HENK visits Rachèl Spanjersberg

In the historic heart of Dordrecht, Rachèl Spanjersberg found her ultimate sanctuary. As a visual creative and Buyer Consultant, she possesses a keen eye for aesthetics. Anyone stepping into her home immediately sees how her love for tranquility, history, and thoughtful design merges into a warm and characterful whole.

For Rachèl, creating is second nature. While she spends her working days curating the latest streetwear trends, at home, she seeks out the quiet. An original building with character had always been high on her wish list. When she stepped into the spacious living room three years ago—with its high ceilings, wooden beams, playful split levels, and a garden by the water—she fell in love instantly.

“The house dates back to 1909 and is a former stove factory,” Rachèl says of the building's history. Around 2000, it was renovated into apartments, after which she and her boyfriend Bilal further remodeled it to truly make it their own. By now, the industrial building has been transformed into an oasis of comfort, where hospitality and serenity take center stage.

The art of slowing down
Rachèl’s interior can best be described in three words: 70s, minimalist, and Japanese. “During my trip to Japan, I was greatly inspired by how minimalist an interior can be while still feeling so warm and pleasant,” she explains. She wanted to translate that peace and balance into her own home as well.

“A calm and creative person who loves beautiful things, but also a fine atmosphere—that is exactly what the living room shows.”

Those Japanese influences come to life most strongly in the seating area, where low forms, clean lines, and warm wood tones set the tone. Rachèl's latest acquisition—the Federico coffee table in dark walnut—brings extra warmth and depth to the space. It combines surprisingly well with the light oak tones already present in the house, underscoring her vision that an interior should be allowed to grow and be layered.

Heritage on the wall
What immediately strikes you when looking through the light-filled living room is the remarkable art collection. The classic paintings on the clean walls were created by Carl Schlüter, Bilal’s great-grandfather. His style is considered part of the Dutch Impressionism movement.

The contrast between the historic paintings and the clean, modern interior is breathtaking. The warm, earthy tones from the canvases are reflected not only in the interior but also in Rachèl's personal style of dress. It gives the sleek architecture of the old factory an intimate, Dordrecht soul.

Patience as the best home accessory
As a perfectionist, Rachèl has learned that a true 'home' is not created overnight. Collecting items that actually have meaning requires time and attention.

“What I’ve learned from this house is that beautiful things take time. By collecting items step by step, the house has become much more personal."

With a large new skylight planned, which will soon give daylight even more room to play, the house continues to evolve with her creative spirit. But the foundation is rock solid: a place where the hustle and bustle of the day slips away the moment the door closes.

Soft Dining Table in Oak Hardwax Oil Natural