Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Remodeling Modernizes a Neoclassical Dutch Home
Neoclassical on the outside, a Netherlands home gets a long-wanted renovation inside, including a kitchen addition to suit its family today
In 1908 in Haarlem, the Netherlands (yes, New York City's Harlem neighborhood was named after this city), architect J.A.G. van der Steur built a neoclassical-style orphanage and a residence next door for its director. By 1988 federal authorities had taken over caring for most of Haarlem's orphans, so the orphanage was closed and converted to apartments.
The director's residence sat empty for two years before Mirjam Nouwen bought it. After living in it for 23 years, she decided to renovate and add a modern kitchen. Her patience paid off when Mark Fuller Architects and Kops Aannemers responded with a beautiful update and a kitchen addition designed for 21st-century living.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mirjam Nouwen and sons Rik (age 20) and Carl (14)
Location: Haarlem, the Netherlands
Size: 250 square meters (2,690 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The director's residence sat empty for two years before Mirjam Nouwen bought it. After living in it for 23 years, she decided to renovate and add a modern kitchen. Her patience paid off when Mark Fuller Architects and Kops Aannemers responded with a beautiful update and a kitchen addition designed for 21st-century living.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mirjam Nouwen and sons Rik (age 20) and Carl (14)
Location: Haarlem, the Netherlands
Size: 250 square meters (2,690 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The kitchen island has a thick white worktop in a durable marble composite that can withstand heat, spills and heavy use.
The kitchen is now Nouwen's sons' favorite spot for hanging out with friends.
The kitchen is now Nouwen's sons' favorite spot for hanging out with friends.
Two industrial lights of former Eastern bloc origin hang over a traditional wooden dining table. The artwork, titled "Feeling Blue," is from a pop-up gallery by Amsterdam artist Sarah Wijsenbeek.
Traditional double doors and, just beyond, double full-length glass doors bring together the new addition and the original house.
Nouwen splurged to replace all the hardware on the doors and windows with matte nickel and black handle hardware from Weijntjes Hang- en Sluitwerk.
Tiles: Belgian bluestone, Michel Oprey
Nouwen splurged to replace all the hardware on the doors and windows with matte nickel and black handle hardware from Weijntjes Hang- en Sluitwerk.
Tiles: Belgian bluestone, Michel Oprey
Street-facing windows bring lots of light into the living room, where Vloertotaal Haarlem installed the smoked oak herringbone parquet floors with a tinge of whitewash as part of the renovation.
A hundred-year-old bed base from India serves as a coffee table.
Paint: Dove Tale No. 267, Farrow & Ball
A hundred-year-old bed base from India serves as a coffee table.
Paint: Dove Tale No. 267, Farrow & Ball
Nouwen's most-loved object is this Murano opaline glass chandelier in the dining space. An expressive mixed-media triptych by the late Haarlem artist Piet van Duivenboden hangs nearby.
In the corner a collection of African masks brought back from a trip to Kenya overlooks a group of family photos and knickknacks.
Chandelier: Brocanteurs
In the corner a collection of African masks brought back from a trip to Kenya overlooks a group of family photos and knickknacks.
Chandelier: Brocanteurs
Nouwen commissioned Mark Stribos to design and build this built-in bookcase in the home office to match the style of the window frames and paneled doors. It is painted in the same finish and color — 3816 from Sigma Paints.
The bookcase holds a rare Coco de Mer, a jade bi-disk, various statues and precious vases and books.
The bookcase holds a rare Coco de Mer, a jade bi-disk, various statues and precious vases and books.
To keep the window frames visible, Nouwen opted for blinds in a color close to the wall paint.
Blinds: Sunway; shade fabric: Albert Cuyp Street Market
Blinds: Sunway; shade fabric: Albert Cuyp Street Market
A charming 19th-century French clock sparkles on the fireplace mantel.
An Italian window screen from the 17th century that the family found in a Milanese antiques shop hangs at the end of a hall.
Paint: Lily White 6213, Histor
Paint: Lily White 6213, Histor
The family added a large dining table from De Betovering and spray painted it the same color as the rear facade (RAL Basalt Grey 7012).
The new addition consists of large floor-to-ceiling glass doors with windows on top, framed in wood siding finished with a nearly black stain.
"I love the soundness of [the home's] structure, the high ceilings, its many windows along the front facade bringing in natural light," Nouwen says.
From left to right, Nouwen and sons Rik and Carl enjoy lunch in their new kitchen.
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home
Kitchen design: Marc Smithuis Keukenarchitectuur; stools: Wendela, Serener Design collection