Vermeer's "The Little Street" is a view of houses in Delft, painted in 1658, about 45 years before this house was built. Inside each house there would have been a 'Great Room' or 'Groote Kamer', much like the one we've recreated.

This room is the one to experience if you want a real sense of what an early 18th century ground floor room would have been like. Stay here and step back in time.

It is the only room in the house with the original ceiling as well as the original wide-plank floor throughout, allowing you to see the full height of the huge beams. It has been restored using the original paint colors, and has a recreated huge jambless fireplace (non-functioning) that was so typical of the early Dutch building style, placed in the exact spot it would originally have been. The walls are limewashed over lime plaster.

This huge room is 22 feet by 17 feet, on the ground floor with its own exterior entrance and drive, as well as access to the rest of the bed and breakfast inside. Its size and high ceiling reflect the wealth of its builder, Cornelis Kool. There is plenty of space for us to add two extra twin beds if required. Apart from table and chairs, chest of drawers, a closet, window seats and an armchair, there is a sofa and two large oriental rugs.

The queen sized four poster canopy bed has check silk drapery that echoes the simplicity of the original eighteenth century bed canopies. The down-filled pillows and duvet are covered with the highest quality Frette sheets.

Individually controllable air-conditioning is available during the hotter months.

The in-room bathroom is hidden behind period panelled walls. Inside, the vessel sink echoes wash bowls of the past. Stained floorboards echo the black and white floor tiles of Vermeer's paintings. The corner tub has a shower over, and a tile surround contains facsimile blue Delft tiles of children playing, using the same designs as 300 years ago.