For the internal renovation of a farmhouse in rural Afsnee, JUMA sought a balance between the authentic elements of the home and a newly designed contemporary interior.

In the old situation, the large open spaces were last used as offices that JUMA transformed into a logical sequence of warmly decorated living rooms. Thus, the original entrance has been moved and one now enters the farmstead at the level of the central staircase that connects ground and first floor. To maintain the spaciousness of the room, black stained vertical wooden slats behind a natural stone drawer unit were designed to divide the space between entrance and desk. The raised dark poly concrete floor that continues into the office reinforces this separation.

Only in this room were the beams of the ceiling preserved in their natural state. Together with the oak veneer of the cabinet fronts of the checkroom and desk cabinet, these create a warm welcome.

On the poly concrete floor, three natural stone steps leave to an intermediate platform that leads to the guest toilet or the wooden stairs towards sleeping quarters. In the guest bathroom, an existing blue stone sink was retained and placed on a black stained column.

The second staircase at the back of the building was demolished to optimize the kitchen. This is also the only room on the ground floor that has a view of the green south-facing garden.

Conceiving an L-shaped sofa in the corner of the room creates a breakfast nook that is bathed in sunlight, making it a great place to linger. Full-width white curtains filter sunlight on sunny days. By increasing the space, there was also an opportunity to design a kitchen with an island. At the back of the island, the eye catches a niche where (cooking) books can be displayed. The kitchen’s cabinetry features two contrasting color tones in the cabinet fronts at the bottom and top.

In the adjacent dining area, the upper dark color shade of the kitchen wall is reflected in the low dresser cabinets and the lower light shade is reflected in the wall shelves. This reverse effect creates a playful character. In addition, the Schottlander lamp with its long arm above the dining table is the eye catcher of this room.

The floor houses the sleeping quarters and two bathrooms. Combining the white pebble floor with soft materials in an abundance of light, the children’s bathroom exudes a true wellness feeling. In turn, the parents’ smaller bathroom in light gray mortex provides a more private atmosphere.

Residents can completely unwind in their home characterized by the sober color palette, warm wood accents and occasional black details in light fixtures and faucets.

The decoration was largely selected by JUMA architects from Par Terre in Sint-Martens-Latem.

Photos © Annick Vernimmen