You could read your emails at an ordinary weekday desk — or you could do it at the Arne Vodder desk where former alderman Jan Devroe sketched out grand plans for the Port of Antwerp in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s all a matter of perspective...

Design lovers who resonate with that vision will feel right at home with Immodôme Objects. At a time when finding unique design pieces is becoming increasingly difficult, Immodôme happens to be right at the source of hidden gems.

“The idea grew organically out of a request from our sellers,” says co-founder Isabel De Laet. “Our clients often own exceptional pieces but don’t know what to do with them when it’s time to sell their home. We frequently see people downsizing, or moving from an art deco house to a modernist one. That shift often calls for a new interior — but what happens to their existing furniture?

A shared passion for aesthetics and beautiful objects runs through our entire client base, so we decided to build a bridge between sellers and buyers. That’s how Immodôme Objects was born, just one year ago.”

Architect Tina Ruts oversees the curation of the items in question. She always selects based on three pillars: design, aesthetics, and historical value. “Because of this careful selection process, we’re able to offer most pieces in the condition we found them, with their original patina. When needed, we give them some extra love or restoration to present them in their best, original state.”

Some pieces have been around for nearly a century, like the Tulip Chairs that once graced the lobby of the French hotel Melandre. Others—like the Marenco sofa—are still in production today. And some are created by contemporary designers. For instance, there’s a unique, custom-made table by Ben Storms, a Belgian artist currently making waves. Big names such as Eero Saarinen, Le Corbusier, Claire Bataille, and Eileen Gray are featured alongside anonymous designs, yet every piece tells a meaningful story. “We’re not vintage dealers—a piece might be a hundred years old or ‘just’ five. In every case, we place great importance on background research. With each new design object added to the platform, we begin a new search into its authenticity, the original designer, the context, and the ideal way it should be restored. Personally, I find it incredibly fascinating to rediscover forgotten names and histories. Though some remain a mystery. We have a beautiful piece by Mim Roma, a significant design studio from the 1970s, but we haven’t been able to trace which designer they collaborated with for this specific creation.”

Almost as important as the history behind each piece is the question of what the furniture has lived through. “We recently had a wonderful example,” says Tina, “where a young journalist bought a French Defour desk. After some digging, it turned out that the desk once belonged to Guido Van Hoof, an iconic journalist at De Standaard, who, just like the new owner, had lived in Mortsel. In terms of energy, you couldn't imagine a better match! We also have a one-of-a-kind Clair-Obscur sofa by Bataille and Ibens from the 1990s. When we first saw it, we had a flashback… because that very piece appeared in a black-and-white feature about an apartment in Knokke in one of our architecture books. Two furniture pieces by Maarten Van Severen—a refined desk and drawer unit—ended up with a true collector. These kinds of stories generate such great energy and create a lot of positivity.”

The items and their stories are described in detail on the website. They are either sold directly or through Immodôme, which takes a commission on the sale. Since the launch of the project, many private individuals have spontaneously offered their collections: the enthusiasm for unique pieces and the desire to give them a second life is more alive than ever!

“The passion for design is a cornerstone of the Immodôme philosophy, whether it concerns buildings or furniture,” Isabel continues. “Some might recommend tearing down a 1960s house by Renaat Braem to make way for new construction, but we see the architectural value in it. Such a building should be renovated with the right approach. The same goes for the interior: you can fill a home with all-new items, but you can just as well incorporate preloved design furniture. A new generation of homeowners no longer finds the idea of disposable furniture justifiable and prefers preloved pieces that give their interior a soul.”

Sustainability is a common thread, Tina also notes: “We can learn lessons from the past. Some items are sixty years old and still look as good as new. Recently, we picked up a Mario Bellini chair that even came with a maintenance kit, including exact instructions on how to clean the leather. It’s noticeable that since the launch of Objects, even our own agents and buyers have become more conscious about design. When furnishing a new space, they truly highlight a piece without unnecessary clutter or decorative elements.”

Of course, tastes differ, also when it comes to design. “You hate it or you love it,” Isabel concludes, “but it’s never boring.” That’s just how design works: it sparks conversations and helps write new stories again and again. Perhaps true beauty simply lies in what lingers?

Text by: Isabel Vander Heyde