Iris van Asselt
“I want to show people that they can design their lives and the way they live the way they want.”
Iris van Asselt is an interior designer, tiny house builder, world traveler, ambassador for sustainable living and mayor for climate. She talks about following your heart and dreams.
Making unconventional choices, going left where others go right, that’s Iris in a nutshell. Sitting in a circle at Christian elementary school? Not for her. Montessori school suited her curious, free nature much better. She traveled from Amsterdam to The Hague every day as a thirteen-year-old to attend Montessori secondary school, why not? From the third grade, she switched to Individual Advanced Artistic Education in Amsterdam.
When her parents divorced, her mother decided – against all well-meaning advice – to go live on a houseboat in Amsterdam with Iris and her two sisters. She drew her own plan. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Iris proves. “From my mother I received the example and strength to always make my own choices.”
Iris – with her high school diploma in her pocket, against everyone’s expectations – chose an intermediate vocational course in interior design, followed by a course in Media, Information and Communication. An illogical combination according to others, but Iris trusted that following her heart and intuition is always the right choice.
She then worked for 9 years as a freelance interior stylist and image editor for vtwonen, (a Dutch living/interior magazine) among others. But the adventurous part of her life lay in something else. She had been together with her childhood sweetheart Roland for almost 10 years when they decided to travel together in 2011. And not without reason; they set off for Asia in a refurbished ’83 Landcruiser, only to return 14 months later.
“During the trip, we learned all kinds of things. Dealing with setbacks, for example, when something didn’t go the way, we had planned. But we also learned that reality is very different from what you see on TV. In the countries we feared the most, we received the warmest welcome.”
In 2014, Iris started working as an independent interior designer. From 2019, she added the sustainability label, which was ultimately the first step toward Studio Duurzaam Wonen,(sustainable living), the agency she established in 2022. Just before their oldest daughter was of compulsory school age, they decided to go on another trip with her and their youngest child in 2018 with their converted camper to Tokyo. The trip was a whole new experience to make with their two children.
“Here with my family traveling together, I really felt the happiness of being together with each other, meeting beautiful people along the way and enjoying little stuff and noise around us.”
It raised the question for the couple: what do we want to do next with our lives? How do we want to live. They agreed that the sense of community, sustainability and living in and with nature was an important factor for them. In 2019, they made this dream a reality and built a tiny house amid an eco-community.
During, but especially after this intensive period, Iris felt the need to share her story and knowledge, about her travels, minimizing, interior design, sustainable living, and building a bio-based tiny house. She is currently writing a book, gives tours and workshops in her house and inspiring people, companies, schools, and organizations to organize their lives and living/working with the environment in a different way.
Iris van Asselt is an interior designer, tiny house builder, world traveler, ambassador for sustainable living and mayor for climate. She talks about following your heart and dreams. Making unconventional choices, going left where others go right, that’s Iris in a nutshell. Sitting in a circle at Christian elementary school? Not for her. Montessori school suited her curious, free nature much better. She traveled from Amsterdam View more…
" I learned from my mother, persistence in chasing my dreams."
"I don't want to judge people, but to show that you don't need a lot of stuff and living space to be happy."
Connecting with yourself, the community, nature and your home
After their first trip and the birth of her two daughters, Iris and her husband lived for a while in a new housing development in Amsterdam-North. Although at first it was not their dream place, among all that concrete, it introduced them to a way of life that also really appealed to them. It was place where they felt connected to other young families forming a close-knit community; something that planted a seed for their future and desires for living.
“The neighborhood became a kind of community for young families. We looked after each other’s children, who could play nice and carefree in the streets; a very nice way and place to grow up.”
Iris and Roland questioned themselves after their second trip. In what way they would like to settle in the Netherlands again? That community feeling was high on the list for Iris, along with sustainable and living in a green environment. This was the living situation they created for themselves. Not only was their tiny house self-built, but also the community around it; a community that lives with respect for nature and the environment. It certainly wasn’t the easiest path.
“You need a dot on the horizon, the right mindset, patience and perseverance. But in the end, it is possible to shape your own life.”
As a speaker, Iris wants to show others that this is indeed possible and show you what is possible if you develop that mindset. That starts with a splash of inspiration. Iris talks about her travels, about living on a few square feet with small children, about the importance of minimalist living and making sustainable choices. Living with no more than you need – only what you love; it is a common thread throughout her stories, and she draws richly on personal experiences in doing so.
“I just go all the way; I start beaming when I get to talk about our tiny house and the way we live here in our eco-community.”
She proudly says, that since she is part of the eco-community , the biodiversity in the area where she lives has greatly improved. “The kingfisher is even back here!”
Iris’ mission is to get people to reconnect with themselves, others, nature and their homes in a healthy way. She does this with Studio Duurzaam Wonen, by giving tours and workshops in and around her tiny house, but also as a speaker at events. This is interesting for individuals who want to live differently, but also inspiring for companies who want to use their (working) space in a sustainable and healthy way.
Want to book Iris as a speaker?
Would you like to book Iris van Asselt for your event? As a speaker or chairman of the day for example? Ask about the possibilities and availability.
1. Experienced
Everything Iris tells comes from her own experiences, her travels and way of living. It is not a how-to story but offers inspiration to anyone who wants to live or work in a sustainable way. It is a story of positivity, not about limitations, but about what is possible, if you want it enough.
2. Simplicity
Connection, love for yourself and everything you surround yourself with is central to Iris’ lectures. The power of simplicity, less stuff, creates space and time for what is important. Less clutter means more peace in your home and in your head. That creates more time to spend with each other and in nature.
3. Sustainable
Less stuff and choosing the right materials which are more sustainable. It is also one of the main tenets in the way Iris lives. This relates to what she eats, buys, wears, consumes and how she lives. She also inspires you to live and work more sustainably, more in connection with nature and mindful of the environment.
4. Adventurous
She traveled from Amsterdam to India and Nepal with her boyfriend and later with her whole family from Amsterdam to Tokyo. They did not want to just get off at a new place but experience the journey consciously, see the landscape gradually change, to see the beauty of nature, and to experience cultures. This way of “Slow Travel” is inspiring and makes you realize that you don’t miss anything if you take it slower; you actually see more.
5. Love
And finally; love. That all that remains and counts once all the noise is gone is your connection with yourself, nature, and each other. Iris has bundled all her experiences and the different ways love has manifested itself in the way she lives now with her family, close to nature, close to each other and surrounded by beautiful, sustainable materials.
1. Experienced
Everything Iris tells comes from her own experiences, her travels and way of living. It is not a how-to story but offers inspiration to anyone who wants to live or work in a sustainable way. It is a story of positivity, not about limitations, but about what is possible, if you want it enough.
2. Simplicity
Connection, love for yourself and everything you surround yourself with is central to Iris’ lectures. The power of simplicity, less stuff, creates space and time for what is important. Less clutter means more peace in your home and in your head. That creates more time to spend with each other and in nature.
3. Sustainable
Less stuff and choosing the right materials which are more sustainable. It is also one of the main tenets in the way Iris lives. This relates to what she eats, buys, wears, consumes and how she lives. She also inspires you to live and work more sustainably, more in connection with nature and mindful of the environment.
4. Adventurous
She traveled from Amsterdam to India and Nepal with her boyfriend and later with her whole family from Amsterdam to Tokyo. They did not want to just get off at a new place but experience the journey consciously, see the landscape gradually change, to see the beauty of nature, and to experience cultures. This way of “Slow Travel” is inspiring and makes you realize that you don’t miss anything if you take it slower; you actually see more.
5. Love
And finally; love. That all that remains and counts once all the noise is gone is your connection with yourself, nature, and each other. Iris has bundled all her experiences and the different ways love has manifested itself in the way she lives now with her family, close to nature, close to each other and surrounded by beautiful, sustainable materials.
What does Iris van Asselt offer?
Sustainable living
What does sustainable living look like? Iris talks about lessons learned on her travels while building and living in her tiny house in an eco-community; about natural materials, living small and the hidden impact of stuff. ‘I have the world in a box’ she tells herself, or in other words; I am content with everything I have. It is the common thread in her way of life and her lectures.
Slow Travel
About land travel, seeing nature and culture gradually change and how this can inspire more. Iris also talks about what she has seen of nature and climate change on her travels, her experiences with Slow Travel and traveling with children.
Living in an eco-community
Do you have privacy? Sharing stuff and space with each other, how does that work? Do you have to do everything together? There are many questions and assumptions surrounding living in an eco-community. Iris explains what her life in a community really looks like and how you can shape it together.
Follow your heart, make your own choices
Iris has never let the opinions or judgments of others limit her choices. She chose the studies she wanted and traveled through Pakistan, Iran and India at age 26 and later to Tokyo with her two small children in a camper van. Now she lives in a tiny house in an eco-community. With this lecture, she shows young and old how you too can make your own choices.
Sustainable living
What does sustainable living look like? Iris talks about lessons learned on her travels while building and living in her tiny house in an eco-community; about natural materials, living small and the hidden impact of stuff. ‘I have the world in a box’ she tells herself, or in other words; I am content with everything I have. It is the common thread in her way of life and her lectures.
Slow Travel
About land travel, seeing nature and culture gradually change and how this can inspire more. Iris also talks about what she has seen of nature and climate change on her travels, her experiences with Slow Travel and traveling with children.
Living in an eco-community
Do you have privacy? Sharing stuff and space with each other, how does that work? Do you have to do everything together? There are many questions and assumptions surrounding living in an eco-community. Iris explains what her life in a community really looks like and how you can shape it together.
Follow your heart, make your own choices
Iris has never let the opinions or judgments of others limit her choices. She chose the studies she wanted and traveled through Pakistan, Iran and India at age 26 and later to Tokyo with her two small children in a camper van. Now she lives in a tiny house in an eco-community. With this lecture, she shows young and old how you too can make your own choices.
Five questions for:
Iris van Asselt
For Good: what does it mean to you?
“For me it means being good to yourself, to each other, to Mother Earth. But also living without judgment, from a positivity and sustainable point of view. To create a new, more beautiful world together. We need everyone, and we need to inspire each other instead of judging.”
Do you have a role model or inspiration of your own?
“Marieke Eyskoot, recognizable by her blue eyes, beautiful smile with always red lips. She brings attention to sustainability in a positive way. She knows how to broach difficult subjects. She also strongly stands up for women’s rights.”
Business-wise, I also admire Gretchen Carlson, whom I speak to regularly. Gretchen tackled U.S. Fox News director Roger Ailes. She exposed his practices of sexual blackmail, after which he was fired. The balance of power there was great, and she is still wary as a result. I find her energy and stamina enormously inspiring.”
Walk the talk: how are you of value?
“I show that it can be done, living differently and sustainably. I literally give a glimpse into my life: from my overland travels through Iran, Pakistan, India, Mongolia, Central Asia, Russia and Japan. I talk about the beautiful things I experienced during the trips. I also talk about the fears beforehand, the exciting situations we went through and how that was with two small children. I also talk about the way I live, building our biobased house myself in a community, with a tiny footprint and what a difference that makes.”
What do you love and what makes you typically Iris?
“I love nature and walking in the dunes, walking barefoot, the sun beaming on my skin, the smell of cut grass, swimming in the sea, feeling
one with nature, from yoga, meditation, beautiful natural materials, nuts and shopping without packaging, to wild picking, eating from our own vegetable garden, people around me, a tidy house and from my family.”
Your logo of Studio Sustainable Living is a Ginkgo Biloba, does it have a special meaning for you?
“Yes, it represents my love for Japan and my journey there. It symbolizes love, strength, hope, peace, magic, timelessness and long life. I like that and it fits with my passion for sustainable living and living.”
For Good: what does it mean to you?
“For me it means being good to yourself, to each other, to Mother Earth. But also living without judgment, from a positivity and sustainable point of view. To create a new, more beautiful world together. We need everyone, and we need to inspire each other instead of judging.”
Do you have a role model or inspiration of your own?
“Marieke Eyskoot, recognizable by her blue eyes, beautiful smile with always red lips. She brings attention to sustainability in a positive way. She knows how to broach difficult subjects. She also strongly stands up for women’s rights.”
Business-wise, I also admire Gretchen Carlson, whom I speak to regularly. Gretchen tackled U.S. Fox News director Roger Ailes. She exposed his practices of sexual blackmail, after which he was fired. The balance of power there was great, and she is still wary as a result. I find her energy and stamina enormously inspiring.”
Walk the talk: how are you of value?
“I show that it can be done, living differently and sustainably. I literally give a glimpse into my life: from my overland travels through Iran, Pakistan, India, Mongolia, Central Asia, Russia and Japan. I talk about the beautiful things I experienced during the trips. I also talk about the fears beforehand, the exciting situations we went through and how that was with two small children. I also talk about the way I live, building our biobased house myself in a community, with a tiny footprint and what a difference that makes.”
What do you love and what makes you typically Iris?
“I love nature and walking in the dunes, walking barefoot, the sun beaming on my skin, the smell of cut grass, swimming in the sea, feeling
one with nature, from yoga, meditation, beautiful natural materials, nuts and shopping without packaging, to wild picking, eating from our own vegetable garden, people around me, a tidy house and from my family.”
Your logo of Studio Sustainable Living is a Ginkgo Biloba, does it have a special meaning for you?
“Yes, it represents my love for Japan and my journey there. It symbolizes love, strength, hope, peace, magic, timelessness and long life. I like that and it fits with my passion for sustainable living and living.”
Iris wins the jury prize of Most Sustainable House in the Netherlands in the category built after 2000 smaller than 175 m2.
2024 (Photo Ingrid de Groot)
A selection of companies that Iris van Asselt already had impactful collaborations with….
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Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk for Kennemerwaard Library members.
Library Kennemerwaard -
Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk at Jan des Bouvrie College.
Jan des Bouvrie college -
Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk for the students of the Wood and Furnishings College.
Wood and Furnishings College -
Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk with tips for the visitors of the Vakantiebeurs.
Vakantiebeurs -
Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk with tips at the Tiny House Fair.
Tiny House Fair -
Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk with tips for the hetkanWEL Foundation.
Foundation hetkanWEL -
Iris van Asselt delivers an inspiring and impactful talk with tips at the sustainable living fair.
Sustainable Living Fair -
Iris van Asselt provides an inspiring and impactful talk with tips for sustainable interiors for Design in Box employees.
Design in box -
On 7 October 2022, Iris van Asselt gave an inspiring and impactful talk on Sustainable (re)construction at the vtwonen & design fair.
vtwonen & design beurs -
“As a Sustainable Interior Stylist, Iris van Asselt has previously given a masterclass around sustainability at the trade events InCoDa and Trendz. She gave visitors inspiring insights and was also open to a nice collaboration in which content was key.
I, Gerard van Muijden – Community Builder/Event Marketing Manager of InCoDa and Trendz, can definitely recommend Iris as an inspiration if you are looking for the topic of sustainability. From interior styling and sustainable living to tiny house and making sustainable choices.” – Gerard van Muijden, Community Builder/Event Marketing
INCODA
