- Interior
For Dutch interior architect Marieke de Jong, luxury need have no pretensions. For more than a decade, she has been forging designs in which she puts forward simplicity as the ultimate sophistication. For this commission, she came up with a rural living concept that blends in with its similar surroundings. Without adding unnecessary decorations, she arrived at a balanced result that reflects her vision straightforwardly.
Marieke de Jong feels rich. She does not mean that in the material sense, but rather as a reference to the variety of experiences and knowledge she gains in her profession. Each time, she applies her creativity to a particular client, context, and set of expectations. To always achieve these varied goals, throughout her career she has already developed an important flexibility that allows her to create beauty for every eye. Regardless of trends and temporary whims, she faithfully prioritises the uniqueness of each client and location. Her main signature is a focus on refined sobriety. Although her portfolio ranges from farmhouses and apartments to offices and hospitality, she retains without exception her characterising ability to give each type of project and environment a fully customised approach. In addition, she finds a sense of unity very important. Therefore, many designs display floors, walls and ceilings that are intentionally materialised, thus fusing among themselves into a strong whole. While she is still learning every day, with her extensive experience she can now say that she has built up a clear and personal style. By comparing herself less and less to her competitors, she is at the same time cultivating more self-confidence to continue doing her own thing in the future. 
Her main signature is a focus on refined sobriety
The rural location of this home acted as a primary guide for the style. Indeed, the interior designer selected a mix of sober, raw materials that are close to nature. Thanks to the large glass facades, there is a strong connection between inside and outside. Throughout the floor plan, she applied a limited palette of materials in different ways. Dark wood for the ceiling ensures a cosy effect, while a lighter variant was used for the window frames and flooring in the bedroom and living room. As a contrasting element, they added warm natural stone, while kitchen elements made of steel and the large door in the hall also introduced a tougher aspect. To make the different zones fit together smoothly, de Jong focused on the transition of the floors. Instead of going for a different material at the boundary between two spaces, thus creating an inevitable contrast, in the kitchen she let wood gradually flow into stone. This not only adds visual interest to the whole, but also creates an interesting tension. This space is also immediately her personal favourite of the entire property. With its semi-openness, playful layout, and successful combination of materials, this is completely understandable. As a detail, she emphatically points out the incorporated lighting near the stairs. Like any commission, the design presented certain challenges; in this case, it was the position of the fireplace. As it was a wood-burning stove, there were several criteria for the chimney and, as an eye-catcher, it was not to overpower the rest of the interior. 
Interior designer Marieke de Jong is an experienced professional who pulls out all the stops for every project. This time she did so in a rural-coloured house where she provided cohesion, relaxation, and tranquillity. We are already looking forward to the next project she will come out with, and that as always in a framework of simple sophistication. 
Visualisations by Marieke de Jong
Text by Cara Jacobs