Bram Bogart

A Dutch/Belgian artist I love is Bram Bogart whose pieces are full of bold color and texture (inspired by the movement/furrow of the soil after it has been prepared for planting). Simple, powerful, and beautiful!

“We always think that a painting is ahead of its time.
This is not true, it’s the public that is behind the times.
The painter is always influenced by his time, at the moment he lives.”
– Bram Bogart

This post via http://theartroomplant.blogspot.com/

Fred Eerdekens favorites ...

These are just a few of my favorite pieces from Belgian artist Fred Eerdekens. To see the full image and in a larger scale (which does the work the justice it deserves) click here.

http://www.fred-eerdekens.be/

Book on Jules Wabbes

For those of you still trying to get your hands on a book on the Belgian designer Jules Wabbes, his daughter, Marie Ferran-Wabbes, worked on this re-edition (above) available in French, Flemish and English. There is also an exhibit in the works that will take place in Brussels, in October of this year, at the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles (Bozar).

ENGLISH http://www.borgerhoff-lamberigts.be/modulefiles/books/218/jules-wabbes-engels.jpg

FRENCH http://www.borgerhoff-lamberigts.be/boeken/p/detail/jules-wabbes-frans

FLEMISH http://www.borgerhoff-lamberigts.be/boeken/p/detail/jules-wabbes

Daniel Ost - Garden Design

Daniel Ost - most famous for his incredible sculptural flower arrangements - is now venturing into garden design. Above are some pictures of the green spaces he designed for the DE UIL house (previously blogged about here).

http://www.danielost.be/

Jules Wabbes at home

This is Jules Wabbes's house now lived-in by his wife, Marie Wabbes, a children's book author. His daughter, Marie Ferran-Wabbes, also an author, wrote the only reference and stunning coffee-table book on her father. A collector's item, it has been out of print for a while now ... but hoping that, with this new "Wabbes revival" ... the book will be re-published soon!

This is a house I know very very well, and it is one of the houses that have influenced my Belgian style.

The pictures in this post courtesy of http://www.owi.bz/
Photos by Jean-Pierre Gabriel

Jules Wabbes Revival

"For the last few years Jules Wabbes (1919-1974) was high-up there on the vintage list for international design dealers. As a result his original designs reached astronomical heights in price and desirability. That’s why the premier representative of Belgian design in the 1960s and 70s is currently re-edited by Belgian design-house Bulo, lightning house Wever & Ducré and carpet house Bic-Carpets.

Initially an antiques dealer and decorator, in the 1950s he designed the interior for several Sabena aircrafts. A series of interior design commissions followed, including the International Science Hall at the Brussels Universal Exhibition, the royal couple’s apartment on board the Belgian marine ship Godetia and the offices of the Crédit Communal or the Générale de Banque.

A lover of beautiful materials, he created desks, tables, bookcases, mobile furniture, storage furniture, lamps and seating, in addition to the furniture Wabbes had made to measure or adapted for customers who commissioned him to fit out their interiors: beds, lights, door handles. All these different designs could be ordered in different sizes, materials or finishes. These were the foundations of the international reputation of his designs, designs of simple form and timeless elegance.

We don’t say the re-editions are cheap, but they will save you some money if you want to invest in timeless and elegant classic. And let’s be honest, aren’t you tired of seeing Vitra designs and Kartell everywhere…"

This post via http://www.ilovebelgium.be/

You can also check this previous 2009 entry from Belg'Chic on Jules Wabbes here.

Jos Devriendt Vases

Beautiful vases by Belgian designer Jos Devriendt. The above picures (and more) courtesy of Los Angeles Gallery MATIN.

De Uil House

"Belgian designer Jos Devriendt shows a selection of his work in the De Uil house. This art-deco house was originally built by sculptor Karel Aubrouck and is now renovated by Vigilando Interiors. The owners work, live and also have their gallery in the house."

This post and many more photos of the space @ http://www.owi.bz/

Stable Conversion

"Another day, another white loft. It says it’s time to loosen up the definition of “loft” – a home does not necessarily need to be located in a city to have the elements of loft living, especially with conversions. Case in point: Check out this awesome stable-turned-live/work space from Brussels. Not many details are known, but here is the description of the space from the photographer Ocvirk Kus Danica’s profile on OWI’s website:

“A former stable house has been converted into a photography studio, office space and living area on the top floor.”

What makes the space so great are the original elements of the structure that have been simplified with white paint and concrete. They have used the stalls as rooms, keeping the main area open save a long dining table, chandelier, and swing. And how about that oh-so-stunning circular window that serves as an anchor for the space. The benefits of practicing restraint (notice not one thing is hung on the wall) are perfecting exemplified here, where the uniqueness of the building takes center stage."

This post via http://www.loftenberg.com/ where you can see a lot more views of the space.