Welcome to my home
After 11 years in the same house on a street known locally as ‘the street with the wooden homes,’ Marieke and Alexander moved to a corner house across the road that had a bigger garden for their children. ‘Although there were several potential buyers, the elderly couple who’d lived there for 40 years had seen our children growing up and wanted us to buy it,’ says Marieke, founder of luxury travel website maison-m.nl. ‘It was run-down and the brown paint was peeling, but the survey showed the timber was in good condition.’
On the ground floor, a small impractical kitchen was turned into a playroom off the dining room, while the library became a bigger, lighter kitchen overlooking both front and back. Sliding double doors were re-instated between the reception rooms, and whitewashed wood flooring laid throughout for a fresh, calm feel. ‘We wanted to create a family house with rooms that connected, but that could also be closed off,’ says Marieke. ‘Our previous house had large open spaces, but we really missed that cosy feeling.’
Although the plan was to renovate for nine months while renting nearby, the project took a year as the house is a registered Dutch Heritage monument. ‘There was a delay as the builders didn’t realise they needed a permit to remove original features, even though they were being restored and put back,’ says Marieke. ‘Once the top two floors were finished, including a master suite created from two attic rooms, we moved back in.’ The next job will be converting the garage into an annexe with a workspace and guest room. ‘When I drive down the street, I feel such peace and quiet,’ says Marieke. ‘We’ll never sell; it’s big enough for the four of us, and in the future we won’t drown in it either.’
Sliding doors
Traditional-style sliding doors were put back into this opening to give flexibility. ‘The builders said it would feel too cramped, but we don’t feel that way at all,’ says Marieke. ‘We like being able to close it off at times.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES The Bolection Iris 6-light White door, £251, Todd Doors, is a match
Kitchen
The couple wanted a sleek white kitchen with an island where friends could sit and chat while they were cooking. ‘It has windows on both sides so the sun shines in here all day long,’ says Marieke.
BUY THE KEY PIECES The Slab kitchen, from £1,350 for eight units, Wren Kitchens is match. For similar, try the Flos Sky Garden 1 pendant, £1,715, John Lewis & Partners
Kitchen
The couple wanted to introduce wood elements inside that would compliment the house’s architecture, so created a bleached-wood feature wall in the kitchen.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Try the Aquaclad Quercia Bianco wall panels, £18.87sq m, Interior Panel Systems. House Doctor Game wall lamp in brass, £94, Nordic Nest, is a good match here
“Since the house is so old, everything is crooked, so we had some furniture custommade, like the sofa with storage drawers in the playroom”
Dining room
‘We switched our long dining table for a cosy round one which suits the space better,’ says Marieke. Mismatched white chairs create an informal look. BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar table, try Magis First round table, £1,215.60, Made in Design. Palm Jungle wallpaper by Cole & Son, £100 a roll, Jane Clayton & Company. The Hay J110 chair, £241, Amara, is a match
Master en suite
Marieke and Alexander have their own suite on the top floor – a relaxing private retreat away from the children. ‘I love the natural feel with lots of wood and stones,’ says Marieke.
BUY THE KEY PIECES The River stone pebble mosaic tiles, £29.99sq m, Marble Mosaics are a match. Try the Gallery Direct Camden side table, £178.95, House of Isabella