Description
A hidden gem on the Vecht. This description certainly applies to this beautiful country house called Zonneweelde with a breathtaking ornamental garden located directly on the river "de Vecht". This characteristic, detached villa does not have a imposing appearance from the front but exudes peace, charm and modesty. Characteristic of the popular architectural style of the early twentieth century.
The country house was commissioned by the Casant brothers in 1924 as two separate houses, completely symmetrical in style, designed by architect G. De Heus. In 2002-2003 the two houses were merged into 1 spacious and comfortable family home. This was done under architecture by a restoration architect with a great deal of attention to detail and a particularly high level of finishing.
You don't expect the many surprises that this unique object has to offer when you drive up the path through the wrought iron gate.
The house (399 m2 NEN living space) is located between the popular villages of Breukelen and Maarssen and stands on a great plot of over 3,091 m2 of land with direct access/connection to the river "de Vecht".
The garden is certainly one of the many surprises. This jewel has been carefully landscaped over the years by the owners, with the input of a well-known landscape architect, and shaped into a beautiful ornamental garden where you can relax in peace and privacy after leaving the hustle and bustle of the big city. Enjoy a good book, a nice glass and a snack, or relax with family and friends in the sun or natural shade on one of the several intimate terraces/seating areas. In this classic English ornamental garden you will find beautiful borders by colour with flowering plants that follow each other in bloom at different times of the year.
Spring starts with Stinzen plants and a multitude of bulbs. The landscaping is well thought out with perennials, shrubs and monumental trees, truly a green and colorful oasis in the middle of the Randstad. From the house the discovery of this beautiful garden begins, at the rear with a spacious terrace on the conservatory which runs out to the large lawn, through beautiful paths, drillers, ponds and seating areas you enter various garden rooms, each with its own style and atmosphere. On the spacious plot there is of course ample parking space for several cars and there are two large outbuildings. A separate guesthouse/garage and a spacious barn with attic for all your garden supplies/storage room.
We would like to take you along for a textual impression of the whole. Perhaps seeing is better than reading, as such a unique object is difficult to describe with words.
Main house: From the Straatweg in this rural area, you can see the main house between the trees. You reach the plot through a private dam with beautiful wrought iron fencing. The front garden is landscaped with bushes and parking space for cars on the right, also on the right rear is the outbuilding, in the style of the main house, which now serves as a guest house.
On the left-hand side, drive to the car park. A nice detail is that at the front there is a beautiful unobstructed view over the farmlands, here are cows, horses and sometimes rabbits/hares and meadow birds.
The main entrance of the house was moved to the left during the merger of the two houses. A stately and imposing entrance through two wide doors gives you a warm welcome in this villa. A monumental reception hall with loft immediately indicates the atmosphere of this lovely family home. Lots of light, beautiful materials and beautiful views predominate here. The spacious reception hall gives access to the office at the front.
The study has built-in bookcases and a gas fireplace and a nice bay window with a beautiful view over the front garden with a view of the opposite farmlands. There is also a spacious toilet room and a beautiful elm staircase to the upper floor.
From the hall you can also reach the very spacious living room through two French doors, which is actually centrally located and therefore partly in the middle of the house. A lovely living room with a fireplace, oak floor (wide floorboards) and what immediately stands out: Atmosphere and feeling of space due to the high ceilings, special patio doors, the beautiful authentic details and the beautiful light. Through the hall and the living room you enter the fantastic conservatory.
The English conservatory was designed and built by Vale Garden Houses, and is now the beating heart of the house. An incredibly beautiful space where light and view are central. Unobstructed views of the beautiful garden. During each season it is wonderful to stay here. The current owners have a large dining table in this beautiful space. Through the conservatory you reach the right part of the house. The right side of the house still has the original hall of the house from before the merger. The hall gives access to the front room with a bay window and the classic room en-suite doors to the back room. These rooms are now used as an evening/TV room. Through the hallway you reach the kitchen which is spacious and modern. Of course equipped with all conveniences and built-in appliances. The hall connects seamlessly to the conservatory which is located over the entire rear. There is also a staircase to the first floor located in the hall.
Floor: Because the houses are merged, you can reach the upper floor via the beautiful elm staircase in the reception hall and the stairs next to the kitchen. In the hall next to the kitchen is the staircase to the first landing. This landing gives you access to a large bedroom at the front with balcony and a (bed) room which now serves as a guest room or extra dressing room.
On the landing you will also find the bathroom, which was renovated in 2018 and is equipped with a bath, shower, toilet and sink. Walk through to the master bedroom which has access to the very spacious bathroom. This proverbial ballroom has a walk-in shower, bathtub with a view (over the beautiful garden), and a full-fledged sauna. Behind this bathroom there is also a practical laundry/ironing room that offers enough space for extra storage.
When you take the stately staircase through the reception hall, you will reach the mezzanine. Here you will find an extra toilet room and a fourth bedroom, also with a balcony at the front. A spacious office has been realized over the entire width of the house between the bedrooms at the front. With some adjustments to this upper floor, extra bedrooms can be realized as desired.
The house also has a cellar and 2 spacious attics, where the heating system is located.
Outbuildings: There are two outbuildings on the plot. To the right of the house is an outbuilding built in the same style as the main house which is practical for extra storage space or can serve as a garage. This may also be an ideal workplace or guesthouse for an au pair or any guests/family who would like a separate stay. On the first floor of this building there is a very spacious bedroom with shower room and in the back on the ground floor a simple kitchen with a separate combi boiler. There is also a garden shed in the garden, perfect for overwintering container plants and more than enough storage for your garden tools, boat equipment and garden furniture. To the right of the house is a wooden shed for bicycles and other storage. The zoning plan allows the construction of an additional outbuilding or outdoor swimming pool.
Garden: the beautifully landscaped and well-kept garden offers you an ultimate oasis of peace/privacy and relaxation. Several terraces and intimate seating areas alternate and ensure that you can find a pleasant place to relax everywhere. The back of the garden borders the river
Vecht. Here you have a decent jetty for a boat. You can sail to the Loosdrechtse Plassen and to the surrounding villages of Maarssen, Breukelen, Loenen aan de Vecht, etc. Even the cities of Utrecht and Amsterdam can be reached by boat.
Garden and experience: We would like to give the floor to the owner who has lived here for more than 32 years and has made wonderful memories.
"The owner" speaks: Living outside, in peace and privacy, but still having the opportunity to walk to the flower market in Utrecht or listen to a concert in the Concertgebouw within 20 minutes! Working abroad was easy with good connections to Schiphol airport. This, in our view, historic, house with the lovely garden has brought us so many beautiful things over the past 32 years. Everything was possible: dinners for 30 people in the beautiful conservatory, barbecues for large groups, house concerts, business events, boat trips on the Vecht. And of course, gardening in peace! We have made wonderful memories here, together with our children, and we hope that the next owners will do the same.
Characterize:
- Year of construction 1924
- Large-scale renovation / rebuilding 2002 – 2003, in which the foundation and floors of house 162 and partly 160 were replaced
- Extension conservatory 2002 – 2003
- Paintwork last done in 2023
- Home automation for switching lighting, the gate and the conservatory shutters. Charging station for electric cars
- The roof of number 162 was completely renovated in 2003. In 2020, the roof was completely checked and a number of roof tiles were replaced.
- Central heating boiler ATAG from 2015, partly underfloor heating
- Energy label C
