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Steal This Look: A Modern Courtyard in East Flanders, Belgium

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Steal This Look: A Modern Courtyard in East Flanders, Belgium

April 6, 2018

In the Belgian town of Tielrode, two artists transformed an inherited property, a former inn and cafe, into nature retreat Good Repose. A major part of the renovation was the south-facing courtyard and its semi-covered terrace structure. In quintessential Belgian fashion, the owners landscaped the courtyard with gravel, whitewashed and plastered the brick walls, and designed the exterior space with a suite of artful outdoor furniture. Here, we dissect the peaceful look, from the chairs and mini-grill down to the sturdy ceramic tableware.

The owners prefer a whitewashed palette of white and light gray. A large concrete planter (left) is the only sign of plant life (culinary herbs). Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
Above: The owners prefer a whitewashed palette of white and light gray. A large concrete planter (left) is the only sign of plant life (culinary herbs). Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
The south-facing courtyard receives full sun. Here, the owners sit on the covered terrace. Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
Above: The south-facing courtyard receives full sun. Here, the owners sit on the covered terrace. Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
An artful setup with vintage and new outdoor furniture. Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
Above: An artful setup with vintage and new outdoor furniture. Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
The Big Green Egg, one of our favorite grills, is set up for simple outdoor dining. Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.
Above: The Big Green Egg, one of our favorite grills, is set up for simple outdoor dining. Photograph courtesy of Danica O. Kus.

Materials

The owners finished the interior and exterior walls using a traditional Belgian plaster technique called kalei where a thin, chalky plaster—a porous substrate—is applied by brush. It’s traditionally used in facade restoration work to keep the walls of a building “breathing” and to regulate moisture. For something similar, Pure & Original makes Kalei Facade Paint.
Above: The owners finished the interior and exterior walls using a traditional Belgian plaster technique called kalei where a thin, chalky plaster—a porous substrate—is applied by brush. It’s traditionally used in facade restoration work to keep the walls of a building “breathing” and to regulate moisture. For something similar, Pure & Original makes Kalei Facade Paint.
The roof tiles on the building are green ceramic tiles handmade in Germany. For something similar, Bright Green Spanish Tiles (shape shown in white) are available at Ludowici.
Above: The roof tiles on the building are green ceramic tiles handmade in Germany. For something similar, Bright Green Spanish Tiles (shape shown in white) are available at Ludowici.
Exquisite Surfaces has a range of Reclaimed Belgian Cement Tiles similar to the handmade cement tiles from Belgium used for the flooring in the covered terrace. The tiles measure eight inches square and are available through Exquisite Surfaces.
Above: Exquisite Surfaces has a range of Reclaimed Belgian Cement Tiles similar to the handmade cement tiles from Belgium used for the flooring in the covered terrace. The tiles measure eight inches square and are available through Exquisite Surfaces.

Outdoor Chairs

Part of designer Paola Navone&#8\2\17;s collection of outdoor furniture for Serax, the Lounge Armchair in white aluminum (\$7\10.0\2) is paired with the Serax Seat Cushion in white canvas (\$300.\26), both from Mohd.
Above: Part of designer Paola Navone’s collection of outdoor furniture for Serax, the Lounge Armchair in white aluminum ($710.02) is paired with the Serax Seat Cushion in white canvas ($300.26), both from Mohd.
The Serax Outdoor Dining Chair by Paola Navone is \$363.9\2 at Mohd.
Above: The Serax Outdoor Dining Chair by Paola Navone is $363.92 at Mohd.
The Serax Outdoor Canvas Chair by Paola Navone has a canvas sling seat. It&#8\2\17;s available at French Rosa for \$7\15.8\1.
Above: The Serax Outdoor Canvas Chair by Paola Navone has a canvas sling seat. It’s available at French Rosa for $715.81.
The Serax Outdoor Lounge Sofa by Paola Navone is \$\1,007.09 at Mohd.
Above: The Serax Outdoor Lounge Sofa by Paola Navone is $1,007.09 at Mohd.
Designed by Luc Vincent for Serax, the Vinyl-Vinyl Chair, shown in black, is made of powder-coated metal and vinyl (good for outdoors). It&#8\2\17;s €\2\13.93 available through Serax stockists. Read more about the chair in A Chic Chair Made with a Surprise Material on Remodelista.
Above: Designed by Luc Vincent for Serax, the Vinyl-Vinyl Chair, shown in black, is made of powder-coated metal and vinyl (good for outdoors). It’s €213.93 available through Serax stockists. Read more about the chair in A Chic Chair Made with a Surprise Material on Remodelista.
The Antonio Sciortino Stoel Commira White Chair designed for Serax is €\239.95 via Best Sale and Serax. Alternatively, the Pip-e Chair in white polypropylene has a similar look to the chair in the garden; \$\1\28 at YLiving.
Above: The Antonio Sciortino Stoel Commira White Chair designed for Serax is €239.95 via Best Sale and Serax. Alternatively, the Pip-e Chair in white polypropylene has a similar look to the chair in the garden; $128 at YLiving.
Source a vintage daybed similar to the one in the courtyard (a vintage Italian design for Zeus Noto) from \1st Dibs, eBay, or Pamono. The Scandinavian Black Daybed by Gemla Dio from the \1960s shown is \$\2,405.38 on \1st Dibs. Alternatively, the Wim Rietveld Arielle Daybed and the Dick Cordemeijer for Auping Cleopatra Daybed are good options.
Above: Source a vintage daybed similar to the one in the courtyard (a vintage Italian design for Zeus Noto) from 1st Dibs, eBay, or Pamono. The Scandinavian Black Daybed by Gemla Dio from the 1960s shown is $2,405.38 on 1st Dibs. Alternatively, the Wim Rietveld Arielle Daybed and the Dick Cordemeijer for Auping Cleopatra Daybed are good options.

Outdoor Tables

Designed in Italy by Guilio Cappellini, the Bong Table, shown in white-lacquered fiberglass resin, is \$984 at Hive.
Above: Designed in Italy by Guilio Cappellini, the Bong Table, shown in white-lacquered fiberglass resin, is $984 at Hive.
The Eos Square Outdoor Table designed by Matthew Hilton for Case is similar to the simple white side table in the garden; \$495 at Design Within Reach.
Above: The Eos Square Outdoor Table designed by Matthew Hilton for Case is similar to the simple white side table in the garden; $495 at Design Within Reach.

Grill

The Big Green Egg comes in five sizes from XL (\$900) to Mini (\$\2\20, shown) from the Big Green Egg. For more outdoor grills, see \10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Charcoal Grills.
Above: The Big Green Egg comes in five sizes from XL ($900) to Mini ($220, shown) from the Big Green Egg. For more outdoor grills, see 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Charcoal Grills.

Accessories

The Serax Stripe Cushion (shown in Erba) designed by Paola Navone for outdoor use is \$\145.99 at Mohd.
Above: The Serax Stripe Cushion (shown in Erba) designed by Paola Navone for outdoor use is $145.99 at Mohd.
The Stardust Premium Concrete Bowl Planter is available in 45-, 54-, and 65-inch sizes, starting at \$\1,785.60.
Above: The Stardust Premium Concrete Bowl Planter is available in 45-, 54-, and 65-inch sizes, starting at $1,785.60.
The Davey Lighting Oval Aluminum Bulkhead with Guard is \$3\15 at Horne.
Above: The Davey Lighting Oval Aluminum Bulkhead with Guard is $315 at Horne.
The Ihanna Krummi Bird Hanger with Wire in black wood is similar to the plastic crow hanging from the terrace roof; \$45 at Tiina the Store.
Above: The Ihanna Krummi Bird Hanger with Wire in black wood is similar to the plastic crow hanging from the terrace roof; $45 at Tiina the Store.
A few of the Serax White Ceramic Birdhouses line the garden wall. They&#8\2\17;re €\25.65 each at Hethuysraat in Belgium.
Above: A few of the Serax White Ceramic Birdhouses line the garden wall. They’re €25.65 each at Hethuysraat in Belgium.
Designed by Sergio Herman for Serax, the Surface Mug Without Handles, shown in Indi Grey, is the cup pictured on the tabletop; €\13 each at Design Delicatessen.
Above: Designed by Sergio Herman for Serax, the Surface Mug Without Handles, shown in Indi Grey, is the cup pictured on the tabletop; €13 each at Design Delicatessen.
From the same series, the Serax Surface Tapas Plate is €\24 at Design Delicatessen.
Above: From the same series, the Serax Surface Tapas Plate is €24 at Design Delicatessen.
If you’re designing a gravel courtyard, start with our Hardscape 101 guides for Gravel 101 (including Pea Gravel and Decomposed Granite) and 10 Things Your Landscape Designer Wishes You Knew About Gravel (But Is Too Polite to Tell You). For more of our favorite gravel gardens to co-opt, see our posts:

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