- Interior
- Architecture & development
It is always nice to see how outdated places are revitalized, and the most recent renovation project of architect Valerie Van Der Put clarifies this even more. In Oud-Rekem you can find Hidden Guest House these days, the barn of an old farmhouse that has changed into a contemporary retreat of elegance and style.
Hidden Guest House is an intersection of various influences. The starting point that served as inspiration is the legacy of Patricia van Roosmalen, the former owner. She created a beautiful garden that would belong to the most visited and photographed English gardens of the Low Countries. The tranquil field of tension between delineated symmetry and playfulness of raw elements translated into a rich source of inspiration for the renovation project. The sprinkle of magic that often characterizes these gardens can also be found in this project, together with a timeless elegance. 
The design style of Van Der Put is modest and serene, and is communicated in a balanced way throughout the whole project. The intentional emptiness allows the carefully selected materials to elegantly reach their full potential. Sometimes clichés are right, because truthfully, less is more in Hidden Guest House. The black staircase is a charming yet calm eyecatcher, and creates, as if it were, a symbolic transition from the earthly to the heavenly.
The robust male character of the barn is honoured through the architecture.
As soon as you arrive at the first floor, it is impossible to miss the soft colour palette, as well as the serene atmosphere to which each detail maximally adds. Van Der Put provided 3 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. In addition, a lot of attention went to the open living space and spacious kitchen island. A fun detail is the view from the kitchen on the hidden garden: after all, a sprinkle of magic is always welcome. 
The materials chosen by Van Der Put include wood, cast iron, microtopping and kalei. Naturally, the peaceful vibe that is characterizing for the Hidden Guest House-project is mainly underlined by these four elements. Next to this, the architect incorporated a personal touch to the project by opting for Italian design furniture, a nod to her years abroad in Milan. An interesting choice, because in this way it becomes obvious that sobriety and luxury can blend seamlessly into one another.
In conclusion, the overall picture of Hidden Guest House results in an ethereal surrounding that is balanced and sumptuous at the same time. The robust male character of the barn is honoured through the architecture, and enriched by the interior, which is a beautiful testament of female intuition. Oud-Rekem is obviously due a visit of ours.
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Photography by Max Vicca & Charlotte van Beek