Photography by Pascale van Reijn
Almost 20 years after they first set up shop in a small office in Amsterdam, Leonie Hendrikse and Jeroen Stock have moved their business – and their family – to a dream home in Haarlem.
Their creation, the Stock Show Home, is a masterclass in balance. A monumental 19th-century music school on a 14th-century canal, filled with contemporary touches and cross-cultural references, it’s an homage both to its historic surroundings and the colourful lives of its new custodians.
We caught up with Leonie and Jeroen to hear all about the project, plus their creative role models, the wonders of wallpaper, and the three things no home should be without.
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Why did you choose Farrow & Ball to accompany you on your restoration journey?
The friendship between Farrow & Ball and Stock goes back to day one. When we started in Amsterdam in 2005, the store was wall to wall covered in in the (sadly archived) colour ‘ ’. Our love for the chalky paint is so second nature to Stock that we all know the colours of the different ranges by heart. So even before we were able to begin with the restoration process, we knew exactly which colours to choose.
Where did you find the inspiration for your colour schemes?
We were both born and raised abroad. Leonie was born in Sydney and Jeroen in Cape Town. We both lived in Singapore at different times in our lives, and both our families developed a fascination with the Eastern cultures. This is why we love the warm colours and patterns so much.
From day one our signature was – and still is – layered and with refined colours, adding depth through different materials and lighting, and respect for heritage.
You’ve created a beautiful balance between the history of the music school and your own contemporary touches. How have your colour and pattern choices helped to create this effect?
It is very important to listen to the house – what is the history telling you and how does it want to be seen? In this canal house, the hallway and staircase are the beating heart, the wow factor.
The building is impressive and stunning, yet very dark. Therefore, we opted for a bright warm colour on the walls combined with a clear contrast on the woodwork and thus created a big bang when entering the hallway. The warm carpet with mid-century pattern in the same colour as the woodwork creates a strong, solid base.
What do you think using Farrow & Ball wallpaper has brought to the space?
It gives it a timeless sentiment that we love and cherish. We have block-printed wallpaper in most of the rooms: it is pure and authentic. Our clients are just mesmerized by the effect that wallpaper can have on a space and they feel at home instantly. This is the effect we are looking for.
Our Archive colours have played a big role in the Show Home – how important to you was it to have this extra special set of colours to draw from?
This canal house is a typical 19th-century monument. Many of the ceilings had to be restored in the original colour scheme. To find the historically accurate colours, the Archive was a helpful source and inspiration. Many of our projects are houses with a monumental status, therefore we often refer to the Archive to find the colours that match with the period.
How did your design choices help you in differentiating your workspace and personal areas?
All areas in the house are used to showcase our work, both the private and work spaces. Our clients can experience our Stock signature better when they are in the room. They can bask in the atmosphere and feel the effect it has on all their senses.
Our living area is of course an important space for us, but it has the same flow as the rest of the house. Every level in the house has its own unique blend of wall colours and woodwork finishings, yet the same vibe echoes through the entire house.
How did the property’s setting influence its interior look and feel?
It is a privilege to be situated on the famous ‘Nieuwe Gracht’ in Haarlem. This canal was created in 1390 for the defence of the city and to improve trade activities, which makes it so typically Dutch and charming.
However, the historical setting gave us a headache from time to time. We were dealing with a municipal monument which every now and then limited us in our artistic freedom. Thanks to our wonderful team, we managed to improvise, and we are most proud of the result.
What has it been like seeing your dream space come together?
More than twenty years ago, we started our business in a small setting in the heart of Amsterdam. Over the years we have moved to various places and like any other company we have had our ups and downs. Looking back at it, it was all worth it!
We can only sit in awe at where the journey has taken us; this beautiful house that we get to call home and office. We are thankful that we were able to restore the house to its former glory and that we can be custodians of this part of the city’s history for a while.
What have your clients’ responses been to the new space?
It is actually exactly as we envisioned it. Our clients love to walk through the house and see the possibilities. It triggers their imagination and innate creativity. It is like walking through a candy store and being able to pick what you like and leave what you don’t.
Which is your favourite space in the Stock Show Home and why?
The conservatory on the back side of our living area is a lovely sunny space from where you have an expansive view, framed by the high ceiling, via the kitchen to the big windows in the front overlooking the canal.
Can you tell us about your journey into interior design and a little about your career?
Leonie: My inspiration, my instinct for colours and compositions, stems from a long line of strong and creative women. At our house, there was always a sewing machine on the table. My mother can really do it all. She sews ‘Vogue couture’ in addition to beautiful drapes, and she even upholsters chairs and seats.
My grandmother was among the first women to attend an academy of arts and kept drafting documents until she was 90, while my great-grandmother Lizzy was a successful still-life painter.
Getting older absolutely has its advantages. The designs that I create in my mind have become more structured and target-focused as I get older. I’m eternally grateful for the chance to work with such a reliable team that works at my speed and is able to implement my flashes of inspiration. Stock Dutch Design, my dear children, and my family are my life. They are what inspire me to work with passion day after day. I simply can’t imagine a more fulfilling life.
Jeroen: I’ve always wanted a lot of children as well as a home with a lot going on, a home filled with joy and laughter. This desire comes from my childhood. My parents were geniuses when it came to novel ideas and there was always something going on at our place. I was born in Cape Town, South Africa. My memories of that time have, admittedly, faded significantly as I was only six years old when we moved back to The Netherlands. What I still have are impressions of a country in motion and an interest in its past and development.
Then we lived in The Netherlands for eight years before heading to Singapore, where I graduated high school. There were 24 students from 20 different nations in our class. It was a special time that has also found its place in my memories. Back then I was already fascinated by other cultures, people, and customs. That time in my life awakened an enthusiasm in me for all that the world has to offer.
Since the school in Singapore had a wide range of subjects and teachers, I was able to get a well-rounded education. Art became my favourite subject. I finished with moderate grades for my regular classes but received recognition as the most creative student of the class of 1992. I had found my calling.
Can you tell us about some of your favourite projects?
Our Stock show home is without a doubt our number one. Everything came together in this dream project.
A sustainable house here in Aerdenhout also belongs to one of our dearest projects. A future-proof family home with a food forest garden between the woods and the beach, where fallow deer and rabbits wander around.
We have just embarked on a new project: a large and very charming country estate with an exhilarating history. The architect who constructed it 120 years ago was a huge fan of the English style, supplemented with art nouveau elements.
What are three things you think no home should be without?
1. Warmth – layers in colours and patterns bring cosiness, intimacy and authenticity to the house.
2. Heritage: a house becomes home when it radiates the story of its owners.
3. Wallpaper – the functional and elegant vibe which wallpaper brings to a space is priceless. Start with the smallest room in the house, see how it feels and then keep on going.
4. An effective light plan - this is an absolute necessity and mostly overlooked.
