From Fragmented Townhouse to Open-Concept Dream Home

Several years ago, we had the opportunity to completely transform a unique city home. Originally designed as a private residence with a veterinary practice at the street side, the property had a lot of history and even more potential.

It was exactly the kind of challenge that excites us as interior advisors.

A New Vision: Space, Light & Flow

The ground floor was divided between professional and private use: a waiting room with toilet, a consultation room, and separate access to the private living quarters at the back. The result? Too many internal walls and doors, breaking up the space and limiting the sense of openness.

Our bold first decision: remove all interior walls.

By completely opening up the layout, we created a true loft feeling. Suddenly, the home could breathe. Thanks to the large windows at the rear of the property, natural light now flows effortlessly throughout the entire living space. What was once fragmented became one harmonious, spacious family home with no practice space remaining after the transformation.

Living Room: Thinking Big, Building Bigger

The former living and dining areas were redesigned into one generous lounge space. The large load-bearing wall separating the old practice area from the living quarters was fully demolished, no small intervention.

In its place, we installed an impressive 6-meter steel beam, supported by steel columns anchored into 1 m³ concrete foundations per column. A structural achievement that allowed us to create the openness we envisioned while ensuring full stability.

The result? A grand yet warm living space that feels both expansive and inviting.

Kitchen: Maximum Functionality, Maximum Spaciousness

The original kitchen was extremely small, with minimal storage and very limited practicality. We completely reimagined it.

Instead of placing a kitchen island in the center which would have interrupted the open layout, we designed a full-length kitchen along the entire side wall. This provided generous storage and functionality while preserving the visual and physical openness of the living space.

A perfect balance between practicality and aesthetics.

Bedrooms & Office: From Outdated to Refined

The bedrooms were in poor condition: old wallpaper, deteriorating wooden window frames, and outdated finishes.

We stripped everything back to the essentials:

• The wallpaper was removed

• Windows were replaced

• Floors were finished with a modern and durable stone carpet

The bedrooms were fully refreshed and restored as comfortable sleeping spaces, while one room was thoughtfully transformed into a contemporary home office. Each space now feels bright, cohesive, and aligned with the overall design vision of the house.

Rear Façade: Restoring Unity

The rear façade clearly revealed years of extensions, resulting in a mix of brick types and window styles. Visually, it lacked cohesion.

We brought back harmony and unity:

• Upper floor: new light grey aluminum windows

• Ground floor: existing wooden windows preserved and repainted in the same light grey tone

• Entire façade: painted in one uniform color

The transformation is striking. The house now feels like one coherent architectural statement: modern, clean, and timeless.

Garden: From Overgrown to Urban Oasis

The garden had been neglected for years. Ivy covered nearly half the space, taking over completely.

We began with a thorough clearing of all vegetation. The typical city garden wall finished with concrete panels was given a bold new look in an anthracite color.

The result? A low-maintenance, stylish outdoor space that perfectly complements the interior and once again feels like a natural extension of the home.

The Result

What started as a fragmented townhouse combining private and professional use has been transformed into a bright, open, and contemporary family home.

This project perfectly reflects what we stand for as interior advisors:Strong spatial insight, houghtful structural interventions, a balance between aesthetics and functionality, a clear and cohesive vision.