- Interior
Britt Van Namen is one of the best interior architect for those who long for a timeless home that simultaneously exudes contemporary allure. In a villa neighbourhood in Oud-Turnhout in Belgium, she redesigned the ground floor of an existing house. Instead of starting with a blank canvas, she took into account the current situation and what options it offered for the new look the clients had in mind.
Balance is an ongoing priority for Britt Van Namen and her team. By always carefully balancing all elements against each other, she spins a high-end atmosphere that renews itself every day. The residents of this promising villa had decided to rethink their ground floor. Especially the kitchen and adjoining utility room were of considerable importance. These needed to be opened up and enlarged, transforming them into an attractive living kitchen. The interior designer freed up space and partially integrated the pantry into the cupboard wall via a blind door. The islands are equipped with ceramic worktops and a raised edge in microtopping. The two complement each other smoothly and set the tone for a clean look that still contains warmth. Overall, the choice in material and colour is characterised by light shades and striking mutual compatibility. Grey-brown veneer with delicate lines introduces a subtle contrast without unbalancing everything. There was initially a cast floor, but it is now covered by a new layer in microtopping. For the sake of cohesion, the colour of the floor and the ceramic worktops is the same. An understandable choice, as this allows the atmosphere of limestone to successfully dominate the entire concept. As a nice detail, there is the wine cabinet with glass door that was custom-made. 
For the sake of cohesion, the colour of the floor and the ceramic worktops is the same
In addition to the kitchen, the dining room also required some modifications. Once again, the flooring was addressed, and precise painting work took place. The existing built-in cupboards were retained, although they look like new thanks to their fresh look. Thanks to the short distance between the dining table and the kitchen islands, both functions have a close connection with each other. As the heart of the house, the space possesses a dynamism that always promotes contact between family members and possible guests. The selected furniture perfectly complements the previously mentioned materials and colours. Remarkably, the table has an asymmetrical shape, helping to avoid the design choices becoming predictable. Following on from the dining chairs, Van Namen placed several bar stools, and in the pantry space is reserved for a built-in desk with coffee corner. As much equipment as possible was removed from sight, meaning that peace and quiet prevail. Even the power outlets were subtly incorporated and do not disturb the visual picture at all. To promote the spatial mood, the large window near the table lets in plenty of light. With the help of matching curtains, residents can dampen the sun's rays to a pleasant saturation. 
Britt Van Namen left behind her contemporary class on the ground floor of an inviting villa. The continued light, warm style choices typify her aesthetic and were the perfect complement to the existing design. A new chapter has clearly begun for the residents, so we wish them much pleasure from their picture-perfect ground floor. 
Photography by Cafeine
Text by Cara Jacobs