The natural architecture of a villa and its interior as seen by Nathalie Deboel

Interior designer Nathalie Deboel recently designed a villa that offers authentic and peaceful elegance. A new construction in an ideal location in the south-east of Brussels. A house near the Sonian forest, rooted in a green landscape. Raw materials dominate the exterior of the house, while the most natural materials take pride of place in the interior. Private visit of a simply exceptional property in the company of Nathalie Deboel, honoured with the release of her first book “Comforting Homes”—a portfolio of her most beautiful projects and achievements to date.

© Nathalie Deboel

Renowned expertise in architecture and decoration for the renovation of a villa

Unfortunately, this old villa on a slightly sloping site could no longer be preserved. But the location of its plot, in a green residential area with a high real estate value and not far from the hustle and bustle of the city of Brussels, a stone’s throw from the Forêt de Soignes, is sensational.

To bring this new building to life, the promoters put their trust in a friend. Working in perfect symbiosis with interior designer Nathalie Deboel, who took charge of dressing the space, architect Patrick Thiry reimagined the body of the building. The thatched roof and the burnt wooden beams give this villa a tough character with a tender heart.

“Passers-by often think that this recently built villa has been part of the architectural landscape for a long time,” says Belgian interior designer Nathalie Deboel. “For our interior design agency, there is no greater compliment”.

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne in VILLAS 108

The choice of wood and vintage furniture to furnish a luxury home

Everywhere, natural materials, rich textures and soft colour shades are in the spotlight. As with her other projects in Belgium, such as Knokke, Nathalie Deboel opts for simplicity and tranquillity. This love goes hand in hand with her penchant for precious materials and high quality finishes. The interior designer, whose office is located in Uccle, is a firm believer that different types of wood can create harmony. The herringbone pattern of the oak parquet floor. The white wood echoes the darker walnut wood of the custom-made cupboards.

A sculptural and majestic staircase in the hall is clad in a decorative stucco technique. The organic dining table The Line, also a creation of Nathalie Deboel, is coated with waxed concrete. The organic shape of the table structures the room. Italian chairs dating from the mid-20th century surround the table. The seats of the chairs, made of rosewood, have been skilfully upholstered. The tastefully selected vintage furniture gives the villa a lived-in feel.

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne

Natural materials, custom-made furniture: design details that make a difference

The ground floor invites us into a hall with a cloakroom, a large kitchen, the dining room, the living room, a TV corner, a library and a games room attached to the workshop. On the street side, there is a caretaker’s office and a study.

The unity of the materials creates visual calm. Warm walnut wood is used in the bedroom adjacent to the dressing room, but also in the living room and dining room. The kitchen in American walnut is distinguished by a worktop in Brescia marble. In the hall, a hanging chest of drawers with a sliding door made of fine fabric is another reminder of walnut wood. The furniture from the “Nomad” collection is by Nathalie Deboel and textile designer Nathalie Van der Massen. God is in the details. Here and there, switches, door handles and lamps are finished in bronze and brass.

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne

Knowing how to opt for natural lighting and acoustics with style

Healthy living at home means using natural materials that allow the house to breathe naturally and provide natural light. Walls insulated with clay cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter, as well as being excellent acoustic insulators. “The natural textures also give the impression that the incoming light is dancing on the walls,” says Nathalie Deboel. In the bathroom, the walls and floors are covered with waxed concrete, a natural and waterproof material. The mirrors and the onyx marble washbasin furniture were custom-made.

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne

The final touch: paint the rooms of the house in a neutral spirit

Finally, the master suite is a model of balance and calm. Here again, earthy neutral tones are in evidence. The linen and silk bed, the fresh sheets and the large, soft carpet give the room a tactile character, but also the look of a prestigious hotel room. The combination of precious materials and refined finishes with nostalgic vintage furniture also gives the first floor of this newly built villa by Patrick Thiry and Nathalie Deboel an air of experience.

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

VILLAS Decoration Nathalie Deboel Sonian Forest

Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne in VILLAS 108