My Houzz: Going Heavy on the Metal for Industrial-Style Beauty

Metal makes Alet de Boer and Sil Boon tick. Boon has his own metal business, producing fences, stairs and home and garden accessories made of steel and iron. De Boer runs a web shop, Stoer Metaal (Dutch for “sturdy metal”), which sells robust iron lifestyle products and accessories that Boon fabricates.

While updating and decorating their 1920s home, the couple mixed items from their own label with antique and heirloom pieces for an eclectic, industrial feel.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Alet de Boer, Sil Boon, son Mannes (age 8) and cats Tijgertje and Boeffie
Location: Hoorn, the Netherlands
Size: 100 square meters (1,399 square feet); 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

This charcoal-gray sectional is a favorite spot; on it the family watches TV, and Mannes (shown) plays video games. The stained glass windows are original.

The wood art piece has a gold-leaf finish and is an heirloom from de Boer’s grandfather.

Sectional: Leen Bakker; coffee table: Stoer Metaal; throw pillow: Lappljung Ruta, Ikea





The dining area features furnishings from the couple’s store, except for a vintage wooden chair. De Boer painted the chair feet white to create more interest and visual contrast.

Tough Metal Dining Table: Stoer Metaal; bench: Kitchen Trend, Stoer Metaal


De Boer found the antique clock at a flea market in Lille, France. One of the couple’s friends, a clock maker, restored it for them.

In the corner is a small collection of antique accessories, including a tinsmith figurine that used to be part of train set, Russian glassware from de Boer’s father and a miniature crib from France.

Decorative iron star: Stoer Metaal


A secondhand French iron heater found on Marktplaats is a focal point in the living room. Occasionally, De Boer swaps furniture with her mother. This white cabinet is one such piece; it holds books and games.


The hardwood floor, with its reddish-brown hue, replaced dated linoleum. The new floors warm up the black and white interior.


This display case is an heirloom from de Boer’s father; it holds china and accessories. The wooden side table was painted with chalkboard paint.


“The kitchen used to be smaller, with a pantry in the back. We removed the wall to make it more spacious and added a bar table with stools from our own label,” says de Boer. The patterned tile floor came from an old farm. The pendant lamps above the countertop and table are repurposed motorcycle lights.

“We didn’t use a backsplash, because we wanted to keep it sleek and white,” de Boer continues. “Our next alteration will be a new counter, possibly concrete. For now it works just fine and matches well with the floor in the living room.”

De Boer collects wooden cutting boards that she displays to give the kitchen a rustic look.

Kitchen: Schouw Keukens


The bar table is Boon’s favorite spot. “I get to sit here and keep Alet company while she is cooking,” he says.

Utensils and other small pantry items are corralled in a metal wire basket.

All items from Stoer Metaal: Trademark Living Ijzeren Side Table; Trademark Living Ijzeren Barstool; Trademark Living Hanglampje Motorlamp; Nordal Iron Wire Basket


Opposite the kitchen counter, de Boer created an inspiration wall with quotations and quirky accents like a nonoperating vintage phone. “A home shouldn’t be too serious,” she says.


Tea towels hang from a metal cabinet from Nordal.


De Boer is very proud of her family photo wall in the entryway. “Besides that it is special to have these old photos of my ancestors, it is also interesting to see the evolution of photography quality,” she says.


Boon designed and fabricated the iron banister and railing.


Boon turned a vintage side table into a vanity that matches the black and white bathroom palette; he painted it, removed two legs and attached it to the wall.


The guest bedroom features an heirloom clock (the larger one) and an antique bed left over from when de Boer owned a retail shop specializing in antique beds.


Mannes’ room is decorated in an army theme. Boon designed and made the bed, and de Boer made the tent and curtains out of vintage army tent fabric.

Storage stool: Colorique


An iron army trunk holds Mannes’ toys, while camouflage-patterned wallpaper lines the wall.


A steel cabinet from Stoer Metaal provides additional toy storage.


On the opposite side of the bed is Mannes’ favorite hangout: his Fatboy beanbag.

Wall decals: Kidslab; cabinet: Stoer Metaal

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