Project overview

As a second home, this vacation house was created to be a minimalist take on the owner-designer’s point of view, allowing the surrounding nature and water views to be even more of a focal point when inside. Taking her signature neutral approach, Erin Hiemstra created a serene escape for her family, while infusing her elevated style.

I was brought on to this project to add some finishing layers for a photo shoot at the house – filling shelves, adding some artwork, and lending my stylist’s eye to the photos themselves. Being a second home, greenery isn’t kept in the house, so we added plants, branches, and small touches of warmth and life to the rooms while keeping within the overall aesthetic.

Each element of this home is artful in nature – from the sculptural handmade bowls in the kitchen to the lines of the furniture. It was important for us to bring in other objects that had the same feel. Wabi sabi, timeworn, organic, imperfect, and handmade styles were layered into the designers existing pieces for a seamless collection of objects.

We also curated specific art pieces for the bedroom and guest room, to compliment and finish off the interiors. While many of the accessories, such as the bedding and lighting, had already been procured by the designer, it was my job to edit them down, arrange and highlight them to be perfectly captured frame by frame.

photography by Kara Mercer. Design by Erin Hiemstra.