New Lannoo coffee table book reveals the inspirational homes of ‘indoor nomads’

The home in Brussels of Derek Van Heurck (creative director for the Bellerose fashion label), is shown. Demeulemeester calls him a “contemporary nomad”, adding that Van Heurck transformed a 1925 Art Deco home into an ‘upscale apartment with 1970s flair’. Demeulemeester adds that the flat is like a hotel, and he can go wherever he wants. Van Heurck covered his building’s parquet floor with a black wall to-wall carpet and painted its walls dark green. The author describes his living area, as shown above: “His lounge looks like a hotel lobby. It has two Camaleonda couches placed side-by-side: one to watch TV, and the other for entertaining friends. As for where he sources his furnishings, Van Heurk tells Demeulemeester: ‘I like Scandinavian vintage the least, because it’s fairly refined and sophisticated. It would be nice to have more bold pieces made in America or Brazil. 

You’ll find a penthouse in Ghent Belgium that Demeulemeester described as a “festive lasagne” of colours, textures and prints. Jean-Philippe Demeyer was the interior designer who created this space to accommodate a couple on a trip around the globe, who enjoys exciting interiors. According to the book, this home is “a bold ode of chutzpah and playfulness”

LEFT: Another image of the striking Jean-Philippe Demeyer-designed Penthouse in Ghent. Demeulemeester describes the property as follows: “The only constants of this amusement park are the burnt wood ceiling, and the terracotta flooring tiles. Tiger-print carpet and mirrored doors in the hallway, cork in the bathroom, reclaimed ceramic tiles in the kitchen, an orange pantry, an “Arcadia” tapestry in the lounge: there’s a surprise around every corner.’ Right: This is Bart Len, an architect who lives in a Nieuwpoort farmhouse that has been renovated. Demeulemeester revealed that the interior follows a “nautical theme featuring boats and fish” which was ‘tons fun to do during renovation. Author reveals that the decor includes a coffeetable inspired by a fishskeleton, two-metre-long stuffed shark and a decanter made like a fish head. Bart Lens does not mind some flea-market kitsch at his home in country. The theme is even reflected in the house’s custom details. He also notes that wooden fixtures throughout the home are coated with boat varnish. This creates the atmosphere of a luxury cabin. Demeulemeester points out that the house has an interesting history. The home was once owned by a young lady, who lost both of her parents in WWI bombings.

Demeulemeester claims that this property, which is quite sophisticated, has a’spread of Palm Springs in Belgium’. Dirk Engelen co-founded B.Architects. Engelen loves travel and plans all of his trips around the architectural highlights. Engelen was surprised and thrilled to find this elevated circular house in Herentals. Jackie Cuylen was the architect who designed it. He furnished it with vintage designs and modern artworks, according to the book. Engelen tells Demeulemeester, “I have the odd feeling sometimes that this home has been waiting to me.” 

The studio apartment of Geoffroy Van Hulle, a Belgian decorator, is visible. Demeulemeester claims that Van Hullle creates interiors for intuitive homes that encourage you to embark on a mental voyage. His inspiration is derived from the ‘four corners of the earth’. His home features a Moroccan tent and a Jean Michel Frank-inspired room. There is also an apartment decorated in Yves Saint Laurent’s style. The Chinese room has Pablo Piatti murals. 

Van Hulle also has an artful bedroom. ‘I love it when every room has a different atmosphere. You have to be able to travel in your own home,’ he tells the author. He writes in the book that he is purely guided by intuition and creates landscapes where all colours, textures, volumes, and objects can be harmonised.

‘Brussels-born Christophe Remy is a jack-of-all-trades – something his eclectic flat clearly reflects.’ Demeulemeester writes that the home’s owner is a stylish one in Brussels. Remy was originally a film student, says the author. But he went on to become an interior decorator with Thierry Thénaers. The author says that Remy learned how to create interiors following the traditions of grand decorators. Demeulemeester says Remy’s 1928 apartment was a “joyride through applied arts history in the 20th Century”, blending Art Deco with Scandinavian Vintage. Remy noted that Remy was able to use the original floor of terrazzo in the building as a platform for his creativity, and added: “Formal, playful, classical, modern, or both: Why choose when all you have is in one place?” 

LEFT: The wonderful Bruges home – formerly an 18th-century physician’s residence – of Frederiek Van Pamel, who is a floral artist, interior designer, and landscape architect. Demeulemeester calls the property ‘a unique universe between a Palazzo, Johannes Vermeer, and Paul Smith. Van Pamel, according to Demeulemeester is a “collector of well worn art objects”. ‘Like nomads, they travel around in his tasteful home slash B&B,’ he writes. This stunning home is decorated with Moroccan textiles and French antiques. According to the book, “The palette of materials can be a whole world tour by itself.” RIGHT: According to Demeulemeester, ‘the house where Aline Walther and Keith Hioco live [in Antwerp]The story is about distant travels and vintage finds, as well as a life of rock and roll. This is their living room. It is located in an old 1960s barbershop/newsagent. ‘We stripped away the ugly renovations until we got down to the brutalist shell,’ Walther, who runs the denim labels Eat Dust and Girls of Dust with Hioco, tells the author. According to the book, vintage furniture, flea market finds, plants, and souvenirs from many trips found their way into their home. Walter states that the house is still in process of transformation. It tells our story.

This colourful bedroom in Antwerp, Belgium, belongs to Paulette Van Hacht, who runs the interior shop ‘Paulette in ‘t Stad’. Demeulemeester says: “After taking a tour around the globe, Paulette established the Antwerp bohemian decor shop filled with exotic “coup des coeurs.” [blows to the heart]and sophisticated vintage looks. Demeulemeester describes her penthouse apartment as a colouring book full of dazzling treasures. According to the author, “With an oxblood-red hallway, an olive green ceiling, a corridor in Majorelle Blue, and a corridor in pink stripes, it’s clear that colours can be used as a way of taking you on a trip without having to leave your home.” Van Hacht’s decor incorporates many furnishings, from antiques and modern artwork to Indian textiles. 

This is Christoph Hefti’s statement living room. He has decorated his Brussels apartment with “trendy flea-market finds” and created his own carpet designs. Demeulemeester writes: ‘It’s a highly personal universe that offers a dazzling reflection of his love of colours and textures.’ He mentions that Hefti’s professional background has influenced his unique style of interior design. He calls him a “fashion nomad” who has spent “half a life working in international fashion.” According to the book, Hefti now produces contemporary carpets that are hand-knotted by Nepalese and finished with finishing touches by Maniera, a Brussels design label. There’s something animistic about Hefti’s textile art: his colourful carpets are patchworks of fantastical creatures, myths and stories. This is how Hefti lives. 

Homes for Nomads: Interiors of the Well-Traveled, by Thijs Demeulemeester Jan Verlinde, is published by Lannoo and is £34 (€39.99)