ON THE COVER DUTCH COURAGE A contemporary country home and barn-turned-B&B in the Netherlands

Dutch courage

Two friends made a bold decision to revive a run-down farmhouse in the Netherlands and the result is a modern home and adjoining ecofriendly B&B that is as stylish as it is sympathetic to the heritage of the property

HOME PROFILE

WHO LIVES HERE Arrad Eschel and his teenage daughters Iza and Nora live in one half of the farmhouse, while Arrad’s friend Monique Dontje and her teenage son Matthis live in the other half THE PROPERTY A renovated Dutch farmhouse divided into two homes, and a neighbouring barn, which houses The Meetinn B&B

GARDEN

Opposite ‘I love to invite friends and family for a barbecue and drinks while watching the sun set over the

DINING AREA

table using a large piece of wood he found years ago. The vintage chairs had previously been used in a hotel

LIVING ROOM

Traditional Dutch farmhouse style is mixed with Arabic and Asian accessories for a contemporary twist. Pale blue sofas bring some colour to the rustic scheme

KITCHEN

Opposite The kitchen units are from Ikea, and the wooden island countertop was originally the door of a nearby village church

hidden at the end of an unpaved roadinthemiddle of the Dutch countryside is a beautifullyrestored farmhouse and barn conversion, now home to ecoB&BTheMeetinn.Overacenturyold,itis surroundedbyfieldsandnature,yetwithincycling distance of the city of Amsterdam. ‘It was the perfect location, exactly what we hoped to find, with sufficient space for guests in the barn and the possibilitytocreatetwoseparatehousesforourselves intheoldfarmhouse, ’ explainsArradEschel,owner ofTheMeetinn. ‘Previously, it had been used as a pottery studio. Despite its run-down state, we saw the property ’ s potential, and the fact it could be renovatedwithminimaluseofnewmaterials,lending itselftovintagepiecesandnaturalelements. ’

Backin2018,Arradsharedhisvision–tostart an ecofriendly meeting venue and B&B in an old Dutch barn – with his best friend of 15 years, Monique Dontje. Entrepreneur Arrad had previously set up a marketing company before switching to interior design, and founded luxury organic tea brand Arte & Zayne in 2017 just before buying the property.

Monique,ontheotherhand,hadbeentravellingin Baliin2017andwasplanningtomovethereforgood. ShehadonlyreturnedtotheNetherlandstosellher Amsterdamhome,whenArrad’ splansfortheB&B sparkedherinterest.Inspiredbytheideaofworking and living in the countryside with her teenage son, she decided to join Arrad’ s farm adventure and cancelled her plans to return to Bali.

ArradandMoniquebeganbyguttingthebarn, restoringitbrickbybrickanddesigning,buildingand decorating each detail of the property themselves. Arrad ran the renovation project, while Monique managedthefinances. ‘Weonlyhiredanarchitect to prepare the official drawings to get planning permission, and an electrician to help with the heat pump and solar power, ’ says Arrad.

‘After moving more than 20 times in my life, this is where I am going to stay. This is the place where I can create my own world’

LIVING ROOM

Arrad and Monique spent every minute of their spare time online, searching for ideas, styles, reclaimed materials and vintage furniture. They made the couch themselves and the table base is a tree stump from their garden. The artwork is a digital print

STAIRCASE

The stairs were salvaged from an old church in Amsterdam. Timber cladding and cupboards have created a cosy snug for Arrad’s teenage daughters

HALLWAY

Right wallpaper and distressed wooden doors create an eclectic look

BATHROOM

return for board and lodging. It was hard work, with 5am starts, but it always felt rewarding. ’

Now,the barn comprises a kitchen/lounge area, meeting/dining room and four rustic-style guest bedrooms. The walls were treated with natural clay plaster and clad in reused wood, which was also used to form the beds that have been dressed in natural linens and calm, earthy colours.

Arrad and Monique spent every minute of their spare time online, searching for ideas, styles, reclaimed materials and vintage furniture. ‘Partly due to the pandemic, we had time to pay attention to every little detail. Instead of watching television in the evenings, I would search for beautiful rustic accessories on online auction sites, ’ explains Arrad.

‘During the renovation we were inspired by the materials we found in the property, which we turned into practical features and accessories, ’ says Arrad. An old sausage pan and a hollow stone were transformed into small sinks, both placed on a piece of wood from the garden. Then there ’ s the beautifully restored farmhouse window in the B&B: ‘I found it in a ditch in the garden, and thought it deserved a place in the barn. ’

Next to the B&B is the farmhouse, divided into two properties. Monique ’ s home, at the front, features a light-filled kitchen with views over the fields. Arrad’ s house, at the back, is packed full of eclectic finds, such as an old grand piano set against industrial glass cupboards. Throughout the property he has combined traditional Dutch farmhouse style with Arabic and Asian accessories, vintage furniture and tactile natural materials that soften the scheme.

Intimate lounge areas draped around the outside of the farmhouse allow friends and guests to socialise and make the most of sunny days. ‘My favourite spot in the garden is behind the house, where there is an uninterrupted view onto the meadow, ’ says Arrad. ‘I love to invite friends and family for a barbecue and drinks while watching the sun set over the fields. ’ He is still full of ideas – his next project is in the garden, where he plans to create a sunken seating area with a hanging fire pit under the old hay barn.

Arrad is filled with pride at what he and Monique have achieved. Their wonderfully designed farmhouse and B&B is full of natural elements and rustic character with a cosy twist, where they can indulge their love of welcoming guests. They have combined their courage, skills and talents to create a special place in a dream location. ‘After moving more than 20 times in my life, this is where I am going to stay, ’ says Arrad confidently. ‘This is the place where I can create my own world. ’

This beautiful home is full of natural elements and rustic character with a cosy twist

OUTDOOR AREA

Top left Monique runs the ecofriendly B&B, together with her friend Arrad, in the barn beside their two homes

BARN KITCHEN

Above left The walls were treated with natural clay plaster and clad in reused wood. Vintage furniture has been used throughout

BARN BEDROOM

Above Natural linens cover the bed, which was handmade from reused wood, softening the rustic farmhouse scheme HB

Opt for rustic pieces and luxe touches to emulate Arrad’s modern farmhouse style

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1 Edna pendant light, £93.60, Där Lighting 2 Nimbus modular three-seater sofa, £1,845, Cuckooland 3 Amour canopy, £99.95, Ella James 4 Skoura cushion, £45, Cox & Cox 5 Artisan ceramic wall tiles in Stone Blue, £40/sq m, Country Living Collection at Homebase 6 Lavastone basin, from £390, Mandarin Stone 7 Grand Sucre sideboard, £1,195, Loaf 8 Acanthosphere lidded pot, £55, Oka 9 Darcy kitchen stool, £119, Cult Furniture 10 Oud diffuser, £65, The Conran Shop 11 Nomad Tarifa footstool, £199, Weaver Green