Haarlem, Netherlands
Member since
2015The member has not specified any exchange dates
National Monument art-deco 3-story house in the best area of Haarlem
Designed by architect J.B .Van Loghem our beautiful house has been our home since 2013. It has a unique charm, incredible details and a lot of space, light and green. The current layout comprise of 3 bedrooms (1 Kingsize, 1 queensize and a kids room with two single beds) one office room, two bathrooms, three toilets, one kitchen with separate entrance to the front garden, one living room with original glass-in-led windows on both the east and the west walls, a separate (and separable, thanks to original sliding doors) dining room with room (and the table) for 10 guests. One cellar and a back terrace on the compound's park complete the design. The area is out of a dream (at least for a Roman like myself), peaceful and green, litterally a few steps from the Spaarne river as well as from the city park called "Den Hout", "The Wood", litterally. Where you can find a small diners which looks out of a postcard and a small "kinderboerderij" or animal farm for children. Not to mention plenty of deers!
Our house is one of the 86 lucky ones to have been built in a complex called "Tuinwijkzuid" http://tuinwijkzuid.nl/ by architect J.B. Van Loghem around 1920. The design of the whole complex is pretty unique, as its features and those of its houses. Comprised of two "blocks", each block has its own small central park with trees and bushes which are now, in many cases, almost 100 years old (!), every house has its back terrace or garden opening on the common park, a truly unique and great features. Imagine that: overlooking none but trees in your backyard. The houses where also designed internally by Van Loghem and many details are still there: ample staircases (for the Dutch standards!), a unique in-style cupboard and many, many built-in forniture. We just add parquet floors in a few rooms, matching as much as possible the beautiful one we found when we entered the house, and built a second bathroom on the 2nd floor, which also sport a handy terrace which we fashion into a sort of solarium.
In our back terrace we have placed a comfy table for 8 and our trusted Weber barbecue will be fully available. The full house is covered by our wi-fi network and you'll be able to print and connect to our Sonos sound system. Full 50 inch plasma and mediaplayer complete the range, and there is a piano and two guitars in the house, should you fancy to make some music!
Our Family
- 2 Adults
- 2 Children
- 2 Exchanges made
Occupation
- Trader (as in "merchant", not a button-pusher)
- LIcensing Director
Our Home
- House Type: House
- Floor: 3
- Environment: In a small town
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
- Living Area: 170 m2
References
In my house
- Pets - Not allowed
- Small children - Allowed
Exchange Types
- Non-simultaneous exchange
- Home exchange
Indoor
- Free internet access
- Central heating
- Fireplace
- Toys and games
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Clothes dryer
- Television
- Piano
- Guitar
Outdoor
- Garden
- Terrace or deck
- Balcony
- Park / playground
- BBQ
- Bicycles: 4
Facilities
- Non-smoking house
- Use/Exchange of car
Our Destination Wish List
- 20220 L'Île-Rousse, France
- Dubai - United Arab Emirates
- Oman
- Japan
- Taiwan
- Italy
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- China
- France
- Spain
- California, USA
Spoken Languages
- English
- Italiano
- Dutch
Our Neighbourhood
Nearest Airport: schiphol - 20 km
One of the most charming little town of the Netherlands, with an original "centrum" which dates back to 1200, a majestic, truly, protestant cathedral right in the middle of the town, in what is called the "big market" or grote markt, where indeed market has been held non-stop since the middle ages! Just 15 km from Amsterdam, which is perfectly connected by bus or train, and 15 km from the beach, Zandvoort and Bloemendaal aan Zee are very famous for their lively "strandtent" on the beach.
Occupation
- Trader (as in "merchant", not a button-pusher)
- LIcensing Director
Children
- Boy - Age: 10
- Girl - Age: 10
Pets
- We do not have pets.
About Our Family
We are a family of four: Ingrid (47), Carlo (53) and our twins Stella and Julius (9)
Lifestyle
After a while, living in this house, my wife and I felt the very same awkward sensation: as to be permanently on vacation! It's the green which surrounds it, the river nearby, the quite "buurt" or area, full of trees. Or maybe the children, on their bicycles. No matter, it was a strong sensation which it is still with us. Whenever we can, we eat outside on our terrace. We escort the kids outside every-single-day for them to ride along the river or to play in the grass of the common park with the other children of our neighbours. Hardly any car passes by. Still, it's nice to have the space to park our own without permits, tickets or fines! The city center is just 10 minutes away by bike, and riding always straight. The dunes and the sea 25-30 minutes of cycling (but beware: we cycle every day here, so we are "trained", so to speak) and the Zuid Kennemerland National Park, which is what we cycle through when going to the beach, an endless source of fun. As it's Amsterdam, a mere hop away with the train. Haarlem is a cozy little town but, should you miss something, wouldn't you be able to find what you need, be sure you'll be able to find it not too far away, in one of the most alive world city there is. Which is nice to have nearby, but for me the joy is to see the Adriaan mill from the train on my way back...http://n7.alamy.com/zooms/9254209506cd421db3bf2a9394046d82/molen-de-adriaan-windmill-and-spaarne-river-with-sailing-boat-in-central-dm4ryc.jpg
References
This member has completed 2 home exchanges. Those referenced below may contain feedback/impression from its exchange partners:
Aachen, Germany
DE7693Sehr freundliche, unkomplizierte und aufmerksame Tauschpartner!
Das Haus war sehr geschmackvoll und gemütlich. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt.
La Canyada, Spain
ES602Champigny-sur-Marne, France
FR010094The house is great and well located between sea and Amsterdam close by a beautiful national park. Downtown isn’t far away. Relationship easy with family. Excellent swap !