Preservation ORDER

The oldest house in this small Dutch city has a well-preserved history that Pauline and Hans Kick have cherished

- JULIET BENNING

The list of requirements for Pauline and Hans Kick’s new home was long – so long in fact that to meet all of them in one property might have left them searching for many years. ‘We wanted somewhere old yet in a good condition. It had to have an authentic charm, be located near water with a view, and only a short distance from the shops,’ says Pauline, who is a professional artist.

A walk along the canal in the charming Dutch city of IJlst and a view through a window lead to the discovery of the home the couple longed for. ‘We stumbled across a historic building that was for sale and peering inside I could see through to the fields stretching out beyond,’ says Pauline. Searching for the details on the internet once they were home, the pair were disappointed to realise the property was above their budget. But a few months later, the price was dropped, making the purchase possible.