During this prompt about heritage, I paid attention to Gerrit Rietveld. He lived from 1888 to 1964 and was an architect, furniture designer and graphic designer. In 1919 he designed the red/blue chair, a symbol of “De Stijl”.

“De Stijl” is an art movement, named after the magazine of the same name about modern art, founded in 1917.

In 1924 Truus Schröder asked him to design a new house for her and her 3 children. She had just become a widow and wanted a house that had to  fully comply with her quirky living ideas. She knew Rietveld from previous collaborations and knew that he was also averse to  traditions. A perfect combination.  She wanted a modest house and that was a big challenge for him. A secret love  arose and she challenged him to the utmost tomake  it something special.

Building on his own furniture designs and the ideas of “De Stijl”, he  designed an architectural masterpiece. The house was built on the outskirts of Utrecht, with a view of nature.

Gerrit Rietveld had a preference for space, simplicity and functionality and created a three-dimensional, asymmetrical composition. 

He came up with all kinds of smart solutions for the house. Characteristic in this design were the smooth transitions between inside and outside and the clean horizontal and vertical lines. And of course the use of the primary colors in addition to white, black and gray.

The upper floor, for example, was a large living space, made by means of sliding doors and three small rooms, which could be transformed  intobedrooms and living rooms. The couch was made into a bed.  This is just one example of the many surprises that this house has.

More information can be found here:

www.rietveldschroderhuis.nl

In the year 2000 the house was placed on the Unesco World Heritage List. Truus Schröder lived in the house until 1985. When Gerrit Rietveld’s wife died, he went to live with his beloved Truus.

Today, the city has become many times larger and the house is located between highways and large buildings. To date, it is an architectural highlight and still a source of inspiration for many.  It has now been opened to the public and I have recently been there.  I was fascinated by the simplicity, the use of colour and the ingenious execution. 

I have made a side view of this still modern house.

I consciously chose a yellow background, for me the symbol of happiness, love and cheerfulness. A good example of what the chemistry between two people can bring about.

Now almost a century later, it is still modern and it is fortunately preserved for the future.

 Dimensions:   40”  h x  40” w

Material: commercial fabric, cotton batting

Technique: machine pieced, applique 

longarm stitching