Before & After: They Revived a Century-Old Barn Destined for Demo in the Dutch Countryside
Salvaged doors and stairs, polished concrete floors, and pink chairs all come together in this rebuilt retreat by interior designer Eva Dieleman.
Salvaged doors and stairs, polished concrete floors, and pink chairs all come together in this rebuilt retreat by interior designer Eva Dieleman.
In 2022, Eva and Guido Dieleman moved to Vrouwenpolder, a small village in the Dutch province of Zeeland, tucked between Lake Veere and the North Sea, which makes it an ideal spot for vacations. (The beaches of the region of Walcheren, which includes Vrouwenpolder, are some of the cleanest and safest in the Netherlands, and they’ve been repeatedly awarded Blue Flag certification.)
The couple’s house is about a five-minute drive inland, a little ways off the tourist track and surrounded by farmland and fields. It wasn’t long before Eva, an interior designer, and Guido, an online marketer, got the idea to set up a short-term rental there. "We wanted to share this unique location with others and allow them to enjoy the silence here," says Eva.
Before: Barn Exterior
Before: In 2023, Eva and Guido Dieleman bought this century-old barn next door to their house in Vrouwenpolder, the Netherlands, with the goal of turning it into a short-term rental. Their region is a popular vacation destination for beachgoers and cyclists.
Eva Dieleman
At first, they thought about designing and building a tiny home. When they mentioned this plan to their neighbor, who had sold them their house, he said "you can buy this barn instead," recalls Eva. At 100 years old, the barn in question sat right next door to them, and it hadn’t been used in years for anything other than storing old farm equipment.
After: Barn Exterior
Eva added large glass doors to two sides of the structure. "The design is centered around light, openness, and the relationship to the surrounding landscape," she says.
Eva Dieleman
"We thought they wanted to demolish the barn, and that it was not possible to buy it," says Eva, who jumped at the chance to renovate the old structure despite its terrible condition. "I see the possibilities in every house." she adds.
The pine-plank exterior siding is finished in black paint from Tikkurila Vinha.
Eva Dieleman
See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: They Revived a Century-Old Barn Destined for Demo in the Dutch Countryside
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