Near Amsterdam, a Couple Turn the Top of a Former Chapel Into Their Home and Studio
Textile designer Milla Novo and her husband move into a converted monastery, uncovering religious frescoes in the renovation process.
Textile designer Milla Novo and her husband move into a converted monastery, uncovering religious frescoes in the renovation process.
About 20 miles from Amsterdam, an old monastery stands amid a lively garden in the quiet town of Bennebroek. Franciscan sisters once lived in the imposing brick structure, built in the 19th century, but they departed late in the 20th, and a developer subsequently carved the bulk of the building into 18 apartments.
That’s how Milla Novo and her husband, Nigel Nowotarski, came to live in the top of what was once a chapel. As you step into their apartment, large arched windows hint at its ecclesiastical past, but the couple’s eye-catching textiles and artworks—set against pristine white walls—make the biggest impression.
Textile designer Milla Novo and her husband, Nigel Nowotarski, make their home in a former chapel, part of a converted monastery near Amsterdam. During the renovation, workers uncovered frescoes painted on the walls, and the couple decided to leave portions of them uncovered.
Photo: Alan Jensen
In a raised sitting area surrounded by arched windows, a pink couch by Be Pure Home matches a wall hanging made by Milla. The Kabin vase is from 101 Copenhagen.
Photo: Alan Jensen
Milla, who worked as a flight attendant before reinventing herself as a designer four years ago, creates large macramé-esque wall hangings that incorporate symbols of the Mapuche people in south-central Chile, where her mother is from and still lives.
Nigel works full-time in fintech, but he has also produced large Pop art–style portraits (lately he’s been focusing his creative energies on assisting Milla with her endeavors). "We wanted to establish a balance between the original monastery building and a clean living space for displaying our art," Milla says.
The pink sofa is joined by a Driade Roly Poly lounge chair. "I just love the quirky design," Milla says.
Photo: Alan Jensen
See the full story on Dwell.com: Near Amsterdam, a Couple Turn the Top of a Former Chapel Into Their Home and Studio
