Spaces

A PHOTOGRAPHER’S HOME IN GHENT

11th May 2016

Maybe it’s just me, but certain homes seem to resonate at certain times of the year. And now that spring seems to have officially landed in Scotland, I’m feeling drawn to white and airy living spaces and indoor-outdoor living.

This converted warehouse in the Belgian city of Ghent caught my eye from Inside Out. This former dairy warehouse dates from the 1930s and was converted by photographer Emilie Vercruysse and her husband David de Behr, who live here with their three children. The couple came across the building in 2007 and immediately saw the potential to create an interesting home and work space here, including a photographic studio for Emilie.

Ghent home of Emilie Vercruysse, photo by Verne

The project to convert the building lasted five years, which says something of the scale of this renovation, and the couple worked with architect Francisca Hautekeete.The far rear section of the property was demolished and rebuilt as a large kitchen and dining space, with views onto an inner courtyard. White walls are combined with smooth concrete flooring, while the couple paired the sleek and minimal kitchen with industrial-style pendant lights that were recycled from another warehouse.

It might have been easy to feel overwhelmed by the volume of this space but the couple have used the ceiling height to their advantage with tall built-in shelving forming a display area – a detail that adds personality to the white backdrop while also making this lofty ceiling height work. The couple also added a warm pop of colour to the living space with B&B Italia’s ‘Tufty Time‘ sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola – again, a large scale piece was needed to make a statement here.

Ghent home of Emilie Vercruysse, photo by Verne

There are great features, like the deep set floor-depth windows above, where the timber detailing adds warmth to the palette, or the patterned floor tiles below, which were discovered during the refurbishment. The vintage spiral staircase leads to David’s mezzanine office. The hallway, below, leads both to the house and to Emilie’s studio, which was created by converting the original garage, and a bespoke sliding barn-style door leads into the studio, giving a subtle nod to this building’s former life.

Ghent home of Emilie Vercruysse, photo by Verne

See more photos of this fantastic house on Inside Out. Photography by Verne; styling by Marc Heldens and Ann Vereecken. All photography via Inside Out.