Project Laetitia Deknudt – Oostrozebeke

Introducing

Emmely and Jo bought the domain “The Wrong World” in Oostrozebeke (BE) as a country retreat. On the former recreation ground, they realized a brand new farmstead.

Quest for outdoor residence

Emmely and Jo were looking for an outdoor home. On weekends, they wanted to escape the city and their busy business. Something on the coast or in the Ardennes, that would be it. They started looking for a piece of building land or a house to remodel. That proved more difficult than thought, until the domain “The Wrong World” in Oostrozebeke (BE) came up for sale. The domain was
owned by the Friars Minor and was used as a camp site for youth movements. When they visited the site, all their wishes turned out to be more than fulfilled. The farmhouse is in a green, rural setting with no distracting power pylon or pig farm nearby. The estate is nearly 15,000 square meters in size. At the back of the valley, the Mandel flows in a large curve past protected pollard willows and green meadows. A row of Italian poplars as tall as thirty meters gallantly dominates the landscape.

Early thinking

Interior designer Laetitia Deknudt: “The residents contacted me at an early stage. That had the advantage that I could think along while the building process was still in full development. For example, think about the position of the bathrooms and the kitchen, the electrical outlets, the lighting … Everything is perfectly coordinated.”

Old materials

The farmhouse mainly uses old materials combined with materials with a lived-in finish. This makes you think it is a renovated, authentic farmhouse. The sills are in bluestone and were given an aged look. It looks like the steps have been worn out by time. All interior doors are made in old wagon boards. The door to the basement
is an antique door and the mantelpiece from the fifteenth century Emmely was able to snap up even before the building plans were ready. The interior walls and stairs are finished with clay.

Furniture handles, knobs and handles from Dauby, better called the “butterfly line,” are used throughout the home. Models PBU-45 and PMBU-128 in Aged Iron (VO) on the cabinets and drawers. Door handles PHT and PHL in Aged Iron (VO) are applied to the doors and windows. Despite more imagination in elaboration, these retain their tautness. Towel bars were also used in the kitchen and bathroom to complete.

In collaboration with Laetitia Deknudt and Wonen Landelijke Stijl

Photography: Jonah Samyn