- Interior
The project's main goal was to create an authentic and unique experience in the client's living room.The challenge lay in realising this experience in a space that already had a lot of character. The previous interior was classic with a touch of eclectic Pieter Porter, which made the transition to a new design all the more challenging. The new design had to fit seamlessly with the rest of the house, which required careful consideration.
To achieve the desired cosiness, a dark colour was chosen on the walls. This colour adjusts to the light of the day, so the room is not too dark during the day but still has a subdued look. A special painting technique was used, which contributes to the unique atmosphere of the room. The oak ceiling with old beams, originally absent, was reinstalled. This element was personally considered very successful, as it seemed as if the ceiling had always been part of the house. Only the solid parquet, which has a beautiful butterfly joint, was retained. This parquet was re-sanded, brushed and given a new colour that was not too dark, thus emphasising the ceiling. 
A key feature of the living room is the fireplace with an Italian-inspired mantelpiece in solid wood, which adds extra cachet to the room
This project relied on a team of contractors who contributed to the beautiful result. A key feature of the living room is the fireplace with an Italian-inspired mantelpiece in solid wood, which adds extra cachet to the space.In the dining room too, the sideboard was fully matched to the design, with a striking combination of Hermès Orange. The floor plan covers the living room and dining room, with in-house painting techniques and colours mixed on site to create a rich shade. The biggest asset of the result is the combination of the authentic ceiling with new elements with an Italian touch, which is considered bold but successful.The final design does not deviate much from the initial sketches. Only the colours were changed on site to better match the client's feel. The inside of the cupboard was originally drawn in old pink and there was an extra bar in the dining area, but it turned out to be unnecessary. This illustrates how a few small adjustments can sometimes improve the final result.
The biggest challenge of the project was carrying out the work while the residents were living in the house. This made the demolition work and installation of the oak ceiling above the existing parquet particularly difficult. Despite the contractors' hard work and watching, the challenge was successfully overcome. The experience of working with a residential house while the residents still lived there added an extra layer of complexity and dynamism to the execution. 
Artique is a creative design agency that focuses on combining traditional architecture with modern interior designs, with particular attention to contemporary functionality and the client's specific requirements. The firm specialises in the complete renovation of old houses and courtyard cities, giving these historic properties a new lease of life. Artique also designs new homes in which the authentic charm is brought back to life. The renovation and construction process emphasises the use of characterful materials that respect and accentuate the old architecture. Artique strives to create homes with a rich, antique feel by integrating valuable materials into a functional and unique design. This ensures that each project is not only aesthetically successful, but also goes a step further in achieving a perfect end result. Finally, Artique aims to complete each interior with unique and authentic furniture pieces, and offers support at every step towards an optimal end result, ensuring ideal implementation.
Photography by Joachim Vanbelleghem
Text by Celien Hemelaer