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The following villa on the Belgian coast captured my interest immediately. I have always loved a home that is traditional on the outside and not-so-much on the inside. I love anything with a shock factor. And this radically transformed home is just that. Traditional on the outside (complete with thatched roof) with a modern industrial vibe on the inside. Totally unexpected. (Maison & Travaux, photography: Patrick Smith, architect: Lionel Jadot)
More than one string to Belgian photographer Bieke Claessen's bow. Just like there is more to Belgian design that spartan minimalist modern design. How about a softer more traditional take? Ok not soft as in fluffy and frou frou. We all know that the Belgians aren't into soft and fluffy. It's more like a restrained high style from the Low Countries. Still with that light touch that Bieke brings to her lens.
Less is more. No nonsense. Straight up. Restrained. Tightly curated. Minimalist and modern. Clever insight. No need to embellish. As it is. Unencumbered. True and simple. Beautiful but spartan. I'm not just talking about Belgian design. I'm talking about Belgian photographer Bieke Claessens' portfolio.
New white box within a white historic shell. 110m2 in a former industrial complex. The roughness of the original concrete and brick building is smoothed by a coat of white paint but still plays against the volume of the new plaster box housing kitchen, bath, bedroom and mezzanine study. Drama is created by the use of black in large industrial windows, kitchen surfaces and furniture. Minimalist apartment by Bruno Vanbesien.
"We believe in the craftsmanship and the use of natural materials. We especially use natural light and the power of the detail. It's all in the details. The purer a space becomes by leaving all ballast or decoration, the more weight the details get."
Simple and dramatic. Minimal and and brooding in that Belgian way. Black and white modern luxury from Ensemble & Associés, Brussels.
Fri, 23 Mar 2012