Living on a farm in the Netherlands I had to bike, if I wanted to go anywhere. While biking I’d be looking at houses and wondering what the house looked like from the inside. I would not fantasise about the people, but about the house and how it was a home. As a matter of fact I wrote one of my school papers on the subject.
When it was time for me to find a place to live I got a chance to look at a lot of places. And when you walk into a house you pretty much feel straight away if it could be your home. And I found that that was important to me; feeling at home. Being fortunate enough to have lived abroad in furnished rentals, there would always be little things I’d bring from home to make my home. These would not just be photos, but objects that would fit my personality.
I went to study the sensible thing; economics and worked accordingly but unsatisfactory. I went back to study the creative, but sensible thing; interior design and worked accordingly, but the jobs I landed didn’t concern the home and didn’t make me feel at home. I hadn’t found my place yet. I had to work with my hands and make, create, draw, etc. It wasn’t until I started to make products that aimed to make other people feel at home all my passions came together.
My range of hand screen printed products is designed to give people a good feeling an “at home” feeling. Especially when you walk in to your door or when you work from home. Have a look and make yourself at home.
Renate
Renate and the Ant House
@renateandtheanthouse
P.S. Why the Ant House? My workshop has regular visits from ants, these beautiful animals work very hard at reaching their goal and there isn't a lot that will stop them. They are my inspiration, symbolise my aspiration and sometimes my irritation.