- Interior
Atypical is a compliment in the world of Isabelle Onraet. The Belgian interior designer likes to push the limits of her creativity in her projects. More than once, she has thought that in the sector, too often the safe route is chosen and not many people are daring when furnishing their homes. Together with her team, she started the initiative to take one of her existing designs from under the dust and rework it. No limits or client wishes; just her own vision flourishing with full expression.
On national soil or further from home: as an interior architect, Isabelle Onraet always knows what she represents. Her high-end projects stretch from the Belgian coast to international territory. For her inspiration, she never really stays close to home, as she likes to be drawn to movements in the fashion industry, travel experiences, and cultures other than her own. Meanwhile, she no longer needs to prove anything, although each design confirms with ever-increasing conviction what we already know: her creativity continues to challenge itself. New and familiar clients alike can all find themselves in the distinct palettes she conducts into an inviting harmony. With each commission, she searches for the right materials that allow her to foreground the essence of the home. Despite the diversity that defines her portfolio, the projects display an all-encompassing coherence among themselves, or the designer's characterising signature. 
Amazing but secure, innovative but balanced, visionary but familiar
Surprising but secure, innovative but balanced, and visionary but familiar. You will recognise this thread in her private residences, but she equally applies these atmospheres to office spaces and hospitality concepts such as hotels and restaurants. This time, however, she did not work for a client, but went back to a design from several years ago of her own accord. Her reason for this was very sincere and pure, as she simply felt the need to once again design exclusively from her own imagination. Without client wishes, restrictive budgeting and practical guidelines, she could do her own thing completely. She does not feel this urge lightly. In fact, she explains that she and her team have to compromise on creativity at times. Many clients approach them with a question or strong preference for beige and sand shades. While she naturally enjoys responding to this and carving out a successful middle ground between client wishes and her own, she sometimes sees it as a missed opportunity for more colour and unexpected choices. In general, she notices little boldness in today's residential landscape. To counter this, she returned to this existing design and decided to give it a reinterpretation in which she pulled out all the stops. Following this villa, there are other projects she plans to give a new look, including an apartment in Knokke and a restaurant that follows the style of a Parisian bistro. When you contrast the diverse items in Onraet's portfolio, it is undeniable that they contain a similar intimacy. This is admirable given the exploratory expressiveness she has proven several times with her work. Her style is progressive without neglecting cosiness. Regardless of the purpose behind a commission, the approach is intuitive and incisive every time. Without shying away from timelessness, her aesthetic typifies itself through a modern feel that can only result from inherent talent and pleasure in what she does. Add to that consistent freshness and innovation in the use of colour and materials, and you are fully convinced of her status as one of the country's most creative interior architects. Want to read more about this impressive talent? You can read about it in the Spring 2024 edition of Imagicasa Magazine.
Images courtesy of Isabelle Onraet
Text by Cara Jacobs