What is the name of your accommodations?

Loft Living Garden Suite, Loft Living Parkview Suite, Casa Henrietta and Casa Richello

Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your life, such as your interests, hobbies, or background?

We are Ilse and Philip, both in our late fifties. Nieuwpoort by the sea is our permanent home: the place where we raised our two children and where we took our first steps as entrepreneurs more than forty years ago. After a rewarding career in hospitality, we entered the design world around the turn of the millennium, with a store featuring pieces by B&B Italia, Vitra, Flexform, Knoll and even our own furniture collection.

Design has long been our passion, and Ilse’s studies in photography and art came into their own far more than they ever did in hospitality. During those years we continued to travel extensively and discovered many beautiful places. We noticed, however, that this kind of location was rare in our own country, especially along the Belgian coast.

For us, a holiday home should not only be functional, but also beautiful, high quality and original. To bring that vision to life, we launched our first holiday rental in 2017: the Garden Suite in Nieuwpoort. Our son Henri-Charles has been working with us for almost ten years now, and with his help we have grown into a whole collection of holiday homes in Belgium and abroad. He is also the first point of contact for our guests, ensuring that every stay runs smoothly.

After twenty years, we downsized our large design store in 2022 and replaced it with a smaller concept with a strong lifestyle focus. The interaction between the store and our holiday homes works exceptionally well, as many of the pieces featured in the accommodations are also available in the shop, something our guests truly appreciate.

Our hobbies include good food, traveling, walking with our dog Moutarde and spending time with our grandchildren Richard, Marcello and Eugene. In February, we are expecting our fourth grandson.

How did your property become part of your life? When did it happen, and what inspired or motivated you to take it on? 

We came across the house that is now Casa Richello by chance online through a real estate agency in 2023. The property had apparently been for sale for quite some time, and we were able to schedule a visit very quickly. At that point, we already owned a holiday home in Javea, Casa Henrietta, and were interested in adding a second one. Parcent and Javea are close enough to each other to make that combination work. The moment we walked into the house, it was love at first sight. Everything felt right and perfectly matched our taste. When the real estate agent shared the story of the house, we were completely sure this was the one. The house was designed in the 1960s by a diplomat for his family, and he clearly had great taste, especially for that era. The garden was also very impressive, with large mature trees and a generous swimming pool. Finally, the location near the mountains and surrounded by nature was ideal for us. We already had a house by the sea, but a home in the mountains felt like the perfect complement.

What was the process of creating your property like? Tell us about renovating, furnishing, or styling it.

The run up to the renovation was rather challenging, as is often the case in Spain due to extensive paperwork. However, this gave us the time to develop a clear plan of action in advance. The house was in need of a thorough modernization, which we tackled first with a complete renewal of the electrical system, a full renovation of the bathrooms and a new kitchen. The original elements that give the house its charm were preserved as much as possible.
Then came our favorite part as interior enthusiasts: the furnishing. Over the course of a year, we sourced the entire interior through vintage fairs, online platforms and pieces from our own store collections. Some items were designed by us, such as the outdoor tables, stools and bunk beds. We also discovered beautiful pieces locally at a nearby vintage market. Now that the interior is complete, we are very happy with the result.

What makes your property truly special to you? Do you have any favorite spots, cherished memories, or personal touches that make it dear to your heart?

Last year we purchased the olive grove adjacent to the original property, and at the end of October we harvested and pressed our own olives for the first time. It was an unforgettable experience. We also spend a lot of time enjoying our poolhouse by the swimming pool, which we designed entirely ourselves. It is perfect for comfortably spending a full day by the pool, as it also includes its own kitchen and bathroom. As the days grow colder, we especially enjoy lighting the fireplaces, which adds an extra sense of coziness. Finally, the children’s room has been a huge success with our own grandchildren. It can accommodate six children and in fact also six adults, making it ideal for families.

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your property?

When a close friend who is an interior architect visited some time ago, he described the house as a Le Corbusier design. Thanks to the combination of design classics and vintage finds, the interior is certainly eclectic, yet still cohesive. The atmosphere is warm and open, with multiple seating areas both indoors and outdoors. Guests staying for a week can enjoy a different spot every day.

Are there any sustainable or environmentally friendly features in your accommodation that you are proud of?

We are currently considering installing solar panels in the future to reduce energy consumption. We have already noticed that the house remains very cool during hot summer days, most likely thanks to its thick walls and the high quality of its original construction.

What motivated or inspired you to open your accommodation to guests?

We simply find the location ideal for welcoming guests, and we are confident that many people will enjoy it just as much as we do. We believe that cyclists in particular will find it an excellent base for an active holiday. The mountain next to the villa, Coll de Rates, is very well known among professional cyclists who often come there to train. The estate of Casa Richello is also suitable for events or even weddings.

What can guests expect when staying at your accommodation? Share the experience, the highlights, and perhaps the best compliment you’ve received from past guests.

Guests are welcomed on site by the concierge service responsible for the property. They provide a tour and all necessary information about the house and the surrounding area. From that moment on, guests can fully enjoy their holiday. We consider a walk in the mountains a definite highlight, as well as dining in one of the many nearby restaurants. The closest beach is only about a thirty minute drive away, making it ideal for a day trip. For many guests, the highlight is simply being together and enjoying each other’s company. That is certainly the case for us.

What do you hope guests will take away from their stay?

Perhaps the sense of peace and quiet that has become rare for many people in their everyday lives. The villa acts as a cocoon that shuts out the outside world, allowing everything to slow down. We hope this brings enough relaxation for guests to return home feeling fully recharged.

Do you have any special tips or recommendations to make their holiday unforgettable?

Our top tips include visiting the vintage market in Jalon, a nearby village, every Saturday morning and making sure to leave extra luggage space for the return trip. We also highly recommend going for a walk in the mountains, choosing your own distance and simply following the signposts, with a bit of luck you may even spot wild mountain goats or wild boar. Finally, every village has at least one lovely café or restaurant that is always worth visiting.