Meet Aurélien
Renovation: The Essentials You Need to Know to Transform the Home of Your Dreams
A new chapter starts with a key and a big dream.
This is the house Marilyne and Aurélien (She Said Yes! founder) just bought in Bettembourg—an elegant shell with a protected cornice and a wild garden waiting for life. They want light, calm, and soft, organic lines. Real estate meets architecture here, with interior design choices that feel human and warm. The plan is bold yet simple: open the home to the garden, connect volumes, and shape a family rhythm.
They’ve long admired Heju, the Paris design studio run by a husband-and-wife duo. Together, they’ll blend inspiration, lifestyle, and careful decoration. Permits matter, details matter, and so does comfort.
Follow this first walkthrough and discover how rules, structure, and style can turn a property into a true home—one step, one slab, one patio door at a time.
City
Bettembourg (Luxembourg)
Date
August 2025
Photos
She Said Yes!
SSY Why did you decide to buy this particular house?
Aurélien We were looking for something that felt like a fresh start. The house itself wasn’t perfect, but it had the right bones. It gave us the opportunity to redesign it completely into something that reflects who we are as a family. We wanted a place with character and potential rather than something turnkey.
SSY What was the first emotion you felt when walking in?
Aurélien Honestly, excitement mixed with a bit of fear. It’s not easy to walk into a property that clearly needs a lot of work and still see yourself living there. But we immediately felt it could become our home, with the right vision and effort.
SSY You mentioned wanting lighter tones and organic shapes. Can you tell us more?
Aurélien We wanted a softer atmosphere, something calming. Light colors and organic curves make a space feel more fluid, almost like nature is part of the house. We’ve been following Heju Studio for a while, and their approach to interior design really inspires us.
SSY What’s the biggest challenge with this renovation?
Aurélien The location. Since the house is in a protected area, every modification requires special permits. Even small changes, like adding a patio door, involve paperwork and approvals. It can be frustrating, but it also forces us to plan carefully.
SSY How did you approach the outdoor space?
Aurélien The garden is really important to us. The first change will be to widen the staircase and add a patio door, so the living room flows directly into the garden. We want it to feel like an extension of the house, not just an outdoor area.
SSY You spoke about extensions in the house. What’s the plan there?
Aurélien Two extensions were added over the years, one for the kitchen and one for utilities. They were poorly done and honestly feel like rabbit hutches. We’ll connect them properly and transform them into a family room where we can relax, play games, and spend time together.
SSY Storage seems to be a priority in your design. Why is that?
Aurélien With kids, storage is everything. At the entrance, we’ll add about four meters of built-in closets. Each family member will have their own space for coats, shoes, and bags. It makes daily life so much smoother when things have their place.
SSY What about the living and dining areas?
Aurélien We want them to be flexible. The living room will also serve as a guest bedroom for when family visits, with the option to close it off for privacy. The dining area will have a large bench and a table big enough to host friends. For us, it’s about creating a welcoming, multifunctional space.
SSY The kitchen will also see big changes, right?
Aurélien Yes, we’ll lower the slab to make it level with the dining room. That way, we avoid having to go up and down three steps every time. We’ll also enlarge the window to bring in more natural light, even if the kitchen itself stays compact.
SSY What lessons have you learned so far about permits and rules?
Aurélien That details matter. Things like ceiling height or the size of a window can determine whether a project is approved. Paying attention to these technicalities early on saves a lot of time later. It’s a good reminder that design and regulations go hand in hand.
SSY What will change upstairs?
Aurélien On the first floor, we’ll mainly rework the landing to create a walk-in closet as part of the master suite. Our daughter Alix will also have her room there. The second floor will be for the other kids, with bedrooms under the roof and large Velux windows to maximize light.
SSY Were there any surprises with the attic conversion?
Aurélien Yes, we originally wanted all three kids’ bedrooms up there, but because of ceiling height regulations, it wasn’t possible. So we decided to keep Alix’s room on the first floor. It’s all about adapting to what’s realistic while still keeping the family close together.
SSY How do you balance function and aesthetics?
Aurélien For us, they go hand in hand. A house that looks beautiful but doesn’t work for everyday life isn’t truly a home. Every design choice has to make sense for how we live—whether that’s storage, flow between rooms, or spaces for family time.
SSY What excites you most about the finished home?
Aurélien The idea of having a family room where we can just be together. Watching TV, playing board games, or reading. It’s a simple thing, but it’s really at the heart of what we’re building: a home that feels alive with our family’s rhythm.
SSY From an investment perspective, how do you see this project?
Aurélien We bought at a relatively low price compared to the market. By renovating, we’re not only creating our dream home but also adding real value. It’s a solid investment, both financially and emotionally.
Details :
Aurélien Dobbels
Linkedin : @aureliendobbels
Email : hello@shesaidyes.lu
Links :
Heju : heju.fr
Geoportail : geoportail.lu
PAP Bettembourg : bettembourg.lu/pag
Règlement des bâtisses : bettembourg.lu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2019-10-11-RBVS-approuve-CC.pdf
#SSY!
Stay in the loop