House DM door Van Damme - Vandeputte architecten

In the picturesque surroundings of Damme, Belgium, Van Damme - Vandeputte Architects renovated the interior of a historic farmhouse. Overlooking the canal and its distinctive rows of trees, the home’s rural character has been reimagined into a distinctive, contemporary-classic living experience. Several rooms introduce bold touches of colour, while authentic elements have been carefully preserved elsewhere. This property houses a Parisian styled nightclub! Furthermore, the kitchen forms a striking focal point, with alabaster light fittings, solid rounded worktops and characteristic half-height curtains that reinterpret heritage as the pinnacle of contemporary luxury.

This remarkable transformation required no major structural interventions. Through a series of carefully considered choices, the architectural duo created a luxurious, contemporary interior that remains firmly rooted in its traditional context. Valuable existing materials were thoughtfully reclaimed or treated to bring out their inherent qualities, while a restrained colour palette combined with artisanal paint techniques lends classical structures a renewed sense of vitality. Subtle bronze and patinated brass accents complete the composition, elegantly bridging past and present.

The interior of this Damme farmhouse was further unified through refined bespoke joinery, artworks from the client’s collection and remarkable design icons: from lighting by the Parisian design duo Garnier & Linker and London’s CTO, to seating by Molteni and Edra. The bespoke kitchens forms the heart of the home. It is the place where family gathers around shared culinary moments and where the beauty of natural materials is celebrated. Here, Van Damme - Vandeputte paired custom dark walnut cabinetry with solid natural stone worktops, eight centimetres thick and carefully sourced in Italy and Turkey. The result is a sublime expression of elegance that flows seamlessly from the washbasin into the wall, giving the kitchen a distinctly sculptural quality.

At the client’s request, the cellar was transformed into a nightclub with a Parisian cabaret atmosphere. The architects immersed the space in a rich, monochromatic red palette. The central showpiece is the bar, where a marble countertop meets high-gloss tropical amara wood in a harmonious composition. The red sofa, crafted by Collett & Victor to a design by Jean-Philippe Demeyer, evokes the spirit of 1920s Paris and enhances the space’s theatrical character.

SAVVY x Van Damme-Vandeputte architects: international press relations
View our other cases here.

Photography: Cafeine.