Bordering the coastal sands of Belgium’s Zeebrugge village, a second-floor apartment reflects Jessy Van Gorp’s dedication to custom design.
Belgian interior designer Jessy Van Gorp was approached with the challenge of crafting three distinct residences across three levels of a new building overlooking the North Sea.
The second floor is home to the Infinitum Residence, designed as a semi-permanent home for a travelling family with the flexibility to either holiday in or rent. “Since the residence is often rented out, creating a welcoming atmosphere was essential,” Van Gorp explains. “It needed to offer a unique experience — something guests would remember and talk about.”
Capturing the essence of the North Sea was central to the design, as “one should always be able to see it,” Van Gorp says. The semi-open kitchen, living and dining area, unified by a shared palette of natural stone flooring and rough-grain paint-finished walls, is in direct conversation with the surrounding coastline.
The design prioritises durable materials such as brushed stainless steel, Hullebusch natural stone, bespoke lime terrazzo and wire-brushed oak. The terrazzo cladding evokes the coast’s pebbled landscape, while the stainless steel mimics sunlight on seawater. In the kitchen, a solid stainless steel island is complemented by bespoke oak barstools that seamlessly fit into the island’s curved frame — an embodiment of Van Gorp’s focus on hidden, tailored functionality.
The kitchen features a curved stainless steel island and bespoke oak stools that tuck seamlessly beneath.
A made-to-measure dining table, crafted from bespoke lime terrazzo and wire-brushed oak, echoes the coastal environment.
The dining area is located within the home’s glass extension, providing uninterrupted views of the North Sea beyond.
The apartment juxtaposes smooth and textural materials, as seen in the made-to-measure dining table. Its lime terrazzo tabletop contrasts with a body crafted from silver wire-brushed oak, highlighting an appreciation for wood grains in the table’s cut-and-fill construction. Curved tripod dining chairs, made from both wire-brushed and plain oak, surround the table. Van Gorp also explored recycled materials, including mosaic shower tiles made from repurposed computer screens and a reclaimed base for the home’s bioethanol fireplace.
Three bedrooms were a requirement of the initial brief, with Van Gorp later adding pull-out beds to accommodate families with children. “Since the bedrooms were compact, fitting three bedrooms with ensuites while maintaining a seamless and spacious aesthetic posed challenges,” Van Gorp says.
Where built-in cabinetry wasn’t possible, freestanding, curved storage units maintain openness and optimise space and functionality. These elements balance visible and hidden features, with the concealed shower enclosures using a double-door system for ventilation and water resistance.
“The tailored [furniture] solutions were developed to enhance the project’s distinctive character, to ensure practicality and fulfil the brief — allowing unobstructed views of the sea while cooking, eating and lounging,” Van Gorp explains.
In the living room, a bespoke ‘island’ sofa offers flexibility, for appreciating both the sea views and the fireplace with a repositionable, cushioned backrest. Adjacent, custom-designed, circular swivel-chairs provide additional versatility, just as an entertainment screen is discreetly concealed behind a sliding panel.
At its core, Infinitum Residence expresses Jessy Van Gorp’s ability to design spaces that prioritise longevity and adaptability, while being in constant dialogue with their surroundings.
At the centre of the living room, the custom-designed ‘island’ sofa features a repositionable backrest, allowing it to be adjusted for the best view and ideal arrangement for conversation.
“I enjoy transforming spaces into functional and timeless interiors, using pure, warm and sustainable materials while balancing light and volume,” Van Gorp says.
This ensuite features recycled off-black tiles derived from computer screens, complemented by a burnt and brushed Angola black granite basin benchtop.
The bedrooms feature freestanding, pivoting column-shaped cabinets.
A bespoke silver bedroom headboard, complemented by matching bedside tables. Both are crafted from oak with a distinctive, heavily wire-brushed finish.
The post Home Tour | Infinitum Residence by Jessy Van Gorp appeared first on est living | exceptional living.
