As soon as summer arrives, our home changes rhythm completely. The doors stay open all day, and even ordinary weekdays begin to feel like little holidays. Some of my favourite moments are the simplest ones: gathering outside for dinner, packing up a picnic for the dunes, and spending evenings on the water with family.
At home, summer always brings a kind of joyful chaos with it. Children running in and out of the garden, improvised sprinkler constructions on the trampoline that may or may not soak everyone nearby, and evenings spent outside because going in simply feels like a bad idea. And somewhere this summer, I’ll probably finally give in to my daughter’s request to sleep in the garden under the stars. It’s these familiar little rituals that make the season feel so special to me, an ode to home, to slowing down, and to enjoying the outdoors in the simplest ways.
This issue is filled with inspiration for embracing exactly that feeling. We step inside the beautiful garden of Jessica van Aken, share our team’s favourite flowers of the season, and explore how to bring nature indoors with The Conservatory: Bringing the Garden Indoors. You’ll also find ideas for creating your own garden cinema, alongside six tips for finding the perfect parasols for warm summer days spent outside.
One of my favorite summer escapes has always been Het Roode Koper, a place that holds so many memories for me. My grandmother, who I resemble a lot, used to take me there from a very young age, and I still remember drinking tea together in the garden on warm afternoons.
I hope this issue inspires you to open the doors and embrace all the beauty summer has to offer, both at home and beyond.
Petra van Roon
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Behind the scenes:
Positano ‘26 shoot
Rooted in the Dutch countryside, this shoot captured the quiet beauty of summer at home. From blooming gardens and old farmhouse details to animals wandering freely around the house, these days were filled with warmth, shared meals, and long shoot days. Follow the team behind the scenes while shooting the new Positano Collection.
Perfect Cushion Sets
Old Dutch streets as the perfect backdrop
Teamwork behind the scenes
Even the baby ducks joined in
The Conservatory: Bringing The Garden Indoors
PHOTOGRAPHY:TOMGRIFFITHS|SOURCE:HOUSE&GARDEN
A conservatory beautifully blurs the line between indoors and outdoors. Filled with natural light, garden views and open doors, these spaces make summer feel closer, even on rainy days.
For this edition, members of the Palais team share their favourite garden flowers, from timeless classics to unexpected seasonal favourites that inspire them year after year.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Seasonal favourites
Hydrangeas have been my favourite flower ever since I was little. I still remember the large pink hydrangeas in my grandmother’s garden always catching my eye first. She had the most beautiful flower garden, which is probably where my love for flowers began. Recently, I planted one in my own garden too, which makes me very happy.
Sadhana, Supply Chain & Systems Manager
My favourite flower is the chrysanthemum. Maybe partly because it’s linked to my birth month. Chrysanthemums are often associated with autumn, but I think that’s exactly why I love them: they arrive when many other flowers begin to fade, bringing colour and warmth exactly when you need it most. Now is actually the perfect time to plant them, so consider this your sign to add some to your garden this spring.
Mady, E-Commerce Manager
Lavender has always been my favourite flower in nature. I associate it with its calming scent, a fragrance that has always brought me a sense of peace. Whenever I come across lavender outdoors, I instantly feel more at ease, and I always pick a small piece to keep its comforting scent with me a little longer.
Yara, Creative
Seasonal favourites
Lathyrus will forever be my favourite garden flower. Not just because they come in the dreamiest colours, but mostly because of their scent. They instantly bring me back to my mother and grandmother, who always had them around the house. Basically nature’s version of home perfume.
Mara, Marketing Manager
The sanguisorba is my favourite flower because it was also part of my wedding bouquet. I love the way it grows so beautifully and naturally in the garden, while still fitting perfectly in an elegant vase or a wild, romantic bouquet like the one I carried on my wedding day.
One of my favourite plants in the garden is star jasmine. It climbs against the cottage shed just across from the kitchen door, and every morning its soft floral scent drifts inside, instantly bringing a sense of calm and the feeling of summer slowly beginning.
Petra, Founder Palais
Christa, Customer Happiness
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Summer Essentials
At home with: Jessica van Aken
Jessica van Aken lives in a charming countryside home with her husband and their two young sons. Six years ago, she founded Studio Aken, where she works as an interior stylist, creating timeless interiors that feel both elegant and deeply personal.
PHOTOGRAPHY:YARAWILLEMS
When describing her style, Jessica immediately mentions the words classic and calm. “I try not to follow trends too much,” she explains. “With fashion, you can easily switch things up, but interiors are different. You want your home to still feel right years later.” Instead, she focuses on timeless pieces with character, mixing soft neutrals and traditional elements with the occasional unexpected design object.
Her love for interiors is heavily inspired by travel. “I get inspired everywhere, from architecture and colours to hotels and little cafés in hidden streets.” Morocco remains one of her biggest sources of inspiration because of its rich colours, shapes and materials, although she believes every interior should stay true to the house itself. “People sometimes try to recreate a hotel aesthetic that simply doesn’t fit their home. I always say: you have to look at your house almost like a body — not everything suits everyone.”
After growing up in Amsterdam, it was the peace and greenery surrounding this home that made her fall in love instantly. The previous owners had created a classic English-style garden, perfectly matching the cottage-like character of the house.
“Many
people who visit say it feels like being somewhere in the English countryside,” Jessica says. “That’s exactly how it feels to me too.”
PHOTOGRAPHY:YARAWILLEMS
“I love restoring things and keeping the soul of a house intact.”
Inside, she carefully preserved as many original details as possible, from the ornaments in the hallway to the home’s authentic layout. “So much character gets lost nowadays because people remove original elements during renovations,” she says.
Her favourite room is the bedroom, a calming space centred around a dreamy canopy bed and soft blue tones. “I found the most beautiful blue paisley wallpaper by accident,” she says. “Blue is known to be calming in a bedroom, and I can honestly say it really is. It’s the room where I completely unwind.”
Outdoor living plays a big role in family life too. Long lunches in the garden, barbecues with friends, children running around barefoot, and homemade margaritas on warm evenings — for Jessica, luxury is found in these simple moments spent at home. With the addition of the Palais cushions, the outdoor spaces now feel even more inviting. “They instantly add warmth and comfort,” she says. “Everything is ready for a long summer outside.”
PHOTOGRAPHY:YARAWILLEMS
Things to do: Escapes in the Netherlands
Our favourite ways to escape this summer — from canal cruises and countryside cafés to flower gardens and vineyards
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
De Veldkeuken
For a true taste of the Dutch countryside, spend an afternoon at a local farm café. Think homemade cakes, fresh bread, organic produce and long lunches surrounded by nature. A favourite in the heart of the country is De Veldkeuken, located on the beautiful Rhijnauwen estate. Stop by for fresh sourdough bread, homemade pastries and coffee from the outdoor bar, then find a spot at one of the picnic tables or wander through the surrounding nature.
Canals, Windmills & Countryside Views
Have you ever thought about seeing the Netherlands from the water? Cruise through the canals of cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht and Haarlem, where old buildings and waterside terraces show a more local side of Dutch life. For a quieter escape, sail through the polders of North Holland, surrounded by greenery, windmills and small historic homes.
De Amsteltuin
Surrounded by the greenery of Amstelland, Wijngaard De Amsteltuin is a charming vineyard perfect for long summer lunches or afternoon drinks among the vines. With its relaxed atmosphere, open views and peaceful countryside setting, it feels like a quiet escape just outside the city.
Pick Your Own Flowers & Fruit
Visiting a Dutch pluktuin is a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon, picking your own flowers or fresh fruit surrounded by nature. Just outside the city, Fruittuin van West offers orchards, wandering chickens, farm animals and a charming garden café with homemade apple pie and coffee, making it feel like a true countryside escape.
Château St. Gerlach: Countryside Elegance in South Limburg
SOURCE:CHATEAUGERLACH
Set in the hills of South Limburg, Château St. Gerlach combines historic architecture, sprawling gardens, a vineyard, and a luxury spa hotel all in one estate. A countryside destination where nature and understated luxury come together effortlessly.
SOURCE:CHATEAUGERLACH
SOURCE:CHATEAUGERLACH
SOURCE:CHATEAUGERLACH
SOURCE:CHATEAUGERLACH
SOURCE:CHATEAUGERLACH
How to build your own garden cinema
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Warm evenings, soft lighting, cocktails within reach and your favourite film under the open sky. An outdoor cinema transforms any garden, balcony, or rooftop into the perfect setting for long summer nights.
Soft Seating, Summer Proof
Choose outdoor poufs to create extra seating throughout the evening, while our indoor poufs easily double as side tables for cocktails and summer snacks. Mixed colours, soft textures and layered shapes give the setting an effortless feel that invites everyone to settle in and stay a little longer.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Lighting Sets the Mood
As daylight fades, lighting becomes part of the atmosphere. A soft glow between cushions or beside low seating instantly makes an outdoor setting feel warmer and more intimate, turning even the simplest garden or terrace into a cinematic and inviting space.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
The Finishing Touch
Outdoor cushions instantly make a space feel warmer and more personal. Layer different prints, textures and colours to create a setting that feels comfortable, relaxed and ready for long evenings outdoors. For outdoor living, they are made to handle everything from spilled cocktails to unexpected summer rain.
Stay Shady: Six Perfect Parasols
Some pieces instantly change the atmosphere of an outdoor space. A good parasol is one of them. It softens the light, creates a sense of intimacy, and brings that effortless holiday feeling into the garden. Plus, it keeps both your guests and your rosé nicely out of the burning sun.
PHOTOGRAPHY:SOHOHOME
De Durgerdam: A Quiet Luxury Lakeside Retreat
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
Set along the shores of the IJmeer, De Durgerdam offers a slower and more refined side of the Dutch countryside. Surrounded by reed fields, historic waterside houses and endless lake views, this boutique retreat is the perfect place to unwind just outside the city.
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
SOURCE:DEDURGERDAM
SUMMER TABLE The Edit
A beautifully set summer table just hits different. Here’s how to create one guests never want to leave. Warning: this may lead to spontaneous wine refills.
Start with layers
The best summer tables feel relaxed and collected rather than perfectly styled. Layer linen tablecloths with playful ceramics, woven textures and colourful glassware for a warm and inviting setting. Mixing different heights — from candle holders to overflowing fruit bowls — instantly adds richness and depth.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Let summer decorate for you
Forget complicated centrepieces. Summer already did the work. Fill bowls with lemons, peaches, cherries or tomatoes and scatter flowers across the table for a setting that feels colourful and relaxed.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Make seating part of the setting
Outdoor cushions and poufs instantly make a table feel warmer and more inviting. Mix colours and prints for a relaxed layered look, and place poufs around the table to create that effortless lounge-like atmosphere.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
Lighting changes everything
Once the sun goes down, lighting becomes the mood. Our favourite trick?
Wireless rechargeable lamps paired with playful lampshades for that soft golden glow without messy cords. Add a few candles and suddenly nobody remembers what time they were supposed to leave.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
CHECKLIST
Colourful fruit
Wireless lamps
A lot of cushions & poufs
Flowers from the garden
Playful glassware
Handwritten menus
Linen tablecloth
Layered ceramics
A very good mood
The Palais Perfect Pairings
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
We’re happy to introduce our curated cushion sets that take the guesswork out of styling. Offering pre-matched combos that make styling a breeze, so you can kick back while your space looks effortlessly put together.
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
The Stay at Home Set
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
The Farmhouse Set
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
The
Sunday Brunch Set
PHOTOGRAPHY:LINDAWIT
The Quiet Meadow Set
Het Roode Koper: Timeless Charm in the Heart of the Veluwe
SOURCE:HETROODEKOPER
Surrounded by the forests of the Veluwe, Hotel Het Roode Koper is known for its timeless interiors, peaceful gardens, outdoor pool, and classic hospitality. A place that feels elegant and familiar at the same time. It’s also one of Petra’s favourite summer escapes, a place she has loved since childhood. We even shot our Capri campaign here, which makes this place feel even more special to us.
SOURCE:HETROODEKOPER
SOURCE:HETROODEKOPER
PHOTOGRAPHY:IRISDORINE
SOURCE:HETROODEKOPER
SOURCE:HETROODEKOPER
Mara’s halloumi salad
Palais Marketing Manager by day, home cook by evening. Mara shares her favourite summer receipe.
Ingredients
300 g couscous
450 ml boiling water
½ bunch spring onions
310 g red and yellow bell pepper strips (jarred)
100 g spicy hummus
300 g watermelon chunks
1 fresh green jalapeño pepper
15 g fresh basil
1 lime
225 g halloumi cheese
1
Light the barbecue. Place the couscous in a large bowl, pour over the boiling water and let it sit for 10 minutes.
2
Slice the spring onions and drain the bell peppers, reserving a little of the liquid. Fluff the couscous with a fork and mix in the spring onions, peppers and hummus. Add some reserved liquid if needed for a creamier texture.
3
Cut the watermelon into small cubes. Finely chop the jalapeño and basil, then mix with the watermelon. Add lime zest and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Stir the remaining lime juice into the couscous to taste.
4
Slice the halloumi into 8 pieces (for 4 people) and grill for about 3 minutes, turning halfway through. Serve with the watermelon salsa and couscous salad.
Preparation tip
You can also grill the halloumi in a grill pan for 3 minutes without oil or butter.
Variation tip
Feel free to use any flavour of hummus you like to season the couscous.
