JULIE DE DONDER - ATELIER DE DONDER
At Atelier De Donder, interiors are built on authenticity and purity, spaces where natural materials tell their own story and every detail feels considered
For Julie De Donder an interior is more than a collection of materials. "It's a living world, a point of rest, a place where identity becomes visible." That's why she goes beyond aesthetics by listening, observing, and translating dreams and ambitions into a timeless design that feels right down to the smallest detail.
How would you describe your style?
My signature is one of authenticity and purity: I design spaces with a soul, where the craftsman's hand is tangible, where materials tell their own story and energy can flow freely.
Where do you draw material inspiration from?
My material inspiration almost always comes from the pure and untouched side of nature, and from a hint of nostalgia for long-gone times. I have a fondness for genuine, natural materials because they carry a story, a history, an origin. They remind us how rich and wondrous this planet is. In their simplicity and their colour palette I find a beauty that surprises me anew every time.
How do you guide clients toward the right material choice?
I try first to listen very carefully to my client's personality. What do they want, but perhaps even more important: how do they want to live?
Too often you see an architect wanting to push through their own ego, with the perfect photoshoot as a calling card in the back of their mind. But then, I believe, we lose sight of the purpose of our profession, which for me is still to create a warm nest for the client, where they, and by extension their family, can be completely themselves.
When you, like me, enjoy working with natural materials, you notice that some clients are initially somewhat hesitant. They fear, rightly or not, that natural materials are less easy to maintain. That's why my first question is almost always: "What type of personality are you?" Are you the kind of person who's bothered by a small mark on natural stone? And will you keep feeling irritated every time you notice it afterward? Or are you someone who can enjoy the beauty with which a material tells your story over time?
You don't want someone to spend their whole life anxiously using their kitchen countertop out of fear of a stain. How you feel in your home, how relaxed or stressed you live there, has a direct impact on your quality of living and, inseparably, on the interactions within your family.
By exploring certain insights, clients naturally arrive at material choices that aren't just beautiful, but above all feel right for them. That does mean I sometimes consciously make a compromise, but always in the interest of my client and their family, without ever losing sight of the aesthetic.
How does The Hub fit into this process?
The Hub is, for me, a rewarding resource I love to bring my clients to. You'll find a carefully curated collection of high-quality materials, and beautifully designed meeting spaces. This allows me to easily guide my clients through their design and to immediately show them the materials I have in mind for them. At the same time, we can discuss alternatives together. It makes the process tangible, clear and above all very personal. Plus, it saves me an enormous amount of time, since I no longer have to request samples from all over for every project.
What's your favourite material right now, and why?
I love marble, preferably varieties with rich, striking colour patterns. If I have to choose, I'd go for Quatre Saisons. When you stand in front of a slab like that, it's as if you're looking at a satellite photo of our planet: the colours, the movement, the depth, everything feels organic, earthy, and almost painterly all at once.
