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about me
Navigating your new life, starting with your home
I’m Tessa van Hoogstraten — an Amsterdam-based interior designer with over 12 years of experience, and a proud mother of two little boys.
I know how important it is to feel grounded and at home, especially when everything around you is new.
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve arrived in Amsterdam full of plans, but your new house feels empty, cold and temporary.
You want it to feel like home, yet everything here works differently:
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you don’t know which stores or brands are reliable;
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Dutch sizes, suppliers and delivery times confuse you;
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choosing furniture feels overwhelming without local knowledge;
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and you don’t have the time to figure it all out yourself.
The result?
A space that doesn’t reflect who you are — temporary, mismatched and not yet “you.”
This is exactly the kind of challenge I love.
With over 12 years of experience designing Amsterdam homes, I know where to find quality furniture, which showrooms to trust, and which materials actually perform well in Dutch apartments. I help you make confident choices, gather samples, compare options and coordinate sourcing and delivery.
I don’t just create a beautiful interior.
I act as your local guide — making the Dutch housing world feel simple and clear.
Whether you’re a single professional or a couple starting fresh, my role is to bring warmth, calm and structure into your new life here. You focus on settling in and building your future —
I’ll make sure your house feels like home the moment you walk in.
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Ready to make your new place feel like home?
Let’s turn your new Amsterdam house into a home that welcomes you from day one.
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With 12+ years of experience in Amsterdam homes, I offer design guidance tailored to your specific situation as you settle in.
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experience
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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 want my home to feel warm and not like a temporary rental. Is that possible?
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.
Amsterdam apartments can be small. Can you work with limited space?
Absolutely. I’ve designed spaces of every size — from compact city apartments to spacious homes — and I understand how to create flow, comfort and visual calm even in tight footprints. Smart layouts, multifunctional furniture and the right materials make all the difference.
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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
Samen creëren we jouw droominterieur
