Be inspired by nature in this apartment dressed for the season

Sanne Hop, her husband Wim and their four children have made a rented apartment feel like home in time for the festive season in the heart of Amsterdam

The prospect of adding fourth child to their family made Sanne and Wim realise that they had outgrown their home. “We had a beautiful house on the Amstel river with lovely old features,” says Sanne. “But it would be too small for four children. We’ve now living in this two-storey apartment in the centre of Amsterdam while we look for a larger place with a garden and separate rooms for our kids.”

When the time comes, though, Sanne will find it hard to leave. “I love that it’s a typical old Dutch house,” she smiles. “It’s really special to be living in a place with so much history. Since it’s a corner apartment, it is always filled with sunlight. I also love the space here; we only had one storey in our old house.”

There is a living room, kitchen, bathroom and main bedroom with adjoining nursery for Kaatje on the first floor, then an open attic floor above where the other children sleep and play. The couple decided not to divide the attic into separate bedrooms, as they would have meant fitting skylights. Instead, the space is zoned so that Ole has one area to himself and the girls share another.

“Since we are renting, we haven’t made any major changes,” says Sanne. “We painted the walls and laid new flooring. We also knocked down walls to make the kitchen open plan to the living room and put in new Ikea cabinets.” The former tenant had half removed the carpet from the stairs, so they were left with a sticky surface. “We cleaned, sanded and painted them, which was a huge task,” remembers Sanne. “Even though this home is temporary for us, a few simple changes have made it a fine place to live. By adding a few details, you can make a rental home your own. I’ve added peg rails to the walls, lots of rugs and paintings to make it ours.

“I follow my gut when it comes to decorating and I don’t follow trends. I usually know what I like and what fits with the rest of the interior. I like colour, but prefer natural tints like ochre and clay. A combination of wood, white and powdery colours is a good start. Our four children bring enough colour into our lives!”

Quirkier touches are added with vintage and retro furniture. “I look for objects that have a story,” Sanne says. “I like the idea of giving things a new home. I also have a lot of baskets! They have become a special collection because I have all shapes and sizes.

In a busy, six-person household, a serene mood is important to Sanne. “I try to create an environment for the children that expresses happiness, calm and an appreciation for beautifully made things. I usually end up with natural colours and materials. They give me a sense of relaxation.”

At Christmas we decorate with branches and leaves: pine, holly, olive branches and eucalyptus,” says Sanne. “It doesn’t matter where you live – the Christmas season makes every home feel cosy.”

Words, photography & styling: Jeltje Fotografie/House of Pictures.