Villa Calma
Villa Calma. The name says it all. Hidden in the woods of Oud-Turnhout is a house that immediately brings you peace upon entering. Magical light, serene spaces and an interior that is perfect down to the smallest detail. The house dates from 1966 and was designed by the Turnhout School, inspired by the Scandinavian architecture of Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto. Innovative and modern, but never at the expense of the human element.
You used to live in Antwerp, what made you decide to move to this house in Oud-Turnhout?
“Several aspects. First, the high costs we had in our former house and also that we had to combine living and working because we ran a B&B. It all started to become too much for us.”
Why did you choose this particular house?
“The space is large, we realize that, but it was mainly the volume and the quality of the property that appealed to us most.” The interior is beautiful, serene, harmoniously balanced, and very unique.
How do you create such an environment?
“I have a very busy mind, which is why my interior needs to be very harmonious. Otherwise, it just doesn't work for me.”
Where do you get your inspiration from?
“Everywhere and nowhere. Pinterest, Instagram, and especially by trying things out myself.” After finding inspiration, you still have to apply the look to your own home.
Where do you get your interior items?
“My furniture is also an investment. I love timeless and handcrafted furniture. I also buy a lot of second-hand items or we make our furniture ourselves.”
What role does color play in your interior?
“I’m not a fan of bright colors; I prefer shades. The children do have colorful rooms, but in the living room and our bedroom, everything is in white and beige tones. This is necessary to maintain calmness in an interior.”
What role does the kitchen play in your lives?
“A very big one. I absolutely thrive when I get to cook for a large group. That's why we often host dinner parties; then I can unleash my culinary skills.”
You have experience with the MAKUS Marble induction hob, what role does it play in your interior?
“I love to cook, and certainly cook fresh every day, so a spacious hob with a power function is very important.”
What appeals to you about MAKUS?
“That you can integrate it beautifully into your countertop. A black spot on a light countertop never made sense to me. It's such a shame.”
And what makes you switch to the MAKUS Moon now?
“The color matches my countertop even better. I have a circulation system in my house, so the extraction is not a must for me, but it's a nice bonus.”
You just mentioned it, you also try a lot of things. You do almost everything yourselves, for example, you built your own swimming pool. How do you acquire the knowledge and skills to do it (almost) entirely yourselves?
“We've been 'flipping' houses for over ten years. We see and saw all our homes as an investment, which is why we never live in one place for more than 5 years. If you invest, you often renovate yourself, otherwise, you won't make a profit, and in those 10 years, you learn a lot.”
Finally
Villa Calma is more than a home — it is living proof that harmony, dedication, and a keen eye for detail can transform a space. Sumeyya and her husband do almost everything themselves. That makes it all the more impressive.
Want to follow Sumeyya's renovation adventure up close? You can via @sumeyya.ata on Instagram.
Curious about the Makus Moon that will soon shine in Villa Calma? Discover the Makus Moon →
