” click here

to read more about children’s art projects click here