Balthazars
The Brussels Furniture Fair awards
Balthazars 2025 edition
Every year, the Balthazar Awards celebrate top-notch work by designers and manufacturers during the Brussels Furniture Fair.
The prizes are divided into the following categories: Best of Belgium, Best International, Best of Innovation, Love at first sight, and a BDI award. The latter shines a spotlight on a young designer whose work is on display on the BDI or the Belgian Design Island in Hall 5.
The independent jury is composed as follows:
• Veerle Windels: Freelance journalist for De Standaard, de Morgen and Harper’s Bazaar, among others.
• Hans Lecompte: Tutor and course coordinator for INTERIEUR, DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences
• Lennart Van Uffelen: Tutor and practice lecturer at LUCA School of Arts
• Mathias De Ferm: Product and furniture designer from Antwerp. Mathias collaborates with a number of renowned international brands and his work includes furniture, products, lighting and microarchitecture.
THE WINNERS ARE…
The jury chose the following winners and laureates of the BRUSSELS Balthazar Awards 2025!
Best of Belgium
for the best Belgian product/collection
Innovation
for the most innovative product/collection
Best International
for the best product/collection of a foreign exhibitor
Love at first sight
for the product that most captivates the jury
Best of BDI (Belgian Design Island)
for the most promising design
Balthazar winners in 2025
the winners and laureates have been chosen
Theuns (Linio collection)
BEST OF BELGIUM
The Linio collection by Theuns stands out for its slender lines and rounded detailing. The overall effect of tables, cabinets and sideboards is a veritable Gesamtkunstwerk. But aesthetic choices are not the only thing that stand out here. The use of solid oak is a nod to the DNA of the Belgian firm that excels at carefully considered craftsmanship. Connoisseurs will note the inlaid leg connection, milled detailing and edge finishing.
Laureates:
Vipack (Olive)
Mobitec (Toro)
Kluskens (Unica)
BEST INTERNATIONAL
You can say a great deal about this design from the Dutch firm Kluskens in very few words. The Unica is a solid wood lightweight that is striking in its stylish simplicity. The chair is legible, honest and complex in its minimalism. Unica is synonymous with superior craftsmanship. Completely devoid of arrogance.
Laureates:
Glam-more (Eclips)
Cartel Living (Fez)
Bijnen (Cameleon)
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Talking of love at first sight, this small sideboard looks fantastic and is guaranteed to find a place in every interior. The diversity of colours is naturally eye-catching. But equally interesting is the flexibility of the piece, its adaptability and the unique way the design is laid out. A feast for the eyes!
Laureates:
Unit 14 with Bill
Lucide with Fits
Revor (Neonest)
Best of Innovation
Neonest is a circular and modular bed frame fashioned from 100 per cent recycled material. A sustainable alternative to traditional wood or metal frames. It is designed for the circular economic model of the future. Revor is one of the few firms at this fair to be taking steps towards true innovation beyond the current mindset. Although the product is not yet fully implemented in production, this is far more than simply an intellectual exercise. The buy-back policy, the use of residual streams, and the room for modular expansions attest to a future-proof vision. Bottom-up innovations of this kind have real potential. Neonest stands for true innovation.
Laureates:
Lucide (Janderin)
Kreamat (Organic)
Axelle Delboo, with ‘Vette indruk’
Best of BDI (Belgian Design Island)
The design language of this chair design is inspired by the anatomy of the bold letter. The Bold Impression. Heavy, upright and with soft curves. What’s more, the impression in the leather not only catches the eye, but intuitively tells us something about its use. Just like a letter that is read, you read the lounge chair and are irresistibly drawn to sit down on the visibly indented seat.
Vette indruk is a monochrome piece, where indented leather and a glossy frame engage in a play of light and shade. A design that is pleasing to both the eye and the touch.
Laureates:
Anouk Meurice, with ‘Resitu’
Eline Delanghe, with Tabl.ed