THIS PLACE is really unique

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For Tomara Leurs and Rico Vermeij, their home will always have a special place in their hearts.
Noordcn in south Holland is a town of less than 1ooo inhabitants. Enviably sited on the bmih of a lake, the setting is idyllic. But for Taman Lews and Rico Vermeij, the location aid this refurbished house holds a particular attraction.
What is it about ibis place that makes it so special? Ricos father built the property back in the 1970s, so it was his family home. The house was built on one level - save for a small attic - because Ricos mother was confined to a wheelchair. What makes the place even more unusual was that it was business premises, too. Ricos father ran it as a garage!
What wen your initial impressions of the house? The feeling of space. I first visited Rico here shortly after wc got together and what I loved from the start is that you can walk into the garden and jump straight into a lake how
crazy is that? In such a small, overcrowded country like Holland, it really is unique.
Was the interior just as exciting? Unfortunately, no the layout desperately needed a revamp, as did the decor. After I moved in with Rico in 2001 - his mother sadly died 17 years ago. while his father had just been put into residential care - we decided to open the house right up. and as a result demolished nearly all the partition walls. Even though our bedroom is separate from the living space, it still follows the same, open - plan theme.

We were inspired by a hotel in Florida we stayed at. that included a hot tub with a view over the ocean It was a fabulous spot from which to watch the sun go down. So Rico and I decided to recreate the same fed here by installing a bath near to our bed The lake may not be as grand as the Gulf of Mexico, but the views arc just as spectacular! When we sit in the bath and open up the double doors, its almost as if were on a permanent vacation.
What Jo you most lore about your home? Its the small things that make us happy. Tor instance, we always have flowers in the study as thats where Ricos mother used to sit. Sadly. Ricos father never saw the end result, but whenever he visited hed be so impressed that hed joke. Whens the Queen arriving? We just hope the next generation enjoy the house as much as we do.

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THIS PLACE is really unique

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