Picture window on the Dutch landscape

Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, is known for agriculture, speed-skating and proximity to the islands of the Wadden Sea, where many Dutch spend their holidays. This house project was a total renovation carried out over two years. The owners used Smink Studio tiles in three locations, most spectacularly to frame two 1.8m / 6 ft. wide windows that look out across the flat landscape and hypnotic sky.

Edge of a wall of brown Smink Studio relief tiles with raised circles, beside a window onto green fields.

Sitting room at Oudebildtdijk with a leather armchair, a low table and a dado of brown Smink Studio relief tiles beneath cream tiles.

Close-up of Smink Studio relief tiles in brown glaze, showing raised concentric circles and the depth of the handmade glaze.

Leather armchair by a window beside a wall of dark brown Smink Studio relief tiles with raised concentric arcs.

As much as possible was reused or recycled in this renovation. The solid wood floor along with the chairs and other furniture was sourced from Marketplaats, the Dutch equivalent of eBay. The house was disconnected from gas and infra-red panels were installed for heating with electric boilers for hot water. The energy will be supplied by soon-to-be-installed solar panels. And most important of all, the house was fully insulated.

Wall of Smink Studio relief tiles in a glossy chestnut-brown glaze with raised concentric circles, beside a leather chair.

The 1.8m / 6ft wide picture windows are separated from each other by a column of tiles, with more tiles either side of the door and window. In contrast to the landscape, the tiles have a 3d surface that creates interesting light and shadow effects. The design suggests the Amsterdam School of architecture as well as wainscotting / panelling, although here the tiles extend to the ceiling. A row of yellow tiles along the bottom is an unexpected detail. Bullnose tiles at the corners make a smooth transition from one plane to the next.

Kitchen under a sloping roof at Oudebildtdijk, clad in Smink Studio handmade tiles in peach, aqua, rust and cream.

At the front of the house, screen-printed tiles echo the design of those at the back of the house. They stretch from reclaimed countertop to ceiling. The semi-random (but carefully thought-out) pattern includes tiles in M998, a solid matte glaze that mimics the look of raw terracotta. And the black stripe across the top? This is actually an old wooden beam from the time when this space was a barn.

Kitchen tap before a wall of Smink Studio glazed ceramic tiles in aqua, peach, rust and cream with screen-printed arcs.

Plant shadows falling on Smink Studio handmade tiles in rust, aqua and peach with screen-printed concentric arcs.

Kitchen corner of Smink Studio handmade tiles in mustard, ochre, cream and burgundy, with a butler sink and blossom in a jug.

Returning to the back of the house, a small kitchen takes the colour and Relief tile designs of the picture window wall and mixes it up, scattering the tiles in a more or less random pattern across the small kitchen backsplash. Upstairs, a simple insulated chipboard is applied to the outside walls to keep the heat in and the cold Friesland winters out!

Blossom branches in a grey jug before Smink Studio glazed ceramic tiles in mustard, burgundy and cream with screen-printed lines.

Corner of a room with white timber panelling, a stool, a potted plant and a portrait painting at Oudebildtdijk.

Armchair silhouetted by a window looking out over green fields near Oudebildtdijk.

The view is north across fields and towards the Wadden Sea, which is only a km or two away. It’s the perfect place to watch the days and seasons change.