Ceramic Collection Meets Ceiling in Tiny Kitchen Makeover

What’s your plan when you possess an amazing pottery collection and lack space to showcase it? Install it on the ceiling, naturally.

Okay, fine, it might not be the most straightforward answer, but that’s exactly what makes thismodern kitchen ideaso captivating. The space blends elements of a kitchen and an art gallery, with the client’s diverse and distinctive artwork serving as the focal point, defining the ambiance of the room.

It serves as a tribute to the client’s collection and her cultural background, blending Romanian folk art seamlessly with the classic Belgian architectural style, celebrating the Romanian-Belgian couple who consider this place their home.

It is logical that Matisse’s La Blouse Roumaine series served as a major source of inspiration forTine Loncin, the creator of this amazing space. For it is within these paintings that French artist Matisse develops a style rich with Eastern European themes and symbols, influenced by his friend, the Romanian artist Theodor Pallady. This collection is seen as a genuine artistic blend of East and West, similar to this kitchen.

The Brief

Charged with developing a full kitchen renovation for this Brussels apartment, interior architectTine Loncin’his most significant challenge was evident from the start: converting a small kitchen to a proper residence for the client’s collection of over 100 pottery pieces.

“The client wished to showcase her collection of Romanian plates in the kitchen, while also requiring plenty of storage,” says Tine — a challenge to achieve in a small space.apartment kitchen. However, with a bit of imaginative thinking, Tine discovered a solution of her own.

“Instead of picking one over the other, I let the plates soar. Hung from the ceiling in a setup that’s functional, unique, and fun,” she explains.

This combination of functionality and character serves as the core element of the design strategy. The large art collection was not merely a challenge to address, but a significant source of inspiration for the space, reflecting the client’s identity and culture, which ultimately influenced the final outcome.

Tine notes, “My concept for the complete kitchen overhaul was created to celebrate and enhance that essence: a area that feels genuine, used, and subtly motivating.”

The Inspiration

As mentioned earlier, Matisse’s series influenced by Eastern Europe was a key source of inspiration for Tine during the design phase, but, as expected, Matisse was not the sole artist Tine consulted for direction.

“The creations of Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi also influenced my perspective. His quest for the core, conveyed through simple lines and basic shapes, closely matches my method in spatial design,” says Tine.

Although Brancusi and Matisse may differ in terms of medium, with Brancusi having a significant presence in the realm of sculpture and Matisse being most recognized for his collage pieces, the two exhibit a remarkable similarity in their treatment of form. Both incorporate bold, flowing lines and more delicate, soft curves, resulting in a diverse yet harmonious combination that offers great inspiration.

However, it wasn’t only their unique styles that attracted Tine; these artists also symbolized something more than just their creations; they were embodiments of their respective cultures. Romanian, meets French, East, meets West. And, as Tine notes, “The cultural diversity of the clients, a Belgian-Romanian couple, was a major source of inspiration for this design.”

Although most visibly evident in the dramatic presentation of traditional Romanian art, these cultural elements can be seen throughout the overall design.

Studies on traditional Romanian architecture, especially in Transylvania, showed a prominent use of daring,powerful colorsFor windows, doors, and roof edges. My first inspiration collage clearly indicated: This one should be red,” Tine says.

The crimson window frame not only introduces a burst of color but also creates a visual link between the building’s structure and the plates adorning the ceiling, resulting in a more unified atmosphere within the room.

The Design

Frequently, in areas with a single striking element, such as this ceiling, the other design aspects tend to be fairly subdued, blending into the background. This is not the case in this kitchen.

Here, the diverse and attention-grabbing ceiling adorned with plates is enhanced by an electric greencolor-drenchedroom with graphic black and white tiles. Nevertheless, these opposing elements, each very prominent on its own, combine to form a balanced, cohesive layout.

For Tine, there was no doubt that these components would complement each other. As she states, “The green color is certainly striking on its own, but from the start, I knew that such a lively hue would be very suitable in this environment. In my designs, I never make a change without a solid justification.”

She adds, “Picture the same set of jugs, pitchers, and plates on a white backdrop. All the embellishments would be vying for focus, making the overall look disorganized. But with the bold hue, the whole collection is contained within a single, distinct setting, which creates a sense of peace. The background, in effect, takes in the variety, letting the items shine brightly.”

However, Tine felt an equally courageouskitchen flooring was necessary. “I was very aware of avoiding combining the prominent bright color with a ‘neutral’ or simple floor. That would have made the area seem flat, lacking in depth. The patterned tiles offer the perfect balance to the green, introducing contrast and texture,” said Tine.

But it’s not just about style over substance. Each material was selected for its durability and attractive appearance. The real difficulty was ensuring the same green color remained consistent across these various materials.

The cabinets are constructed using High Pressure Laminate, and I invested a significant amount of time looking for a compatiblebacksplash. I found it in the exterior cladding! When I discovered a beautiful green there, I adjusted the choice of High Pressure Laminate brand accordingly (finding the exact same color). In the end, I was able to perfectly match the corresponding RAL color for the paint,” Tine explains.

The countertops and floor provide a modern, simple atmosphere due to their smooth, clean texture.

“The kitchen countertop materialis a blend of quartz and tiny natural stone fragments held together by resin. The floor tiles are made of porcelain, very strong, long-lasting, and resistant to wear because of their compact structure and high firing temperature,” explains Tine.

Collectively, these elements form a visually impressive, yet exceptionally strong kitchen layout.

If you enjoy diverse, vibrant kitchens like this one, you’re likely to appreciate this.large house in Coimbatore, India.

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