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Paradis Apartment: A Coastal Haven Blending Art, Design, and Hospitality

Situated on the Belgian coast in Ostend, Paradis Apartment is the creation of Albane and Micha, two design enthusiasts with a deep-rooted love for the city. This 97 m² apartment, offering panoramic views of the sea and harbour, goes beyond a typical holiday retreat. It’s a curated space that merges contemporary art and design with the comforts of a stylish getaway. Available for both short and long stays, it also serves as an inspiring venue for events, meetings, and creative photo shoots.

The founders’ passion for art, design, and hospitality is reflected in every detail of the apartment, which houses carefully chosen pieces from renowned and emerging designers. Paradis Apartment is not just a static gallery but an ever-evolving concept, where almost everything is for sale. Guests are invited to live amongst these unique works, making the space a true embodiment of art, creativity, and inspiration.

Albane and Micha, can you share the inspiration behind Paradis Apartment? How did your shared love for Ostend and your background in PR and communications shape this project?

The idea of a holiday home in Ostend was born a few years ago. First and foremost, we love Ostend. I was born and grew up in Ostend. Since I’ve been living in Ghent (I stayed in the university town after my studies), I’ve often been to Ostend. My family still lives there. So it was obvious to us that Ostend was our choice for a holiday home. What’s more, we love the sea and the sea views are something magical. Ostend is special. Not only because of my roots, but also because of the atmosphere. Ostend is the only seaside town in Belgium. It has a unique blend of raw, drab seaside location and artistic appeal. 

It wasn’t until we bought the flat this summer that the idea of doing something with it other than just decorating it and renting it out grew. Talking to people in our network, the idea of placing objects and works of art in it to show them off to best advantage was born.

We’ve always been drawn to beautiful things and craftsmanship. Over the last 15 years, this interest has only grown and when we founded our agency it was very clear that we wanted to focus solely on these sectors. We both have communications backgrounds, Micha having worked in the cultural sector and journalism, and I in advertising and fashion. Club Paradis has grown very organically since it was founded 6 years ago and all our clients still correspond to the ambition we had when we created the agency: we wanted to focus on projects with which we have a great affinity and which inspire us and we are proud to work with all our clients.

Paradis Apartment is described as a moving, versatile, and evolving project. How do you select and curate the artists, designers, and works featured in the apartment? What is your process for keeping the space dynamic and fresh?

The project and the choice of pieces developed very organically. The apartment is decorated with art, objects and furniture from people – artists, designers, craftspeople, galleries – that we love, admire or have worked with in the past. Pieces that we know well. So it was mainly in conversation with them that we chose the furniture. It’s thanks to their enthusiasm that this project has become what it has. We’re lucky that all our favourites are part of this project and it was a real pleasure to bring them together.

Once a year we will change most of the objects in the apartment, so annual visitors will discover something new each time the come. Also during the year, new items can be added.

The concept of using a domestic space for art and design presentation is quite innovative. How do you think this approach changes the experience for visitors compared to traditional galleries or showrooms?

What we have in common with galleries or showrooms is that the objects and works of the artists and designers have a prominent place in the space. We also want to create a dialogue between the pieces. To connect the works, the designers and artists with art and design lovers. Creating links. But we added something, by giving the people the opportunity to live with and among the works. To touch them, to use them.

For the designers, the tactility, material and ergonomics of their creations are really important,, but you can’t experience this in a museum, gallery or shop. Here, you can experience the pieces.

But what we really didn’t want was a ‘home way from home’ feeling. We wanted to create an inspiring place where you see beautiful things and feel inspired. There’s a combination of big names like Muller Van Severen, destroyers/builders or Bernard Dubois in collaboration with Isaac Reina but also lesser-known names like STACK, coseincorso, Middernacht Alexander or LERRY ceramics.

The apartment also provides a hybrid atmosphere. It’s rented out as a holiday location, but it could just as easily be used as a backdrop for a photo shoot, meeting, presentation or anything else. 

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As founders, how do you incorporate your personal tastes and experiences into the curation of Paradis Apartment? Are there any particular pieces or artists in the apartment that hold special significance to you?

It’s a very personal project and we love all the items that are placed in the apartment. So it’s difficult to choose one piece in particular. You could say that we invite people into our world. There is no distinction between our professional and private lives. We are surrounded by so many talented people: creators, designers, craftspeople, artists and even entrepreneurs. It was a unique opportunity to collaborate with them. And for the public, it’s another opportunity to get to know contemporary design and to be inspired.

We haven’t bought magazines or books and put them here, but we have chosen to put part of our library here. If we come for a weekend, it has to be well thought out for us too.

What are your future plans for Paradis Apartment? Are there any upcoming collaborations, events, or changes that you are particularly excited about?

We just launched, so we will start working on the next collaborations after summer. But I am sure we will have great new encounters or further relations with who we work with now 🙂

Images, Frederik Vercruysse

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