Fantastisch landhuis in de schatkamer van Twente

Contemporary living comfort in a Saxon shell

Fantastic country house in Twente's treasure trove       

Built to last in 1992, this Saxon-style country house was completely refurbished in 2019-2020. Only the shell of the building has retained its original look and feel – internally, the property has been completely stripped out and modernised. No effort or expense has been spared in giving the interior a contemporary appeal. The key word here is COMFORT. Stylish, carefully-considered, attractive and practical, this is a harmonious home without a hint of pretension. In renovating the building, the current occupants aimed to emphasise the connection with the surrounding Twente landscape. They achieved this by installing a large glazed section in the rear façade. The result is a contemporary look with respect for the character of this Saxon-style country house.

This country home offers an inspirational setting in which to work from home, providing peace and quiet and space. A wonderful environment for children to grow up in: safe, secure, with clean air and plenty of space to play at the heart of Twente’s natural beauty.    

Renovation

As highlighted above, the shell of the building, built in the Saxon style that typifies the region, has been left intact. It features the characteristic hand-moulded brickwork, in a blended mix of warm colours. The outer walls are built in half-timbered style: a mortise and tenon structure using solid oak beams filled with masonry. The gables are also clad in authentic oak, greyed by wind and weather. The gutters are made from copper. The windows are paned, but still fitted with HR+++ glazing. Where necessary and possible, the property has been retro-fitted with modern insulation in line with current standards. LED lights have been installed on the outer walls, illuminating the house as twilight falls, making it look as pretty as a picture.

The ground floor is fitted with underfloor heating throughout (except for the garage) and has been finished with a stylish wood-look PVC floor, laid in a herringbone pattern. A conduit system was also installed in the internal walls, ensuring that the living room windows can be fitted with electric screens. Cabling has been installed to provide an effective network, offering the convenience of home-working and enabling other smart devices and facilities.

Never-failing interest

The unparalleled freedom and magnificent views from the rear of the property are something you will find in very few places. The water drainage channel, an avenue of knotted willows, meadows, natural windbreaks, impressive trees. This is Twente terrain at its best: a place to enjoy the birdsong and where deer can be seen in the mornings venturing out from the edge of the forest into the meadow, rich with herbs. A place where you can enjoy an intense experience of all four seasons. In other words, a place of never-failing interest. The perfect home for lovers of the outdoor life. “Living here is such a pleasure. It gives us a holiday feeling every single day”, say the property’s current occupants.

GROUND FLOOR

Foyer, toilet & bathroom

The country property is located at quite a distance from Gronausestraat. A long, grey gravel drive (with turning circle) leads to the main entrance and adjoining stone-built garage. The drive has space for several cars.

The solid front door, with an elegant glass surround, is covered. Behind it is the spacious foyer providing access to various rooms. First of all, the garage can be accessed directly from here. Another (external) door takes you to the rear garden. A cloakroom and meter cupboard (fully refurbished in 2020) are next to the foyer. The stylish toilet is also located here and features a black-wall hung toilet and black unit with designer wash basin and built-in black tap. The floor and walls, in grey and earthy shades, create a tasteful combination. The foyer also has access to a bathroom, decorated in the same style as the toilet. The bathroom boasts a luxury walk-in shower and black bathroom unit with wash basin. Turning left, we reach the staircase and the wide (glass) door leading to the open kitchen.

Open kitchen and cellar

The very spacious luxury open kitchen has deliberately been located at the rear. Partly thanks to the large glass window, this is the perfect place to enjoy the authentic Twente landscape. The modern kitchen, featuring clean lines and finished in black, includes a bespoke wall unit and large kitchen island. Integrated appliances have been incorporated into the wall. They include a steam oven, a coffee machine and a large wine cabinet. There is also plenty of storage space.

The kitchen island features a ceramic counter with a concrete look. The individual induction elements (with separate wok burner) have been built in separately. The extractor hood has been integrated in a gap in the ceiling. This is a perfect combination of practical convenience and stylish design. There is also a sous-vide appliance and warming drawer. “Amateur cooks will really feel at home here!”, the current occupants say with confidence. The kitchen sink is black, as is the Quooker tap that supplies cold, boiling or sparkling water. The dining area offers plenty of space for the whole family and ample room for a long table.

A designated space in the kitchen has been created for the three dogs, tucked away in a corner cleverly separated by wood. The open kitchen also leads (via a hardwood open staircase fitted with anti-slip strips) to a large cellar. This is where the water softener has been installed. The wide sliding doors (in black metal, with horizontal glass panelling) in the rear façade take you to a huge terrace. The views here are truly fantastic. Next to the living room is a second, smaller sliding door leading to the garden.

Living room

In a nod to the traditional Dutch ‘ensuite’ room, the open kitchen and adjacent living room are separated by modern industrial sliding doors (black metal with glass). Both rooms share a single, sleek built-in fireplace, with glass on both sides and operated remotely. “The flames from what is actually an electric fireplace look really authentic.” The living room covers the entire width of the main house, offering plenty of opportunities for a choice of seating. All of the rooms have authentic panelled windows. The dining area has been set up close to the kitchen. “We generally use it when entertaining guests. Otherwise, we spend virtually all the time in the kitchen.”

Garage

Returning to the foyer, we then reach the truly spacious garage. It features cavity walls and a tiled roof. It has room for at least two cars, several bikes and a whole lot more. There is a wicket door at the rear and double garage doors on the street side. If desired, the garage could also be put to other potential uses, possibly also taking advantage of the large upper floor. There is potential for installing a fixed staircase. It could be used as an annex for lodgers since the adjacent foyer already features a bathroom. Other options include office, study or practice, chill area for the youngsters, gym/wellness room, B&B..., to mention just a few ideas.

THE FIRST FLOOR

Workspace & bathroom

A black open staircase (with anti-slip strips) leads from the foyer up to the first floor. This floor also features the same PVC flooring throughout (with the exception of the bathroom). The dormer window makes the landing ideal as a workspace with views across the green surroundings. The bathroom can only be described as luxury. It again features the same style and colours as the bathroom and toilet downstairs: grey and earthy shades. The bathroom, fitted with dimmable recessed spotlights, includes a free-standing black bath tub (with white interior), a very spacious two-person walk-in shower, double bathroom unit with black wash basins, built-in black taps and a wall-hung toilet, also in black. 

Three bedrooms

The landing also leads to three bedrooms, all featuring air-conditioning (with air purification). This air-conditioning unit can heat as well as cool. All of the rooms also have remote controllable roller blinds (app). The master bedroom located at the rear is especially spacious. Both (tilt/turn) windows (with panelling) feature views overlooking the green surroundings. A fitted floor-to-ceiling wardrobe with sliding doors provides plenty of storage space. There are two further spacious and cosy bedrooms at the front.

Loft, void & garage level

A hatch on the landing provides access to a large loft. The landing also leads into a void/attic area that then adjoins the large garage level. In the void, currently used for storage, the central heating boiler has been fitted, together with an additional hot water tank. “Even when everyone’s showering at the same time, the water pressure stays strong and there’s always hot water.”

GARDEN AND IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS

Always a terrace in the sun or shade

There are several terrace areas at the rear of the property. There is always somewhere where you can catch the sun (at least, if it is shining). Or even shade, which can also be very pleasant. Wherever you choose to sit, you will have beautiful views. We have already mentioned the magnificent terrace next to the open kitchen. A short distance away, towards the meadow, is a lounge area for sun-worshippers. The terrace on the other side, next to the brook, is the ideal place to enjoy breakfast in the morning sunshine. The tall trees in this area provide welcome shade for much of the day.

The rear garden blends into the natural environment. The transition between the two is vague, a deliberate choice made for ecological reasons. Just outside the plot boundary, a water channel has been dug where the surplus water from the nearby Elsbeek brook can drain away in the event of extreme rainfall. The rainwater discharge from the property itself also runs to this channel via a system of underground pipes. This is a new piece of nature in the making, which will soon provide the perfect habitat for countless animal and plant species. Sunken sprinklers have also been installed in the lawn and can be connected to a watering system.

LOSSER AND SURROUNDING AREA

Gronausestraat is a thoroughfare leading to nearby Losser, also known as the treasure trove of Twente. This cheerful village boasts excellent amenities including a primary school, shops, supermarket and friendly bars and cafés. It is the ideal place for your day-to-day shopping. There are also plenty of activities for sports lovers, with facilities for football, tennis, hockey, golf and horse-riding. There is also a local gym. Losser is just a five-minute cycle ride away. Anyone in search of the city lights does not have far to travel. Oldenzaal and Enschede are no more than a 15-minute car drive away. There, you will find secondary schools, a university, theatre, concert hall, cinema and railway station. And of course: they are also great places for shopping.

Neighbourliness

The neighbourhood close to Losser is known by the name of De Zoeke. It is an area where the Twente tradition of neighbourliness - known as noaberschap - continues to be upheld. However, newcomers are free to choose whether or not to partake in it. Anyone who says ‘yes’ will be welcomed within this warm and hospitable neighbourhood.

Hiking & cycling

The area around Losser is just perfect for cycling and hiking trips. If you cross over the road, you are almost on the banks of the river Dinkel. This stunning little river recently had its original meandering course restored. This extraordinary re-landscaping project aims to climate-proof the landscape while also boosting biodiversity. Nature is allowed to run its course here. Any future owner of this country house will be right in the midst of it.

Fast-track to the Randstad and back...

Transport links to the Randstad by car are excellent. From Gronausestraat 306, you take the Euregioweg and reach the A35 motorway in around ten minutes. You can be in Amersfoort in less than an hour. The route back, to the relaxing calm of Twente, is of course equally quick.