VISIT – In Bussum, a few kilometers from Amsterdam, the duo of architects from the Even Eleven studio converted their family home into a 1930s villa that was gathering dust. Ultracreative, he combined authenticity and singularity with art.
A quaint village a few kilometers from Amsterdam, houses mainly built in the 1930s, a slightly old-fashioned charm… In the village of Bussum in the Netherlands, time seems to have stood still.
And yet, despite their taste for graphic lines, their very contemporary approach, their beautiful impertinence, this is where the interior designer Michelle Jager-van’t Hof and her architect husband, Pieter Jager, founders of the agency Even Eleven, have chosen to settle down with their two young children.
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Preserve the soul of the place
It is with great joy of life, and the free spirit that is dear to them, that they awakened a sleeping house built between the wars in this very wise village. The work was extensive and the renovations profound. First of all, the facade, completely revisited, is very contemporary but without breaking local codes: it combines white bricks, wood and thatched roof. The robustness of the whole also made it possible to preserve the soul of the place.
Life in colors
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“At the time, in Bussum, we were very attentive to the richness of details and finishes,” explains Pieter. This made our job easier. We were able to rely on the original plans while recreating our spaces. Thus, we have chosen to erase the separations, to facilitate movement from one universe to another. This is why we worked a lot on the passages. What mattered to us was being able to go from one atmosphere to another.” The three meters of ceiling height and the creation of majestic arches accentuate the beauty of the volumes as does the daring combination of colors and materials, the rounded shapes, the subtle work on the lighting.
“Furniture also means having guts”
The living room, with its antique furniture and works of art, reveals the singularity of its owners, their penchant for staging. “Once we have an idea in mind, we follow through, regardless of the complications,” laughs Michelle. Furnishing is also about having guts. »
But, be careful! There was no question for the couple of making this villa a manifesto of their style. It is, above all, a place to live where every detail and every choice contributes to creating a feeling of comfort and conviviality. Thus, the natural stone kitchen from Italy is like a village square, with its aubergine-colored central island. It is the heart of the house. We meet there for breakfast then all day to work there, share moments with children and friends. The rooms, nestled on the two upper floors which are accessed by a beautiful yellow lacquered staircase, are warm and bold with their colorful lines.
Bénédicte Drummond
A decoration without borders
As for the exteriors, they have been designed with the same concern for originality and well-being. In the outdoor dining room, sheltered under a black awning topped with lush plants, there is a fireplace. “The marble comes from Italy,” explains Michelle. And with the leftover stone, we built a counter next to the pizza oven.” This makes you want to sit down and taste an Italian specialty in the heart of North Holland. No doubt, Michelle and Pieter have succeeded in combining references to their country and sources of inspiration without borders to create a world of their own.
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