Eliska
BRUSSELS, BE
2026
A colourful home away from home
In 2020, we had the pleasure of designing Eliska’s first home in Brussels. When she bought a duplex apartment a few years later, she came back to us.
The building had recently undergone a full renovation. The technical installations were already in place, but the kitchen, bathroom and entire interior still needed to be designed and finished. As an expat with a demanding job, Eliska wanted one thing above all: a place where she could truly feel at home.
She had already found the starting point for the interior. On Kelly’s Instagram, she had spotted a colour combination that stayed with her: olive green, ochre and lilac. She brought the image to our first meeting, and those three colours became the common thread throughout the design.
“Coming home feels better every day, and this place has quickly become somewhere I truly feel at home.”
– Eliska
On the main living floor, we built on the apartment’s existing character. High ceilings, decorative mouldings and original fireplaces were features we not only wanted to preserve, but to celebrate. Colour and contemporary design provide the contrast.
The kitchen called for a less obvious solution. All technical connections had been positioned along a wall with an original fireplace. Removing it was never an option for us, so we designed the kitchen around it. Soft shades of yellow from Kelly’s MONO collection for Vanden Borre Kitchen turn what initially seemed like a constraint into one of the room’s defining features.
The bedrooms and bathroom are located on the lower floor. As this level is partially below ground, it receives less natural light. The planned tiled floor would only have made the space feel colder. Instead, we chose fitted carpet, warm colours and soft materials to create a calm, cocooning atmosphere with the feel of a boutique hotel. Bespoke solutions, including additional storage beneath the stairs, make the most of every available space.
The result brings together the apartment’s original character and Eliska’s love of colour. Personal, distinctive and unmistakably hers.
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PHOTOS @THE FRESH LIGHT
A note from Eliska
I first worked with Kelly in 2020, when I purchased my first property in Brussels. It was the middle of the difficult COVID lockdowns, but despite it all, we clicked immediately. She helped me create my first adult home, and it met all my expectations.
When I bought my second property, working with Kelly again was a no-brainer. I’m a sworn enemy of millennial beige, and her natural sense of colour was exactly what this place needed. The house has historical charm, high ceilings, many original features, including huge fireplaces, and beautiful energy. But I knew from the start that modern elements, design and colour would be essential to soften its castle-like feel.
The downstairs space was perhaps the biggest challenge. I struggled to imagine how it could become a cosy, warm and intimate sleeping space, and I had a hard time finding the right vision for it without giving up on the project. Storage was another must for me. While the flat had plenty of potential storage space, I knew making the most of it would require smart design choices.
I had no doubt that Kelly and I would click! That was the least of my concerns. I absolutely love how she approaches her work and her relationships with clients. I never felt like just another item on her to-do list. She and her team are personally invested from start to finish.
The moment I knew this would be an amazing creative project was when Kelly surprised me with lilac for the living room walls. She kept my original colour combination but added a beautiful shade of lilac. I was hesitant at first, but I love the colour, so I decided to trust her. The result is incredible, and I love how beautifully it reflects my own taste.
Another huge moment was when Kelly selected my favourite sofa in the world without even asking me. That was a lovely confirmation that we were on the same wavelength :)
The biggest moment, though, was seeing my bedroom come together. I was terrified that the downstairs space would turn into a dark cave. When I first saw the colours on the walls, I panicked because I couldn’t picture how it would work. Kelly reassured me and encouraged me to trust the process. She also convinced me to put carpet downstairs to soften the space and make it cosier, which was a huge leap for me. Looking at finished rooms and overall space, she was absolutely right! It has become a warm, private and intimate space. Even the main bathroom downstairs, which initially looked like a panic room, has become a little spa corner
That trust extended well beyond the creative decisions. I’m especially grateful for the way Kelly and her team handled difficult situations—and my stress levels. I’m a typical expat in the EU Brussels bubble, so having them guide me through a complex process and find the right, reliable people to carry out the work in the house meant everything to me.
Coming home feels better every day, and this place has quickly become my safe space. I love walking into the kitchen and being surrounded by beauty that feels so personal. Starting the morning on the soft kitchen bench, which was Kelly’s idea, and sitting there quietly with my coffee is a wonderful way to begin the day.
The space is almost unrecognisable now. It still has all its original features, but the colours and the kitchen Kelly designed have transformed it into a cosy, welcoming home. Going downstairs to sleep each night feels incredibly relaxing and intimate. It’s a private space I share with only a few people, and all my worries about it are gone. My favourite rooms are definitely the kitchen, my office and my bedroom. They’re all in harmony with the vision I had for this home, and I’m grateful I let go and trusted the process.
To anyone considering working with Kelly and her team: you can be sure that communication, your personal vision and your wishes will be prioritised throughout. You’ll have a team that is genuinely invested and will guide you through everything, step by step. If you like thinking outside the box and love Nordic design with a rich mix of minimalism and creativity, Kelly is a perfect choice. She brings those elements together while making room for you to express yourself in your home. Thanks to Kelly and her team, what could have been a stressful and daunting process became a playful and exciting journey.