Belgian interior designer Nathalie Deboel has crafted a home of opposites just outside of Brussels, the beautiful Brussels House having as a characteristic the balanced interior. Raw and refined, dark and light, masculine and feminine, hard and soft – these qualities amalgamate to form a balanced, sanctuary-like home enveloped by nature. Nathalie, in her design approach, prioritizes understanding her clients’ unique stories and desires.
In the case of the Brussels House project, the homeowners, a couple with contrasting personalities, served as her inspiration. She aimed to blend their distinctive characteristics into a cohesive design, achieved through in-depth conversations to understand their worldviews. The husband’s appreciation for raw and honest material qualities contrasted with the wife’s sophistication and preference for elegant, neutral-toned materials. This duality is reflected in the design’s mix of dark materials like walnut and black steel, alongside light materials such as oak and onyx.
Nathalie’s design also sought to create a journey within the home, with a sweeping staircase serving as the starting point for various “destinations,” each reflecting the clients’ interests. Throughout these interior fluctuations, the surrounding landscape serves as a constant, grounding presence, connecting the design to nature—a shared love between the couple. Ultimately, the design encapsulates the essence of the homeowners and their connection to the environment.