Nortich House behind the Dunes

Isn’t one always a little happier by the sea? It brings back memories of childhood days spent jumping in the waves, picnics, and sandcastles. Carefree vacations in the wind and weather on the beach. Childhood memories that are deeply familiar to Saskia and Aad van Roode and the reason for their dream following the arrival of their own children. What would it be like to have their own house by the sea? A place to slow down, for the whole family? The dream started as a whisper at first but soon became more insistent over time—“Why not? Dreaming big is the name of the game.” And so they finally began their search and found a house behind the dunes near the seaside resort of Noordwijk. In addition to their childhood memories, their flair for design and architecture and the help of interior designer Wanda de Jong were combined on the project. The result—without a shadow of doubt—a dream house by the sea. Dunes extend from the house over 1,600 meters to the beach and the house itself is wood clad with a Nordic vibe inside—clear, calm, reduced, white, gray and black. The living room is flooded with light, with a wood stove in the middle. There’s also a very special spot (doesn’t every house need one?): The wide bench by the living room window. The bench extends to the outside and the window disappears completely into the wall if desired, creating that outdoor feeling in an instant. The garden is large and green, surrounded by hedges, bushes, trees and fields of flowers, all combining for that Netherlands feeling.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• Dunes and also forest right on the doorstep. And the forest is so dense that you often meet a deer or a fox.
• The ceiling height (four meters) in the living room and the many windows make for a bright space.
• The well-planned layout: At 64 square meters the house is quite small but every centimeter is cleverly used; there’s enough room for up to six people.
• The traditional style of the house, built in 1969, has been preserved, but at the same time complemented with contemporary elements and modern comforts.
• None of the specially made furniture seems superfluous, everything fits together in a very harmonious way.
• The beautiful chairs, from the Fish&Fish collection by Italian designer Paola Navone—they work indoors as well as outdoors and exude that beach feeling.
• The luxurious bathroom with the walk-in shower, handmade tiles from Portugal and high quality fixtures
• The Norwegian wood stove including a wood supply
• The covered wooden veranda, where you can sit even in the wind and drizzle
• The warm hosts Saskia and Aad, who go out of their way to make their guests happy
• The numerous great beach bars in the area (Saskia and Aad are happy to tell you their favorites.)

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Kids are welcome here and sleep in cozy (specially designed) bunk beds. Lovely details like hidden shelves and pretty drawings are fun, and for toddlers there’s a baby bed and high chair on request.
• The kitchen is well-equipped with oven, dishwasher and Nespresso machine and has a view of the flower meadows to boot.
• There is purposefully no television.
• The interior design is by Dag & Nacht Interieurontwerp, the styling by Sand & Clay.
• Water sports activities such as kitesurfing and windsurfing (including appropriate courses) are available nearby.
• Water sports activities such as kitesurfing and windsurfing (incl. appropriate courses) are possible nearby.
• Other activities include horseback riding, stand-up paddling, and golf.
• Noordwijk has plenty of restaurants, cafes and stores.
• Excursion destinations include the Keukenhof with its tulip fields (in spring), the cities of Leiden, Den Haag or Haarlem (15 to 30 minutes away). Amsterdam can be reached by train from the nearest station in about 40 minutes.
• The minimum stay is three nights, in July and August a week.

Photos: Marjon Hoogervorst - Printlove