beech house
2023 | Turnhout, Belgium
In the summer of 2021, Avenue Design Studio was approached to help reimagine and design various parts of an historical villa surrounded by a forest of mature beech trees on a large grassy plot just outside of Antwerp, Belgium.
The property was built in 1875 by Belgian architect Pieter Joseph Taeymans as a summer house for himself and his family. When our American/Belgian clients took ownership of the property, they came with one primary brief: to preserve as much of the home’s authenticity (and subsequent modernisation that had taken place prior to their purchase) as possible.
The late 19th century neo-renaissance villa features a grand entrance hall that has been preserved as it was, with the exception of limestone flagstones that were laid during recent renovations, as well as authentic architectural details throughout, including arched windows and intricate brickwork on the facades. Honouring the couple’s preference for the pared back and understated, the interiors show subtle use of colour and materiality as well as simple silhouettes, balanced by striking vintage design furniture pieces and custom lighting fixtures. Variations in brick and concrete, and playful architectural features are what the studio looked towards when it came to the interior design and decoration of the spaces, echoing the past to bring this home into the present.
Brick tile on the bathroom floors, flagstones in the entrance hall, and the use of travertine across various worktops pay homage to the property’s underlying material palette whereas an array of custom, artisan and iconic decorative elements mirror the scalloped detailing seen throughout the property, including a minimally designed daybed that benefits from the full afternoon sun.
An extension of our clients’ casual and family oriented lifestyle, the heart of this home is the living area, which wraps around a central structure that accommodates an authentic French limestone fireplace, accentuated by modern light fixtures, contemporary art and Belgian design.
Interior Design, Photography and Styling: Avenue Design Studio
