-
A grand staircase sweeps up from the entrance hall of the château to the upper levels. -
The exterior of the 19th-century Château d’Écrainville in Normandy, shows the 17th-century style in which it was built. The circular building is the château’s former dovecote. -
The exterior of the 19th-century Château d’Écrainville in Normandy, shows the 17th-century style in which it was built. The circular building is the château’s former dovecote. -
Owners Clemens Rameckers (left) and Arnold van Geuns on the old staircase of the hall d’entrée (entrance hall). -
The monochromatic pieces in the hall d’entrée were designed by RAVAGE. -
The grand salon, which the owners use as a reception room, features impressive murals painted by Arnold himself. Black and white furniture and objects are a stark contrast to the pastel-hued ceiling and mouldings. -
Oversized windows fill the château interiors with natural light and offer views of the landscaped gardens. -
Gilded and luxurious, the grand salon is also filed with charm. -
Even the stately doors feature Arnold’s interpretations of nature. -
RAVAGE’s opulent touch continues in the formal dining room, with more of Arnold’s paintings adorning the walls. -
A former salon is now being used as a library and comfortable den. -
An abstract portrait of a woman by Arnold. -
A golden trolley by Studio Job offers a warm accent in the grand salon. -
A painting of Napoleon by Arnold. -
A more private dining space for Arnold and Clemens is furnished with a glass table by RAVAGE and chairs by Studio Job. -
The master bedroom was fully designed by RAVAGE, down to the linen and rug. Arnold’s ubiquitous paintings adorn the walls. -
The bathtub in the master bathroom is original to the château, and has been lovingly restored.
This 19th-century Château situated on a vast estate amid rolling green hills has been restored to showcase a (new) romantic approach to interior design that both embraces a timeless aesthetic and challenges it.
WORDS Marc Heldens & Steve Smith PHOTOS Mark Seelen PRODUCTION Marc Heldens
The Seine-Maritime is an area in Haute-Normandie known for the high white limestone cliffs of Côte d’Albâtre. It’s here, in the village of Écrainville, that Dutch fashion designers/artists Arnold van Geuns and Clemens Rameckers have settled. A couple for 50 years, they’re also known under the brand name RAVAGE (RAmeckers VAn GEuns) – and, for the past two decades, they’ve owned and lived in the Château d’Écrainville.
Built in the 17th-century style, Château d’Écrainville actually dates back to the late 19th century, as is evident from the large windows more typical of the later time period. They flood the interiors with natural light, and offer views of the manicured gardens. After serving as a frontline hospital during World War II, the château underwent a renovation in the 1970s, before Arnold and Clemens once again restored it “more or less back to the original style, but less richly decorated”, says Clemens. “The building was not a protected monument, so we were able to make some changes – but all interventions were in keeping with the 19th century.”
Those changes are most evident in the interiors, which blend classic French sophistication with a warm, inviting charm – a neo-rural balance between grandeur, comfort and unusual colour. The decor is characterised by the harmonious use of period furnishings, intricate mouldings and ornate fireplaces, paying homage to the building’s rich history. Hues of muted blue, cream and blush dominate the colour palette, enhancing the sense of spaciousness, while antique chandeliers and gilded mirrors add a touch of opulence, and handwoven tapestries and vintage textiles infuse the spaces with texture and depth. It’s a fusion that reflects its owners’ unique design journey. “We are ‘children’ of Rietveld [Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, one of the principal members of the artistic movement known as De Stijl],” says Clemens. “In a way, we’re typically Dutch – we received Bauhaus training at a fashion academy in Arnhem in the Netherlands – but in France, we learnt a rather delicious way of decorating that was totally new for us.”
Fifty years on, that decorative feeling continues to be a source of inspiration for both men. “Château d’Écrainville has a museum-like setting,” says Clemens. “The individual spaces resemble traditional
‘treasure’ rooms, but they remain very contemporary. You can see old sceneries, but they’re associated with new images and meanings, which RAVAGE has given them. The château is thus transformed into a haven for free thinkers and unfettered minds. It shows our vision of humanity, and our way of life.”
Château d’Écrainville is the pair’s ongoing “work in progress”, with impressive paintings in the grand salon that have become a new expression of their creativity. As a brand, RAVAGE likes to transform spaces, and this is reflected in the interior style – specifically with the grand salon’s impressive murals, painted by Arnold himself. The big wall tableaux encourage you to take an unprejudiced look at art and at historical heritage.
“It is the perfect illustration of the ‘inner life’ of RAVAGE,” says Arnold. “RAVAGE was born with a romantic soul – and that has nothing to do with the image of languid young men with long hair dressed in velvet jackets. It is all about ‘feeling’ in contrast to ‘reason’. In the 18th century, during the Age of Reason, everything that surrounded us was explained by using our brain. The response to that was a very romantic way of thinking, where humans wondered what their specific role was in the midst of it all. They let their heart speak. The murals are more like oeuvres de contemplation – my trees are an impression of nature, not an analysis of nature. The decor of the room encourages us ‘to look’ and ‘to endure’, not to analyse the nature that surrounds us.
“A monochrome palette places the observation of nature in a different light. Ostensibly, these scenes are decorative and one-dimensional, but if you take a closer look and experience their intensity for longer, you’ll discover that they are more about the essence of experiencing landscapes. You can see light on the horizon, quite unexpected, full of hope.”
For those of us more comfortable with the current fascination with minimalism and its slightly more exuberant cousin, Mid-century Modernism, Château d’Écrainville represents a new age of Romanticism. Like that artistic, literary and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 18th century, the magnificent château celebrates emotion, individuality and a deep connection to nature. And like that movement, Clemens and Arnold have shaped a legacy that continues to inspire creativity, introspection and a profound appreciation for beauty. | chateaudecrainville.com
Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.
