A property’s location on the edge of a park informs its design, resulting in a family home that presents itself as a canvas to its surroundings while enabling its occupants to live as part of the landscape.
In Ostend, a coastal city in the province of West Flanders in Belgium, TJIP interior architects have transformed a manor-style family home into a contemporary residence while respecting the home’s existing elements.
A classic enfilade was given to sliding doors, responding to the client’s request to create a sense of security in the middle of the open spaces. Not only do they allow a smooth transition between the dynamics of family life and a cocoon for two, but they also allow daylight to play freely or be muted according to the needs and time of day.
Simple and carefully chosen materials, including natural stone and wood veneer, were selected for their calming and light tones to enhance the natural feel of the spaces, further enhanced by light-coloured walls. “The large open spaces and clear functionality bring peace to a busy daily life,” TJIP founder Thomas Meesschaert says. No-nonsense design with good circulation and contact with the environment in a park garden creates an intimate yet very spatial experience.”
The sculptural Cassina Dudet chairs in the dining area.
The location of the home also influenced the design. Set on the edge of a park and blessed with a landscape garden, TJIP opted for a design that, in essence, allows the house to present itself as a canvas to its surroundings, which in turn gives the residents an immersive feeling of living in the landscape.
“We set out to create a clear floor plan with the most natural feel possible, with a constant presence of the park garden,” Thomas says. “The client also finds the integration of works of art very important, so the search for balance and harmony between the aforementioned was an important starting point in terms of design.”
TJIP set out to create a clear floor plan with a constant presence of the surrounding gardens.
A standout feature of the interior is a certified Winston Churchill fireplace, symbolising the warm stateliness the home’s interior exudes. “The reconstruction of the certified Winston Churchill fireplace and the preservation of the mouldings between wall and ceiling demonstrate that the old and the new can be perfectly balanced,” Thomas says. “We continue to attach great importance to respecting the functions in the different spaces while moving naturally through the living functions.”
A classic enfilade was given to sliding doors to allow a smooth transition between the dynamics of the family life and a cocoon for two, while allowing daylight to play freely or be muted, according to the needs and time of day.
Particular attention also went to the selection of art in the house.
A standout feature is a certified Winston Churchill fireplace, symbolising the warm stateliness the home’s interior exudes. The space also features the Cassina 053 Capitol Complex chairs.
“The reconstruction of the certified Winston Churchill fireplace and the preservation of the moldings between wall and ceiling demonstrate that the old and the new can be perfectly balanced.”
– TJIP founder Thomas Meesschaert
The living area features the Miniforms Soda side table and the On The Rocks sofa by Edra.
The Cassina 524 Tabouret Méribel and Tabouret Berger stools.
Large open spaces and clear functionality bring peace to a busy daily life.
