Canadian Cottage in the Netherlands

On a November morning, I had the joy of fulfilling Bart Alting and visiting his lovely sky-blue Canadian style cottage. Located in a recreational park in the middle of this”Green Heart of Holland,” Alting purchased the rights to develop the area 20 decades back. Since that time, the picturesque setting along among the oldest forts in Holland, has become an increasingly popular spot for sailing, windsurfing, biking and outdoor dining.

Alting co-designed the home using an architect and had it constructed a decade back, realizing he and his partner wanted a Canadian-style house to suit their outdoorsy lifestyle in the Netherlands. To guarantee the property could be an authentic rendition of a normal Canadian Arts and Crafts house, it had been constructed from materials brought to the Netherlands from Canada.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Bart Alting along with his partner Josje
Location: South Holland, the Netherlands
Size: The whole property, including the house and land is approx.8,000 m². The main house has 2 bedrooms (one used as a home office), 1 bathroom, kitchen, informal dining, formal dining room, living. The expansion is a two-story building with a kitchenette, lounge, living, dining room on the ground floor, plus a two big rooms upstairs being used as a workplace. There’s also a boat home.

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The charming house was constructed and co-designed by Canadian architects commissioned by Alting during a visit to Vancouver. Alting had initially found it difficult to find an architect in the Netherlands who would tackle the job, but then he heard about a Dutch architect who had immigrated to Canada. The architect had ambitions to present Canadian architecture to the Netherlands through his company Canframe, and it was a perfect fit.

“We flew over to Vancouver, had a look at a few of his houses and completely fell in love. We started designing in Vancouver straight away,” Alting says.

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Sturdy structure, easy-living floor programs and decorative exteriors are just a few of the appealing qualities of this Craftsman style residence. The broad porch, low-pitched gable roof, exposed beams and overhanging eaves are a few the most noteworthy exterior features. The intriguing integration of layout over the windows illustrates the attractiveness of craftsmanship.

Alting along with his partner were attracted to Canadian Arts and Crafts homes for many reasons. “We think that the elements of the home are extremely natural, and the red cedar outside is also very attractive,” Alting says. The couple were attracted to the normal contrast between the framing and walls average of Canadian architecture. “We chose the colour of the home since we thought it gave the home a jolly look,” he says.

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From the entrance, a card table with fresh flowers and gentle light is instantly warm and inviting. When you measure out through the doorway to the left, you’re greeted with the kitchen.

The stairs leads up to the master bedroom, bathroom and next bedroom/study. The natural sisal carpeting sets the tone of this country-style inside and complements the tiling from the entrance hall.

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Extensive use of timber throughout the residence is also a common Arts and Crafts feature, including the built-in shelving and glistening Siberian Oak floor planks. Just off the kitchen, that informal dining room leads out on the rear patio. Walk to the right and you are in the formal dining room.

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The country-style kitchen includes framed doors in a cream finish with wooden seat tops. Among the most essential aspects of a normal country kitchen is that it looks visually busy. It is, after all, the heart of the house. The ideal country kitchen has accessories on display, demonstrating the activities that go on the market.

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Wicker baskets placed under the kitchen island serve as easy-to-reach storage. Head from the kitchen towards the informal dining room.

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The owners regularly entertain guests in the formal dining room, serving a hearty family-style meal within the large oak table. The strong wood cabinet is a family heirloom from the 1600s.

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The dining chairs are upholstered in a striped cream-and-mustard cloth, tying in with the rustic burnt orange walls and drapes that are creamy. The formal dining contributes into a cozy reading nook with gorgeous views.

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The plush red loveseat is Alting’s favorite place to unwind, with legs flung over the sides of the couch, with a glass of wine and a fantastic book. “Our favorite part of this area is that it’s surrounded by nature,” he says. The loveseat is the perfect spot to gaze out the window on the lovely views of water and nature during cooler months once the veranda isn’t being used.

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A weathered vintage suitcase styled with stacked books is a clever way to display Alting’s decorative items. It provides instant charm and character to the space, and is a reminder of a well-traveled life.

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Decorative model boats give the house a distinct nautical aesthetic and reflect the homeowners’ passion for sailing and boating. This gorgeous boat adorns the window behind the loveseat.

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A warm colour scheme and varying textures and fabrics invite one to the living room. Sofas around the sandstone fire surround, make a cozy space to read a book or sip hot chocolate with family members. The candles, fireplace and lanterns on the walls add a touch of romance. The blend of timber, cotton and natural fibers help add to make a welcoming area; it is no surprise that the fireplace is also among Alting’s beloved features of the home.

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Books are Alting’s most treasured items in his property. The built-in publication shelving, a frequent characteristic of this Arts and Crafts-style residence, store his novels in a practical and aesthetic fashion.

Situated right in front of the fireplace, this leather arm chair is also among Alting’s favorite places to sit and unwind with a fantastic book or sailing magazine.

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A basket of timber stumps beside the fire is practical, but also adds interest and texture. The Ikat-patterned rug in rusty tones up the room.

The lounge-living is undoubtedly the most attractive room in the home. The positioning of the furniture and neutral colour scheme make it a truly calming space. Behind the couches and under the arched door is a very small study nook.

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This study nook serves as the ideal spot to write a letter or conversation on the phone. The built-in shelving offers ample storage for Alting’s CDs.

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The master bedroom is small and spacious, overlooking the man-made waterway from the rear garden and the gorgeous views of Vlietland. A faux fur blanket draped over the deliciously soft Hastens mattress adds a log-cabin feel. Next door to the bedroom is another huge room, which Alting’s partner uses as a research. The few also share a sizable walk-in closet.

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The main bathroom also includes a soothing palette of neutrals, providing a casual elegance to its coastal design. The gorgeous free-standing Victorian bath tub emphasizes the rural feel of the house.

Solid Teak Vanity: Indoteak

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Big and small sea shells remainder on the border of this wall paneling in the restroom.

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The spacious bathroom includes both a bath and a shower, a rare joy for Dutch houses.

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The expansion leading from the kitchen and mudroom via a narrow passageway was built during the next stage of the project. The expansion is a two-story building which features a kitchenette, lounge/living and dining room on the ground floor, and two big rooms upstairs which Alting utilizes as his residence office.

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Within the expansion is added office area and also a gathering place to hold meetings. The staircase leads upstairs towards Alting’s research.

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The upstairs area of the expansion is big and spacious, and is the perfect spot for Alting to work on his development strategies for further growing Vlietland Recreational Park. The desk is strewn with strategies to develop a property on the water’s edge within the next several years.

A fold-out sofabed provides guests a cozy place to sleep whenever they see.

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French Oak covers the floor upstairs. Built-in shelves length the far end of the office.

Bookcase: IKEA

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The Arts and Crafts style, first pioneered in Britain by William Morris and his contemporaries, has been described by John Ruskin, a significant critic of this century, as”art and architecture which reflects man’s relationship with nature and also the inquisitive kinship between man and his craft.”

Although this style of home has been given an assortment of names, such as English Domestic Revival, English Cottage, Cotswold Cottage, along with other terms which exemplify the humble country aesthetic of this craftsman layout, the defining characteristics of this design were well established by now the British layout made its way to Canada. In short, the home was a living element within the natural environment. It had been based on the function of the home, as opposed to it heralding its owner’s standing in society. Today, the design of home is extremely recognizable, being equally graceful and refined, in addition to beautifully crafted.

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Obtaining the permission to construct the house was a challenging process. Authorities had deemed the layout unsuitable for the Dutch landscape, but an architect friend of Alting affirmed the job, and before long, building was underway. After three decades, the home was eventually complete. “We are extremely happy with it,” Alting says. “It is very mild, and it is also very environmentally friendly.” Air heating offers warmth during the warmer months and keeps cool in the winter months, with the help of a ventilator from the loft.

“We love the huge verandah surrounding the home, which is very common feature of Canadian houses. The design inside is also very typical, with the open plan layout,” Alting says.

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The home was constructed in two phases. The main house was constructed first, followed by the adjacent extension along with the boathouse.

The house is surrounded by nature and water, which makes it the ideal place to enjoy a boating lifestyle. The tiny man-made river behind the home links on the oldest waterway in Holland. The canal leads to Rotterdam, via the historical town of Delft. In another direction it leads to picturesque Leiden. Alting spends a whole lot of time sailing on the water.

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The scene surrounding this Southern Holland house is delightfully picturesque, with the skies blue wooden cottage set against crisp green grass and the cool air of the late Dutch autumn.

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