MODERN RUSTIC

Anne-Marie and Oscar van Leeuwen’s once dated farmhouse is now a stylish home that is a little bit country and a little bit contemporary

- KAREN JENSEN-JONES

After living in the countryside in the Netherlands when their children were young, Anne-Marie and Oscar van Leeuwen decided to try life in a busier village, but despite having a newly renovated 1930s townhouse in a desirable location, they missed the rural countryside. ‘Oscar loves old houses and was keen to pursue his hobby renovating rural properties,’ says Anne-Marie. ‘Coincidentally, my parents suggested we move into their farmhouse a few miles away in rural Lekkerkerk, which is an agricultural community.’

Despite some initial reservations, Anne-Marie decided to consider the opportunity – much to the delight of Oscar. ‘My parents’ farmhouse had been completely renovated before they moved in and there was very little authentic detail left,’ says Anne-Marie. ‘The kitchen was situated at the back of the house and the whole ground floor was completely tiled in white so it was never to our taste. When Oscar suggested we could renovate the house completely to our liking, I suddenly felt more optimistic.’

SITTING ROOM

The lime paint on the walls and the painted glazed doors give the space a cool industrial look.

Similar modular sofas, from £1,516, Camerich. Aura Peeperkorn coffee table, €595, Herbers Lifestyle. Velvet cushions in Nutmeg, €39.95; faux flowers, from €7.50, all Kekkedinge. Vittsjo shelving unit, £65, Ikea, is similar. For wood burners, from £1,119, try Stoves Are Us. Hanover medium lamp, from £75, is a similar lamp at Neptune. Mustard knitted footstool, £59.99, Homescapes, is a good match