One saw the owner-occupied home from 1914 at 62 Leidsewallen as a ruin, the other as a dream house. Carpenter Patrick saw the opportunity to finally make his dream come true and completely convert this cute old house into a palace.
Patrick Kooyveld (25) and his girlfriend Dana Radder (26) bought the semi-detached house on the Dobbeplas in 2020. “There were a lot of viewers and four people who made an offer,” says Dana. “I wrote a motivation letter to the seller to let them know that we wanted to make a beautiful house out of it. Apparently it helped because we were allowed to buy it.”
The before and after photos of this handy house can be found below this article and on the following pages.
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chasing his grandfather
From an early age Patrick wanted to be a carpenter, just like his grandfather. His dream was to one day build his own house. Dana didn’t have to think about the design and layout because Patrick already had that in mind. In a year and a half, the house was completely rebuilt in the evenings and weekends, sometimes with the help of colleagues and family. “My mother sometimes says Patrick has two golden handssays Dana.
Damp and mold
The house was equipped with a new facade, dormer windows, underfloor heating, window frames, radiators, floors, suspended ceilings, kitchen and beams in the bedroom. Patrick made a luxurious bathroom on the first floor with a double rain shower, spot lighting, toilet and radiator. “The previous occupant had the bathroom downstairs, along with the toilet room, where we now have the hall with a new staircase upstairs. Before that, there was a spiral staircase that was located in the middle of the living room,” says Patrick. In addition to the spiral staircase, Patrick and Dana also pulled rotten wood pieces, broken windows and old tiles from the house. “It was very damp and full of mold,” says Dana.
Skaters in front of the door and hot chocolate
During the renovation, the couple attracted a lot of attention from local residents. The footpath along the Dobbe runs opposite the house and many walkers stopped to see how the renovation was going. “People even asked if they could come in and have a look,” says Dana. During the cold winter in corona time, Patrick and Dana were busy working. “But we did take it easy for a day when we were outside in the snow with hot chocolate with our new neighbors. It was so nice with all those skaters in front of the door.”
House warming
Patrick and Dana’s dream home is almost ready. “There are always some chores left to do, such as finishing the attic,” says Dana. “Recently we had a house warming and celebrated my birthday with friends. And we look forward to the fireworks with old and new and the Christmas tree on the Dobbe. I can look at it from my bedroom window.”
The only person who was missed during the housewarming is Dana’s grandmother. “She has helped us enormously both financially and practically with our house,” says Dana. “She made a number plate especially for us for when our house was finished. Sadly she passed away and never saw our house completely finished. But I’m sure she’s watching and occasionally around.”
Check out the before and after photos of the below and on the following pages handy house at the Leidsewallen 62 from Patrick and Dana: