In this holiday home, residents not only enjoy the proximity to the coast, but the beach is also reflected in the interior itself. Interior designer Wendy Verstrepen used light colours that recall peaceful days by the sea and go hand in hand with simple aesthetics. The result is a holiday home where the whole family can fully enjoy themselves.
Interior designer Wendy Verstrepen from Brasschaat is no longer a stranger to Imagicasa. With more than twenty years of experience in new construction and renovation projects, gained at well-known Belgian names such as Vlassak-Verhulst and Obumex, she realises a custom-made home for all her clients, under the motto 'make it simple but significant'. In doing so, she does not follow one specific style, but always adapts her designs to the personality and lifestyle of the clients. For the interior designer, every home must become a unique story that completely captures the identity of its occupants. For Verstrepen, guiding her clients through the entire construction process is an absolute priority. The question for this total renovation was simple: this typical Knokse villa had to become a cosy holiday home for the whole family, children and grandchildren. This was a task the interior designer immediately understood, because she herself also gets a lot of satisfaction from the moments of quality time with her husband and children. The home's surroundings were the biggest source of inspiration during the process, and this is also clearly reflected in the interior. The authentic villa dates back to the 1930s, and the clients wanted the characteristic elements in the interior to be retained but given a completely new interpretation. Among other things, the staircase, the door to the kitchen, the arch in the passageway, the entrance hall, the authentic floors on the upper floor and the windows were allowed to remain in the renovated interior, adding charm to the residence.
To break the clean lines in the interior, the central table was given an organic shape
Integrating a contemporary layout and modern techniques was quite challenging at times, but you don't notice any of that in the final result. As the house is located by the sea, colours and materials that represent the beach were chosen and continued throughout the house. The special natural stone floor consists of Pierre de Varennes agrippa. Initially, the client wanted a parquet floor, but to make the ground floor a whole, they ended up using natural stone that was continued throughout. This is warmly complemented by the bleached chestnut veneer found throughout the house and the clay stucco technique used to finish the walls. To still create the cosy feel of parquet, the ceiling was fitted with wood veneer. In turn, the kitchen island, which was custom-made, looks very luxurious with travertine in a light beige colour and is perhaps the most striking element in this space. The very soft, mostly natural and sometimes slightly rough colours and materials effortlessly bring in the surroundings and find an interesting contrast in the gunmetal details. The furniture was chosen by the interior designer together with the client at RR Interieur.
This seaside home was renovated without compromising the authentic elements already present and with an eye for context. In general, the interior was kept quite sober, with an eye-catcher in every room, such as the kitchen island, the open fireplace in the living room and the back wall of the bed in the master bedroom. This residence makes you long for the beach, so to speak, although you are already very comfortable inside.
Photography by Stijn Vereeken