Interior Designer | Natasja Molenaar

Dutch interior designer Natasja Molenaar has a talent for creating homes that are both beautiful and functional. Having carved out her career working for Dutch designer Piet Boon, she then moved into the field of interior design before eventually setting up her own design company in 2010. Her services include interior and exterior design for both residential and commercial clients, custom designed furniture and styling.

Natasja's attention to detail has resulted in an amazing portfolio of work. These spaces are among some of my favourites.

Apartment in Haarlem. Photo credit: Paul Grootes

The home above is especially stunning. When it comes to interior design, Natasja's work showcases so many features that I love, like pale wooden flooring, white washed walls, grey or monochrome palettes and simple furnishings, with a few quirky touches here and there. Equally important, the home layouts and furniture provide practical living solutions.

House in Haarlem. Photo credit: Alexander van Berge

Property in Montfoort. Photo credit: Ilse Online

These homes all have a pure, peaceful feel to them, don't you think? If you'd like to see more, check out Natasja's entire portfolio.  

All images via www.natasjamolenaar.nl

Pinterest | Picks & Peeks

You may remember me mentioning that my laptop died last week. Well, it turns out it's actually a virus, so I apologise in advance if you hear a little less from me this week, while we (by we, I mean my hubby) work on the problem! 

Despite the setback, I have managed to add something exciting to the blog this week. If you haven't noticed, there's a new 'subscribe' box on the side bar of the blog. Just enter your email address, hit 'go' and The Design Chaser posts will be delivered straight to your inbox. Easy!

Now, onto Pinterest, with three different themes and three new Pinterest moodboards for the week. 



Since starting this blog, I'm especially thankful for you guys! That you take the time to stop by, have a read, and are inspired enough to keep coming back, makes writing these posts such a joy. These warm tones are lovely so I've added in the colour palette. I love how the soft and pretty peach shades contrast beautifully with the raw concrete and exposed brick. 

I curated this kids style moodboard during the recent school holidays in NZ, to inspire parents and their little ones. 

This theme is centred around a great phrase (life is definitely better when you're laughing, right?) and a lovely grey and white colour palette. 

All images via my Pinterest boards.

This week's Pinterest pick is Karlijn de Jong, a graphic designer from the Netherlands. Along with her friend, Femke Brooks, who is also a fantastic pinner, they run online store Paqhuis selling gorgeous graphic design and lifestyle products. It's impossible not to be inspired by Karlijn's impeccable style and cool Dutch vibe. Her beautifully curated boards include pins of interiors, fashion, photography, graphic design and more.

I'm always repinning Karlijn's pins and what's nice, is that she follows me too. In fact, judging by our similar tastes, I think if we met in person we'd have lots in common. If you're on Pinterest you'll know what I mean. Sometimes you just 'click' with someone, despite having never met, or in this case living on opposite sides of the world.  

Here's a peek at some of Karlijn's pins. 

Links below images



1 Pin | 2 Pin | 3 Pin | 4 Pin | 5 Pin | 6 Pin | 7 Pin | 8 Pin | 9 Pin

Pin 5 is a picture of one of the gorgeous Paqhuis posters. Pop over here to see the full range of products, most of which are lovingly hand-made in their studio. 

Happy pinning everyone! 

Blog Love | Concept 2012

Bloggers Anouk (top left) and Marjon (bottom right)

I added a new blog to my blogroll today. Concept 2012 belongs to Dutch duo, interior designer|stylist Anouk Brands and photographer Marjon Hoogervosrt. A visual diary of their work, with the tagline 'Visualise Your Brand Idenitity' it focuses on food, fashion, people, interior and design. Presented in a simple but beautiful format, you can lose yourself in the images which capture Anouk's unique styling. Mostly black and white, which I love, they also show a touch of playfulness. 

Self-confessed style addict Anouk B (as she calls herself) looks to her travels for inspiration. Specialising in interiors, she likes to work with everything that surrounds her and can find beauty in the simplest of things. Always open to new products, she particularly likes those with history. Take a look at her impressive range of work here.

Marjon studied at the Academy for Photography in Amsterdam, specialising in interiors and design. She works for digital and print magazines as well as lifestyle designers and labels. "The places where people live tell a lot about them," she says. "That's what inspires me - that's what I like to photograph most". You can view her portfolio here.