We are working on a new website of our company LEFEVRE INTERIORS.

Extra attention will be paid to our workshop and craftsmen!

A sneak peek into our atelier! Professionals at work!

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

xx

Talk to you soon!

xx

Greet

I noticed that in a lot of the latest issues of interior design magzines, the cube pattern is seen.

Let me show you some examples of this geometric pattern.

Side table with cube patterned wooden top by London based furniture company Rockman & Rockman.

Source

Cube patterned parquetry floor at the castle of Axel Vervoordt.

Source Casa Viva Greece January 2011 – Photo credit Michael Paul

Lapicida, the worldwide renowned UK stone company, is introducing the antique 3D floor which unifies three uniquely different reclaimed stones expertly hand-selected and hand-crafted.

Source

Cube patterned tiles at Caro Deco,  French manufacturer of tiles.

Cube patterned cushion at Marks & Spencer.

Source

Probably we will see more of the cube pattern, or geometric patterns in general , used in interior design.

Happy weekend!

xx

Greet

This weekend we had some friends coming over and I always love to redecorate our home, bringing just a few small changes into the house.

In the sitting room I placed this green linen upholstered bench in front of the door towards the garden.

On the coffee table of the orangery I added a wooden bowl with bunches of grapes of our own grapevine.

Fall display on the kitchen cabinet.

A bunch of green dates on the coffee table of the living room.

I snapped this picture of Jan lighting the fireplace, before guests arrived.

And Jan snapped this picture of me putting final touches on the decoration.

Finally we were ready to welcome our guests.

Table setting.

Apero time with animated conversations.

A table !

One of our guests, was Peter van Cronenburg and his lovely wife Régine. Peter and Régine are the owners of VAN CRONENBURG ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE, a Belgian company that delivers high-quality hand-made architectural hardware and of which I posted earlier here and here.

Me in conversation with Peter and Régine.

Time goes by so quickly being accompanied by lovely people and having animated conversations.

I do hope that all our guests enjoyed the evening as much as Jan and me did.

It was a pleasure for us to have them at our table.

How was your weekend?

xx

Greet

Dear friends, so many of you asked me about Mango recently. Thank you so much for the interest in the well-doing of my precious one! So sweet of you all! Therefore, today I would like to brief you about her. A year ago Mango became a member of our family (see my post here)!

Mango is doing fine! Even though she is already 18 years old, she is still in an excellent condition. She is very well cared for at the manège and she seems to be very happy!

I try to ride her as much as possible. Sunday afternoon is our fixed appointment and depending on my job schedule, I try to be with her two or three times a week, to not only ride her but of course to pamper and comfort her!!

My son Anthony took these pictures of me riding Mango yesterday.

This summer Mango spent many days on the grass-land with her friend Rioja. The 2 mares became inseparable friends and they even have their boxes next to each other.

Mango (left) and her friend Rioja.

Next to Rioja’s friendship, Mango is taking advantage of yet another remarkable friendship!!

Naast de vriendshap van Rioja, profiteert Mango nog van een andere bijzondere vriendschap!!

‘The Friendship of Lea’

‘De Vriendschap van Lea’

And this part of this post I will write even in Dutch abling Lea to follow this post.

Yes, today I love to introduce you to Lea.

Ja, vandaag wil ik u voorstellen aan Lea.

Lea is a very sweet and smart 12 year-old-girl and an excellent horse rider. And she really loves horses!!

Lea is een heel lief en pienter meisje van 12 jaar en een uitstekende amazone. En ze houdt heel veel van paarden!!

I often noticed that there was a mutual understanding between Lea and Mango. That is why I asked Lea if she agreed to ride Mango in her free moments, on the days that I am not able to ride Mango.

Ik had reeds dikwijls opgemerkt dat er een klik was tussen Lea en Mango. Daarom heb ik haar gevraagd of ze met Mango wou rijden tijdens haar vrije momenten, op de dagen dat ik het te druk heb.

And yes, she agreed! Lea not only rides Mango, she also helps me to take care of Mango!  Isn’t that wonderful?!

En ja, ze was akkoord! Lea berijdt niet alleen Mango, ze helpt mij ook om voor Mango te zorgen! Is dat niet fijn?!

Lea and Mango

Lea as a groom!

Lea and me saddling up Mango.

These 2 pictures of Lea and her own horse Speedy, I took this summer when Lea was attending her first jumping competition.

Deze 2 foto’s van Lea met haar eigen paard Speedy, nam ik deze zomer toen Lea deelnam aan haar eerste jumping competitie.

Lea with her own horse Speedy.

Thank you so much sweet Lea for all your help, your love and devotion to Mango!

Dank u wel lieve Lea voor al uw hulp, uw liefde voor en toewijding aan Mango!

Thank you again my friends, for the interest in Mango! I so appreciate it !

Happy weekend to each and everyone of you!

xx

Greet

Frequently I receive emails from readers who are planning to visit Belgium and who are looking for addresses of antiques dealers.

Today I’d love to introduce you to one of my favorite antiques dealers, the in Antwerp based Bie Baert.

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

The renown US antiques dealer Amy Perlin, who passed away 2 years ago, named Bie Baert‘the secret source ofBelgium’.

The introduction text on the website of Bie Baert is written by Amy Perlin, who was a dear friend of Bie.

Introduction text by Amy Perlin. To read it, click HERE.

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

To read on the website of Bie Baert :

“Entrez sans frapper is Bie Baert's motto when you walk through the front door of her charming house in Sint Job in 't Goor, 20 km from the center of Antwerp, where Bie lives and works.

“I want people to feel comfortable when they come to visit my house“ Bie says, it has to be a bit like coming home, where you can sit in easy chairs, surrounded by warm wooden objects, naturalia pieces and comfortable furniture. Where the coffee and tea are always ready and where the atmosphere is warm.” (text Website Bie Baert)

Isn’t this inviting?!

Impressions Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Let us take a look at some of my favorite antique pieces of Bie’s today’s offer.

19th century English tilt top table, fine quality, great inlay work, small piece to cherish ....

elegant small Napoleon III tilt top table, dimensions 64 cm diameter, 70 cm high

Notice the table leg!

1 solid piece of Lebanese cedarwood, table top placed on 2 fruitwood treetrunks, dimensions

child's chair, England, 18th century, beautiful patina

detail of the child’s chair

19th century English comfortable chair

Dutch cabinet, scraped to the original paint, completely genuine, with the original old glass, wonderful small proportions, 208 cm high, 140 cm wide and 40 cm deep

wooden double door with painted landscape panels, Italy, 18th century, original paint

Biot glassware, Biot/France, mid 19th century

pair of tazza's, yewwood, England, 19th century, superb quality

pair of guilder lathe turned wooden candlesticks, faded colors, Italy 18th century

ovalshaped copper bowl, here filled with papier mâché and wax fruit, Italy 18th century

very elegant pair of sycamore candlesticks, England, 19th century, 14,5 diameter x 35 cm high

2 dairy bowls, sycamore, England, 19th century

pair of romantic English paintings, 18th century, oil on canvas

If you plan to visit Belgium, I definitely would recommend you to visit Bie Baert , you will discover the most gorgeous antiques and decorations.

To make an appointmentcontact Bie  at info@biebaert.be

BIE BAERT Antiques & Decorations

http://www.biebaert.be

Laaglandlaan 14
2960 Sint Job in 't Goor
Belgium
Mob: +32 477 50 31 33

E-mail: info@biebaert.be

I hope that my post of today will help my readers who are planning to do some antiques shopping in Belgium!

xx

Greet

All images : website Bie Baert : http://www.biebaert.be

I have always been fascinated by the beautiful and authentic American barns. All around bloggerland I discovered the most beautiful images.

Source here

The grayed and red/brown aged wood reflects a long time farm activity and bearing of all weather conditions.

Source here

I loved the images of the Winter Collection 2012 online catalogue of the Belgian brand Scapa Home, where a part of the photoshoot was taken in a barn. A wonderful location to present their winter collection. To discover the collection , click here.

Source Scapa Home– Photo credit Arjan Benning

Today I am pleased and proud to tell you about a Belgian company that is importing old barn wood to Europe!

The Belgian Antoine Verhofstede, a man passionate about wood and experienced in the wood trade for more than 30 years, came up with the idea to give a new destination to the wood of old American barns!

He started to ship the best batches of old barn wood from the states to Belgium to give the wood a new destination. It meant the start of a new-born company, given the name EEUWENHOUT(literally translated in English : century-old wood).

This company is recycling old barn wood to re-use in European interiors.

Logo company Eeuwenhout

‘During a trip through the US, Antoine Verhofstede’s passion for wood leads him towards old and deserted barns and buildings. They stand ‘in the middle of nowhere’, as silent witnesses of past activity. They were once built from trees from the direct vicinity: various woods, mostly over a century old. Today they still defy weather and time, but they are deprived of their functionality. In places, these barns are dismantled, and the wood is reused by local farmers. This is where Antoine Verhofstede got his idea to give a new destination to the best batches of wood in exclusive European interiors. A perfect mix of quality, durability, ecology and aesthetics.’

(text website Eeuwenhout)

The unique dimensions and stability, together with the aged look of the barn planks and beams, ensure aesthetic pearls.

Here you can see different examples of how to integrate the old barn wood into your contemporary home.

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be (realisation De Puydt Haarden)

http://www.eeuwenhout.be (realisation Galle Houtbewerking)

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

http://www.eeuwenhout.be

Notice these coffee table tops!http://www.eeuwenhout.be

In this picture you can see the barn wood used for the facade construction of a chalet in Switzerland (realisation Galle Houtbewerking).http://www.eeuwenhout.be

To see more of the use of old barn wood, please visit Eeuwenhout website :  http://www.eeuwenhout.be

For further information :

EEUWENHOUT

ANTOINE VERHOFSTEDE

Veldstraat 365
9140 Temse | Belgium
T +32 (0)3 710 66 40

Have a great weekend!

xx

Greet

All pictures source :

Eeuwenhout website : http://www.eeuwenhout.be/  &   Eeuwenhout facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/Eeuwenhout

One of my preferred pieces of furniture is an Italian cassapanca.

I love the decorative painted ones!

Most of the benches are large sized and the seat is used as a chest, a storage seat.

They are highly decorated and were generally placed by pair in a hall.

Lars Bolander source

Garnier Antiques source  Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens 

Even if the cassapanca is not painted, it remains a beauty.David Michael Miller Associates source  Photo credit Bill Timmerman

Late 19th century 1 of 2 Italian baroque style polychrome decorated high back hall benches of large size.Très Belles Antiques source

Cassapanca 17th century Italian style, painted by the Italian artist Alison Woolley.                                      Alison Woolley source                                  

Hand painted large Italian cassapanca.source

This beautiful hand-carved and painted cassapanca is made by a 5th generation family-owned workshop in Florence, Italy!source

Hand painted gothic style Italian cassapanca.

source

Does anyone of you own an Italian cassapanca? I hope to ever find an affordable one!

xx

Greet

As a reader of Belgian Pearls, you will have noticed that I always try to be helpful at your search for specific Belgian products or companies. As your demand for Belgian adresses of antiques dealers is always returning, I would love to introduce you today to the Belgian house of antiques and interior design AMBER ANTIQUES.

Antiek Amber was founded in 1972 by Paul Wagemans. He started out searching for antique furniture on the French, English and German countryside. Soon he got the demand from clients to also search for architectural antiques.

This combination was a success and the projects grew in size.

During this period the same clients started asking for new timberwork with an old patina.

Paul met this demand by using the wood from old oak beams for the construction of stairs, doors, panelling and even complete kitchens.

" We concentrate on craftsmanship and traditional measure work: quality work that is getting very rare in our age of industrialisation and uniformity. Quality that you can also find in many old objects and often go together with an almost natural beauty. A timeless appearance which is not only, but mainly accomplished by the love for the craft.", tells Paul Wagemans.

Today the family company has grown to a reputed house for architectural antiques and interior architecture.

Visiting the Antiek Amber website, you will also find - besides the antiques and architectural antiques collection - their custom made range of furniture.

Antiek Amber showroom impression.

Rare objects and curiosities.

Amber Antiek

For more information, please visit the website of Amber Antiek : http://www.antiekamber.be.

http://www.antiekamber.be

Antwerpsesteenweg 238
2350 Vosselaar – Belgium

Tel : +32 14 61 23 33

info@antiekamber.be

I hope you found that particular piece of antique, you were looking for !

I wish you all a great start of this new week!

xx

Greet

All pictures : website Antiek Amber

Since many years, our company, Lefèvre Interiors , is renown, for manufacturing high end custom made interiors, specialized in paneling. My ancestors were cabinet-makers, working according to time-honored techniques and traditions.

As current managers of Lefèvre Interiors (already for the 4th generation) Jan and me are convinced we have to continue this tradition in respect for our ancestors at the first place but even to keep this beautiful art alive.

Today we are preparing the design and creation of a French 18th century inspired paneling.

Jan is taking over, by measuring, a moulding from a French 18th century boiserie panel.

Pictures by me.

Oak hand-painted French paneling.Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Jo Pauwels

French paneled dining room at the house of interior designer Ginny Magher (US). source Côte de Texas

French paneled dining room at the house of interior designer Ginny Magher (US). source The Houses of Veranda by Lisa Newsom

French paneled living room at the house of the Belgian fashion designer Edouard Vermeulen. Photo credit ClaudeSmekens

Source unknown

As inspiration to design paneling, Jan and me frequently visit ancient castles. We are always hoping to find mouldings we hadn’t seen before, to add to our collection.

Château de Beloeil Picture by me

And I love to browse into my father’s or grandfather’s collection of ancient books.

A few ancient books of my father’s collection.

Examples of 18th century mouldings.

Lefèvre’s team of highly skilled craftsmen offers over 120 years of experience.

To continue the traditional work of our ancestors, and to manufacture 18th century boiseries, we need experienced and high skilled craftsmen -cabinetmakers and woodcarvers-, because mouldings have to be carved by hand.

Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Koen Snauwaert

Our employee Freddy at work. Freddy is working in our company for 40 years! Working at the same company for all these years is probably not very common these days.Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Claude Smekens

My father (who passed away in 2001) was an experienced woodcarver and during his spare time, we frequently found him in his studio, working on one of his creations in wood.

My dad in his studio (years ago) shaping a sculpture in oak.

Stained oak French Régence styled paneling.Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Koen Snauwaert

DetailLefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Koen Snauwaert

French Provencal oak paneling in a Belgian country house.Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Jo Pauwels

French Régence styled paneling with exceptional hand carved mouldings.Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Claude Smekens

Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto credit Jo Pauwels

Lefèvre InteriorsPhoto by me

French styled paneling. Design Lefèvre Interiors Pictures by me

Every single piece of furniture or paneling or library or any other project does not leave our workshop without the Lefèvre Interiors estampille . My father was the first of our family who raised the Lefèvre ‘estampille’, following 18th century French ébénistes (cabinet-makers).

J. = the first letter of my father’s first name Jacques

Lefèvre = the family-name of August (founder of Lefèvre Interiors and my great-grandfather), Medard (my grandfather), Jacques (my father) and me.

1890 = year of establishment of our company, founded by my great-grandfather August Lefèvre (1867-1942)

Lefèvre coat of arms.

The rafters and the 3 joiner’s planes refer to my ancestors, three previous generations of cabinet-makers.

Lefèvre Interiors stamp ‘estampille’,  proof of high end quality and authenticity.  Photo credit Claude Smekens

If you would like us to help designing and manufacturing your paneling, even if you live outside Europe, feel free to contact us at info@lefevre.be

For more Lefèvre Interiors realisations visit our website atwww.lefevre.be

Greet

The past weekend the charming guesthouse ‘White Rooms in Bruges’ opened its doors.

My friend Natalie Haegeman of Natalie Haegeman Interiors is the lady behind this gorgeous brand new guesthouse in Bruges, the most romantic city of Belgium.

Combining her passion for interior design with her fascination for historic buildings, Natalie restored this typical Bruges house, respecting the original features, and created a uniquely charming environment that she wanted to share with her guests.

White Rooms in Bruges

Bruges by night

As an interior designer Natalie has decorated the rooms of her guesthouse in the most wonderful way. She made of White Rooms the most cosiest guesthouse of Bruges, decorated in the typical Belgian style.

Let us take a look inside the house.

The living room with an open fire place and original oak floor. As you can see Natalie’s dog Billie definitely feels at home!

Who wouldn’t love to sit here, curled up with a good book, having a glass of wine, after an inspiring walk in the city of Bruges?

The kitchen, with its Belgian limestone floor, is completely decorated in the Belgian style.

Even a small Aga cooker is at your disposal!

Beautiful kitchen table and table lamp.

Natalie is renown for her hand made lampshades. She offers a wide range of hand made lampshades, for sale in her webshop here.

Notice the beautiful pottery and wicker baskets.

I so love this view from the living room towards the kitchen.

The guesthouse has a small terrace that Natalie decorated with garden pots and wooden barrels.

The living room is decorated with antique furniture and objects. Paintings are of the artist Jean-Marc Louis, for sale in Natalie’s webshop here.

Let’s go upstairs to see the bedrooms of the guesthouse.

The house can accomodate 4 people who will be torn between choices of these 2 beautiful decorated bedrooms!

Both rooms are painted white and decorated with accents of celadon.

First bedroom

What a gorgeous idea to hang this group of wicker trays above the bed here!

Second bedroom

All bed linen available at Natalie Haegeman Interiors.

Love this bathroom with the marble topped bath, placed in an alcove.

As no other Natalie knows exactly how to choose the right fabrics for every single room.

A Suzani tablecloth on the table in the dining room.

‘White’ flowers, of course!

Not to forget to mention that a bike is at your disposal.

If you are planning to visit Bruges and if you want to know how it feels to live in a house completely decorated in the Belgian style, then WHITE ROOMS IN BRUGES is your place to be!

Or maybe you might think about surprising friends or family with a weekend stay in Bruges… ? WHITE ROOMS will offer them a memorable stay.

For online reservations click HERE.

www.white-rooms.be

Niewe Gentweg 94

8000 BRUGGE

Belgium

info@white-rooms.be

Next to all the historic monuments, gardens and picturesque streets that the medieval city of Bruges has to offer, this guesthouse really is a fine acquisition!

White Rooms in Bruges, guesthouse by Natalie Haegeman 

www.white-rooms.be

www.nataliehaegeman-interiors.be

I wish you a wonderful stay!!!

xx

Greet

Images with permission of Natalie Haegeman

Curling up with a good book having a cup of tea, gathering around the fireplace with friends, preparing a good meal for your family,… enjoy whatever you do this weekend!

Source A Perfect Gray

Source Inspired Design

Source Providence Ltd. Design via FB

Source Belgian Magazine Classic Najaar 2012 Photo credit Jonah Samyn

I wish everyone of you a relaxing weekend!

xx

Greet

Virtually unchanged in design for many hundreds of years, Staddle Stones, (also known as mushroom stones) were originally used to raise barns and granaries off the ground.
This kept the produce from spoilage by damp, and also prevented mice and other vermin from interfering with it, as they couldn't climb past the staddle stone caps.
Due to regional influences,they come in various types of stone with slight variations of form. They are extremely popular as garden ornaments especially in rural areas such as The Cotswolds and The West Country (UK).

In Middle English staddle or stadle is stathel, from Old English stathol, a foundation, support or trunk of a tree.

Staddle stones used as garden ornaments. Source here

An old barn supported on several Staddle Stones at Boscombe, Wiltshire. Source here

A building sitting on staddle stones, at the Somerset Rural Life Museum. Source here

Granary, Weald & Downland Museum. Source here

The store house in the garden of Sheldon Manor is built on staddle stones, designed to keep out the rats. Source here

Granary on staddle stones, Lower Bottom House Farm, Chalfont St Giles. Source here

A haystack standing on staddle stones. Source here

Source here

Assorted staddle stones Source here

A set of 6 staddle stones for sale. Source here

Nowadays these gorgeous ‘mushrooms’ are used as decorative garden ornaments.

‘Mushrooms’ in the garden. Source here

Staddlestones along the driveway. Source here

Staddle stones as a garden fence.Source here

Source here

Source here

Source here

Where to find staddle stones for sale?

Here are only a few addresses of so many to find in the UK.

Below Stairs of Hungerford

English Garden Antiques

MASco Architectural Salvage

Beeston Reclamation

Leominster Reclamation & Architectural Salvage

I wish all my American friends and readers a HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

The First Thanksgiving (1621), painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930)   source here

xx

Greet

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Yesterday we visited the beautiful home of one of my favorite Belgian designers Walda Pairon.

I already posted about Walda here.

Two times a year, in winter and in summer time, Walda organizes open house weekends.

At this moment Walda’s private home is decorated for the Christmas season! We so enjoyed walking around and admired Walda’s gorgeous creations! She is a real artist!! Like no other she knows how to combine colors and creates the most cozy rooms with her carefully chosen and exquisite pieces of antiques.

Walda’s style is authentic and radiates a perfect harmony. Her work is widely known. She works with passion and love. Her special good taste is her secret. Color is favorite in her decor. Walda is inspired by Italy, especially by Tuscany.

Every time I visit Walda, I am inspired to redecorate my home!

Let’s go inside to make a home tour.

Entrance of the garden house.

Entering this part of Walda’s property, you already feel the warmth and cosy atmosphere. The house is filled with candlesticks, candleholders and hurricane globes.

One of Walda’s favorite decorative items are spheres. You can see them throughout her house.

Georgeous settings all over the house.Beautiful antique pieces and decorative accessories to discover!

Walda has a preference for bringing in all shades of purple, orange and green as you will notice in the following pictures.

Walda is born with the skill of making vignettes. Her ability to group accessories, stack books, and arrange flowers is amazing.

And here is the first Christmas tree we discovered!

And the festive tablescape with a purple silk taffeta tablecloth !

And again some of Walda’s vignette creations.

Entering the conservatory of greenhouse we noticed the second Christmas tree. Decorated in white and silver.

Notice the wood storage cabinet ! And that beautiul wooden chair !

I was totally smitten by this chair with fur seat cushion.

Touches of green, orange, purple…

A group of terracotta jars on a table with a greyed and weathered tabletop.

Decorative table setting at the greenhouse.

Kitchen of the greenhouse where Walda’s husband Roger Souvereyns - who is a renown Belgian cook - prepares the most delicious meals for his guests.

Christmas decoration even in the kitchen.

We enter the main building of the property and arrive at the dining room.

Notice the antique Venetian doge chair with authentic leather upholstery.

Kitchen of the house.

The cake looked delicious!

And we discovered a third Christmas tree in the living room.

Every light bulb in the tree Walda wrapped in silk paper to create this special glow !!! Gorgeous ! Can you imagine how much time this took?

I could sit here for hours enjoying the cosy atmosphere in Walda’s living room.

Jan and me in conversation with Walda.

If you live nearby or in case you visit Belgium the coming days, you still have the chance to admire Walda’s work next weekend (November 30 – December 1 & 2).

You shouldn’t miss it !

For more information :

WALDA PAIRON

Kapellensteenweg 544
B-2920 Kalmthout

Tel. 00.32.36667417

e-mail : giardini@myoffice.mobistar.b

www.waldapairon.com

If you want to see more of Walda’s work, I would recommend you her latest book ‘Interiors With A Soul’.

What are your thoughts about the work of Walda Pairon? Are you inspired by her work to decorate your home for this Christmas season?

xx

 Greet

All pictures by me and Jan

I would love to inform you about the latest Publications of Beta-Plus Publishing.

Each one of these 4 new titles could be a perfect Christmas gift.

Cover Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials

!!!THIS IS A ‘MUST HAVE’ BOOK ! It is a gorgeous publication!!! You will love it !

Antique building materials immediately give timeless, inimitable style to a new or restored home. Reclaimed wooden floors, terracotta tiles, traditional Burgundy slabs, old roof tiling, antique fireplaces ... these all fit perfectly into contemporary or classic surroundings. This new book presents dozen of inspiring examples and also provides addresses of dealers in antique construction materials.

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

‘Building and Renovating with Reclaimed Materials’   Source : preview (here)

_____

Cover The New Living Kitchen

In our quickly changing living environment, the kitchen is one of the most important locations in the interior. It is here that the family members meet every day, where they cook and eat, where they also work and play.
Interior architects and kitchen designers pay a lot of attention to the arrangement and organisation of open-plan kitchens in their new projects. This book offers readers dozens of useful addresses and visual tips for the design and realisation of their dream kitchen.

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

‘The New Living Kitchen’   Source : preview (here)

_____

Cover Contemporary Architecture & Interiors-Yearbook 2013

The fifth edition of this reference work on contemporary architecture & interior design. With technical plans.

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

‘Contemporary Architecture & Interiors – Yearbook 2013’   Source : preview (here)

_____

Cover Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work

The architecture and design of Wood Marsh Architects has been judged as possessing great conceptual strength and clarity. Contextual issues of locality and region are used as a foundation for ideas that bring bold and sculptural architecture to our communities. This beautifully published book showcases a selection of their best public and private projects.

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

‘Wood Marsh Architects – Residential Work’   Source : preview (here)

www.betaplus.com

TO ORDER CLICKHERE.

Be sure to stay informed about the publications to come out in 2013! Contact Beta-Plus at info@betaplus.com.

I wish you all a nice weekend !

xx

Greet

.All images & text : website www.betaplus.com with the approval of Wim Pauwels.

I noticed lately, that a lot of my blogger colleagues posted about their Christmas decoration and shared the most gorgeous inspirational images!

Next weekend I will try to decorate our home for Christmas and the images I filed will definitely help me with it.

I decided to share them with you today and I do hope that some of them will also inspire you.

Enjoy !

source

I have always loved to use white candles and love the reflection of their light in a mirror.

source

It’s all in the details !

source

Oh so cozy !

source unknown

Gorgeous idea to use hazelnuts as decoration.

source

I will bring in a lot of pine tree branches as displayed here.

source

And oh yes of course, not to forget the pine cones !

source

Silverware, green branches and pine cones ! What a gorgeous combination !

source

Or display your pewter ware in combination with the Christmas branches.

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Even the kitchen, I love to have it decorated for Christmas.

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Love this!

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Branches around the doorways !

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Or fill your wicker baskets with green and bring on the Christmas lights !

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My favorite image! I am thinking about an alternative for a traditional Christmas tree this year! Love this way of a more sober decorated tree.

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Yes! yes! yes! More sober decoration this year! I am convinced !

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Sober, simple, perfection !

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Simple and beautiful !

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Burlap stocking.

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Gypsophilia hanging posies.

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Red berries.

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Table decoration.

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The image above is a picture of my friend Mona of Providence Ltd Interior Design blog.

I definitely will hang a wreath between my copper pans as you did here Mona ! Beautiful !

You really should take a look at the post Mona did about the Christmas decoration at her home here and here !

Thank you dear Mona for sharing all these inspirational pictures of your Christmas decoration ! Your home looks so inviting!!

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My friend Monika of Splendid Willow blogreturned from Sweden with a lot of gorgeous items she offers at her webstore! As the reindeer hides ! She posted about all here finds here.

Monika placed the hide over one end of her dining table as she shows us here in the picture below.

Please visit Monika’s webstore Splendid Avenue to discover more of her Christmas finds!

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Christmas table setting, again sober and simple.

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Chandelier drops as window decoration.

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Or a sober window wreath.

And what about the decoration at the outside of the house ??!!

I have always loved the way Axel Vervoordt decorated the entrance of his castle with guirlandes. I might think to try this as well at the frontdoor of our house.

Entrance at the château of Axel Vervoordt. (picture by me)

My sister at the château of Axel Vervoordt. (picture by me)

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Guirlandes and lanterns at your fence.

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Touches of Christmas on your outdoor furniture.

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A Christmas wreath on your window or door! An evergreen.

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Lamppost decoration! Never thought of this before?

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Christmas wreath in a tree.

Did you enjoy this post? Are you inspired by these images?

xx

Greet

My dear readers, I am pleased to announce that our new website is online !

WWW.LEFEVRE.BE

The passed weeks we have worked hard on the design and construction of the new website of our company LEFEVRE INTERIORS.

I would love to thank the team of our webmaster TALES for their dedication and the support we received !

You will notice a special page, dedicated to the Lefèvre Interiors workshop and our team of craftsmen.

A special thank you to the photographer CLAUDE SMEKENS for the gorgeous photoshoot he took at the workshop !

Photographer Claude Smekens at work.

Today I posted a few pictures to see at the gallery page of our new site.

Enjoy!

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Photo credit Jo Pauwels

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Photo credit Koen Snauwaert

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Photo credit Montse Garriga

Photo credit Montse Garriga

Photo credit Montse Garriga

Photo credit Montse Garriga

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

To know more about our company, please visit our new website at

WWW.LEFEVRE.BE

I wish each one of you a relaxing weekend !

xx

Greet

First of all I want to thank you for all the sweet and nice comments and emails I received about the Lefèvre Interiors new website! I was thrilled ! Thank you my dear readers! I appreciate you have taken the time to write me!

Today I want to share with you some pictures of the Christmas decoration at our home.

This year I wanted to keep it sober and simple.  By the way, did you notice that, in general, Christmas decoration is much more sober than we knew it the previous years? Does financial and economical crises influence the way of decorating our home for Christmas?

This year I have chosen for a more sober tree than the traditional Christmas tree we are used to.

A wicker basket filled with pine cones and greenery.

Christmas gifts under our tiny Christmas tree.

A wooden bowl filled with pine cones and Christmas balls.

A lit candle on a slice of wood, decorated with greenery.

A lit candle, chestnuts and greenery in a vase on the kitchen table.

A decorated tray on the dresser at the entry hall.

Christmas balls tied up with a knot.

Decoration on a window shelf.

Greenery and red berries hanging next to the cupper pans and a bunch of mistletoe at the windows. Inspiration to decorate the kitchen I found at Mona’s blog Providence Ltd Interior Design here. Thank you Mona! Love your Christmas home decoration a lot! 

Red berries on the coffee table in our living room.

 I added only one glazed Christmas ball at the tray with dates.

The hurricane on the mantel of our living room, I brought home when we visited Walda Pairon (see my post of Walda here).

Even at the outside of the house I have chosen for a very sober decoration.

Holly branches on a tree trunk slice and a fir festoon around the front door.

Next to the holly branches we also added a few naked branches.

And to make this year’s Christmas decoration complete, I added a wreath on both windows at the frontside of the house.

I do hope you enjoyed our Christmas decoration!

xx

Greet

All pictures by me.

A few weeks ago I discovered the website of ANTA, a Scottish company involved in interior design and architecture. Suppliers of collections of carpets and rugs, throws, blankets and woven fabrics, stoneware, lighting, furniture,…

Everything from ANTA is made in Scotland. The woolen yarn used for the carpets and tweeds is sourced in the Western Isles and is woven in the Borders. The oak furniture is made in the Highlands and some of the wood is homegrown.

ANTA Stoneware was first developed when Annie Stewart began experimenting with painting tartan on ceramics 28 years ago.  Since then ANTA has become synonymous with the best in contemporary Scottish design.  The ceramics are made with love in our Highland factory and individually decorated by hand.

ANTA now 25 years in the same hands, is a partnership between designers Annie and Lachlan Stewart and the craftsmen and women with whom they work. (Text website ANTA)

All ANTA products can be ordered on line !

The images of the gorgeous ANTA products here, are only a few of the wide range that ANTA has to offer. Please visit the ANTA website to discover all of their products.

ANTA candles, to be reused as bowls

ANTA selection of Higland tweed

ANTA hand painted tartan stoneware

ANTA fabric as window treatment

ANTA tartan candle

ANTA lambswool throw

ANTA handpainted mug

ANTA Edzell Hearth rug and cushion

ANTA baking dish

ANTA Edzel Tweed sofa

ANTA candles

ANTA cushions

ANTA mugs

ANTA tartan plates

ANTA tartan plate

The new wing of the ANTA castle, with an upholstered Dagger Gordon Tweed bench

ANTA website http://www.anta.co.uk

ANTA online catalogue http://www.anta.co.uk/catalogueView.php

All images via ANTA website http://www.anta.co.uk ; ANTA online catalogue http://www.anta.co.uk/catalogueView.php ; ANTA on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ANTAScotland& ANTA on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/antascotland/

I wish you a great new week!

xx

Greet

Dear readers, I am pleased and honored to mention that our company Lefèvre Interiors is featured in the latest issue of the Spanish interior design magazine HABITANIA !

We even made it to the cover of this issue! Isn’t this fantastic!

A huge thank you to the HABITANIA team !

All pictures are taken by the photographer MONTSE GARRIGA. A few months ago I posted about the photoshoot at our home for Habitania, by the photographer Montse Garriga HERE.

Our orangery on the cover of HABITANIA N°135 –2012. (photo credit Montse Garriga)

All pictures are taken by the photographer Montse Garriga.

First 2 pages of the publication in the Magazine HABITANIA. (photo credit Montse Garriga)

Another picture of our orangery featured in the latest issue of HABITANIA. (photo credit Montse Garriga)

If you are interested to see the full article, please click HERE.

THANK YOU AGAIN HABITANIA !

I do hope that, as I do, you all enjoy this most wonderful time of the year !

Talk to you soon !

xx

Greet