Today, my son reached that magical age of 18 !

Anthony, born on February 7 1996

Anthony was only 9 months old, when we noticed he already was interested in cars!

Anthony at 9 months

On his first birthday we surprised him with a brand new Mercedes sportscar!February 1997. First Birthday car

Boys and their toys!

If I wasn’t behind you, I bet you tried out jet-skiing !Summer 1999

At the age of 5 you were already practising to attend future car rallies!March 2001

Summer 2000. We never saw such a happy face before that moment you got your first electric car ! Every weekend grandpa picked you up to spend the weekend and you absolutely wanted to have your car with you. Poor grandpa!

And then you discovered motor bikes!!!

Summer 2000 with nephew Simon at the fancy fair.

And at the age of 7 you drove your quad.April 2003

And wanted to try out this size too!Summer 2003

A few years later, we heard the sound of this machine coming our way!Winter 2012

And today ?

Spotted behind the wheel of a driving school car!

I hope you will pass your driving test next week Anthony!

I wish you good luck!

Happy Birthday my son!

I am here for you, wherever the road takes you.

Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY !

xxx

In November 2012 I blogged about the guesthouse WHITE ROOMS in Bruges, decorated by interior designer Natalie Haegeman. If you missed this post, please click here.

White Rooms I - Photo credit Claude Smekens

It was a pleasure for me to read all of your nice comments on that post. Some of you actually booked the guesthouse and emailed me about their stay.

White Rooms I - Photo credit Claude Smekens

Because her first guest house was a success, Natalie now opened her second White Rooms guest house !

The two guest houses are at a distance of only 300 m from each other.

Photo credit Claude Smekens

Address White Rooms I  : Nieuwe Gentweg 94 – 8000 Bruges

Address White Rooms II :  Eekhoutstraat 1 – 8000 Bruges

Here are some pictures of the new guest house White Rooms II.

As the designer already did in her first guest house, also in White Rooms II she shares with her guests the typical Belgian style and here again Natalie has chosen for wonderful fabrics and bed linnen.

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

The guest house is decorated with antique furniture and objects, available at Natalie Haegeman Interiors.

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

I couldn't resist sharing with you this fabulous kitchen still life ! This and all other pictures are shot by my favorite Belgian photographer Claude Smekens.

White Rooms II - Photo credit Claude Smekens

I hope you enjoyed this post and add this address to your ‘Bruges stays’ file.

For all contact details please click HERE. 

To book your stay online, please go HERE.

WHITE ROOMS.BE

info@white-rooms.be

To discover more of Natalie Haegeman’s design work, please visit her website HERE.

NATALIE HAEGEMAN-INTERIORS.BE

Enjoy your stay !

xx

Greet

All mages with permission of Natalie Haegeman

Today I would love to introduce you to our talented Belgian decorator Evelyn Moreels.

A few weeks ago Evelyn invited us at her gorgeous private home near Ghent. Both, Jan and me, were impressed by her beautiful work. We loved the beautiful decorated rooms and all of the different decorative wall painting techniques which texture every room to look old, faded and a little worn.

Evelyn is the owner of a painting company and is an expert in all kinds of decorative paint techniques.

Along with her team of professionals, she likes to help customers finding their way in a world of colors, materials, styles and textures.

Colors, materials, styles and textures

Evelyn and her team are specialists in interior design and color, indoor and outdoor painting, decorative painting techniques, wallpaper covering, exclusive window treatment, soft furnishings and upholstery, fitted carpets, rugs and furniture, offering a wide range of exclusive brands.

The designer aimes to create a highly personal living atmosphere where her clients do feel comfortable.

‘To be happy at home, is the ultimate result of all ambition.’, is to read in Evelyn Moreels company’s brochure.

Entering Evelyn’s living room feels as transporting you to the south of France. The walls are given a rustic texture like those found in the ancient homes of France and the Mediterranean.

To obtain the rustic look of the living room, Evelyn used a lime paint technique in combination with different patina applications.

Based on colors and textures of upholstery and window treatment fabrics, Evelyn is always searching to find new decorative paint techniques to create an atmosphere that is in harmony with the look of every room.

The rough linen texture of the seat upholstery and window treatment in combination with beautiful chosen decorative accessories and objets d’art, emphasises the rustic look of the room.

Notice the daring color used for the cabinet’s interior. Love it !

Wall patinas create a look of aging and give the walls a sense of depth.

Classical look and perfect color combinations in the dining room.

Even the color and texture of an earthenware jar might serve as a base creating a specific wall painting.

Textured walls and cabinetry in the family room.

There's something about aged, weathered walls that give a room instant character.

Aged painted kitchen cabinetry.

The chosen color for the powder room cabinet is also used to paint the stair treads.

I love this technique Evelyn applied on the walls of the bedroom. If feels as if there is added a linen fabric to the walls. Absolutely fabulous!

Painted wooden floor in the dressing room.

I love the peaceful and serene feeling Eveline created in this bathroom.

Adding texture that makes any surface look old and worn.

Evelyn Moreels at her private home

Evelyn loves to help you making your ideas a reality, and will assist you to find the right painting techniques and colors to enhance and to dress up your home.

If wished she guarantees the coordination of your entire interior design project.

If you would love to appeal to Evelyn to help you, please contact her at info@evelynmoreels.be

To see more of Evelyn’s work, please visit her website.

http://www.evelynmoreels.be

EVELYN MOREELS

Jan Samijnstraat 21

Arbedsite Zone A

9050 Gentbrugge

BELGIUM

Wishing you all a wonderful day !

xx

Greet

All mages with permission of Evelyn Moreels

Designing…

Hello there dear readers, it has been almost a week since I blogged. Time goes by so fast ! I was working on several clients’ projects and at this moment I am looking for inspiration to design a more contemporary kitchen layout.

The images of today are of more contemporary, all Belgian designed, kitchens, that may help me to finish my sketches.

Some kitchen details seen in these images, I would love to discuss with my clients.

What do you think about this contemporary kitchen, designed by the Belgian company Obumex? Isn’t it gorgeous? I love the contrast of black and white and the earthy tone of the beamed ceiling, the steel pocket door and not to forget the beautiful chandelier.

Obumex

This kitchen, Belgian architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen designed for his private home in Antwerp, is one of my all time favorites. Delft wall tiles, furnished with a La Cornue stove, a custom-made table and Chinese farmer’s chairs.  Ceramics designed by Van Duysen are stacked on the stove.

Vincent Van Duysen  Image source here

Combination of black painted and natural oak cabinetry in this kitchen, designed by Timeless Living. Steel windows and black moroccan zelliges.

Timeless Living

Airy feeling here. Light stained oak cabinets and kitchen table.

Image source here

This is a kitchen desiged by the Brussels based designer Isabelle Reynders, one of my favorite Belgian contemporary designers. If you don’t know her yet, you absolutely must visit her website to see more of her gorgeous work.

I love the idea of this integrated kitchen display cabinet. Notice the rather rough finish of the cabinet doors in combination with the table top.

Isabelle Reynders

The color scheme used in this kitchen exudes peace and tranquillity.

Obumex

Clean lines. Notice the texture of the wood that is used here.

Image source here

Going back to the drawing board……finishing the kitchen design !

I wish you all a nice Tuesday!

xx

Greet

METALFIRE manufactures professional, high-quality open fireplaces burning wood, gas, bio-fuel (bio-ethanol) and high-efficiency closed fireplaces equipped burning wood or gas. The extensive range of fireplaces is specifically designed for architectural integration with high-level aesthetics and simplicity thanks to a modern design, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and hard-wearing materials.

Wood burning open fireplace – Type : Universal MF 740-75 W1S BBQ  4-sided finishing frame made to measure

Discover a wide range of open fireplaces at http://www.metalfire.eu/.

For more information, contact Metalfire at info@metalfire.eu

METALFIRE

MADE IN BELGIUM

http://www.metalfire.eu/

xx

Greet

I have just returned from a 5 days visit to Oslo, where I met several interior designers. Norway and in particular Oslo, counts a lot of talented and upcoming designers.

I would love to introduce you to some of the Oslo based interior designers.

Krista Hartmann has been working as an interior designer since 2003 and is a member of the Norwegian Interior Architects and Furniture Designers (NIL).

Krista Hartmann Interiør focuses on private and on commercial projects as well. The company cooperates with the best craftsmen and suppliers within all subjects.

Krista Hartmann is mentioned in the latest issue of the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review.

Image source Krista Hartmann Interiør

Image source Krista Hartmann Interiør

Image source Krista Hartmann Interiør

Image source Krista Hartmann Interiør

Image source Krista Hartmann Interiør

To discover more of Krista Hartmann’s beautiful projects, please visit the website of Krista Hartmann Interiør.

http://krista.no/

_________________

Anemone Wille Våge has worked as an interior designer since 1989. She started out with editorial work for interior magazines as a stylist. Today she has her own company where the focus is both on private and commercial projects. She is represented in the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review four years in a row.

Image source Anemone Wille Våge

Image source Anemone Wille Våge

Image source Anemone Wille Våge

Image source Anemone Wille Våge

The Oslo Suite of the Hotel The Thief, designed by Anemone has won the European Hotel Design Award 2013.

Hotel The Thief - Oslo Suite               Image source Anemone Wille Våge

To discover more of Anemone’s work, please visit her website.

http://www.anemone.no/

________________

Elin Fossland, co-owner of the Drammen based company Arkitekt Fossland AS, is one of the upcoming interior Norwegian designers. The latest issue of the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review features 3 of Elin’s projects.

Elin Fossland  Image source Interiør Magasinet

Elin Fossland  Image source Interiør Magasinet

Elin Fossland  Image source Interiør Magasinet

Elin Fossland  Image source Interiør Magasinet

Elin Fossland  Image source Interiør Magasinet

To see more of Elin’s design projects, I would recommend you to visit the website or to subscribe to the renown Norwegian Magazine Interiør Magasinet, where you can find a lot of articles featuring her work.

Elin’s website is under construction at the moment.

To contact Elin Fossland, please click HERE.

http://www.arkitektfossland.no/

_______________

Helene Hennie, co-owner of the Interior Design Firm Christian’s & Hennie, founded in 2007.Helene Hennie, has been in the industry for more that 25 years, and is highly sought after. She received "The Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year" in 2007, and has also been featured in "Interior Design Awards" by Andrew Martin twelve years in a row receiving the first award in 2000, and is the only designer to do so. She has also designed a furniture collection for the furniture manufacturer Slettvoll.

Helene Hennie  Image source Christian’s & Hennie

Helene Hennie Image source Interiør Magasinet

Helene Hennie Image source Interiør Magasinet

Helene Hennie Image source Interiør Magasinet

Furniture designed by Helene Hennie for Slettvoll   Image source Slettvoll

To see more about the interior design projects of Helene Hennie, please visit the website of Christian’s & Hennie.

To see more of the furniture Helene Hennie designed for Slettvoll, please visit the website of Slettvoll.

http://christiansoghennie.no/

http://www.slettvoll.no/

Enjoy the weekend !

xx

Greet

Good morning dear readers,

As I often get emails of you asking about Belgian interior design magazines, I would love to introduce you to one of our leading home and interior design magazines.

HOME SWEET HOME is a quarterly Belgian magazine showcasing the best of interior and architectural projects, that Belgian building contractors, architects, interior designers and landscape designers have to offer.

This is the cover of the latest issue (Spring 2014) of HOME SWEET HOME.

Cover HOME SWEET HOME Spring 2014- issue 83

By posting pictures of 2 projects, featured in the 2 latest issues of the magazine, I will try to give you an idea of what the magazine has to offer.

Project I  :  featured in the latest issue – Home Sweet Home Spring 2014 n°83

Credits : Project by Domus Aurea - architectural design Thierry Lejeune - landscaping Ludo Dierckx– Photography Hendrik Biegs

An aged rural exterior merges here with a contemporary, slightly tighter interior.

Twined volumes, various exquisite salvaged building materials, time honored techniques and a lot of passion led to the successful accomplishment of this project.

Twined volumes built with salvaged materials – Belgian reclaimed bricks and roof tiles. Combining steel and wooden window frames. At the far right you can see a glimpse of a thatched roof.  Image source Home Sweet Home FB page

Contemporary interior design.Image source Home Sweet Home FB page

Airy and light kitchen with glazed walls to obtain a panoramic view of the garden. The reclaimed wooden beams seem to go from the inside to the outside.Image source Home Sweet Home FB page

Reclaimed Belgian rooftiles – Notice the reclaimed oak wood used here - Façade of reclaimed whitewashed brickstone.Image source Home Sweet Home FB page

Looking through the steel window you notice a steel double door. Gorgeous!Image source Home Sweet Home FB page

Project II  :  featured in the issue of Home Sweet Home Winter 2013 n°82

Credits : Project by Bouw-iD - Architect Jurgen Weyne – Interior design Séverine Jaspar– Photography Caroline Monbailliu

This house is newly built, in the middle of the Flemish Ardennes. It is realized with recycled building materials and numerous almost forgotten construction techniques. That is why it does look so authentic, as it has been there for ages. The extension - an aged oak construction - accomodates the kitchen.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

Beautiful oak frontdoor with Belgian blue stone surrounding. A wonderful match with the color of the limewashed brick façade.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

The interior, combining clean lines with reclaimed materials.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

The inside of the wooden extension, accomodating the kitchen.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

The traditional and rounded stucco, the beautiful woodwork and beautiful floors give the house a charming look.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

Combination of clean lines and the use of wood.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

This new build house melts away seamlessly in the countryside and in the Flemish architectural history.Image source Home Sweet Home Website

I am sure you all will love this Belgian magazine !

To see more projects featured in this gorgeous Belgian Magazine HOME SWEET HOME,

please visit the magazine’s website at http://www.homesweethome.be/.

Like their Facebook Page here.

Magazine contact at info@homesweethome.be

Have a great rest of the week!

xx

Greet

The Spring 2014 issue of the interior design & lifestyle magazine MILIEU  is out !

An issue full of spring feelings !

Cover MILIEU Spring 2014

Including  :

The light-filled home of Dallas designer Shannon Bowers.

Image source MILIEU Spring 2014   Peter Vitale

Combining fashion and furniture : favorite signature fabric of Dallas designer Tish Cox to cover a charming 19th C. tête-à-tête.

Image source MILIEU Spring 2014   Photo credit Maxine Helfman

As being a contributing editor of the magazine, I am so pleased to announce that this issue of MILIEU features two places in Belgium : the gorgeous house of an opera singer and an art historian; and the bed & breakfast ‘The Little Monastery’.

Belgian house of an opera singer & an art historian.

Image source MILIEU Spring 2014   Photo credit Claude Smekens

You might remember my earlier blogpost about the photoshoot of this gorgeous house. To read, click here.

If you plan a trip to Belgium, the bed & breakfast The Little Monastery of the Belgian antiques dealer Brigitte Garnier, should be on your ‘places to stay’- list !

Image source MILIEU Spring 2014   Photo credit Claude Smekens

A huge thank you to Pam Pierce and her team for adding my blog ‘Belgian Pearls’ to the MILIEU’s blogroll !

I feel honored!

MILIEU’s blogroll : ‘Belgian Pearls’ 

To read the list of what you will find out in the MILIEU Spring 2014 issue, click here.

To download the digital edition (available to print subscribers only) of MILIEU, click here.

If you are not yet a subscriber, please click here.

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring Weekend !

xx

Greet

Belgian artist Alain Van Asbroeck loves to work with rough structures to give walls, ceilings and floors a special look.

For more than 25 years he is experimenting with all kind of plaster techniques and never uses one of these techniques for a second time.

On the walls of his living room Alain brought on a mixture of lime and wax.

The original tiled floor was badly damaged and is now replaced with a number of plaster layers.

The gloss was obtained by the use of olive oil soap and by polishing the floor with a special stone.

Plastered walls, ceilings and floors.

The treatment of this oak kitchen sink cabinet became the starting point chosing the plasterwork for the kitchen walls.

In the kitchen Alain mixed roots of plants into the layer of lime which he afterwards fixed.

Kitchen walls plaster technique.

In the bathroom, Alain used tadelakt for the sink, the bath and even for the floor.

In the bedroom we notice the plastered ceiling.

The artist even loves to give furniture one of his special plaster treatments.

To know more about the artist and his work, please visit the website of Alain Van Asbroeck at

http://www.decorationvanasbroeck.com/

Talk to you soon!

xx

Greet

All photos with permission of Claude Smekens

As Spring has arrived, we are preparing our garden for summer and are scrubbing all outdoor terraces.

Outdoor furniture needs to be cleaned !

Today I would love to introduce you to the beautiful outdoor furniture of Anton Damen, a company based in the Netherlands.

ANTON DAMEN OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Anton Damen stands for a complete program of country, classic outdoor furniture.

The Anton Damen collection is manufactured entirely in the Netherlands. The furniture is made in exactly the same traditional way for years. They are made of sustainable natural materials of high quality.

The furniture pieces have a steel frame and a hardwood seat, whether or not lacquered.

A few years ago, when we went to visit the castle of Axel Vervoordt, I was totally smitten by the chairs we discovered at several places in the garden of the castle.

The next 4 pictures are taken at the castle of ‘s Gravenwezel of Axel vervoordt.

Garden of the castle of ‘s Gravenwezel  Axel Vervoordt

Garden of the castle of ‘s Gravenwezel  Axel Vervoordt

Garden of the castle of ‘s Gravenwezel  Axel Vervoordt

Garden of the castle of ‘s Gravenwezel  Axel Vervoordt

I definitely wanted to find similar chairs to place around our terrace table. By googling I stumbled upon the website of the Netherlands-based furniture company Anton Damen.

I contacted the owner, Jan de Koning, who was so kind to take the time to visit me and to provide me with all required information about his outdoor furniture collection. I was so happy to have finally found the chairs I wanted to see around our table.

Since 2 years the Anton Damen chairs embellish our terrace.

Our terrace with the Anton Damen chairs around the table.

We have chosen for the high-back ‘Moerlandth’ armchair.

This is a picture of our garden chairs seen in the Anton Damen catalogue.  Image source website Anton Damen

I love the combination of the Moerlandth chairs with our table that has a Belgian bluestone top and an antique Italian hand-forged base.

Anton Damen even offers a range of garden tables with a blue stone top. To see the table collection, click here.

The furniture is available in different lacquer colors.

Image source website Anton Damen

Image source website Anton Damen

Image source website Anton Damen

Image source website Anton Damen

Anton Damen offers a complete program of exclusive custom made cushions, perfect fitting for each chair.

 Image source website Anton Damen

Unlaquered hardwood    Image source website Anton Damen

Garden benches and sun loungers   Image source website Anton Damen

Our terrace furniture

If you are interested in the Anton Damen furniture collection, please visit the website here.

To order the Anton Damen catalogue, click here.

To ask for more information, don’t hesitate to contact Anton Damen here.

or contact me at greetlefevre@hotmail.com.

http://www.koningdamen.com/home

Wishing you all a nice rest of the week!

xx

Greet

Ready to bring spring into your home?

Some ideas to decorate with what nature has to offer at this time of the year!

Enjoy!

Walda Pairon   Image source here

Orange tree in our orangerie   Picture by me

Magnolias   Image source here

Blossoms   Image source Magazine Seasons Februari-Maart 2011 Photo credit Etta van der Aa

Walda Pairon   Image source Landelijk Wonen 2012  Photo credit Claude Smekens  

Walda Pairon   Image source Book Walda Pairon Interiors With a Soul  Photo credit Cees Roelofs

Happy Spring Weekend !

xx

Greet

Temple of haute cuisine, restaurant The Jane Antwerp, opened his doors.

Michelin-star chef Sergio Herman and chef Nick Bril created their “fine dining meets rock ’n roll” restaurant vision together with Piet Boon over three years ago in a mythical location in Antwerp; the chapel of a former military hospital.

Piet Boon was responsible for the interior design and styling and knew to transform the chapel into a high-end, contemporary restaurant.

The Jane located in the chapel of a former military hospital.

Only the highly necessary in the chapel is restored as the designer believed in authenticity and the beautiful aging of materials.

 Original ceiling.

The main restaurant hosts 65 guests and is open from Tuesday till Saturday for lunch and dinner.

The ‘piece de résistance’ in the center of the restaurant is a 800 kilograms-weighing gigantic chandelier of 12 by 9 meters with over 150 lights, designed by the Beirut-based design studio .PSLAB, a team specialised in the design and production of site-specific contemporary lighting.

Windows consisting of unique panels.

Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel of Studio Job designed the windows consisting of 500 unique panels. Inspired by the chapel’s original function, foam spatulas, sunflowers, devils, skulls, babies, Jezus on the cross, dice, apple cores, wrenches, ice cream cones, a canon, croissants, penguins, trophies, gas masks and birthday cakes portray a contemporary translation of the old stained-glass windows. Archetypes from various worlds each tell
masterpiece stories of good and evil, rich and poor, life and death as well as good food and religion.

The Upper Room Bar serves light dishes together with cocktails, wine and special beers. The bar accommodates 40 guests.

The shared passion of Sergio Herman, Nick Bril and Piet Boon to work with pure, rich materials is expressed in
the interior in which qualitatively outstanding natural stone, leather and oak wood are used.

THE JANE ANTWERP

Bookings can be made at www.thejaneantwerp.com.

xx

Greet

Source text and images : Piet Boon, The Jane

Being part of the blogger community has delivered me so much inspiration and surprises! Writing my blog for a few years now, abled me to connect with people who share a common passion.

Céline Chollet, the author of the blog Céline Chollet Aquarelles, is one of those persons that I learned to know through blogging. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to meet Céline and to have learned more about all things that keep her busy in life and of course about her work. Céline is a very talented aquarellist, specialized in water-colour paintings of old buildings and interiors. I already wrote about Céline and her work in earlier blogposts (here and here).

Céline and I discovered that we had a lot in common. We both love blogging, we both love horses, we both love antiques, ancient houses and… we both love panelling !

Le salon des Cernailles. Aquarelle of a panelled room by Céline Chollet.

Céline visited me last year. We became friends by blogging.

Céline, her husband Olivier who is a historian, and their two children Lucie et Camille, live in Auxerre (France), in a gorgeous ancient house  ‘La Tour des Neiges’. The house has a stair tower, actually the most northerly tower in Auxerre, what means that snow will fall on it sooner than on the other towers in the town. This half-timbered house whas already there in the 16th century.

‘La Tour des Neiges’, the house in Auxerre where Céline and her family live.

By coincidence we discovered that we both were thinking about the redo of our living room. We both wanted to bring in a French styled, 18th century inspired panelling!!! Can you imagine! Yes indeed, we both share the same passion for the 18th century.

This was so exciting for us both and of course we were thrilled to share the progress of the redo of our living room with each other.

Céline hit me with this picture of a piece of an antique panelling including a beautiful original painting, she possessed since a long time and which was the starting point to create the new panelling for her living room.

Panelling detail    Photo credit Daniel Chaslerie

Céline’s living room before.

Installation of the panelling in progress. The panelling is executed in poplar wood and is painted by Céline!

This reminds me of the time our employees installed the panelling in our living room last year. See my blogpost here.

Céline at work. She started to repaint this 18th century piece of panelling in order to find the original colors of its painting. Céline remains faithful to the authentic gray of the wood panelling, or she likes to start from a grey-green. She is a maniac concerning colors. If she does not like the result, she is able to start all over again !

Céline and her husband contacted a local ébéniste to create the panelling.

I do love this picture of the French ‘ébéniste, carving the mouldings of Céline’s panelling. He is working in the traditional way, respecting the ancient way of making panelling. Exactly as the craftsmen do in the workshop of our company Lefèvre Interiors.

Lefèvre Interiors– traditional way of creating bespoke interiors and panelling.

Céline has even mixed different paint colors herself to obtain the perfect color she wanted to see on the panelling. She explained that it was hard to finalize. She had to think about adding more layers of gray, or adding more blue, considering a darker or clearer look,…

I have to admit she has done a wonderful job! Céline has chosen for a perfect painting. The panelling really obtained the look of ‘une boiserie ancienne’ !

This is the finished room. A warm and intimate room where the Chollet family will enjoy having dinner by candlelight !

Céline has painted the skirting with a faux-marble finish. Bravo Céline!

On Céline’s workshop’ desk : water colour paintings and living room skirting, awaiting more layers of paint. What a gorgeous picture! L’atelier of an artisan!   This picture illustrates well what Céline said : ‘J'ai toujours le pinceau à la main, gros ou petit.’ (‘I always have a pencil in my hands, large or small’.)

Even the family cat is happy with this cosy corner she took possession of.

Céline and husband Olivier, enjoying their finished panelled living room.

As you can notice, Céline and Olivier love to bring in antique furniture pieces and accessories, which they took home by visiting numerous flea markets.

A charming view towards the open fire place, the heart of the family home.

Absolutely wonderful !

Well done Céline!

If you have not yet visited Céline’s blog ‘Céline Chollet Aquarelles’, I absolutely recommend you to have a look at this blog and to discover Céline’s beautiful work. If you would love to have a handpainted water-colour of your home, please contact Céline for further details. She will be pleased to paint the exterior as well as the interior of your home.

http://wwwboitedaquarelles.blogspot.be/

If you are considering to panel one of the rooms of your home, please don’t hesitate to contact me at

 info@lefevre.be.

I would be pleased to help you designing your panelled room.

LEFEVRE INTERIORS – BELGIUMhttp://www.lefevre.be/

Wishing you all a fresh new start of the week !

xx

Greet

Source pictures of the home of Céline :  blog Céline Chollet : http://wwwboitedaquarelles.blogspot.be/ – with permission of Céline Chollet

Pure elegance for you today…

Enjoy!

Source Zsa Zsa Bellagio

Source Pinterest

Source Zsa Zsa Bellagio

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Rose Unicacke

Source here

Source Lefèvre Interiors  - Photo Credit Claude Smekens 

Inès de La Fressange   source here

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

The Coco Chanel Suite Ritz Paris   source here

Lippizaner Horses  source unknown

ApartmentCoco Chanel   source here

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Zsa Zsa Bellagio

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Source Pinterest

Talk to you soon !

xx

Greet

A little bit of history today.

I would love to tell you some more about a settee, that dates back to the Napoleon III period in France (1852-1870) and that is even suggested by today’s designers : the French ‘borne’. This glamorous, central, social seating arrangement, appearing in the second half of the 19th century, is re-edited and upholstered by designers of today, in a more contemporary way.

But first let me tell you about 2 other settees originating in 19th Century France : the ‘confident’ and the ‘indiscret’.

All these glamorous settees were often seen in French salons, foyers, and boudoirs.

The French ‘confident’ is an s-shaped arrangement, that seats 2 people who can talk to each other without being disturbed, by sitting almost next to each other and by being face-to-face. It is also named ’vis-à-vis’ ou ’tête-à-tête’.

French ‘confident’    Image source here

The French ‘indiscret’  is a settee composed of three armchairs multiplied and brought together by a propeller-blade shaped top rail. In general, in this type of seating, the frame is completely covered.The seat allows three people to take place.The third person may be considered to be "intrusive, indiscreet". This is why the seat is given its name.

French ‘indiscret’    Image source

French ‘indiscret’   Image source here

The ‘borne’ is a fabulous and stylish piece of seating, round or sectional shaped. It originally was a combination of three sofas with two arms and backed with a triangular base. This base is sometimes topped with a heavy ornamental motif in bronze, ceramic, gilded wood. This decorative element can be a kind of jardinière in which were placed flowers. This kind of seat is completely covered, often with velvet.

French ‘borne’   Image source here

The indiscret and the borne settee at the drawing room of the Napoléon III apartments – The Louvre Paris.   Image source here

The borne with a jardinière on top. Apartments of Napoléon III – The Louvre Paris   Image source here

Let’s see what today’s designers have made of this famous borne settee.

Los Angeles based interior designer Windsor Smith added a borne settee to her home collection.   Image source here

The borne by designers Julie Massucco Kleiner and Melissa Warner   Image source here

Fashion designer Tory Burch embellished her boutique in Seoul with a borne seat.   Image source here

The ‘Baroque’ seat by designer John Hutton for Interna at the Hotel The Dominican in Brussels-Belgium.   Image source here

And what made our Belgian designers of this glamorous settee ?

They stripped the model of its glamour to fit in the humility of our Flemish style and covered it with Belgian linen.

‘Less is more’ !

Sofa ‘Opera’ by Axel Vervoordt.   Image source here

A perfect combination of this blue linen covered seat with the pure timber.

Interior design by Belgian architect Benoit Viaene.   Image source here 

Wishing you a great week !

Greet

Good morning dear friends!

I hope you all enjoy this beautiful time of the year. In Belgium we are blessed with a wonderful Spring time. Sunny days with above average temperatures.

On Wednesday we had a photoshoot for the French magazine Art & Décoration and the photographer had to take into account the sun's rays penetrating into the rooms, which was not easy for her to shoot perfect pictures.

The shooting took place in my sister’s home.

While I assisted photographer Sophie and stylist-journalist Céline, by adding and moving the appropriate decoration, my nephew Justin played the piano. The house was filled with beautiful sounds !

My sister and family friend ‘chef-cook’ Luc prepared a delicious summer meal.

We all enjoyed the alfresco lunch !

I wanted to thank Céline and Sophie for their patience and enthusiasm while taking all the photos!

Of course I had my camera with and took some pictures myself.

Here is a sneak peek.

A special thank you to my sister and brother-in-law for the wonderful day and for allowing us to take this photoshoot.

We are all looking forward to the featuring in one of the upcoming issues of Art & Décoration !

xx

Greet

All pictures by me

Picture by me

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Greet

Brighten your room…dare to add a pop of crazy bright color inside the cabinets !

Campagne Décoration  Source here – Photo credit Claire Curt 

Evelyn Moreels

Axel Vervoordt  Source ‘Living in a Castle’ Beta Plus Publishing– Photo credit Jo Pauwels

Axel Vervoordt

Lefèvre Interiors  Photo credit Fotografie Claude Smekens

Lefèvre Interiors  Photo credit Greet Lefèvre

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Greet

As I always try to post as much as possible about Belgian architecture and interior design, today I would love to introduce you to the Belgian based architecture and interior design company ROOD3, founded by architect Frederique Glorieux and his partner Sophie.

When I discovered this project on the brand new website of ROOD3, I knew I had to share it with you !

Project

When the owners bought the house it consisted of several small and separate spaces. New prospects were opened as the architect transformed the house in spacious, airy and bright rooms by uniting areas and breaking down some walls.

The rooms were immersed in white, to create a sense of space. All walls and ceilings were painted in white. And even almost all rooms have white floors, helping to give the illusion of larger spaces.

The architect succeeded in creating a simple, clean-lined and inviting interior with a little bit of glamour without sacrificing comfort.

The variety of found objects, in both ground and upper floor rooms, adds an eclectic atmosphere to the home, creating a charming as well as an inspiring place to live.

Living roomWhite walls and ceiling, bleached wide plank floors to enlarge the space.   Image source ROOD3

Variety of found objects and vintage furniture : chairs, lamps, tables, sculptures , works of art.

White walls are the perfect and clean backdrop for art.

Choosing for a white, monochromatic palette allows to mix in lots of texture.

View from the dining room towards the kitchen.The kitchen seen as an extension of the dining room. Even there is no separation between the two spaces, the architect created a feeling of intimacy in the dining room.   Image source ROOD3

Light-filled kitchen

In the kitchen the architect combined a bright white with a warm timber.

Image source ROOD3

Notice the display of found objects even in the kitchen.   Image source ROOD3

A white sheer curtain fabric in combination with the black steel window frame.

Beautiful and restful to the eye !  Image source ROOD3

Detail of the steel window and door.Image source ROOD3

View from the entrance to the dining room. The dark painted stairrail and hall bench contrasting with the white walls and floor.

A glimpse of  the objects of curiosity displayed in the dining room cabinet.   Image source ROOD3

Upper floor rooms

Image source ROOD3

‘Bathed’ in white !

Image source ROOD3

Serene retreats.

Spacious airy bedroom.   Image source ROOD3

Image source ROOD3

Image source ROOD3

To see more projects by ROOD3, please visit the website at www.rood3.be

For more information, please contact the architect Frederique Glorieux at info@rood3.be

Bosdreef 3

8530 Stasegem

BELGIUM

T +32 476 448 383

E info@rood3.be

http://www.rood3.be/

Wishing you a great start of this new week!

xx

Greet

All pictures with permission of Architect Frederique Glorieux - Rood3

A few weeks ago I was introduced to the work of the Sydney based architect Michael Suttor  , by Georgina Suttor, partner of Michael and author of  the book ‘MICHAEL SUTTOR, Master of Proportion’.

I was extremely surprised by the wonderful architecture, visiting the architect’s website.

The past 30 years Michael Suttor has built, especially in Australia (most of Michael’s work is found in Sydney), modern elegant houses. His houses are timeless, correctly proportioned and built with close attention to detail.

Michael’s houses are contemporary with a touch of the Mediterranean,  which includes big eaves and loggias, verandas and colonnades and they all have a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow.

Michael Suttor Architects   Source Michael Suttor Website

Georgina documented the buildings Michael has created and decided to write a book about her husband’s work. In this book Georgina writes about her husband’s passion, philosophy and inspiration to create his remarkable houses.

Those who love classical tradition in architecture, will absolutely be inspired by Michael’s houses.

Cover Book MICHAEL SUTTOR, Master of Proportion

Visit ebook summary HERE

Michael Suttor’s understanding of classical design is based on Palladian principles of proportion and detail.

Travelling to Italy, France, Monaco and Spain aroused Michael’s admiration for the elegant work of Palladio which influenced his architectural design in a perceptive way.

“For Michael Palladian is synonymous with classical, something harmonious and easy on the eye coming together to create great architecture. Of all architects, he feels there is most to learn from the pleasing proportions of Palladio’s work.” , explains Georgina in the book.

The correct proportions may explain why Michael’s houses are said to harmonise the flow of energy and bring pleasure to those living in the space.

Villa Veneto   Source Michael Suttor Website

This house drops steeply to the foreshore with magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge.

Villa Veneto   Source Michael Suttor Website

The architect has acute spatial perception and can proportion a room on a drawing by visualizing the space easily in his mind.

He loves to make sketches with freehand pencil.

“He believes freehand pencil can reflect mood and feeling similar to the brush strokes on a painting and can show workmanship more readily than that from a computer. He likes pencil particularly in the early stages of a design where creativity is more important than precision.” , is read in the book.

Pencil drawing of Villa Veneto   Source Book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’

Hunters Hill House   Source Michael Suttor Website

A glazed loggia was designed as the main living space and was flanked by a formal sitting and dining room with a covered terrace to complete the architecture of the building.

Hunters Hill House   Source Book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’

The architect pays attention to the surrounding landscape and ensures that his houses do not jar with neigbouring buildings.

Hunters Hill House   Source Book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’

Victoria Road House   Source Michael Suttor Website

A house with a Tuscan ambience.

Wentworth Place House   Source Michael Suttor Website

This house has magnificent views overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

 Villa Veneto   Source Michael Suttor Website

The major rooms of this house open onto this courtyard which links all rooms of the house. All architectural features are specific for the house with stone columns and balustrades designed in Australia and made in Europe.

Good architecture is the teamwork of the architect, the entrepreneur, the interior designer and the owner. Michael integrates the needs of his clients with the skills of the builder and tradesmen to ensure a great result.

He appreciates well-executed crafts choosing to work with the best qualified craftsmen.

Villa Veneto    Source Book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’ 

Michael’s houses are appropriate for the modern life style with a touch of the Mediterranean and a wonderful indoor outdoor flow.

Vaucluse House   Source Michael Suttor Website

Indoor-outdoor flow.

In details we best glimpse the whole. Michael’s attention to architectural details expresses the whole of his work. Appropriate light fittings, shutters disappearing into cavities to open the room, mouldings on doors to add interest and the precise placement of hinges. Michael even designs full size detailed drawings of locks, doors and windows.

Source Michael Suttor Website

Michael often use a central sky light to provide more daylight and give scale to an internal room with shafts of light from above.

Source Michael Suttor Website

The architect creates individual wrought ironwork for each of his houses.

Source Michael Suttor Website

Source Michael Suttor Website

Mouldings have the correct depth never crying out for attention and never too mean.

   Source Michael Suttor Website

Source Book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’

The architect Michael Suttor overlooking a construction site.   Photo credit Georgina Suttor

When this blogpost has raised your curiosity, then you should definitely take a look at Michael’s website and purchase the beautiful book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’.

Michael Suttor Architects
252 Bronte Road Waverley
Sydney NSW 2024
Australia

info@michaelsuttor.com.au

http://michaelsuttor.com.au/

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

xx

Greet

All pictures with permission of Georgina Suttor, author of the book ‘Michael Suttor, Master of Proportion’