Steel-panelled fireplace forms heart of Emiel Vercruysse's renovated 1950s townhouse
The co-founder of Belgian studio Decancq Vercruysse has overhauled a mid-century townhouse in Kortrijk, Belgium, adding oak panelling, birch joinery and a patinated stainless-steel fireplace.
The aim of architect Emiel Vercruysse and partner Marie Ingelbeen, who works in the textile industry, was to create a home that would offer them a sense of calm and cosiness.
Eschewing white walls, the Townhouse VI interior combines exposed timber, natural stone and textural fabrics with a palette of dark and muted colour shades.
"Our goal was to create a true sanctuary," Vercruysse told Dezeen. "We wanted a place where we could truly unwind after a busy day and escape the intensity of city life."
The 1950s-built house had many qualities that attracted the couple – it boasted high ceilings and a pretty facade, and was within walking distance of the Decancq Vercruysse office – but the interior and layout felt outdated.
Vercruysse's scheme involved demolishing the old rear extension and adding a new one that allowed for a split-level reorganisation of the living spaces.
A lounge is located on the lower level, with a fully glazed wall connecting it to the rear patio garden, while a kitchen and dining room are on the floor above, flanked by a balcony deck.
"Instead of a single, stretched-out floor plan, we introduced a split-level organisation with different levels defining different functions," said Vercruysse.
"This sectional approach allowed us to create large, generous spaces while maintaining a strong spatial hierarchy."
The stainless-steel-wrapped fireplace is the focal point of the living room. With its irregular composition of panels, it contrasts with the linearity of the oak ceiling and wall panelling.
Vercruysse decided to do this after seeing the wooden substructure panels installed by the carpenter, placed randomly because they wouldn't be on show.
"The contrast created an unexpected dynamism that led us to rethink the design and embrace this more expressive approach," he said.
The kitchen introduces more materials. Custom-made cabinets are topped by chunky, grey stone counters, with clever touches including an overlapping breakfast bar and a super-thin steel shelf.
The warm wood surfaces are replaced by darker tones in the bedroom and bathroom, where the palette includes grey tiles, stained birch joinery and burnt-orange fabrics.
Rugs and curtains are found throughout the home. They add an extra layer of warmth and tactility, while highlighting the presence of key furniture pieces.
A chequered rug offers a rare moment of geometric pattern underneath a custom-designed circular dining table, while a more textural piece sits under an antique coffee table, which was an heirloom from Ingelbeen's aunt.
Vercruysse said the mix of old and new elements "introduces a sense of nonchalance and prevents the interior from feeling too rigid, new or showroom-like".
"The house does exactly what it is meant to do," he concluded.
"It brings nature indoors and consistently offers warmth and a sense of refuge. After a long trip, we are always genuinely happy to come home. That, to us, is the essence of architecture and of what a home should be."
Vercruysse, who previously worked for designer Vincent Van Duysen, founded Decancq Vercruysse with Hannes Decancq in 2021.
Other recent Belgian projects include a house in Ghent with a blue-tiled tower and a renovated modernist flat in Antwerp.
The photography is by Eric Petschek.
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