Like many European home seekers, Taco and Petra Elink Schuurman desired an older home with charm and character. But after much debate, they travelled with constructing a new residence that would unite their sought-after historic character with modern practicality. The new building includes every item on their wish list for their family of four, such as a massive plot of land, a garage, a spacious kitchen, a fireplace, high ceilings and ample bedrooms.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Petra and Taco Elink Schuurman and brothers Emilie and Fleur
Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs, the Netherlands
Size: 2,370 square feet (220 square meters); 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms
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Their home’s most striking feature is that the fireplace, set to a partition between the dining room and living rooms. Petra and Taco desired it to develop into a focal point point and create flow between the spaces.
The home took 16 months to finish, including 10 months of construction. “The principal surprises were that the ridiculously significant costs to make modest changes such as moving electric sockets to non-standard locations,” Petra says. “Canceling certain items such as heaters actually cost us money.” There was little flexibility in choosing for extensions, which prompted them to take up certain projects after completion, such as installing floor heating, building loft extensions and finishing the kitchen.
Fireplace: Petra vanTrigt
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A collection of Eames chairs and also a bright and cheerful painting, called”Lady in Red” by artist Gerdine Duijsens, jazz up the easy dining area.
Table: Loods5
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A cubby on the other side of fireplace wall provides a place to stylishly store firewood.
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Contemporary furnishings arranged around a customized TV cabinet allow for comfortable viewing in the main living area.
TV console: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone; gray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals
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Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the living area is bathed in light throughout the day; understated Venetian blinds provide the room privacy at night. Custom built-in bookshelves flank the windows, showing off favourite books and framed family portraits — and supplying extra storage in cabinets below.
Bookshelves and cabinets: custom Nu Interieur|Ontwerp; sofa: Saba International; armchairs: Harvink Alowa; rug: Perletta Limone
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The open plan allows hosts and guests to stay connected while meals are prepared from the kitchen.
Rug: Perletta Limone; grams ray paint: Smoke, Dimagio New Traditionals
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The contemporary family kitchen boasts modern appliances and clean lines. A charcoal gray accent wall produces a sleek backdrop and smooth connection with the Brazilian slate floor tiles. Red accessories, such as a contemporary high chair from Stokke Tripp Trapp, contrast nicely with the combination of gray, white and light wooden furnishings.
Gray paint: Ikea188
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A dedicated place for the children in the kitchen includes a table and chairs beside a chalkboard wallsocket. The blank canvas motivates the daughters to scribble away through breakfast or homework time.
Gray paint: Ikea188; chairs: Charles Eames DSR; high chairs: Stokke Tripp Trapp
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About the first-floor landing is a classic dresser beside three contemporary feature windows. Family photographs hang in a pub wall over.
Antique dresser: Antiek De Toren
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From the master bedroom, an elaborate mahogany classic side table contrasts with its background of glossy white wardrobes.
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A simple group of black and white family photographs functions as a stylish floating headboard.
Bed throw: Ikea
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Easy, white Roman blinds dress the big windows in the master bedroom.
“We always look around us in restaurants, hotels, shops, lifestyle publications, on holiday,” Petra says. “Design ideas come from everywhere.”
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While the remainder of the home employs a subdued palette of grays, white and cream, pink and red take center stage in daughter Emilie’s lively room.
A slip and blackboard combine fun with imagination in her cheerful bedroom. A two-toned attribute wall continues the girly motif.
Red paint: Flexa VTWonen’Signaalrood’; pink paint: Signaalroze, Flexa VTWonen; chalkboard: Mala, Ikea; slip: Virre, Ikea; chair: Kritter, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea
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The couple’s younger daughter, Fleur, shares her comfy nest with her doll, who has a matching bed beside hers. Baskets at the foot of Fleur’s mattress provide convenient storage for books.
Doll’s mattress: Ikea’Duktig’; flower lamp: Smila Blomma, Ikea; baskets: Hema
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A calming palette of light pink and white makes for a perfect princess retreat. A characteristic wall of thick perpendicular candy stripes adds a whimsical background for Fleur’s treasured dollhouse.
The female pattern within an Ikea floor lamp matches the spots, stripes and tests throughout the room.
Chest of drawers: Koppang, Ikea; floor lamp: Alfhild Fagel, Ikea
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A wet-room style shower will be on the left of one of those toilet entrances. Tall cupboards to the proper provide necessary storage for toiletries, and slate and ceramic tiles combine to create an area that’s as functional as it is fashionable.
Tiles: Mosa
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The couple’s office/guest area occupies the top floor. The space combines contemporary furnishings and lines with old world charm, with classic maps and family photographs in mahogany frames.
A painted strip of charcoal gray against a crisp white makes for a easy and appealing accent wall.
Filing cabinet: Ikea PS
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The classic mahogany guest mattress sits across from the desk area.
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The en suite guest bath features clean lines and contemporary fixtures.
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Taco and Petra were able to select all the finishes throughout the construction process, from the colour and type of brick into the design of their front door.
The few chose one of two larger custom home designs in the area. In choosing the whole lot,”We had to take into consideration variables such as where the sun sets and our placement with our neighbors,” Petra says. And each storyline came with a home layout with its own distinct details.
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Petra is happy with their decision to combine performance with character and create the ultimate family home. “With the two people in busy tasks and two school-age daughters, it is a wonderfully practical home,” she says.
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