NORMANDY
The Normandy was built in 1937 on the coastline of De Panne as a hotel in the so-called style paquebot, a sleek modernist art-deco style.
The name and form of the building referred metaphorically to the luxury package boats on which you could sail the ocean in style.
Four former hotel rooms situated in the ‘bow of the ship’ were transformed into one pied-à-terre with sea view from anywhere, even when taking a bath.
art deco style
The building itself is gorgeous. The light is fantastic.
The interior refers in a playful way to the glorious past of the building. The furniture in teak and the lighting fixtures are reminiscent of the decoration and finish of a boat as are the seat cushions that were made to measure to the curved facade. The parquet flooring looks like a ship’s deck. The kitchen serves as a comfortable galley.
Furniture and cupboards, switches and white tiles evoke the atmosphere of the modernism of the Interbellum with references to the work of Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé. The added colors were also created in the thirties by Le Corbusier. The materials are warm as in the former luxury hotel. The seat fabric has the texture and color of the beach sand. A place of relaxation drenched in history!
Photography: Stefaan Beel / Dirk Gijsemans