My childhood home - an authentic 1847 miller's house - unexpectedly came up for sale when we had two small children and a dog. So the large garden, spaciousness and easy accessibility came as a godsend. I spent my childhood there and knew every nook and cranny of the house, but unfortunately also the less practical side. But we did immediately see the possibilities.
Shortly after we bought the house, we completely gutted it. We wanted to make it our own place and tackle everything thoroughly. We chose to work with sustainable materials, while striving to preserve the original character as much as possible. This resulted in a house with baking character, but where you can also enjoy all the comforts of a new build.
The house and everything around it is full of history and memories. Both the house and the mill were built from hand-formed bricks fired on site, with clay quarried behind the mill.
In the kitchen and by the fireplace is where we prefer to spend time. This is where we make time for each other, friends and family. Besides, the house is ideal for parties. Everyone can easily walk in and out through the garden doors, and then such an old-fashioned floor is really an advantage.
A few years back, we became owners of the amazing toy shop "In Den Olifant". For practical reasons, we want to live closer to our workplace and are making the move to the bustling city of Antwerp. We will especially miss the beautiful light and large spaces. But at the same time, we are also very curious to see what city life has in store for us.
