Yvestown & me

Many of you will already know Yvonne Eijkenduijn through her gorgeous blog Yvestown. She inspires so many with her perfect, spare, light, vibrant and pretty aesthetic as expressed through her decorating, home remodeling, gardening, craft and even her recipes. She has a really unique, immediately recognizable style that is completely her own, it's just Yvestown. I've been a huge fan of hers for years, and then I got the honor to work with her on my book! Many of the photos in the book were taken in her home, many by Yvonne herself. It was incredibly fun to work with her, just hang out with her and her wonderful husband Bo, and eat her seriously delicious food!! You can see more of Yvonne's inspirational style here. She's having a giveaway of my book and 2nd prize of a downloadable pattern. Just leave a comment on her blog to enter. Here's my little interview with Yvonne, questions I've been wanting to ask her for a long time, about her style, inspirations and tips...

 

Q. Your style is so recognizable Yvonne. Where did it come from? Has it evolved over time? How would you say it's changed over the years?

A. After reading an interview with the, then, infamous Cath Kidston I fell in love with how she used floral patterns on a fresh and modern canvas. I wanted that for my home so I made a colour scheme for myself and stuck to that. I only use white, blue, red, pink and green and it works. Even when I go shopping I stick to these colours so I instantly know what goes and what doesn't. As my house changed from a small cute home to a large scary home I had to mature my style a bit, robust and smooth lines have replaced the nursery cute.

Q. Is there a particular culture or mix of cultures that have influenced your style?

A. I love Sweden and England, both countries are largely present in my decorating style. I love the swedish philosophy of using a lot of white to let the sun in and I love all the charm of the English countryside. I try to mix that up.

Q. You mix modern, streamlined, and inexpensive Ikea pieces with older, more flea market pieces and floral patterns with such ease. It's a mix that feels so fresh and authentic. Do you have any tips for how others can make this blend work in their home?

A. I just have one rule; don't go for just cheap because eventually it will look cheap. Try to mix classic design furniture with antiques but don't go for anything heavy or frilly. As designer furniture and IKEA furniture are streamlined you'll have to streamline your antiques and flea market finds as well. Don't be scared to paint or recover anything as you can do it again if it doesn't feel right. Try to balance well and always, always customize your IKEA purchases.

Q. I love that your blogging for IKEA Live! Can you tell us a bit more about this?

A. I'm really excited about this writing opportunity as I'm a big IKEA fan and I feel strongly affiliated with their philosophy and designs. I like that I don't have to contribute a whole lot of contents as I don't want to neglect my blog. I love all the opportunities that are be given to me all thanks to me blog and the people who read it. It will always be my number one the place in the world.

Q. One thing that always amazes me about you is that you're totally unafraid to change something you've done to your home. Even when it's already gorgeous you go and change it to something gorgeous in a different way. It seems like you almost treat your home as a canvas...I really admire this as I tend to be afraid to change anything once I've got it looking pretty good. What's your philosophy about this?

A. I keep changing rooms until they are right and then I sell my home LOL. Well this seems to be my trend. I always feel I can improve a room and I will keep improving it until it's right and then I don't touch it again. In a way it's a blank canvas I can throw all my ideas and creativity at. My home is my art project.

Q. I always love your crochet designs so much. What role does crafting play in your life?

A. It's everything to me, if I haven't been making anything I get nervous. To me4 a day without craft is a day without sun.

Q. What is your favorite shade of white paint for a room?

A. All White by Farrow & Ball

Q. Best gardening tip?

A. Don't wear gardening gloves, feel the dirt.

Q. Do you have any projects coming up that you feel like sharing?

There are so many great things I'm going to do this year but I'm strictly forbidden to talk or write about them.

 

Comments

[Melissa P]

This is a wonderful interview. Yvonne is amazing and her work is so inspiring. I fall particularly hard for her crochet work. It always makes me eager to sit down and spend time with some yarn.

Have a great weekend!

[Sandra]

The book looks great and I love Yvestown Style too - can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

S x

[Kristen]

Your blog is lovely! Congratulations on the book, too--I can't wait to see it. I'm off now for a browse through your archives. :)

[Kristen]

Back to say that I just realized that you're "that" Tanya! Your Ava Rose fabric is in the quilt I'm working on at this very moment! I'm so glad to have discovered your blog.

[Anna]

Great interview! I found you through the Yvestown blog. So glad I did. Beautiful work!

[Gail]

Your new book looks great, beginning with the awesome bag on the cover!

[jen@thecottagenest]

I just wanted to say that I was the very lucky winner of your new book from Yvonne and how timely it was as I had just bought my first ever fabric from one of your lines. I'm hooked! I love it all and am so happy to find someone designing fabric that is so me!

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I fall particularly hard for her crochet work. It always makes me eager to sit down and spend time with some yarn.

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