Heavenly peace
Marielle and Michel Essenstam’s secluded forest home is the perfect foil to their busy working lives
If you go down to the woods today, you may just find Marielle and Michel Essenstam’s winter idyll. The red-brick house is surrounded by nothing but trees and a thick blanket of fresh snow, and that’s just the way Marielle likes it. As an in-demand make-up artist and stylist, she is often called to Amsterdam, 50 miles to the west, to work on photo shoots and film sets, so the isolation of her house is a welcome respite.
It’s not the first time the couple have experienced woodland living – their previous home was situated on the edge of the same forest. ‘ We were there for 18 years,’ explains Marielle. ‘Michel and I bought it before we had our children – daughter Maxime, 17, and son Antonie, 15. Although we loved it there, it was just too small for four people.’
Luckily, the Essenstams didn’t have to look very far for their next move. Michel, who works in property, was approached by the owner of a house located deeper into the woodland, who was keen to sell. ‘Michel and I decided to check it out and we fell in love with the place instantly,’ recalls Marielle.
It’s easy to see why. Boasting enviable views of the rural landscape at every turn, the charming house has enabled the family to appreciate nature and the changing seasons in all their glory. Though fairly modest in size, the high ceilings and abundance of natural light suggest a sense of space, but getting
the property up to scratch took time. ‘The building needed a lot of work,’ says Marielle. ‘It was very dark and old-fashioned, and we spent months extending and remodelling it to create an open-plan kitchen-diner.’
To enhance the interior’s enlarged proportions, Marielle opted for whitewashed walls and flooring throughout, with the exception of striking black floor tiles in the kitchen. ‘I love white – it’s such a relaxing colour,’ she says. But surely it’s hard to keep pristine with two children, a dog and two cats running about? ‘I have a good cleaner who comes every Friday,’ quips Marielle. Despite the crisp white palette, the house doesn’t feel clinical. The original stained-glass windows in the kitchen and sitting room add a subtle splash of colour, while an abundance of faux-fur rugs and throws add textural interest.
At Christmas, there’s an added warmth, thanks to fairy lights, gold handmade decorations and a roaring fire fuelled by wood gathered from the forest. ‘ Whatever the weather, this place is always beautiful, quiet and calming,’ says Marielle. ‘To live here is such a wonderful gift.’