Facts & Figures

The house was built in: 1968
The surface area is: 140 m2
Tom lives here with Kim, Fien and Noor since: 2015

Tom, you renovated this house?
“I did indeed. When we started our search for a new home, we decided that we wanted to buy a house that didn’t need too much work. The moment we saw this house, it was love at first sight.”

And how did you handle the renovation?
“We did a lot of planning beforehand. The planning alone took us about half a year. It saved lots of time in the end though, we managed to do the actual renovations in just two months.”

You often hear that home renovations are the ultimate realtionship test. Did you and your girlfriend argue a lot?
“(grins) No, actually we didn’t. We are not really the arguing kind of couple anyway and then there wasn’t really time to fight either. We get along really well. I had tons of ideas and she always approved of them. The renovation went by really quick, without any stress."

How would you describe the style of your house?
“It is a typical house of the seventies. Many details have remained throughout the years, so the seventies vibe is still very much alive.

How did you decorate your home?
“It’s a combination of new furniture, secondhand pieces and furniture we had already. For example, there’s a chair that I inherited from my parents and at the kitchen table there’s Eames chairs that my girlfriend bought secondhand. We have loads of green in our home, in every nook and corner you’ll find a plant. Our children live here as well, that’s why we like to decorate the house with their artwork. Some are (secretly) removed when it gets a bit too much."

What is your favourite corner of the house?
“Well it’s not really in the house, but it’s our improvised outdoor shower. I feel it’s such a joy to take a shower there… and I’m not the only one. The whole family uses it in the morning and at night. It might be a pity, but if I’m honest we barely use the shower and bath in our bathroom anymore.”

And what does an ‘improvised outside shower’ look like? 
"I created a wooden platform on the floor that lets the water through. Then I hung a garden hose with a spray head (with warm water) in a tree and it’s underneath that tree that we take our showers. I made a little shelf in the tree to put soap and shampoo on and that’s about it.”

Never caught a glimpse of your neighbours while you were showering? 
"Yes I did! (laughs) I once saw our neighbour by accident but she left as quickly as she appeared.”

Where do you spend most of your time in the house?
“Um… should I say it? My place of retreat is the toilet. I can really spend a lot of time there. It might be a little strange but I completely calm down in there. They call it the rest room for a reason, for me it’s really just that. My toilet is a cosy space where I can devour entire books.”

What piece in your house could you never part with?
“Throughout the years I moved quite a lot so I’ve had to let go of some pieces of furniture. Still there’s one piece that I don’t really have room for and keep nonetheless. It’s a type of chaise longue that I bought in a secondhand shop. It’s not a practical chair at all, but I think it’s so special and unique. I don’t even know if it’s worth anything but to me it definitely has emotonial value." 

What makes this house your home?
“I always feel like I’m on vacation in this place: everything is on the same floor, there’s a palm tree in the front yard, a great view into the garden and lots of natural light – a real holiday house. The combination with the seventies style that I recognize from my parents house makes me feel at home." 

What’s your advise for people who are (re)building a house?
“Well, I once built a house and now renovated one. The biggest mistake you can make is wanting to live too big. You have to maintain it all too you know… It’s important to have time for other things in life than being a slave to your own home.”