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.

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/

The art of displaying objects

Belgians have definitely mastered the art of pairing beautiful objects in such a way that makes each individual piece stand out within all its warm, raw, and minimal beautiful imperfections.

Images from http://belgianpearls.blogspot.com/