Five Brothers and a War

Margrietstraat 20—Middle Floor

wringer. On the wall was a gas-fired “demand” water heater that had to be lit anytime hot water was needed. The left side had a small sink mounted to it. The study/office had the same fireplace/heater arrangement on the far left wall as one entered. It had closets on either side, thereby speaking for that entire side of the room. In front was a setup like the master bedroom—French doors flanked by glazed panes. But because the room was the entire width of the house, there were solid walls on either side of the glass. The balcony had a view of the street, and the dunes in the distance. There was almost nothing between the house and the ocean—very much different from today, where there is a wonderful view of the houses on the other side of the Margrietstraat. Leendert had a custom roll-top desk made of a very fine oak. It was located catty wompous in the corner facing the door, such that Leendert had a view of the corridor as he sat at his desk. Two chairs atop another rug were on either side of a table Leendert made using parquet material. The floor was Blond Oak.

van Pelt

Later, when Piet and Hennie occupied the entire second floor, this would be converted into their living/dining room.

Five Brothers and a War

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