They were looking for a home in the countryside, east of The Netherlands, with plenty of indoor and outdoor space. A house with atmosphere and charisma. They sought peace, freedom, and privacy, but not in the middle of nowhere. They found all of this on Bornsestraat, in the green area just outside Almelo. A characteristic country house in a beautiful location, centrally located in Twente. Simultaneously, it has excellent accessibility to Twente cities (A35) and the highway (A1) towards the west of the Netherlands and Germany. Meanwhile, that's already 35 years ago. We still say to each other: 'What a nice house this is!' But we have to be realistic and think ahead. Like everyone else, we are not getting any younger... After much hesitation, we are now consciously choosing a smaller house, once again in this area. It's challenging because, in reality, we don't want to leave this house nor this place. A PICTURE... Situated on a low-traffic side road (solely for destination traffic), at a considerable distance from the main road, this country house (1942) has been beautifully integrated into its green surroundings. Even inside, you consistently experience a connection with the typical Dutch landscape of meadows and wooded areas. The white facades, windows with muntin bars, Louvre shutters, the thatched roof with dormer windows, and the tastefully landscaped garden all together create a magnificent picture, with a nod to an English cottage. Style, luxury, charm, and quality go hand in hand here with a warm homely atmosphere. Because coziness is important to the current residents. This distinctive residence is truly something for nature lovers. RENOVATIONS 1989 Before the current residents settled here in 1989, the country house, especially internally, underwent a thorough renovation. Contemporary living comfort was added while respecting the authentic appearance. The electrical installation was completely renewed at that time, as well as the water supply and drainage system, and all the floors. Floor and cavity wall insulation were installed, double glazing was added. At the same time, a beautiful garden was created, with a circular driveway in front of the house and a tennis court at the rear.2000-2002A significant renovation took place during the period 2000-2002. In particular, the right wing was extensively expanded, providing space on the ground floor for a swimming pool and wellness facility. Meanwhile, on the upper floor, a spacious bathroom, bedroom, and fitness area were created. At the same time, the roof of the house was completely renewed: insulating roof panels were installed and finished with thatched roofing. Additionally, an (extra) detached garage was built, entirely in the style of the country house. Yes, this renovation took a while. We took our time to make everything exactly to our liking. And it worked out perfectly.Everything is perfect It is immediately clear at a glance: only skilled craftsmen with a passion for their trade have worked on this country house. Just take a look at the wall units, the radiator covers with black natural stone tops, the paneling, the parquet floor: top-notch custom work. The same applies to the magnificent wrought ironwork of the staircase balustrades, curtain rods, and outdoor lighting. The exterior woodwork is impeccably painted. And then there's the garden that makes the country house 'bloom' as well. Everything is in place. Thanks to the right combinations of colors and materials, the interior is characterized by harmony and tranquility. Lighting, audio, and other electronic equipment are remotely controlled. The built-in ceiling spots cast a warm light in almost every room. Hats off to the current residents who conceived all of this themselves.THE GROUND FLOOR GRAND ENTRANCE WITH ALLURE We enter the premises through a (secured) wrought iron electric gate, flanked by two sturdy natural stone pillars. There is ample space for parking multiple cars. As we approach the front door, a robust panel door in black, adorned with a door knocker, comes into view. Behind it is the vestibule with (built-in) wardrobes. Behind the double pivot doors (with muntin bars and glass), the stylish central hall with a gallery unfolds.THE HALLWhat a sight, this bright hall with its marble floor, unique wall painting, and gallery with a stately staircase that stands out with beautiful artisan wrought ironwork. Instantly, you get a feeling of home. Additionally, the intercom unit is installed in the hall. So, you can see who is at the entrance gate and open it remotely if desired. The central hall provides access to various rooms: office, dining room, kitchen, and restroom.THE OFFICE Let's start with the spacious office to the right of the entrance. This glass-filled room, equipped with underfloor heating, enjoys beautiful natural light. While working here, you can fully appreciate the delightful front garden. The tastefully furnished office features a custom wall unit, providing plenty of storage space. A French door opens onto a wide paved path, leading to the terrace that stretches across the entire front facade.THE RESTROOMBack to the hall and then to an intermediate space where the timeless restroom, executed in light tones, is located. There is also built-in storage space here. This 'intermediate hall' is adjacent to the kitchen. But for now, let's move to the stylish dining room. We open the double sliding doors (with muntin bars and glass) in the aforementioned hall. Incidentally, the dining room is also accessible from the kitchen. Quite practical!THE DINING ROOM Gathering around the table with family, friends, or business associates: in this inviting environment, you have all the space to host a large group. Seated around the long dining table, you bring warmth into the house. And that's what the current residents appreciate. The dining room is pleasantly bright as well. The wide sliding door in the rear facade opens onto a semi-circular, mostly covered terrace, situated by the (uniform) pond. The terrace offers an unobstructed view of the pond, the garden, and the countryside.Just like in the adjacent living room, the skilled interior craftsman has left his mark with stylish custom wall units. Densely, glass, and open cabinets interchange in perfect harmony. This playful composition blends seamlessly with the paneling, radiator covers, and window sills. Off-white and taupe are the main colors that surprisingly complement the solid wenge floor, laid in a herringbone pattern. THE LIVING ROOM The living and dining rooms are separated (or connected...) by a stylish, custom-made wall unit construction, with a wide passage on either side. The wenge floor seamlessly extends into the two separate rooms. The same applies to the ambiance. Very cleverly thought out! The living room is also truly spacious. The focal point is the imposing natural stone fireplace. It's a great place to be in front of the open gas fireplace (remotely controlled), cozy and warm. Not surprisingly, it's a favorite spot for the current residents. Through the wide sliding door in the front facade, you can step onto the aforementioned terrace. This terrace, with a lounge area and a picnic spot, is equipped with a wide electric awning, also remotely controlled. The view of the front garden never gets old. Directly from the living room, you can access the wellness facility, including a swimming pool, which will be extensively discussed later in the story.THE KITCHENUnlike the rest of the house, the kitchen has a sleek modern style. Thanks to a thoughtful application of materials and colors, the kitchen still perfectly complements the rural look of the house. The handle-less, solid wood fronts in black-brown and the countertop (composite) with a marble look form a beautiful combination. It matches the existing marble floor that was polished and finished with a glossy coating at the time. The beating heart of the kitchen is the large kitchen island that doubles as a dining table. The kitchen island is equipped with a FullSurface induction cooktop (Miele) with a built-in ceiling hood (remotely controlled). The sink area, with a luxurious Quooker Fusion (black), is located against the back facade. A window provides a fantastic view of the pond, backyard, and countryside. A custom-made kitchen cabinet in style contains the built-in appliances: an oven and a combination microwave (both Miele), a large freezer, and a refrigerator (both Liebherr). There is no shortage of workspace and storage space. It's a nice, practical kitchen. Where you can also sit comfortably. By the way, you also have a view of the entrance gate and driveway from the kitchen.THE UTILITY ROOM & GARAGEThe kitchen provides access to the adjacent utility room with the back entrance. The utility room is equipped with a sink. In a spacious built-in closet, the washing machine and dryer are housed. A second walk-in closet is used as a pantry. The utility room is connected to the garage, which can be accessed from inside. The spacious garage, with tiled floors, features a remotely controlled roller door (aluminum) and a charging point for electric cars. A sleek (sliding) cabinet wall houses a boiler and central heating boilers. The extensive meter cupboard was completely renewed in 2022. A hatch in the ceiling provides access to the storage attic above the garage. However, it is more convenient to access it from the upper floor of the main building.THE WELLNESS WING Swimming pool, Finnish sauna, Turkish steam bath, bar, lounge conservatory, gym A home wellness facility with all the amenities gradually became a wish on the list for the current residents. For their own pleasure, but also to share the enjoyment with others. Therefore, in 2001, a substantial extension was added to the right side of the country house, in exactly the same style as the existing residence. This extension created space on the ground floor for a swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, lounge conservatory, and bar. And on the upper floor, there's a gym. Every detail was carefully considered in the execution of this exceptionally spacious wellness area, with symmetry as the guiding principle.Above the rectangular swimming pool, which is sunken into the floor, is a 'sky dome': a dark dome adorned with small lights. The heated pool, equipped with an electrically operated slatted cover, has a wide natural stone edge with steps on the short side providing gradual access to the water. The floor-heated wellness area is covered with matching tiles. In the semi-circular conservatory at the front, you can enjoy the ambiance around a gas fireplace. Integrated blinds are incorporated into the double glazing. There is also a comfortable seating area in the bar section to relax. Drink cooling appliances are discreetly concealed in a beautiful custom wall unit. The opposite long side consists of semi-circular columns with benches and a wall painting. Around the swimming pool, there is plenty of space for sunbeds. A person lift effortlessly takes you to the fitness room on the first floor. The fully equipped gym has the appearance of a mini skybox, with a view of the pool below. A skylight lets in plenty of natural light.Double glass doors near the water basin lead to more wellness indulgence. How about a Finnish sauna and a Turkish steam bath? Both are equipped with dark privacy glass: no visibility, but a view. Further on, we find more practical spaces: a spacious shower room, a sink, a toilet room, and a dressing room. The indispensable technical room is also located here. It houses all the necessary equipment, from the heating system, water purification filter, and the dehumidification system to the tank with eucalyptus oil for the steam bath.From the swimming pool, both the front and back gardens are directly accessible (garden doors). And, as mentioned earlier, also the sitting room of the living area.THE UPPER FLOORS Of course, the upper floors are also characterized by an abundance of space. Here, you'll find the master bedroom with a private bathroom and dressing room, two guest rooms, a guest bathroom, a separate toilet room, and a fitness area. There is once again a unity in style, material, and color use. Storage space is not lacking, thanks to custom-made wall cabinets and several attic storages. A fixed open staircase leads to the top floor where there is another spacious bedroom/sitting room.THE GALLERY WITH THE STAIRCASE We take the previously mentioned majestic staircase, covered with black high-pile carpet, to the first floor. The staircase balustrade is the result of pure artisanal wrought ironwork, where the blacksmith skillfully used copper and black wrought iron. Also, from the landing - with a balustrade in the same style - you experience the beauty of the hall and gallery. A rare and beautiful chandelier hangs from a rosette (stucco) at the highest point. You simply must see this with your own eyes.THE MASTER BEDROOM with dressing room and private bathroom From the landing, the dressing room is accessible, which in turn provides access to the master bedroom and the private bathroom (for clarification: you can walk in a circle here). The terms spacious, stylish, comfortable, and practical apply once again to this three-part unit. Like all the other rooms, the dressing room has a door with the same appearance. However, a steel plate is integrated into this door. The spacious dressing room is surrounded by a built-in wardrobe on all sides. Tailored for an extensive wardrobe.A door further, we enter the air-conditioned master bedroom. During summer heat, this air conditioning also keeps the dressing and bathroom wonderfully cool. The warm wooden niche wall around the bed, the (tilt-and-turn) windows with muntin bars, the delightful natural light, and the remotely controlled dimmable recessed spotlights create a fantastic atmosphere in the exceptionally spacious bedroom. Blackout roller blinds are installed for the windows, and all opening windows have screens. Behind the double sliding doors in the partition wall hides a robust metal roller shutter (electric). This way, you have direct access from the bedroom to the gym. If this doesn't invite a good start to the day... As mentioned earlier, the spacious fitness room is also accessible by a lift from the wellness wing.Now, the luxurious private bathroom, executed in timeless light, natural tones with white sanitary ware. It is designed for comfortable enjoyment. The heated floor is finished with XL light gray tiles, and off-white tiles are chosen for the wall tiles. The shower area, equipped with glass walls, is very spacious. There is also a whirlpool, an extra-wide double sink (with a mirrored cabinet and solid oak vanity), a toilet, and a bidet. The extensive sliding wardrobe consisting of mirror panels gives a particularly spacious effect. Pleasant daylight enters through the dormer window, which has blinds for privacy. Behind the cleverly integrated half-height wall, storage space is created for items such as bath textiles and other necessities. THE GUEST ROOMS & THE GUEST BATHROOM The landing provides access to two spacious and cozy guest rooms. One of them has a sink with a vanity unit. The other sleeping area has a large walk-in closet. Through a door, the large attic (storage space) above the aforementioned garage is accessible. Guests have access to a spacious private bathroom. Again, it is executed in light, neutral tones. The bathroom has underfloor heating and is equipped with a bathtub, a shower area (glass walls), and a sink with a vanity unit. As mentioned earlier, there is a separate toilet room adjacent to the landing.FANTASTIC ATTIC ROOM A fixed open staircase (painted white, with non-slip strips) leads to the top floor. A door provides access to an extensive, neatly finished attic storage space. It's beautiful how the wooden roof structure has remained visible here. Behind the other door hides a fantastic attic room, once the domain of the daughter. This exceptionally spacious, 'excitingly' arranged room has several small dormer windows. A kind of alcove under a sloping wall seems made for a double bed. And then there is plenty of space to set up a seating area. Also handy: there is a sink. Many enjoyable hours have been spent here with a group of friends.THE BASEMENT FLOOR We haven't mentioned the basement yet. A white-painted staircase with wrought-iron balustrade, located between the kitchen and dining room, leads to the spacious basement. This consists of three separate rooms. The atmospheric centerpiece is the wine cellar with broad curved wall niches on both sides. The open niches are completely filled with wine racks. Your favorite wines can ripen in peace here. Some niches have double doors and shelves. Where there is wine, there must be tasting, right? There is enough space for a long table. The two (former) pantry cellars adjacent to the wine cellar were used in the past - before the introduction of the refrigerator - as storage space for vegetables, fruits, and other groceries. This area maintained a constant coolness. It is also convenient that the technical unit for the underfloor heating can be controlled from here. Furthermore, the water softener is housed in the basement.OUTBUILDINGS - THE DETACHED GARAGE The current residents have built a detached stone garage on the left side of the property. It is entirely in keeping with white facades, windows with shutters, and a thatched roof. Inside, the garage is one large space. The three aluminum remotely controlled roller doors in the front facade tell us that there is space for three cars. Seamlessly following the (teardrop-shaped) driveway, parking space has been created in front of the garage.THE TENNIS COURTNice to have a tennis court next door. Especially the children have had a lot of fun with it. Thanks to evergreen planting on the street side, the court is hidden from view. However, anyone playing a game of tennis can freely enjoy the pond, the backyard, and the adjacent landscape. The previously described terrace is also located near the tennis court. A high fence on the street side and against the property line with the neighbors keeps 'swinging' tennis balls within bounds.THE GARDEN The garden surrounding the mansion was designed and landscaped in 1989 by an authority in the field: Jan Boomkamp Gardens. The characteristic soft, flowing lines of the house have been 'copied' into the garden. The front garden consists of an extensive lawn, evergreen hedges, a border edge, and several round plant beds. The teardrop-shaped driveway made of natural cobblestones, with a green circle in the center, is beautifully integrated into the whole. The well-thought-out choice of layout and planting ensures that the striking house comes into its own. In the backyard, it is the beautiful pond that attracts attention. Furthermore, this garden area consists of a large lawn and a modest beech hedge that forms the property boundary. Sitting on the elevated, partially covered terrace against the rear facade, you can - in complete privacy - enjoy a panoramic view of meadows and impressive rows of trees in the rear field. In 2019, the garden was thoroughly renovated, with the original design by Jan Boomkamp intentionally retained. Because it just suits this house. But after all these years, the garden called for soil improvement. At the same time, a large part of the planting was refreshed. Professional maintenance does the rest: both the front and back gardens are well-maintained and healthy. The specially designed garden lighting showcases the craftsmanship of the blacksmith. In periods of drought, the computer-controlled irrigation system (groundwater from its own source) provides a solution. Throughout the entire garden, there are recessed sprinklers, drip hoses, and connection points for water sprinklers. The irrigation system, housed in the detached garage, is equipped with an iron removal filter.SAFE LIVING Extensive attention has been given to the aspect of 'safety'. However, for understandable reasons, we do not go into detail about this. We can mention that, as welcoming as the current residents are, no one can enter the property without authorization. Moreover, the plot is completely fenced with a sturdy metal fence, reassuring for those with young children and, of course, for dog owners. The electric, remotely controlled metal gate is connected to an intercom system (audio and video). Furthermore, the property is secured by surveillance cameras, motion sensors, and automatic lighting. A graceful and, at the same time, burglar-resistant metal construction has been installed in front of various windows. Finally, the mansion is protected against lightning strikes.ABOUT THE AREA - Urban amenities within reachBornsestraat 380 is located less than five kilometers from the center of Almelo. In terms of healthcare (hospital), (primary and secondary) education, shops, restaurants, and sports, Almelo has an excellent level of amenities. Intercity trains depart from Almelo train station towards the West of The Netherlands, Zwolle, and Enschede. Moreover, there is a bus stop just 100 meters from the house.Grocery Shopping Need groceries? Almelo is nearby: 8 minutes by car... Honestly, we are more focused on the smaller but atmospheric city of Borne. Also because close family lives there. Everything we need in daily life is available in Borne. You can get there by car within 10 minutes.Walking, cycling, horseback ridingEquestrian sports thrive in Almelo and its surroundings. Are you a horse lover? There are plenty of facilities in this area, where numerous equestrian events are also scheduled. Furthermore, Twente is known for its extensive walking and cycling network, the ideal way to get acquainted with the regional culture and beautiful nature reserves. In that regard, too, Bornsestraat 380 is a good starting point.The border region: nature and cultural heritage Living in the border region, close to Germany, has its charm. Over the centuries, the populations on both sides of the national border have influenced each other's culture. Of a completely different nature are the historical manors and castles. Centuries-old estates that pop up here and there in the pastoral landscape. Almost forgetting Huize Almelo (1662), the nearby city castle that harbors a wealth of stories. Characteristic for this estate are the monumental tree-lined avenues and farmsteads. Another nature reserve that is easily accessible from Bornsestraat 380 is the Sallandse Heuvelrug. An extensive, undulating terrain managed by Staatsbosbeheer, with forests, sand drifts, and heath fields turning purple in August.The neighborhoodIn this area, you don't live on top of each other. Like you, the neighbors value space, freedom, and privacy. However, they also maintain the neighborly spirit. People are helpful towards each other, show involvement, and appreciate neighborhood conviviality from time to time.
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