There’s an elegant insouciance that we admire in this kitchen in the Netherlands by Dutch textile designer Hellen van Berke, especially in the nonchalant way the colors come together.
After graduating from the Design Academy in Eindhoven with a degree in graphic design, Hellen van Berkel began her career in the fashion industry designing scarves; eventually, she launched her own label Studio Hellen van Berkel specializing in the creative use of textiles. Her offbeat color concepts are in high demand, and it’s easy to see why. Here, a look at her kitchen (spotted on Bloesem) and how to source some of its key colors and materials.
Photography by Marjon Hoogervorst.
Above: Van Berkel uses an array of atypical greens to set a fresh tone in her kitchen.
Above: Red accents complement the unusual greens.
Above: Cross-Colors porcelain tile collection comes in Primavera and Oceana.
Above: The backsplash is comprised of Mint Green Mosaic Tile like these from the Daltile Sonterra Collection at Discount Flooring Supply or 3/4 Inch Brio Color Spearmint Glass Tiles, prices starting at $4.25 from Mod Walls.
Above: On Our Table's solid walnut Knife Shelf, a dual-purpose knife rack and wall shelf, is $125 CAD. It measures 24 inches by 4 inches by 1.75 inches. For more see our post, A Cut Above: Handmade Knife Storage.
Above: From the Color Cord Company, the Red Pendant Light Cord is $25. See more in our post, Design Sleuth: Mix and Match Lighting from Color Cord Company.
Above: The Round Scored Board is made in the US by Amish woodworkers using a variety of American hardwoods; $61.20 at Canvas.
Above: Red accent colors in a kitchen can be worked in with linens like the Red Chef's Tea Towels, $12.84 each from Amazon.
Above: Van Berkel's kitchen counters are made of a black hard-wearing composite material; for something similar, consider Nocturne from Corian.
Above: A majestic Elk Antler Mount rides high on van Berkel's kitchen wall; $219 from Roughing It In Style.
Above: Still life paintings like the ones van Berkel hangs on her kitchen walls are available at reasonable prices on Etsy.
A little bit of colored tile can go along way; seeking more inspiration? See 510 images of Colored Tiles in our Photo Gallery of rooms and spaces.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on November 6, 2012.