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Eye-catching awnings at Villa Bonnie for a blissful summer
In the quiet residential neighbourhood of Duinbergen, on the beach in Knokke-Heist, Villa Bonnie automatically catches the eye. This white coastal hotel’s name is a nod to the word for grandmother, Bobonne or Bonnie, and a stay at the luxurious boutique hotel sure feels like a warm family visit.
Summer chic with colourful new sun-protection screens
‘We wanted to create a clear landmark in the street,’ says John, one of the hotel’s owners. ‘The red-and-white-striped awnings are an instant eye-catcher.’ Villa Bonnie has a total of 56 windows, making the search for a sun protection solution very challenging. They ultimately decided to only fit the windows at the front with sun protection: this is where the Brustor drop-arm awnings – 13 in all – would have the most impact.
The awnings match the luxurious look of the seaside resort down to the last detail. And the wavy edges are a subtle nod to the sea’s waves. The facade is a perfect fit for the summer holiday feeling Villa Bonnie wants to inspire.
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Breakfast bathed in soft light
The red and white stripes are also a recurring theme in the rest of the interior, from seat covers to wall accents. For John, it was primarily an aesthetic choice. The awnings also offered a significant functional value; the shade they create plays an important role for the guest experience.
‘They create a secure feeling inside. This is particularly noticeable in the breakfast room on the southeast side where the low sun can be a problem. Thanks to the screens, the light is softer and nicer. The added bonus is they prevent passersby from seeing in, giving our guests more privacy. Usually, the awnings are fully extended which is not only more appealing, but also more practical. I only close them during downpours or when there’s a storm.’
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Stormy weather
Wind is of course a crucial factor on the coast. ‘We definitely took that into account. The installations are sturdy and can withstand wind gusts. We’ve never had a problem, even in stormy weather. The system automatically responds to sun and wind, but I can also control everything remotely via an app on my mobile. This is handy when we’re away for a few days; it’s easy to close them.’
‘We’ve had nothing but positive reactions. Some even say that our villa gives the whole street an upgrade, and that the value of the neighbourhood buildings has even gone up. That’s lovely to hear, of course.’
‘The visual aspect was an important starting point. The building actually didn’t use to stand out before; it was sort of hidden in a curve in the road. Now the awnings have really become our trademark. They give our facade character.’
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They found the sunny side of life!
Home is where you leap onto the kitchen table when your team scores. Where you shuffle to the mailbox in your pink robe and wave at the neighbour, who knows your karaoke setlist by heart. It’s where you do whatever you like, because it’s yours.
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