My cousin Berend sent me through photographs of his old farm house in Gouda (that’s right, the same Gouda as the cheese). Here is what he wrote:
What a great thing to show your home to others. Here is my home. It’s totally opposite of what most people would expect. Nothing fancy, no decorations but just sturdy simplicity. It was built around the year 1500 as a farmhouse, just outside Gouda. As the town grew larger, the farm got surrounded. In the late nineteenth century the cows were sold and the barn torn down. Only the front living quarters were kept and restored about twenty years ago by an artistically well raised porcelain manufacturer who kicked the bucket right in the living room some years ago. That’s the way things go in an old farmhouse. I bought it after my divorce to get my life back on the track again. I never refurnished it, I just put my stuff in there. Period. The pictures demonstrate it all. I must say I’ve never lived in a house that is so rigidly built. There a no construction failures as in many other old houses. It rest on concrete foundation, with big beams to support the rather high ceiling. The bathroom, toilet and attic are downright ugly but strong as hell.
High ceilings with exposed beams and great light!
This house is for sale, I’m moving in with my new partner. The next owner will have a solid space to decorate according to his own believes. I never did and liked it that way.
Large French windows with original shutters
Well Berend, it sure is a great house! According to the realtor selling it, it is Gouda’s last remaining farm-house. However, to be honest, your realtor can do with a bit of styling advice because the pictures he took are not very appealing and don’t do the house and your furniture any justice. I love how you kept it rustic by not cluttering it too much.
For folk able to see through the photographs and recognize the massive potential; check the house here. It is on the market for a very affordable €189.000. Try buying anything for that in Amsterdam!
Home voyeurs.... a peek into homes 