Houzz Tour: Canadian Cottage in the Netherlands

The charming home was built and co-designed by Canadian architects commissioned by Alting during a trip to Vancouver. Alting had initially found it difficult to find an architect in the Netherlands who would undertake the project, but then he heard about a Dutch architect who had immigrated to Canada. The architect had ambitions to introduce Canadian architecture to the Netherlands through his firm Canframe, and it was a perfect match.

“We flew over to Vancouver, had a look at some of his houses and absolutely fell in love. We started designing in Vancouver straight away,” Alting says.

In the entrance, a card table with fresh flowers and soft lighting is instantly warm and inviting. When you step out through the door to the left, you're greeted by the kitchen.

The staircase leads up to the master bedroom, bathroom and second bedroom/study. The natural sisal carpeting sets the tone of the country-style interior and complements the tiling in the entrance hall.

The country-style kitchen features framed doors in a cream finish with wooden bench tops. One of the most important aspects of a typical country kitchen is that it looks visually busy. It is, after all, the hub of the home. The perfect country kitchen has accessories on display, demonstrating the activities that go on there.

The dining chairs are upholstered in a striped cream-and-mustard fabric, tying in with the rustic burnt orange walls and creamy curtains. The formal dining leads into a comfortable reading nook with gorgeous views.

The plush red loveseat is Alting’s favorite place to relax, with legs flung over the sides of the sofa, with a glass of wine and a good book. “Our favourite aspect of this place is that it is surrounded by nature,” he says. The loveseat is the perfect spot to gaze out the window onto the lovely views of water and nature during cooler months when the veranda is not in use.

A weathered vintage suitcase styled with stacked books is a clever way to display Alting's decorative items. It adds instant charm and character to the space, and is a reminder of a well-traveled life.

Decorative model boats give the home a distinct nautical aesthetic and reflect the homeowners' passion for boating and sailing. This beautiful boat adorns the window behind the loveseat.

Books are Alting's most treasured items in his home. The built-in book shelving, a common characteristic of the Arts and Crafts-style home, store his books in a functional and aesthetic fashion.

Situated right in front of the fireplace, this leather arm chair is also one of Alting's favorite spots to sit and relax with a good book or sailing magazine.

A basket of wood stumps beside the fire is practical, but also adds texture and interest. The Ikat-patterned rug in rusty tones spices up the room.

The lounge-living is undoubtedly the most attractive room in the house. The positioning of the furniture and neutral color scheme make it a truly calming space. Behind the couches and under the arched doorway is a tiny study nook.

This study nook serves as the perfect spot to write a letter or chat on the telephone. The built-in shelving provides ample storage for Alting's CDs.

Large and small sea shells rest on the edge of the wall paneling in the bathroom.

The spacious bathroom features both a bath and a shower, a rare pleasure for Dutch homes.

The upstairs area of the extension is large and spacious, and is the perfect place for Alting to work on his development plans for further developing Vlietland Recreational Park. The desk is strewn with plans to develop a housing estate on the water’s edge over the coming years.

A fold-out sofabed gives guests a cozy place to sleep when they visit.

The Arts and Crafts style, first initiated in Britain by William Morris and his contemporaries, has been described by John Ruskin, a major critic of the century, as “art and architecture that reflects man's connection with nature and the curious kinship between man and his craft.”

Though this style of home has been given a variety of names, including English Domestic Revival, English Cottage, Cotswold Cottage, and other terms which illustrate the humble country aesthetic of the craftsman design, the defining characteristics of the style were well established by the time the British design made its way to Canada. In short, the house was to be a living element within the natural environment. It was based on the function of the house, as opposed to it heralding its owner's position in society. Today, the style of home is very recognizable, being both graceful and elegant, as well as beautifully crafted.

Obtaining the permission to build the home was a difficult process. Authorities had deemed the design unsuitable for the Dutch landscape, but an architect friend of Alting supported the project, and before long, building was underway. After three years, the house was finally complete. “We are very happy with it,” Alting says. “It’s very light, and it’s also very environmentally friendly.” Air heating provides warmth during the cooler months and maintains cool in the warmer months, with the help of a ventilator in the attic.

“We love the large verandah surrounding the house, which is very typical feature of Canadian houses. The style inside is also very typical, with the open plan layout,” Alting says.