WORK_ family home by Somerset

WORK-Somerset minimal family home by Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog.beA while ago I photographed the beautiful home of Antwerp based interior architect Geraldine Somers. Under the moniker “Somerset”, Geraldine creates minimal interiors and interior objects. I’ve shared a few fragments on Instagram already, but felt that this minimal yet warm family home deserved a blog post as well! Despite its minimal color palet, Geraldine’s home is rich in materials and textures. From the Muller Van Severen for Valerie Objects wall lamp to the Louis Poulsen hanging lamp, from the wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen & son to the minimal 3D art by Edith Beurskens , every items is chosen with care. Even the salt and pepper shakers are carefully selected. The finishing touch is provided by Somerset’s original designs: the kitchen table, side table and night lights. The latter are available at Studio Ozart, a design collective run by Geraldine with three other female designers.

For more interior inspiration have a look here, for more of my work click through to my portfolio.

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WORK_ family home by Erica Jacobs

WORK_ Erica Jacobs shot by Hannelore Veelaert - aupaysdesmerveillesblog

Leuven based architect Erica Jacobs asked me to a photograph a few of her projects, all of which were a joy to shoot.  I’ve shared a few fragments on Instagram already, but felt that these lovely interiors deserved a blog post as well! The first project I wanted to share here, is this renovation of a family home.  The bathroom is probably my favorite room in the house (and I know you loved it too!) thanks to its play on transparency and combination of materials. The rest of the house however, with its custom-made furniture, steel window and brick wall, are pretty impressive too. The styling in collaboration with Plek shop (a must visit when your in Leuven!) formed the finishing touch to this stunning interior.  I hope you like the result as much as I do!

For more interior inspiration have a look here, for more of my work click through to my portfolio.

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WORK_ timeless bungalow by Eddy Francois

timeless bungalow by Eddy Francois - Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog.be

Ever since I turned photographing interiors from a hobby into a career, this blog has been a bit neglected… but that doesn’t mean I’m not still very fond of my own little internet corner!  So, to breathe new life into this blog of mine, I wanted to share one of my favorite interiors shoots of the past few months.  At first sight, it’s hard to pinpoint when this house was built, as this single story house designed by late architect Eddy Francois feels timeless while also referencing those typical bungalows from the seventies.  With its green surroundings, interesting mix of materials and textures and owners Alexandra and Peter’s impeccable selection of furniture, this home is high up on my list of dream houses. If you’re curious to find out more about the house and its owners, have a look at the original feature here  (only in Dutch).  For related interior inspiration have a look here  and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for regular updates!

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WORK_ Opum development

WORK_ Öpum Development by Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog.be

When selling real estate, the details are everything.  Nothing makes a potential buyer dream more of moving in than a well thought out (temporary) interior and an impeccable styling… The people behind Öpum are well aware of the advantages of home styling and thus the couple asked to shoot their own home – their masterpiece – to kick-start their business on social media.  It’s been almost a year since I took these pictures and I don’t know why I haven’t shared them sooner.  With it’s overload of authentic details and carefully selected vintage pieces, this home is brimming with interior inspiration… I for one wouldn’t say no to that deep blue velvet Togo sofa… Even if buying or selling real estate is not on the agenda anytime soon, you still might want to take a look at Öpum’s website, since they also have an online shop where they sell some of their (vintage) interior finds!

Interested in more of my work for Öpum?  Have a look at my portfolio!

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WORK_ home office by studio boîte

WORK_ home office by Studio Boîte by Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog.be

Some projects are an absolute joy to photograph, of which Edith Macken‘s designs definitely are a perfect example.  Since our last collaboration, she has teamed up with her husband Arnaud de Vicq as Studio Boîte, but the keywords of their work have remained the. same.  Colors, textures and attention to detail are a given, as this shared home office for wedding photographer Sleen and architect Davy Nekkebroek proves.  Curious to see more of their work?  Have a look at their website, my portfolio or my archives.

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WORK_ Caroline Notté

WORK_ Caroline Notté by Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog.be

A few months ago I was asked to photograph the studio of Caroline Notté for De Morgen Magazine.  Not knowing her work, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered my shoot location of the day.  When I showed a few sneak peeks of the interior on Instagram and asked if you’d be interested in a blog post about it, you were pretty clear.  So here it is!

The studio of the Brussels interior designer and architect is located in Ukkel, a rather fancy neighborhood in Brussels. The gallery found its home in architect Louis Herman de Koninck’s former home.  Built in 1924 by the designer of the famous Cubex kitchen himself, the building is an absolute icon of Brussels modernist architecture.

Caroline Notté gave the iconic building a new life as her office and a “collector’s cabinet ” where avant-garde designers, artists and visual artists are displayed and for sale. The gallery, with works by David Umemoto, Pol Quadens and Sammode Studio  is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 6pm and absolutely worth a visit.

Caroline Notté Gallery - Avenue Fond'Roy 105, 1180 Ukkel - website - instagram

PS. Curious for more of my work?  Have a look at my portfolio, my archive or stay up to date through Instagram!

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WORK_ Niko Inspiration Center

Niko Inspiration Center by Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog.be

If you follow me on social media, you might have already seen it, but a few weeks ago I launched my brand new portfolio website!  Ever since, work has taken over and life has been a bit of a rollercoaster, hence the blog silence.  Today however, I finally found some time to share this new baby of mine on the blog as well!   While I’m at it, I figured I’d share some of my work as well.  In this blog post you can discover the Niko Inspiration Center in Antwerp, the place to be if you’re looking to automate your home.   The interior is designed by We Want More studio in a premise previously renovated by Egg interior architects.  The stunning staircase is a remnant of that renovation.

So, if you’re in the market for a photographer, content creator or social media strategist focused on interior and design, head to my new website!  It will give you a much better overview of what I’ve done in the past and what I can do for you in the future… and in the meantime, keep an eye on my socials for your regular dose of interior inspiration.

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WORK_ kunst in huis

WORK_ Kunst in Huis - Hannelore Veelaert via aupaysdesmerveillesblog.beDuring the month of August, I devoted most of my time to shooting for Kunst in Huis, an organization that has a library of more than 5000 artworks from which you can borrow in exchange for a very affordable monthly fee.  For a campaign in a national newspaper, they asked me to shoot two of their venues (one of which I’ve shared on the blog here) and several of their clients and their homes.  My absolute favorite to shoot was this surprising duplex apartment hidden on top of a somewhat boring apartment building in Antwerp.  The owners’ love for books and the art is present in every corner of the apartment.  Have a look below to discover their stunning home and find the interview about Kunst In Huis with owner Annelies here. (Only in Dutch.)  Also fun to explore is this shoot, which was done four years ago, when Annelies and Georges just moved in… Enjoy your Sunday!

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EXPLORED_ Espoo

EXPLORED_ Espoo in Antwerp - Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblog

When interior architect Edith Macken (who I’ve worked before here) asked me to photograph her work for design store Espoo, I couldn’t say no.   Dries was the first to introduce Nordic design to the city of Antwerp when he opened his store back in 2009, and since then Espoo has become the place to be for interior lovers far beyond the city of Antwerp.  At their brand new location, designed by Edith Macken, they offer even more interior inspiration then before.  With brands such as Menu, &tradition, Ferm Living and Frama, it’s unlikely they won’t be able to still your hunger for beautiful furniture and stylish accessoires.  They even have your reading habits covered with a great selection of magazines and coffee table books.    If you needed yet another reason to spend a day in Antwerp, this is it.  They’re open on Sundays too, so there’s no reason not to stop by!  Can’t make it to Antwerp after all?  No worries, you can find all your favorites in the Espoo webshop.  Happy shopping!

Espoo - Kloosterstraat 75-77, 2000 Antwerpen - website - facebook - instagram - pinterest

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WORK_ kunst in huis

WORK_ kunst in huis - Hannelore Veelaert for aupaysdesmerveillesblogThis Summer, I was checking out options on how to integrate more art into my home without going bankrupt, when Kunst in Huis contacted me to shoot their upcoming campaign.  This organization can be described as an art library – for a mere €12 a month, you can borrow an art work from their extensive collection.  In other words: exactly what I had been looking for.  They asked me to shoot several of their clients’ homes and their brad new location in Brussels, which I wanted to share with you today.  (You might have already caught a glimpse in last Thursday’s edition of national news paper De Standaard though!)  I’ve already been scrolling through the Kunst in Huis online library to select my favorites and can’t wait to find the perfect spot for my pick, which you’ll surely see on my blog or Instagram soon!

In other news: Kunst in Huis has asked me to be part of their Art Sunday, which means I’ll be giving one on one interior advice in their venues in Leuven, Brussels and Antwerp today!  Have a look at the program for more info, and maybe I’ll see you there?  Oh and if you can’t make it – I collected a ton of inspiration on how to integrate art into your own home on my Pinterest.  Enjoy!

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WORK_ Foon by Pinkeye Design Studio and Edith Macken

WORK_ Foon by Pinkeye Design Studio and Edith Macken

As I’m currently spending the majority of my time either behind the camera or behind my computer, I figured I’d show you a glimpse of the kind of projects I photograph for a living.  Last winter, I shot the brand new hearing center Foon in Leuven, designed by Edith Macken (who I’ve worked with before here) and Pinkeye Design Studio.  Having hearing protection made to measure is not exactly the most pleasant experience (been there, done that), but it’s certainly no punishment when it takes place in an interior like this.  So if you’re ever in Leuven: take care of those ears of yours and enjoy this beautiful interior while you’re at it.

Foon, Mechelsestraat 7, 3000 Leuven - website - facebook - instagram

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EXPLORED_ Rice ‘n Roll

EXPLORED_ Rice 'n Roll Antwerp - Hannelore veelaert for au pays des merveilles

When the people of Rice ‘n Roll asked me to shoot their brand new restaurant in Antwerp, the industrial meets boho interior quickly stole my heart. I didn’t expect anything else though, knowing that Nathalie Teugels is responsible for this interior with an underground Vietnamese takeaway twist.  However, Rice ‘n Roll doesn’t only please the eyes, its summer rolls are a treat for your tastebuds as well.  Think finger-licking good and no guilt needed, because these dishes are healthy as can be (and even gluten free).  At Rice ‘n Roll they are well aware that “sharing is caring” and “choosing is losing”, as their menu is perfect for those who want to try it all.   We had a go at all the vegetarian and vegan rolls on their cosy terrace and could only approve of Antwerp’s latest culinary addition.  So hop on your bike to try these tasty dishes yourself, or have them delivered straight to your doorstep, it’s up to you.  Bon appétit!

Rice 'n Roll - Scheldestraat 98, 2000 Antwerpen - website - facebook - instagram 

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WORK_ a seaside home by Edith Macken

It’s been quiet here lately, so I thought I’d share a little bit of what I’ve been up to.  A few weeks ago I shot a project by interior architect Edith Macken, who designed the renovation of a typical seaside home for two book lovers.  The result is a calm space filled with seaside colors, beautiful details and – of course – lots of interesting books.    Have a look at her website or instagram if you want to see more of Edith Macken’s work!

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EXPLORED_ bar copine in Lokeren

When it comes to interesting cities in Belgium, Lokeren might not be the first one that pops into your mind, but there is one place that makes a visit to this Flemish city worth a visit.  At Bar Copine, located on Lokeren’s main square, you can find anything from interior accessories furniture to delicacies, care products and fashion.  However, Bar Copine is not only a shopping destination, here you can also stop by for a cup of coffee, a piece of cake and a healthy lunch or breakfast.  When they asked me to shoot their new interior, designed by Man architecten, and their menu, I got the chance to try some of their dishes and let me tell you: these dishes not only look splendid, they taste absolutely delicious as well.  Bar Copine is not only a dream come true for its owner Kim, but it is dreamy on its own, dressed in pastel hues, terrazzo and dashes of gold.  So, next time you’re in the neighborhood of Lokeren and you’re in need of caffeine, something new or a meal… you know Bar Copine is the place you’re looking for!

Bar Copine, Markt 71, 9160 Lokeren - website - facebook - instagram - pinterest

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WORK_ Model House by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh

work-model-house-gijs-van-vaerenbergh-hannelore-veelaert-9916

Last week I visited Gijs Van Vaerenbergh’s exhibition “Sections” at Valerie Traan, where I came across Model House, a piece they initially made for the Atelier à Habiter exhibition at Z33 in 2013, and models of their installations Labyrinth and Reading between the lines.  I realized I never shared the photos I took of Model House on the blog, so I wanted to do so now and at the same time encourage you to go see Sections for yourself at Valerie Traan.    If you’d like to know more about Model House, which depicts a typical Flemish “fermette” that’s in the process of being demolished from the bottom up, you should have a look at Gijs Van Vaerenbergh’s artist talk here.  (Only in Dutch though.) 

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WORK_ Terra

terra-by-trans-for-interieur-kortrijk-hannelore-veelaert-6701

“Terra” was one of the winning entries of the SPACES competition for the Interior Biennale of Kortrijk 2016.  TRANS aimed to gather people around food and thus designed a simple rectangular bar made out of concrete and wood, where mushrooms take the center stage.  I was asked by TRANS to photograph their bar and was quite impressed with their work and they way the public interacted with it.  Passersby seemed to be drawn to the field of mushrooms and stopping to smell them was no exceptional behavior.

Speaking of work, I’ve recently decided to take a little break from working in architecture and focus on my photography, interior projects and the blog instead.  I’m really excited about this new turn (and a little nervous I’ll admit) and I can’t wait to see how this evolves… Stay tuned!

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WORK_ Balenmagazijn by TRANS

WORK_ Balenmagazijn by TRANS - Hannelore Veelaert via au pays des merveilles

Office for architecture and urban planning TRANS has asked me several times to document their Balenmagazijn project, from when it was still under construction to when it was finished with its reflective extension on the roof.   This former warehouse will now host a canteen, offices and meeting rooms that can be used by the businesses located on the UCO site in Ghent.  Seeing this project come to life (I was working at the office as a trainee when this project existed only as a maquette) has been a pleasure, so after giving you a peek into their studio in this blogpost, I wanted to share this project with you as well.  For more info about TRANS, take a look at their website.

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WORK_ Trans architectuur & stedenbouw

WORK_ Trans - Hannelore Veelaert for au pays des merveilles - 1476

It’s been a while since I’ve shared some of my commissioned work, so today I wanted to give you a peek into the atelier of TRANS architectuur & stedenbouw, a Ghent based office for architecture and urban planning.  What you can expect?  White walls, lots of light, a big collection of inspiring books, an overload of schemes, plans and photos on the walls and a familiar face at work.  Curious for the projects of TRANS?  Take a look at their website here or keep an eye on the blog!

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WORK_ Canopy by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh

canopy gijs van vaerenbergh - by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles-35

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I’ve been working as an architectural photographer since a few years.  The first office I photographed for was Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, a duo that creates fascinating work, balancing between art and architecture.  One example of their more artistic work is the Hatching installation for Existenz Maximum in Leuven (see the photos here), while the projects featured in this blogpost categorize as architecture.  The two canopies in this blogpost are part of a series of 10, built on cemeteries in the Heist-op-den-Berg area in Flanders, offering shelter and a space to gather for ceremonies.

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WORK_ Omgeving

omgeving - by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles-5

Since the end of last year, I’ve been working as an architectural photographer for Omgeving, an office specialized in architecture, landscape and urbanism.  The first project I photographed for them is this social housing renovation in Mechelen.  I shot a lot of interesting shadows and reflections that made very graphic compositions.  As these are one of my favorite things to photograph, I wanted to share the result here as well.

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WORK_ Espiga

Espiga - Hannelore Veelaert & Lies Mertens - via au pays des merveilles

Recently, graphic designer Lies Mertens and I collaborated on the identity of jewelry brand Espiga.  This brand started as a school project by 5 young women, who created a piece of jewelry that is more than meets the eye.  This 3D printed geometric pendant contains a piece of felt that can hold a perfume up to three days, much longer than the skin does.  It’s the ideal solution if you’re allergic to perfume or if you want your favorite bottle of perfume to last a little bit longer.

Lies and I created a new logo and a lookbook, shot at Kornél (with the beautiful artwork by Mayken Craenen in the background) with two of the brands’ founders as models.  The yellow table top at Kornél inspired us to use this color throughout the entire branding and the presentation we prepared for them, which landed them the price for presentation with the strongest impact at the Vlajo finals.  Hooray for us!

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WORK_ Ella De Vos for Madame Seguin

ella de vos for madame seguin - by hannelore veelaert - aupaysdesmerveillesblog-21

A few weeks ago I headed to the Dutch coast for a photoshoot with Ella De Vos, a young textile designer who creates beautiful cashmere knitwear.  Last year I already photographed some of her work, and recently I shot Ella’s collection of bridal knitwear for Madame Seguin.  The collection, entirely produced in Mongolia, exists out of primarily white stoles and cardigans with delicate detailing and textures.  It offers a different take on traditional bridal cover ups, but is wearable in everyday life as well.

The beautiful dunes and sea at Vrouwenpolder formed the perfect backdrop to capture this collection in all it’s delicate glory and we’re all really proud to share the result.  Have a look!

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WORK_ Whiz

whiz recordings by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles

A few months ago, Whiz (former Roadburg and The Galacticos) invited me into their studio to take some photos while they were recording their album with Koen Gisen (also known as An Pierlé’s White Velvet).  Somehow I didn’t get around sharing these photos, but this seemed like the perfect timing to introduce them on the blog.  Now that the festival season started, the band is doing a few concerts so head on over to their facebook page for more info.  To give you a sense of what they sound like, the boys have composed a playlist of their musical heroes, which you can find at the bottom of this post.

By the way, this is exactly the kind of photography job that I love: people doing their thing while I can observe and try to capture the atmosphere.  (The space being dark and quite small, it wasn’t the easiest task with the limited material I have, but in the end it didn’t turn out so bad.)  I can’t wait to have more time on my hands again to photograph!  Chop chop, back to work now.

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ARCHITECTURE

futur, architecten achtergael by hannelore veelaert

It’s still crazy busy here, which explains the lack of updates on the blog.  My thesis deadline is coming closer, and in between I’m mostly trying to take time to catch up with friends, work on photography jobs and attend a few exciting blogging events.  (More on those later, but if you want to stay up to date, you can follow me on instagram.)  Speaking of photography jobs, the past months I’ve been shooting buildings all over Flanders and Brussels for an engineering office.  I’ve selected a few of my favorites to show here on the blog and updated my portfolio.  If you want to know more about the projects I photographed, you can hover over the photo to find out the architect.

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ELLA DE VOS

textile by ella de vos, photography by hannelore veelaert

A while ago, I collaborated with Ella De Vos, a young textile designer from Antwerp.  Her friend Nathalie joined us early on a Sunday morning and together we went to the left bank of Antwerp to brave the cold and shoot her delicate designs, consisting of intricately knit scarves and sweaters.  Later we warmed ourselves in the apartment of a friend, before shooting again on his rooftop and on his terrace, with the central station and the city of Antwerp as a backdrop.

This shoot was a bit of an experiment for all three of us, I had never worked with a model before, Nathalie had no real modeling experience and Ella never worked with a photographer before either.  On top of that, I shot these photos on film, making it extra hard to judge whether or not we were doing a good job.  In the end, it all worked out just fine.  The weather was absolutely amazing that day and even though it was extremely cold so early in the morning, the light around sunrise was absolutely breathtaking.  I’m very pleased with the result and the fun day we had, so I’m excited to do this more often in the future!   Therefore I’ve created a portfolio for my photography, where you can find more of my work.  If you’re interested to collaborate, you can find my contact details there.

Ella De Vos’ collection is sold under the name Madame Seguin, more info and selling points here.

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HATCHING

hatching by gijs van vaerenbergh via au pays des merveilles

One thing I didn’t show you in yesterday’s post about this year’s Existenz week, is this installation called ‘Hatching’ by architects Gijs Van Vaerenbergh.  Together with the students from Existenz, they designed and executed this installation at one of the floors of the old Stella Artois bottling plant.  For more information, a really cool video of the construction and more photos (by me!), you can take a look here.

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