An Interior Designer’s 1930s Home Near The Hague
Images by Sarah Wijzenbeek
This week on the Journal we travel to Wassenaar, a coastal town perfectly positioned between The Hague and Amsterdam. Here, we happen upon a thoughtfully restored home at the hands of Studio &Space founder Maike Borst. Context is everything for the prolific designer, who believes ‘the architecture, the surroundings, and most importantly, the people who live there’ should be reflected in every interior. Her home, of course, is no exception – forging a connection between the property’s past and present through ornate stained glass windows, textured walls, warm wood detailing and brick facade. Now fit for family life, Maike invites us in to discuss what she’s working on at the moment, her favourite antique finds, and the country that holds a special place in her heart.
“We live in a 1930s corner house in a leafy beach town between The Hague and Amsterdam. When we bought it, the place was in pretty bad shape, but we saw the potential straight away. We spent about six months renovating it in 2023 before moving in. What really drew us in were the original details: stained glass windows, a bay window at the front, the old terrazzo floors and the slightly quirky layout, which gives the house a lot of character.
What really drew us in were the original details: stained glass windows, a bay window at the front, the old terrazzo floors and the slightly quirky layout.
“The light here is amazing; it fills the space throughout the day, and the garden with its big pine trees makes it feel peaceful and a bit wild. On clear days, we cycle to the beach and start our day there, but I love the quiet mornings just as much—birds in the trees, coffee brewing, and the kitchen filled with light. In the evenings, we cook and gather around the big table. It’s a space that really feels like home.”
“Our bedroom is a really calm, simple space. It's the one room in the house I wanted to keep quite minimal. The bed is definitely the focal point. I designed a custom headboard in a cotton velvet, somewhere between olive and brown, that picks up the colours of the pine trees outside our window. It has built-in walnut bedside tables and small bronze reading lights, just enough detail without feeling cluttered.
“Apart from that, there are two vintage folding chairs that mostly serve as the place we toss our clothes at the end of the day. A few years ago, we invested in a bed made entirely from natural materials: wool, cotton, coconut fibres, hemp. It was hands down the best purchase we’ve made. Paired with linen from IN BED, it easily beats any hotel, and we always long for our own bed when travelling.
“Some of my favourite moments are the quiet ones reading a book or magazine in bed, or early in the morning when Mads climbs in for a cuddle before the day begins.”
Maike's bed is dressed with an Oversized Heavy Linen Bed Cover in Natural & Rectangle Cushion Covers in Off-white, paired with an Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set in Milk.
“I’ve always had a strong love for vintage furniture, especially mid-century modern pieces. I usually find them at vintage design fairs, when travelling, or during long online searches. One of my favourite finds is the brown modular sofa in our living room. It’s a 1970s ‘Patate’ model by Airborne. You don’t come across it very often and it’s become one of the most loved (and used) pieces in our home.
“Another special piece is a pair of ‘Marsala’ lounge chairs by Ligne Roset that I found at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris. I had them reupholstered in a bold, geometric fabric from Dedar, which gave them a whole new life.
“I also have a deep connection to all the objects I brought back from Mexico, where I lived for a while in 2014. The craftsmanship there is just incredible; ceramics, wood carving, weaving. I love how many contemporary Mexican designers work with traditional techniques to create modern design.”
“I’ve known from a young age that I wanted to work in design. As a kid, I was always drawn to making things beautiful, spending hours drawing or tagging along when my mom went to pick out flooring, completely caught up in the details. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I also got a firsthand look at what it takes to run your own business.
“After several years working mostly on retail spaces, I launched my own interior design studio, Studio &Space, in 2020. We mainly focus on private homes.
“I think of myself as a curator. My clients usually know what they like and bring lots of ideas and inspiration. My job is to find the story that ties everything together. A space can have some tension or contrast, but in the end, it needs to feel balanced and authentic.
My job is to find the story that ties everything together. A space can have some tension or contrast, but in the end, it needs to feel balanced and authentic.
“At the moment, my team and I are working on a mix of residential projects, each with its own character and story. One is a full renovation of a 1930s house in The Hague. It has a lot of beautiful original details, so the focus there is on restoring its charm while updating it for modern living.
“We’re also designing a contemporary eco villa where sustainability and a strong connection to nature are central. Think lots of natural materials and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
“Another project is a 1950s villa in the forest, which draws heavily from mid-century modernism. It has that quiet, grounded feeling I love. Clean lines, warm woods, and lots of glass to let the landscape in.
“And then there’s a smaller but really fun one: a poolhouse inspired by Mediterranean living. It’s relaxed but refined, designed for barefoot afternoons, long lunches, and a bit of everyday escape."
At the moment, my team and I are working on a mix of residential projects, each with its own character and story.
“One of the projects I’m most proud of is actually the very first one I did under Studio &Space, a renovation of a 1970s home for Lotte Drijvers, a fashion entrepreneur and creative soul. It was such a collaborative and joyful process, and the result really helped shape the direction of the studio. It gave me the confidence and foundation to grow from there.
“I’m also incredibly proud of a project we’re just about to photograph: a 1930s corner house in Amsterdam that we’ve been working on for over a year and a half. It’s been a real labour of love for me and my team. We poured so much care and detail into every part of it. The interior has a certain richness that I’m really excited to finally share."
“It’s always a bit tricky to define my style, because I believe every interior should reflect its context. The architecture, the surroundings, and most importantly, the people who live there. But if I had to describe it, I’d say it leans towards warm, sophisticated, and full of character. I try to create spaces that feel timeless by balancing modern comfort with subtle historical references.
“I’m constantly inspired by international designers and architects, both past and present, people like Hugo Toro, Giancarlo Valle, Kelly Wearstler, and Piero Portaluppi. I also have a deep love for mid-century modern furniture, travel, and craftsmanship in all its forms. I think those influences naturally find their way into my work, especially when I’m not consciously trying.”
“After ten years in Amsterdam, we felt ready for a bit more space and calm. My boyfriend was living in The Hague when we met, and we both loved the idea of being closer to the beach and nature. Wassenaar felt like the right balance—and especially in spring and summer, it’s such a beautiful place to be.”
“For coffee, I love starting the day at Bartine Bakery. Great coffee, good sourdough bread, and a beautiful space. Another favorite is Thrive Coffee House, a lovely local, cool place. Lunch spots I keep coming back to are Cafe Bartine, Bar Bowie or Pompernikkel, simple and seasonal, just how I like it.
“When I need inspiration, I’ll visit Museum Voorlinden or Beelden aan Zee. Their architecture and curation always offer something fresh. I also like stopping by Skins or Uptown for something well-made, or browsing a vintage store when there's time.
“Dinner might be at Flora, La Rana, or Restaurant-bar ñ, and if the weather’s good, I’ll usually end the day with a beach drink at Het Puntje or Strand Zuid.”
“This year, I’m really looking forward to continuing to build and shape the studio—refining our vision, taking on meaningful projects, and creating beautiful spaces for lovely, like-minded clients. I also hope to carve out time for travel and inspiration along the way… ideally ending the year with a trip back to Mexico, a place that’s very close to my heart.”
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