Wouter Tousseyn Interior Architecture transforms a French villa into a contemporary retreat inspired by its coastal locale.
Situated in Biarritz, France, a laid-back seaside town on the Basque coast, this home’s design responds to the beauty of its landscape and the original building it sits within. Belgian-based Wouter Tousseyn Interior Architecture approached the renovation with the villa’s traditional architecture in mind, highlighting its high ceilings, ornate mouldings and curved arched windows, particularly in the main bedroom.
“The windows translate into arches, while details like the curves of the solid travertine stone, the pillars around the cabinets, as well as the use of tone-on-tone materials exude calm, warmth, and timelessness,” studio founder Wouter Tousseyn says. “The spaces were also designed to draw the eye towards the windows, aligning the views outward to cement a connection to the home’s seaside surroundings,” Tousseyen adds.
The material and colour palette in Biarritz’s home are intentionally subtle to highlight the architecture and the client’s prominent original art collection—from French artist Blase’s work in the dining room to Romna Ressa’s photos in the kitchen.
The Apparatus Cloud 37 chandelier is an accent piece in the kitchen.
The kitchen features a brushed travertine kitchen island designed by Wouter Tousseyn and PP Møbler stools.
Ensuring each room felt warm and inviting despite the large space was also integral to the client’s brief. “The dining room was designed in a way that doesn’t immediately give the impression of being a dining room,” Tousseyen affirms. By specifying a curved made-to-measure sofa in addition to dining chairs around the traditional fireplace, the space reworks a traditionally formal area into a relaxed place to gather. The kitchen, originally cramped and compact, was redesigned as an open-plan space through clever concealment of appliances, upholstered joinery, and the choice of a brushed travertine island bench in the kitchen’s centre. The brushed oak wood and Romano Classico travertine ensure the space feels light and calming, while the rounded island and the Apparatus Cloud chandelier reference the gentle curves of Biarritz’s coastline.
Introducing organic shapes and a subtle, textural palette, Wouter Tousseyn Interior Architecture have invited a dialogue with the natural surroundings while remaining sensitive to the heritage interiors.
The dining area features an Armand & Francne table, an Apparatus Arrow pendant, Horsehair sconces, a curved made-to-measure sofa by Collett & Victor and mid-century walnut dining chairs.
The living area introduces a palette of mustard and teal, featuring pieces such as a Michael Anastassiades floor lamp and India Mahdavi side table.
The indoor pool is inspired by the home’s coastal locale.
The main bedroom features an Allied Maker pendant.
An arched, double-rounded door leads to the bedroom with a library and a spacious en suite.
The main bedroom suite nods to the original building’s curved arches.
The travertine-clad bathroom features VOLA tapware.
