In a quiet street in the city lives the family of Roeland, Joke and their children Mil and Ida. As a lawyer and typographic designer with a passion for aesthetics, they have carefully renovated their home to make it both elegant and functional for their family of four. Their house, a Brutalist building dating from 1970, has a unique atmosphere that they wanted to preserve, even after a complete renovation.
"We bought the house in 2017 and were particularly attracted by the spacious workshop, ideal for use as a studio or office for both our freelance businesses," says Joke. "This artist's house dates back to the 1970s and has a distinctive Brutalist style, with surprising materials and fittings. Even though we were fans of the original architecture, we had to renovate everything, from the windows to the technology. So it was very important for us to retain the original charm while preparing the house for the future."
A recurring feature in their interiors is the use of Kewlox wardrobes, which meet a practical need for storage as well as being an aesthetic choice.
"We both had Kewlox wardrobes in our house when we were kids," laughs Joke. "My old library was used as our son's wardrobe for a long time. When we moved into this house and needed more storage, we thought of Kewlox again. It was a conscious choice because of its quality and flexibility."
They were able to unearth a few vintage models, such as the display cabinet in Joke's studio, and gradually added to their collection with new pieces.
What makes their Kewlox wardrobes so unique is that they have a different function in every room of the house. From the showcase in Joke's studio to the wardrobe in their daughter Ida's bedroom, design flexibility plays a crucial role.
"The wardrobes are tailor-made for the limited wall space we had. In a house with so many windows, it was a real challenge," explains Roeland. "But Kewlox blended in perfectly with our spaces."
Joke
Typographic designer, Antwerp
Roeland Leenaards
Lawyer, Antwerp
Roeland and Joke's interior is a blend of functionality and authenticity. "We try to make choices that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical for a family of four,’ explains Joke. ‘So our style is always evolving. We haven't finished renovating and furnishing yet, but we want to give our home its own identity, without following too many trends."
The choice of materials such as wood, stone, concrete and metal blends perfectly with the original interior. "We really wanted to preserve the Brutalist atmosphere," explains Roeland. "The palette is soothing but full of character, with lots of white on the walls to highlight the exposed brick walls. Black, green, red and blue add colour without being overpowering." The result is a modern house with a nod to the 70s, but with a contemporary twist.
The family chose to configure the new cabinets using Kewlox's online tool. "It's handy to be able to quickly visualise how the cabinets will look in the space," explains Joke. "We made a slight measurement error for the Roeland office furniture, but this cabinet found its way into the bathroom, where the storage space is just as welcome. The green colour goes perfectly with the tiles."
Even their daughter Ida took part, using the 3D tool to see what her wardrobe would look like. "She loved being able to choose her own wardrobe, and is still very happy with the result," adds Joke with a smile.
