- Interior
When an interior designer reorients your home and ushers in a new chapter for you, you naturally want them to know exactly what you are longing for. Belgian Justien Lescouhier fully lives up to that expectation. Understanding her clients is at the forefront of her philosophy. Residence HS was the perfect assignment to unleash that skill in every space. For a family of six, she devised a flexible floor plan that meets all the needs of their daily routines.
Renovations are opportunities, but you must know how to utilise them. This farmhouse in Lendelede, Belgium was previously already the home of a couple with four daughters. Yet the property was not fully aligned with their lifestyle. In particular the kitchen and the living spaces lacked the possibility of providing in different functions. By giving the single-floor home a thorough and well-thought-out design, Lescouhier can proudly state that she could tick off every wish. That thought gives her an intense happiness, considering that she strongly believes that, with her work, she can improve the daily reality of her clients. ‘Relying on an interior architect is an investment in your wellbeing, I find personally,’ she says. Life outside tends to go faster and faster, while her interiors offer a chance to slow down. To achieve this, she first needs to have an idea as elaborate as possible of the people whom she designs for. Insight in their personality and lifestyle, attentive conversations and asking many questions are a few ways in which she achieves this. Logical, since a successful layout is one that is aligned with your habits, wishes, and needs. This dedication to her customers you not only see in the residential projects that bear her name, but also in the professional properties the interior architect is involved with. In the case of the latter, she finds it important to know the ideal workflow of the business, for example. 
Sociale samenkomsten mogelijk maken en toch rustige plekken bevatten
For this family, it was essential that their home would enable and support contact and social gatherings, as well as contain some quiet areas. Previously, living with six people did not make the latter easy, for instance. At the same time the design needed to have a deliberate openness, so that their busy social lifestyle could flourish. Entertaining guests, sumptuous aperitifs and cosy dining were required, therefore, to lie at the basis of the design. Nevertheless, Lescouhier’s intuition said that there was also a need for more calm moments, away from the chaos. All considerations united eventually led to a varied cohesion between the kitchen and the dining room. Put more concretely, the latter is partially separated, although without neglecting the feeling of being connected. By including an open fireplace in the kitchen, the zone immediately transforms into a homely spot where you can combine cooking with a sociable time. For the same reason, it is an appealing place to relax throughout the day. The fireplace is the achievement of Corin, specialist from concept to realisation. Moreover, there are a number of things that complete the kitchen design, such as handy barstools and the careful detailing of the handles. With a cooker that hints at grandmother’s time and is embedded between adjoining cabinets, the modern elegance is strengthened by an easily digestible nostalgia element. 
Throughout the process of this commission, Lescouhier could rely on the input of D interieur. With their more than twenty years of experience, they proved to be a big support, because their bespoke furniture really does make a difference. The fusion of the interior concept and their expertise concerning customisation resulted in an achieved collaboration on both sides. If you ask us, the residents will confirm this without hesitation. Their new home is a perfect fit for their routines and needs, and this in a context where relaxation is omnipresent. 
Want to read more about this impressive project? You can read about it in the December 2023 edition of Imagicasa Magazine.
Photography by Cafeine
Text by Cara Jacobs