5 minimalist lessons from Dune House, a monochromatic beach villa in the Netherlands
Epitomizing stylish simplicity, Dune House brings aesthetic hints of Scandinavia to Ameland's shores
Hidden amid Ameland's sand white dunes in the Dutch Wadden islands, Dune House is our latest source of Scandi-cool inspiration and unrivaled monochromatic style.
With organic pockets of botany, subtly-toned tiles, and an ivory-toned scheme, this unconventional island retreat has reshaped our modern home decor ideas in ways beyond the Netherland's northern coast.
While we're lusting over almost every square inch of this chic haven, there remain five stand-out lessons in minimalism that we're rushing to recreate. Here is everything you need to know about this sophisticated style – from the waves of the Wadden Sea.
1. Create excitement with textures, not colors
Dune House's bathroom is among the most notable spaces in the villa, but you need to look carefully to enjoy its diverse aesthetic.
The bathroom maintains the minimalist color scheme, however, it showcases an experimental use of subtle patterns and textures through its array of shaped tiles that change from the shower floor.
While the area is not flooded with ever-changing colors, it boasts a sophisticated talking point that is effortlessly understated but no less chic. Dune House, we thank you for the modern bathroom idea of our minimalist dreams.
2. Dare to (color) drench
Perhaps the most powerful way to immerse in minimalism is through your color palette, or limited palette, thereof. However, a stripped-back certainly doesn't need to be boring – especially when it comes to the season's most daring painted wall idea.
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Paint experts, including Little Greene's Director, David Mottershead, encourage you to experiment with 'drenching,' the process of using one color across all surfaces in one space.
The result is thoroughly audacious, indisputably contemporary, and far from boring – because who can argue with this master bedroom?
3. Create contrasts from original features
The only acceptable way to interrupt color drenching? With boldly-toned features that create an exemplary monochromatic contrast.
While the subtle tones are synonymous with the villa, the dark features create an aesthetic juxtaposition that celebrates Scandinavian sophistication beyond a Nordic postcode.
Dune House provokes you to accentuate your home's original assets by allowing them to make a statement through a well-curated contrast. When in doubt, pair alongside unpigmented hues and let the timeless pieces speak for themselves.
4. Trust the rule of three
When it comes to design ideas, the rule of three is among the most trusted in the industry, and it is easy to see why. Enter exhibit A, Dune House's dining area, which is crowned with three light fixtures.
As the theory explains, items arranged in odd numbers (or three, in most cases) are most aesthetic, and with this evidence, we are certainly not willing to argue.
5. Inject pockets of color through botany
With their verdant hues and organic aesthetic, houseplants are the minimalist home accessory of choice. These pieces fill the space with clusters of raw color without detracting from the minimalist scheme – whilst celebrating the natural landscape beyond the villa's front door.
However, from Ameland's emerald palette to an urban jungle across the sea, the lesson remains the same. This neutral living room idea allows you to add color in an eternally stylish way.
Dune House is located on the Dutch Wadden island of Ameland. Prices range from €347 - €551 per night via Welcome Beyond.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.
Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.
Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment.
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