One birthday Katrin will surely not soon forget. While she was fully celebrating - and therefore unreachable - in 2017, her husband, Patrick, tied the knot. He bought this beautiful mansion, even though his wife had only seen it once. Talk about a memorable birthday present!
Patrick and Katrin laugh. 'The house was fundamentally in super good condition,' Patrick explains. 'Then I left the design and infill completely to Katrin. She immediately started meticulously planning and preparing. When we got the keys, we were able to renovate the property in four months, completely gutting it and restoring it to its former glory.'
This couple's perfectionism and attention to detail can be found in every nook and cranny of the house. Stunning rooms, handsome herringbone parquet, wood panelling, marble fireplaces... 'I knew from the beginning where I wanted to go with this house,' Katrin explains. 'Energy-efficient, contemporary and with as much respect as possible for the many authentic elements.'
About his favourite place, Patrick does not have to think long. 'I like to relax in the living room with a good glass of wine and a dash of jazz.' Katrin prefers the sun-drenched kitchen: 'Everyone together at the table, with the large doors to the terrace wide open in the summer or the gas fire lit in the colder months. That gives such a lovely homely feeling, while at the same time you enjoy the grandeur of the space.... A fantastic place.'
A special bonus is the rooftop flat. Because you only share the front door and art-deco hall, this is an ideal place for cohousing with family. The former service entrance with stairs and lift can be closed off perfectly so you have the best of both worlds: you can quickly pop in to see each other, but at the same time you enjoy 100% of your privacy.'
Before they moved here, the family already lived around the corner. The neighbourhood is therefore a wonderful base for purebred city dwellers like Katrin and Patrick. Now that our children are spreading their wings, we are going to live a bit smaller. Although this wonderful place will be greatly missed ...'
