INTERVIEW: interior designer Nathalie Deboel

The Belgian interior architect Nathalie Deboel is making waves at home and abroad with her stylish interior projects that always manage to capture a luxurious feeling of peace and serenity.

© Nathalie Deboel

What attracted you to interior design?

The diversity. I am constantly stimulated by many different disciplines, such as art and architecture. As a child I was always very curious. I loved learning and getting to know new things. I find that even after all these years, I still discover interesting people and new things on a daily basis. I also find unravelling people’s needs and finding the right answer to them incredibly interesting.

What were the pivotal moments of your career so far?

There have already been many highlights. The expansion of our office to Brussels, designing our first furniture collection called “Nomad”… But the moment we really started working internationally, with projects in major cities like Paris, London and Tel Aviv, was a real turning point for me.

What kind of projects are you most interested in?

We specialise in high end residential projects, often second homes or family homes. We prefer these types of projects because they allow us to be very closely involved in the lives of our clients. This way we can make sure we really add value to their lives.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

For me, the two most important words are “contemporary” and “classical”. We are classical in our lines and proportions but also because we don’t shock. We don’t have an eclectic style. Because we are classically trained, we can, with respect for the history of a building, create a contemporary design that responds to the way we live today and is still connected to the existing architecture.

Your interiors also exude a certain timelessness.

I also noticed that when I was working on my book “Comforting Homes”, in which we have included several projects that we have realized during the last 15 years. When you enter those homes, you feel that they still “work”, they haven't dated.

What also stands out is that you like to use natural materials.

Natural materials provide a healthy living environment and on top of that they develop a gorgeous patina as time passes. This is exactly what we want to create, interiors that are lived in. You often see aged wooden floors in centuries-old houses that still look beautiful, they become even more appealing with the passage of time. If you work with materials that are not natural, everything remains flat, there is no depth. But if you put, for example, clay on the walls instead of painting everything smoothly, the light dances on the walls. Natural linen curtains also filter the light beautifully. This is how you give a house a soul.

© Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne

Where do you get your inspiration from when designing an interior?

As an interior designer, you don’t start with a blank sheet of paper. We are very often confronted with architecture that is already present. A first source of inspiration is the space itself, whether that’s an old farmhouse or a very beautiful contemporary building. The environment also plays a major role. London, for example, is a completely different story than Paris or a rather rural environment. Finally, there is the client. Everyone has their own story. As an interior designer you meet people who are passionate about art, literature or they have a specific collection. By having in-depth conversations with our clients and sensing what’s crucial for them, we can ensure that we design an interior in which they feel great.

You recently designed your first furniture collection 'Nomad'.

The collection was created during the first lockdown. A nomad is someone who moves from one place to another. That’s what we do as interior designers: we move from one project to another. But the lockdown meant we were stuck in one place. When that happens, you want to surround yourself with objects that are dear to you. That’s why we designed a cabinet made of sticks— the (walking) stick is also an important object for a nomad— and shelves. This way, when settling down, urban nomads can install a cabinet in which they can display their travel souvenirs, books or other precious objects. And when you move, you can easily take the cabinet with you. It is a piece of furniture that can easily travel around with its owners.

© Nathalie Deboel/Cafeine/Thomas De Bruyne

Besides this cabinet, there are also other pieces of furniture in the collection.

We have extended this concept to various other pieces of furniture, such as a daybed and a table. Everything is made from luxurious materials such as walnut or oak. For us, it was also crucial to work in an environmentally conscious way. That is why we chose to produce our products locally in Belgium. We also have the production under control, which allows us to really work in a bespoke way.

Could you tell us about your new book Comforting Homes?

As we worked on this book, we looked for the common thread that connects us to all the projects. We came to the conclusion that we create interiors where people feel good and where they can relax. Hence the title, these are houses that offer a feeling of comfort and coziness. In the book we not only show various projects, but also the atmosphere behind the scenes. It offers both an overview and an insight into what we are doing and what we want to continue doing in the future.

The book Conforting Homes by Nathalie Deboel is published by Stockmans Art Books.

I originally wrote this article for VILLAS MAGAZINE