A hospital is usually not the most heartwarming place. More often than not you walk into a sterile environment with cold materials, fluorescent lamps and that unmistakable hospital smell. The East Limburg hospital is nothing like that. They invested in creating a warm and cozy atmosphere for their patients and personnel. Their latest asset is a shop called Van Harte (From the Heart) – not your ordinary gift shop.

Van Harte is a coffee shop, a breakfast and lunch bar, a gift shop, a bakery, a plant shop and a mini-market. In fact, it perfectly illustrates how retail and hospitality can actually merge together. A phenomenon that is definitely on the rise in the world of retail (take Yummi for example, the coffee bar at Vatana Overpelt).

Another quality of the shop is how it serves all types of people. Patients can escape the hospital environment in the coffee bar, hospital personnel may pop in for some groceries before they head home and visitors buy a gift from the heart here (and not your typical fruit basket).

Van Harte attracts the attention of all passers-by. Which was, of course, our intention. We aimed to create a place where customers can relax and escape for a moment. Our secret? In this case: wood. Lots and lots of it. The honest and warm material plays the leading part. For a more playful effect, we use blue as an accent color. The combination of warm wood, vibrant blue and plants turns Van Harte into a nice and cozy spot.

The shop’s interior includes a variety of options: midshops, low tables, wall racks, … This way products are presented in an orderly yet attractive manner.

Did you look at the floor? A basic cast floor catches the eye because of the custom-made, heart-shaped stickers that refer to the shop’s name. The beautiful leather details in the upholstery of the furniture and the suspension of the shelves are worth mentioning as well. They add a nice touch of character to the design.

A wish from the heart. Speaking from the heart. I thank you from the heart. Van Harte (From the Heart in English) is a name with a message. The handwritten name oozes friendliness, evokes trust and suits the meaning of the words.