Altes Schulhaus

"There's a tortoise." And "I see a hare" are the only things you might hear when you’re lying in the grass in the garden at the Altes Schulhaus (Old Schoolhouse) and gazing up at the passing clouds. Pure deceleration. It's quiet here, and that doesn't just refer to the lack of background noise. There's no hurry here either, no hustle and bustle. Everything is nice and slow. The Eiderstedt peninsula lies on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein, jutting into the Wadden Sea. Originally, the area consisted of two islands and a peninsula, which were reclaimed from the sea and joined together to form new land. Today, the vast green land, with its large farms and beautiful farmhouses is an enchanting paradise. The houses often they stand isolated in the landscape on Warften, artificial earth mounds, which were built for protection against storm tides. The Alte Schulhaus also stands on such a mound. In earlier times, the cottage was the living and working quarters for the teacher who taught the children of the region. The big farmers often joined together to provide for the education of their own children and those of the servants. Today, there’s no sign of inkwells, textbooks or slates. The kitchen has been converted into an open living space, where people meet at the high counter to chat, play games or eat. The host couple Gerrit Siegfriedsen and Angelika Stark have transformed the small teacher's cottage into a modern vacation spot with a lot of hygge. The kitchen-living room on the ground floor has fantastic views on three sides, and above it is a gallery with a lounge corner, bathroom, and sleeping space. Separated from the downstairs by only ropenets, the room retains its open and airy character. The interplay of old and rustic materials with the modern and high-quality appliances and furnishings is particularly finely done. It comes across as simple, functional and casual. After returning to this cozy space after a long and windy walk, an excursion to the wide-open North Sea beach, or relaxed cloud gazing in the spacious garden, you will definitely understand what hygge is all about.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• Additionally installed windows and doors, which allow air and light into the enchanting brick thatched and create a feeling of cozy openness
• The view out of the windows onto the lush green marshland, the horizon and above all: space, space, space
• The interior design concept is very well balanced, appears both casual and elegant: the dark gray of the walls, kitchen cabinets and furniture contrast with the warm brown tones and natural materials of the oak beams, wooden countertops and staircase, and the rope railing
• Like the colors, the surfaces also provide an interesting contrast: bare concrete floors under rough wooden beams, the smooth pine of the stairs and countertops next to the brick edging on the door, the rough hemp ropes and the rustic workbench
• Details like old coat hooks, rustic barn lights, and Bakelite light switches
• The old coffered doors are the same matte gray as the walls, creating a feeling of grandeur
• On the gallery under the roof is a cozy lounge corner with cushions for reading, relaxing, chatting, or watching TV
• With net and double bottom: old fishing nets are effective as a safety measure around the gallery, maintaining the airy room concept
• The huge garden - with apple trees, a listed ring of old lindens and lots of space, and a fantastic, unobstructed view of meadows and fields
• The house, together with Haus Friesensteern, is located near the village of Tetenbüll, with its picturesque rows of traditional thatched roof houses, cobblestone streets and a small harbor with a green beach, the Tetenbüllspieker - magical!

GOOD TO KNOW:

• For larger groups or families, the house can be booked together with the main house Friesensteern (up to 11 guests) Friesensteern (up to 11 guests) can be rented - for larger groups or families
• The ground floor is equipped with floor heating
• Soon both houses will be connected to the fiber optic network.
• The winter garden also has floor heating
• In the high season only weekly rentals are available, in the low and middle season the minimum rental period is a weekend or 3 days; the price includes final cleaning, bed linen and towels (which leaves you more space in your suitcase for books & rubber boots!)
• The beach and the hustle and bustle of St. Peter Ording is about 20 minutes away by car; also 20 minutes away – in the other direction – is the Multimar Wattforum in Tönning, shopping can be done in Garding (about 10 min. away)
• A visit to the lovingly restored colonial goods store from 1820, Haus Peters in the village of Tetenbüll, is a must
• Absolute to-dos for the Eiderstedt peninsula: long beaches on the coast, dikes, pastures, meadows, fields, salt marshes, small forests, cows, sheep,...