Blooming Welcome

THIS DUTCH BED-AND-BREAKFAST SET ON A FARM HAS WONDERFUL SURPRISES IN STORE FOR ITS GUESTS

- Mirjam Enzerink

BEHIND THE STATELY FAÇADE OF HET HOOGH HUYS (THE HIGH HOUSE) in the Dutch village of Winssen, honeymooners and guests of the B & B are greeted with brocante treasures, farmhouse design elements and atmospheric garden rooms designed by Femmigje Kortekaas.

With the remodel of the upper floor, she and her husband had the idea to start a B & B. Now for almost 15 years, Femmigje has been accommodating guests here in two spacious rooms under the thatched roof of the front house. “We are not in a tourist area, so people choose this place for the history and the atmosphere,” says Femmigje.

Outdoors, the iron construction of the more than 70-year-old orangery serves as a climbing wall for jasmine and the trumpet flowers of a Campsis. Mandevilla, Campanula and petunia flowers fall over the edges of garden vases and jardinières. Bunches of white Hydrangea Annabelle and lemon Alchemilla stand on blue porcelain. “Every time I walk in, it smells diff erent: spicy, lavender, mint, eucalyptus or deliciously sweet jasmine,” Femmigje says.

In front of the greenhouse, guests enjoy their breakfast in the morning sun. Looking out over the animal pasture, a large Brahma chicken has made itself comfortable on the back of a goat. Grapevines and Clematis Amethyst curl around a pergola composed of scaffolding tubes and concrete gauze.