Rural Dutch chalet with a refreshing contemporary feel

Many are planning a second home somewhere that allows them to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of big cities. A rural house is usually a perfect option for her, but for this it is necessary that it offer warmth, comfort and functionality. This is the case with this rural chalet designed by Freek Lauwers in the Netherlands. The minimalism of the design and the purity of the materials stand out.

Visitors are greeted by a modest façade, but as they walk through the front door, they find a cozy house. The house is located several meters from the entrance to give a feeling of being in nature.

Large kitchen for generous meals

Thanks to the collaboration of interior designer Stuurman Ontwerpt, the chalet features a spacious kitchen area with a generously sized island in the center. Ideal for preparing meals, baking, chatting with guests or catching up with a coffee, the large island features a smooth, seamless HI-MACS® countertop in bright Alpine White. Solid and strong, this material is the perfect choice for work surfaces, as it is durable, strong, requires little maintenance and is easy to clean.

Composed of a mixture of minerals, pure acrylic and natural pigments, acrylic stone not only provides the kitchen with a design with a high quality finish, but is also very practical and visually striking. HI-MACS® is also an ultra-hygienic material: it resists dirt, bacteria and aggressive chemicals, without leaving any room for germs. In these times when hygiene is of the utmost importance, it is reassuring to know that HI-MACS® can help keep your home clean and safe.

The rest of the kitchen features veneered oak cabinets manufactured by Studio Hout. From floor to ceiling, they provide maximum storage space, with a tinted lacquer finish that enhances durability and adds a luxurious feel. The kitchen details are completed by a discreet cafeteria area equipped with a high-quality coffee-making set, a built-in flush oven and a wine cooler. In addition, the elegant downdraft plate, the built-in sink and the Quooker boiling water tap that are found in the HI-MACS® island worktop stand out. A cantilevered oak table from the owners’ garden is the ideal place to sit down with family and friends for tea or a glass of wine before dinner.

A bathroom of contrasts full of light

In this rural chalet the bathroom becomes a true sanctuary to relax and unwind at the end of a long day. The space is long and narrow, but is designed with absolute measure to include a sculptural freestanding bathtub, shower, floating bathroom cabinet with sinks and a thick countertop, also made in the toilet
HI-MACS® Alpine White. Designed in the image of the kitchen work surface, this material has been chosen again for the low maintenance it requires, its easy-to-clean finish and its durability.

The clean and crisp Alpine White tone of the countertop also fits perfectly into the monochrome scheme followed by the matt black brass fittings, as well as a black framed shower screen, heated towel rail and cabinet that echo the sober kitchen color palette. Likewise, the bathroom cabinets have also been manufactured by Studio Hout, following a contemporary style.

Regarding the lighting of the different spaces, it has also been taken into account, which is why ceiling lamps have been chosen that provide a daring and lively touch, but at the same time relaxing: Vertigo by Petite Friture and Brokis by Billekens Licht & Advies. Thanks to the combination of state-of-the-art materials such as HI-MACS®, modern elements such as lamps, the nature of wood and the predilection for a minimalist aesthetic, the chalet stands out for its elegance without losing the rural touch that provides warmth and comfort and make it a true retreat created by Lauwers.

Photographs: Jaro van Meerten