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. 2000-2002 A 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 HALL What 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 RESTROOM Back 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 KITCHEN Unlike 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 & GARAGE The 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...