- Art & Design
At Ilse Geerts' studio, people do not think in terms of trends or temporary hypes. What is created here is the result of expertise, refinement and a pronounced respect for materials. Under the name Anthracite, she has been working since 2001 on interiors that radiate calm, warmth and security, without sacrificing technical precision. The name not coincidentally refers to the intriguing stone that comes to its most elegant form under pressure. This same controlled tension can be felt in every interior that leaves the studio: subtle, natural and well-balanced construction.
Anthracite is known for a flexible, tailor-made approach where the client is always at the centre. This can be through direct cooperation with their own team, but equally through close coordination with the client's own interior designer or decorator. In either case, the studio remains responsible for the production and selection of high-quality fabrics, furniture pieces and floor coverings. This flexibility makes the company a reliable partner for both private clients and interior designers with their own vision. 
What stands out in her interiors is the consistent use of natural materials. Linen, cotton and wool form the basis of a textile collection that invites to be touched. This is not only about aesthetics, but also about experience and comfort. Each element is finished by hand in the in-house atelier, a process that not only monitors quality but also leaves room for subtlety and detail. It is those little nuances that make the difference between a standard solution and an interior with character. 
The collaborations with other (interior) architects happen through real interaction, based on mutual respect
Besides realising complete interiors, Anthracite profiles itself as a substantive partner for other (interior) architects. This cooperation is never a matter of mere execution, but a real interaction in which the expertise of the studio contributes to strengthening the design. Materials, textile choice and finishing are carefully tuned so that each project is right down to the last detail, both technically and aesthetically.
Ilse Geerts and her team demonstrate that customisation today goes beyond delivering unique pieces. It requires insight, collaboration and a thorough attention to detail. In this sense, Anthracite's work is not a collection of individual elements, but a carefully constructed whole in which comfort, appearance and quality flow together. Here, an interior is not merely a sum of materials, but a living environment in which residents and guests feel completely at home. 
Curious about the book ‘Belgian Craftsmanship III’? It is available via our webshop.
Portrait by Anthracite
Atelier images by Joren De Weerdt
Project image 1 and 2 by Hendrik Biegs, design by Anthracite
Project image 3 by Yannick Milpas, design by Mossoux Architecten
Project images 5 by Stéphanie Mathias, design by Anthracite
Text by Carolien Depamelaere