Entry #7: Decorating With Delft Blue KLM Houses

anitazachary
Feb 24
3 min read

A vintage, French estanier filled with blue and white KLM houses of all shapes and sizes, light blue transferware dishes, green plants, books, feathers, and a golden frame. Above the estanier are three light blue transferware plates on a gray wall.

I totally blame it on my husband.

He started it! I was minding my own business, having just got over my milk glass obsession, when he came home from an international business trip with beginnings of what I would call a Delft addiction: two of the cutest little Dutch blue and white houses.

A close-up picture of two shelves in the estanier, filled with KLM houses that sit in front of light blue transferware plates, as well as the golden frame, while a green leafy plant cascades down on the left side of the image.

They fit in my color scheme perfectly. I turned the house over and saw the number 34 and BOLS ROYAL DISTILLERIES HOLLAND. KLM.

Hmmmmmm, I wonder what that means…to the computer Holmes!

One-and-a-half shelves of the estanier, where KLM houses sit on the lip of it, backed by gold-and-brown vintage books. Two feathers sit on top of the books.

I landed on the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines site and learned that when someone flies in Business class on an intercontinental route, they receive one of these delft houses; which are filled with Dutch Gin.

There are 105 houses as of right now, each one architecturally and historically different. Some are just compilations of building styles for the area, while other houses are historical replicas, like #47 is The Anne Frank House. How cool?

Another shot of the same estanier, except this shows the lowest shelf with the estanier's foot. More KLM houses sit on the lip of the shelf, backed by a green-gray book, a white book, and a peek of a transferware tray leaning against the back.

A little while later my family and I were in an adorable town of Asheboro, NC, visiting the local antique shops, as is one of our favorite pastimes. We saw so many cool, old, and odd things, and my daughter was overwhelmed by the sheer number of vinyl records!

Yet, just as we were on the last aisle, I heard: “I found another one of those Delft houses!" From my daughter; all that did was add fuel to the fire my husband started. She handed it to me, and: "Awwwww!" I loved it. The colors were the same but it was a much different shape, including the doors and windows. I turned it over, and saw the KLM stamp. Well, Number 4, you’re coming home with me.

That was the founding day of my Kingdom, which has grown considerably with the help of two old friends, Mercari and EBay. Who knew they were such a hot collectible? I began keeping a ledger with all my current occupants. But again, my daughter with more fuel, found the KLM app. I totally need that!

The app tracks your own collection and a brief profile of each house. So like the tax collector, I have records of each and every house in my community.

I don’t want to brag, but in my KLM kingdom we have #100 which is an amazing palace, that houses King Willem-Alexander and his royal family. If you like to visit museums #20,#22, and #99 are not to be missed. And getting rave reviews are the restaurants #60, #50, and my fave #2 (The Five Flies). Although we are not without our unseemly sections, #26 is where our world renowned exotic dancer resides, surrounded by distilleries and tasting rooms; #33, #11, and #80 (Rembrandt drank there!) But luckily we have #82 where Mother Superior lives and her Grey Sisters in the Nunnery behind it.

We have luxurious apartment living in #62 and #65, but if you want something with a little more adventure, #94 is our local hostel. For the ultimate in single family living #10, #13, and#17 are prime examples of local architecture elements, known as canal houses. Running little low on funds? Never fear, we have #37, the bank and #84, the coin mint. For entertainment, #105 is a book store, #104 is the railway station, #85 is a perfumery and you cannot miss #102, the theater (Richard Gere and Madonna have visited).

So imagine your everyday in my Kingdom, providing you with sophisticated and unique living experience with classic amenities!

A white cabinet that holds napkins, transferware plates, silver plates, candles, flour, and sugar is pictured. 7 KLM Houses sit at the edge of the top of the cabinet, backed by vintage, navy blue books with gold accents. A brass vase sits to the left, and a plant in a weaved basket sits to the right. On the light blue wall hands a picture from Miss. Mustard Seed of a landscape in a gold frame. Beside that are two blue transferware plates. On the right wall hangs a darker blue transferware plate; above that hangs a small set of deer antlers that are on a dark, carved wooden mount.

During the Christmas Holidays, I saw some collectors adorn their canal house neighborhoods in tiny greenery, red bows, and fake snow. I like to display mine on top of a kitchen cupboard

(see above). A kitchen dessert tray, too (see below).

Six KLM houses sit on the lowest shelf of a two-tiered glass-shelved dessert tray. Golden columns hold the tray in place. Transferware cups, saucers, cream boats, bean jars, and handleless cups in light and medium blue sit alongside, above, and behind the KLM houses. In front of the dessert tray are various shaped wooden brushes, and hand lotion.

Another picture, closer up, of the KLM Houses on the dessert tray. More details in the houses themselves can be seen.

And in my dining room (see the first picture in this post).

I was wondering, how cool it would be if an airline in North America could replicate a collection with houses that had unique stories and architecture reflecting America?

Then again, I don’t think I have the room for another Kingdom.