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New city, new home. No idea where to start.
I'm Tessa van Hoogstraten, interior designer based in Amsterdam.
I've been working with expats for over 12 years — and I know exactly what it feels like to land in a new country and not know who to trust, where to shop, or how anything works.
The Dutch market is not always easy to navigate. Especially when you don't speak the language, don't know the neighbourhoods outside of Amsterdam, and your taste is — let's be honest — a little different from the typical Dutch interior. You know what you like. You just don't know how to get it here.
That's where I come in. I speak your language — literally and figuratively. I know the market, the suppliers, the contractors, and the shops that are actually worth your money. I'll guide you through every decision, from the first idea to the finishing touch. No stress, no language barriers, no nasty surprises.
Does this sound familiar?
You've moved to Amsterdam. Your apartment is fine — but it doesn't feel like home yet. You open Instagram and TikTok and see beautiful interiors, but you have no idea where any of it comes from or how to find something similar here.
You don't know which shops are good. You don't know which contractors you can trust. You're not sure if that price is normal or if you're being overcharged. And your partner has different ideas about what the place should look like — so nothing gets decided.
You could figure it out yourself. But you have a full life, a demanding job, and honestly — you didn't move to Amsterdam to spend your weekends lost in furniture shops outside the city.
So you wait. Until you have more time, more knowledge, more certainty.
But the weeks pass. And your home still doesn't feel like yours.
That's exactly where I can help.
Let's meet— or as we say in Dutch: laten we kennismaken.
Let’s turn your new Amsterdam house into a home
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FAQs
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FAQs
Answers to your questions
Do I need to replace all my current furniture?
Not necessarily. Many pieces can come with you and be integrated beautifully into your new space. I assess each item carefully — what works with Amsterdam’s scale and light, what holds personal value, and what may be better to replace. The goal is a cohesive, warm home that feels authentically yours, not a collection of temporary fixes.
I don’t know where to shop or which brands I can trust. Can you guide me?
Absolutely. With over 12 years of experience designing homes in and around Amsterdam, I know which stores, showrooms and suppliers offer quality, reliability and reasonable lead times. I streamline the entire process — from selecting materials to comparing options — so you never waste time or money guessing your way through a new system.
I don’t know where to shop or which brands I can trust. Can you guide me?
Absolutely. Many expats describe their first Dutch home as cold or impersonal. I specialise in creating interiors that feel calm, inviting and grounded — with layered textures, warm lighting, thoughtful layouts and materials that perform well in Dutch conditions. The result is a space that feels like home the moment you walk in.
Can you handle sourcing, ordering and delivery for me?
Yes. Most of my expat clients have demanding jobs and limited time. I can manage the entire sourcing and procurement process, arrange samples, handle communication with suppliers, and coordinate deliveries. You focus on settling into your new life — I take care of the practical details.
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FAQs
"For our new-build home, we were looking for someone who could guide us with the interior design. When we saw Tessa’s portfolio, we were immediately excited — but of course, there’s always that little uncertainty about whether a design will truly suit you as the future homeowners.
Using our Pinterest boards and a long conversation about the house and our wishes, Tessa created a design that was spot on from the very first draft. The atmosphere, the cohesion, the colours — everything was exactly our style.
We’re incredibly happy with our decision. The communication with Tessa was wonderful, and the meetings at our home felt like a little celebration each time, with all the fabric samples and material options laid out for us. It was such a fun process to go through together — we can recommend her wholeheartedly."
Tineke & Gerben Moesbergen, De Bilt
For Onno, an expat relocating to Amsterdam, I designed the interior of his temporary rental apartment. Because permanent changes weren’t possible, we focused entirely on furniture, lighting and accessories — the elements that bring warmth, personality and comfort without altering the space.
The goal was to create a calm, refined home that supports his busy professional life and feels welcoming after long days, while remaining flexible enough to move with him to a future apartment. We selected timeless pieces, warm textures and a light, spacious palette that suits both the space and his lifestyle.
Through thoughtful styling and smart layout choices, the apartment now feels personal, inviting and grounded — a home that helps him settle into the Netherlands with ease, despite its temporary nature.
A Warm, Temporary Home in Amsterdam
