The best addresses for architecture and interior design in Knokke-Heist

Specialists in their trade

Aside from more generalist interior design shops, Knokke-Heist is home to specialist shops that take your project to the next level. At Dominique Desimpel, for example, you will find a wonderful collection of artisan tiles, mosaics, terracotta floors and marbles. For over thirty years, he travelled the world in search of tantalising products, often from independent makers. Thibault Van Renne has immersed himself in the art of hand-knotted luxury carpets, and brings his own contemporary, custom-made creations to the market, in close collaboration with oriental workshops. With respect for tradition, he challenges artisans to keep pushing boundaries. In addition, Rénu specialises in vintage design. With his sophisticated selection, Christophe Glorieux aims to bring comfort, joy and zest for life to interiors. It is the place to go for a unique piece or for a larger, tailor-made project. Nice, soft and natural bed and bath linen can be found at Marie Marie. While Daniël Ost provides the proverbial icing on the cake with his colourful, enchanting bouquets.

Masters of the trade

If you want to do it thoroughly or at scale, it is best to call in an interior designer. They are masters at translating your wishes and personal taste into a high-quality, comfortable total concept. Nathalie Deboel succeeds time and time again in revealing the essence of a room or building. With a purified play of lines and shapes, natural materials and careful attention to residents’ personality, she creates a soothing cocoon. In her projects, Geraldine Van Heuverswyn combines simplicity with an eye for detail. Her in-depth knowledge of furniture, carpets and textile collections takes things to the next level. If you are looking for something a bit more lavish, Geoffrey Van Hulle is your perfect match. As a decorator, he loves a contemporary eclectic style with baroque and classicist influences, and the necessary dose of colour.

Carefree dreaming

There are also several companies available to take care of your remodelling needs. For instance, Chrisma tackles both total renovations and interior design, from the shell to the bedding. Contemporary comfort goes hand in hand with respect for the – conceivably historical – context. At their brand-new showroom on the Driehoeksplein, the Noterman team welcome customers who looking to take their flat to the next level. A dedicated interior designer helps to translate dreams and wishes into concrete volumes, materials and colours. And while Obumex is mainly renowned for its kitchens, the West Flanders family business also offers complete customised interiors. As an exclusive distributor of international design brands, they can combine that customisation – manufactured in their own workshops – with original furniture. Since 1960, Obumex has been building its savoir-faire around refined materials such as wood or marble. Just as in haute couture, every design is crafted down to the last detail.

First aid for design

RR is an established presence in Knokke-Heist, thanks to its three branches: RR Interieur, RR Corner and RR Garden. The three shops focus on the experience of Italian and Scandinavian high-end brands for indoors and outdoors, as well as custom-made products by Belgian designers. Experienced interior designers guide you through the composition of your interior, and installation afterwards is part of the service, too. With its focus on more compact living, Casanier helps clients make maximum use of their space. Older people and families alike are in good hands at Casanier. Clear 3D visualisations make it easier to take the right decisions. The high degree of finish and quality of the collections mean that you don’t have to compromise on aesthetic, quality or comfort. Seekers of unexpected interior combinations that add an extra, personal touch should make their way to Serendipity. Here, the perfect interior consists of surprising contrasts and authentic objects, but above all else: it intrigues and is never quite finished.

Well-earned break

Even with professional help, renovating and furnishing a house can be quite tiring. At times a well-earned is much needed. If you want to combine the relaxing with the inspiring, Carcasse is the place to be. Hendrik Dierendonck’s second establishment continues his meat-focused restaurant in Sint-Idesbald – now one of the best in Europe. Asian delicacies in a refined setting can be found at Tatau, while Italian specialities can be enjoyed at Studio MCCC Trattoria. The caterers Onest, Roka and Les Délices d’Emilie also combine a soothing interior with healthy, original dishes that will have you licking your thumbs as well as your fingers. Anyone identifying as a sweet tooth can recharge their batteries at Chocolatier M. At La Rigue, where chef Peter Goossens treats guests to top Belgian cuisine. Architect Glenn Sestig joined forces with Obumex to create the classy interior. The stylish surroundings – which will also house a wellness centre within a few months – will undoubtedly bring you serenity, as well as new ideas.

Renewed grandeur
Grand Casino to receive major facelift

Now that the design team for the renovation of the Grand Casino in Knokke-Heist is known, the future is once again looking bright for the building. The architects want to restore the relationship between the building and the sea, and to include its spacious surroundings in their overall design. The fact that Belgian Tab Architects and Spanish Barozzi Veiga came out on top should not be surprising. Together, they previously won the competition for Abby, the new museum in the Groeninghe Abbey in Kortrijk, as well as for the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels. While Barozzi Veiga specialises in museums, designing context-related spaces with a pure identity is one of the Ghent design firm’s strengths. With this new project they want to make a high-quality total experience possible again, and to restore the Grand Casino’s grandeur.

Pared-down confrontation

In its proposal, the design team hark back to the original, modernist design that won the young architect Léon Stynen the competition in 1925. For instance, the northern part of the Kursaal, including the glazed façade of the main hall, will be reconstructed in keeping with its initial qualities. There, a sense of spaciousness has been preserved quite well with the central chandelier hall and symmetrically arranged halls. The design team is restoring the relationship with the sea by bringing back the original transparency of the north façade. This will re-establish the relationship between the sea, the dyke and the interior. The fluidity of forms and horizontal character of the south façade also build on Stynen’s three-dimensional aesthetic language. The pared-down confrontation between old and new feels logical, but at the same time it asserts itself strongly enough. Respect for the past goes hand in hand with high-quality architectural interventions.

New art hall

On the south side, the architects bring order to the disparate spaces created in successive renovations. The organic design blends seamlessly with the purity of the north side. It envisions the room containing René Magritte 1953 mural ‘The Enchanted Domain’ as a central reference point, while the south wing will become the linking structure between the original building and the underground extension with the casino. The car park, nightclub, restaurant, wine bar and supply zone will also be sited underground, so that the built area above ground scarcely increases. Generous patios will reflect ample daylight inside. The integration of an art hall with three multifunctional exhibition halls enhances the Grand Casino’s artistic DNA, with permanent works by Magritte, Jean Lurçat, Keith Haring and Paul Delvaux, among others. With this renewed, quirky interpretation, this cultural temple is primed for a glorious future from 2026.