THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9510030430
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARCIA MANGUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 236 lines
JACKLYN AND HARRY Koppens' Spanish-style house overlooking the Lynnhaven Inlet is a mix of his and her disparate tastes that blends the European background of the Koppens, who moved here from Holland, with the influence of modern Virginia Beach, where they've lived for 16 years.
``My husband and I are completely opposite in tastes,'' Jacklyn says. ``He's very traditional in taste, and I like the lighter colors. It makes it hard to decorate a house.''
The results, though, are pleasing and apparent from the moment you enter the foyer. Crisp, white paint covers the walls, and heated Italian-marble tiles shine underfoot (her taste). Substantial mahogany moldings, solid wood doors from Spain and a family heirloom bow and arrow add Old-World warmth (his taste).
The things the couple agreed on were paramount when they started building in Little Neck nearly a decade ago: They like privacy and the outdoors.
Their white stucco house with Portuguese tile roof and an open courtyard reminiscent of Mediterranean villas sits at the end of a tree-lined lane on a point of land, providing panoramic views of the Lynnhaven Inlet. Including the guest house, the home measures 10,000 square feet.
This Thursday, the public will get its first opportunity to see inside the grand home, when it opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the ``House for All Seasons'' tour to benefit the Virginia Beach City Union of the King's Daughters. The organization, to which Jacklyn belongs, raises money for charities.
The exterior appeal is so great that film makers spotted it several years ago and asked the Koppens for permission to use the setting in a movie. The pool and courtyard appear in the Acapulco honeymoon scene in the made-for-TV mini-series, ``A Woman Named Jackie,'' the story of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The Koppens' home took 2 1/2 years to build, and much of its beauty comes from the attention to detail, both in the structure and the decor. Harry took time off from work to oversee construction, and Jacklyn undertook most of the decorating, with assistance from Uschi Designs of Virginia Beach.
But before they could start their dream home, they had to tear down an old house on the approximately 3-acre site. They instructed architect Patrick Masterson to design the house so the pool would no longer be in the back yard, where it would obstruct the main views of the inlet, and to include a courtyard, where the family could enjoy the outdoors.
The home's lower level opens onto the pool, and the Mexican terra-cotta tiles inside blend with the Tennessee stone surrounding the pool, hot tub and fountains outside.
The main floor has views of the Lynnhaven Inlet from every room, including the airy, window-lined living room, with soft blue ultrasuede sofas facing a 150-year-old marble mantel imported from France.
``In the winter, we live up here with the fireplace, and in the summertime - we are outdoor people - we live downstairs by the pool and we eat off the grill,'' Jacklyn says. ``It's like we live in two different houses in a year.''
The living room, flanked by faux marble columns as you enter the front door, is furnished with a 95-year-old oriental carpet, contemporary floor-length ivory swag drapes and an 18th-century mantel clock, like one on display in the palace at Versailles in France.
Most of the furnishings are things the Koppens have acquired throughout their marriage, a mix of old and new and his and her tastes, Jacklyn says. Some things, such as a 19th-century walnut secretary (his taste) and an eye-catching copper log holder (her taste) they brought with them from Holland.
The Koppens' styles also mix in the dining room, with its massive walnut table, Austrian chandelier and draperies, oriental rug and mantel, similar to those in the living room.
But the kitchen, sunroom and master bedroom are clearly ``hers,'' while the study is obviously ``his.''
The master bedroom and bath are decorated in shades of soft mauve, including the Italian tile covering the bathroom walls and floor. Both rooms have views of the inlet.
The great outdoors also seems to enter the kitchen and the adjoining sunroom. The kitchen shines with yellow walls, bright white cabinets and counter tops, brass trim, copper accessories and mirrored back splashes. ``I wanted to see the water from every place, even when I'm cooking,'' Jacklyn says.
The creamy tile floor leads into the sunroom, where yellow and gray striped upholstery and a white piano create a cheery look, typical of beach cottages. An eye-catching wall clock handmade by a Dutch friend adds a unique touch.
At the far end of the house, Harry's study reflects his tendency toward the darker end of the spectrum. The off-white Italian tiles are surrounded by dark mahogany, also used for the cabinets, bookshelves and massive desk that Harry uses to run his mail-order supply business for service stations.
The more casual lower level reflects the leisure activities to which it was geared. The Koppens' children - Chantal, 20, and Leon, 18 - hung out in the den and the game room as they grew up. The downstairs also includes a sauna, steam shower, small kitchen and a soon-to-be-completed wine cellar.
The house's top floor, which will not be open for touring, has three bedrooms, each with its own bath.
The grounds and gardens are nearly as beautiful as the house itself. The long lane leading to the house is lined with hyacinth bean, now in its full glory. The pool and courtyard feature tropical-looking flowers and plants. The landscaping uses an abundance of tall grasses, yucca, azaleas, dogwoods, nandina, pines and other evergreens creating a serene, naturalized setting.
``Coming from Europe, sometimes I have been homesick,'' Jacklyn says. ``But I love it out here - so quiet, so peaceful - no traffic, except for the boats in the back.''
JACKLYN AND HARRY Koppens' Spanish-style house overlooking the Lynnhaven Inlet is a mix of his and her disparate tastes that blends the European background of the Koppens, who moved here from Holland, with the influence of modern Virginia Beach, where they've lived for 16 years.
``My husband and I are completely opposite in tastes,'' Jacklyn says. ``He's very traditional in taste, and I like the lighter colors. It makes it hard to decorate a house.''
The results, though, are pleasing and apparent from the moment you enter the foyer. Crisp, white paint covers the walls, and heated Italian-marble tiles shine underfoot (her taste). Substantial mahogany moldings, solid wood doors from Spain and a family heirloom bow and arrow add Old-World warmth (his taste).
The things the couple agreed on were paramount when they started building in Little Neck nearly a decade ago: They like privacy and the outdoors.
Their white stucco house with Portuguese tile roof and an open courtyard reminiscent of Mediterranean villas sits at the end of a tree-lined lane on a point of land, providing panoramic views of the Lynnhaven Inlet. Including the guest house, the home measures 10,000 square feet.
This Thursday, the public will get its first opportunity to see inside the grand home, when it opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the ``House for All Seasons'' tour to benefit the Virginia Beach City Union of the King's Daughters. The organization, to which Jacklyn belongs, raises money for community charities.
The exterior appeal is so great that film makers spotted it several years ago and asked the Koppens for permission to use the setting in a movie. The pool and courtyard appear in the Acapulco honeymoon scene in the made-for-TV mini-series, ``A Woman Named Jackie,'' the story of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The Koppens' home took 2 1/2 years to build, and much of its beauty comes from the attention to detail, both in the structure and the decor. Harry took time off from work to oversee construction, and Jacklyn undertook most of the decorating, with assistance from Uschi Designs of Virginia Beach.
But before they could start their dream home, they had to tear down an old house on the approximately 3-acre site. They instructed architect Patrick Masterson to design the house so the pool would no longer be in the back yard, where it would obstruct the main views of the inlet, and to include a courtyard, where the family could enjoy the outdoors.
The home's lower level opens onto the pool, and the Mexican terra-cotta tiles inside blend with the Tennessee stone surrounding the pool, hot tub and fountains outside.
The main floor has views of the Lynnhaven Inlet from every room, including the airy, window-lined living room, with soft blue ultrasuede sofas facing a 150-year-old marble mantel imported from France.
``In the winter, we live up here with the fireplace, and in the summertime - we are outdoor people - we live downstairs by the pool and we eat off the grill,'' Jacklyn says. ``It's like we live in two different houses in a year.''
The living room, flanked by faux marble columns as you enter the front door, is furnished with a 95-year-old oriental carpet, contemporary floor-length ivory swag drapes and an 18th-century mantel clock, like one on display in the palace at Versailles in France.
Most of the furnishings are things the Koppens have acquired throughout their marriage, a mix of old and new and his and her tastes, Jacklyn says. Some things, such as a 19th-century walnut secretary (his taste) and an eye-catching copper log holder (her taste) they brought with them from Holland.
The Koppens' styles also mix in the dining room, with its massive walnut table (his), Austrian chandelier and draperies, oriental rug and mantel, similar to those in the living room.
But the kitchen, sunroom and master bedroom are clearly ``hers,'' while the study is obviously ``his.''
The master bedroom and bath are decorated in shades of soft mauve, including the Italian tile covering the bathroom walls and floor. Both rooms have views of the inlet.
The great outdoors also seems to enter the kitchen and the adjoining sunroom. The kitchen shines with yellow walls, bright white cabinets and counter tops, brass trim, copper accessories and mirrored back splashes. ``I wanted to see the water from every place, even when I'm cooking,'' Jacklyn says.
The creamy tile floor leads into the sunroom, where yellow and gray striped upholstery and a white piano give create a cheery look, typical of beach cottages. An eye-catching wall clock handmade by a Dutch friend adds a unique touch.
At the far end of the house, Harry's study reflects his tendency toward the darker end of the spectrum. The off-white Italian tiles are surrounded by dark mahogany, also used for the cabinets, bookshelves and massive desk that Harry uses to run his mail-order supply business for service stations.
The more casual lower level reflects the leisure activities to which it was geared. The Koppens' children - Chantal, 20, and Leon, 18 - hung out in the den and the game room as they grew up. The downstairs also includes a sauna, steam shower, small kitchen and a soon-to-be-completed wine cellar.
The house's top floor, which will not be open for touring, has three bedrooms, each with its own bath.
The grounds and gardens are nearly as beautiful as the house itself. The long lane leading to the house is lined with hyacinth bean, now in its full glory. The pool and courtyard feature tropical-looking flowers and plants. The landscaping uses an abundance of tall grasses, yucca, azaleas, dogwoods, nandina, pines and other evergreens creating a serene, naturalized setting.
``Coming from Europe, sometimes I have been homesick,'' Jacklyn says. ``But I love it out here - so quiet, so peaceful - no traffic, except for the boats in the back.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
L. TODD SPENCER
The 10,000-square-foot Spanish-style home includes a guest cottage.
The Koppens are ``outdoor people'' and insisted on a European-style
courtyard in designing their home. Their pool was used in filming
the movie ``A Woman Named Jackie.''
The cheery yellow and white sunroom welcomes the outdoors inside
with its walls of windows opening to the Lynnhaven inlet.
The Koppens spend winter days in the living room, where the decor is
a mix of her light, airy tastes and his liking of dark woods.
Photo
L. TODD SPENCER/Staff
The Koppens' kitchen shines with yellow walls, white cabinets and
counter tops, brass hardware and copper cooking utensils.
Graphics
HOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
WHAT IS KING'S DAUGHTERS?
The King's Daughters is an international charitable organization.
The Virginia Beach City Union of the King's Daughters consists of 11
clubs, or circles, with a combined membership of about 200 women.
Each circle raises money for the community, and several times a year
they join together to raise money, as with the fall home tour. The
Virginia Beach City Union aids 50 to 100 charities annually,
according to Carol Smith, publicity chairperson. Last year the group
contributed about $70,000 to the community with more than $9,000
coming from the home tour. This year's tour will benefit the M.E.
Cox Center for the Elderly and the Seton House.
by CNB