Old-fashioned light switches

Have you ever been moved by the beauty and simplicity of old-fashioned European light switches? Well, for those lucky enough to reside in Europe, you can have access to those little practical gems. This Belgian-based company specializes is classic yet timeless lighting. You can see a multitude of stylish hospitality and retail design projects on their website.

http://zangra.com/en/t/lighting-switch-systems

Magazyn - simplicity at its best!

Stumbled upon this store on the ever so elegant blog REMODELISTA. A stunningly curated selection of clean and organic designs, this little shop has a big impact on the ever so stylish city of Antwerp, Belgium. With a palette of neutrals and raw textures - Magazyn showcases objects with clean lines allowing the beauty of the chosen materials to shine in harmony with its surroundings. This store is minimalism at its best!

"Owned by Thomas Haarmann, a former art director from Düsseldorf, Germany, Magazyn sells a range of tableware, furniture, and objects—everything from Astier de Villatte ceramics and Lobmeyr glassware to basic cotton laundry bags. Back in 2012, Haarmann moved the store from a location within Antwerp's central mall to a spot near Nationalestraat, a street featuring the likes of Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester. The store is more spacious with a palette of concrete and white walls cast in low lighting from Michael Anastassiades." - Remodelista

MAGAZYN

Steenhouwersvest 34A

2000 Antwerpen

Belgium

011-32-(0)3 226 66 06 

http://www.magazyn.be

The magical hats of Christopher Coppens

 

A Belgian artist living in Los Angeles, Christopher Coppens - designer, artist of all trades - from visually offensive (for some) to shocking to funny to smart to sophisticated .... Christopher's work is extremely eclectic and includes many different mediums. Usually very colorful, cringeworthy and sarcastic "in your face" visuals ... I have to admit a weakness for the more sophisticated and toned down poetry of his hats.

Trained initially as a theater director, Coppens started his own label as an accessories designer at the age of 21, a career that would span over 20 years with several outlets, international press following and buyers the world over, and that he would combine and nurture with his first stunts and solo shows as an artist. For more on his incredible journey, click here. 

But 2012 would mark a very important episode in his career, when, after 21 years of making work on the edge of art and fashion, Coppens decided to close his company to focus exclusively on his work as an artist. At this point his label was sold in 140 shops worldwide, his name was heard among fashion connoisseurs and he had become arguably one of the most celebrated milliners in Japan.

Part of this post via Wikipedia

http://www.christophecoppens.com/

Japanese Influence - Belgian Style

 

East meets West at an entrepreneur’s historic estate in the Belgian countryside, with interior design by Axel Vervoordt and grounds by landscape firm Wirtz International. Via Architectural Digest.

Growing up in Belgium (in my early years) and being exposed to the work of both Axel Vervoordt and Jacques Wirtz on a regular basis, I never realized the impact it would have on me as an adult, and how staying in beautiful places designed by these two men had profoundly influenced my sense of style. Any time I see the work of Jacques Wirtz - for example - the open and minimal landscapes bring me back to the summers spent in my grandmother's garden amongst others.  I just love the pictures because I read images better than I read text, but you can read the whole article here.

Photography by Jean-Pierre Gabriel

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2011-08/axel-vervoordt-wirtz-international-belgian-estate-article

http://www.axel-vervoordt.com/
http://www.wirtznv.be/en/intro/

Jules Wabbes Retrospective - Brussels

Wednesday October 17, 2012 through Sunday January 6, 2013

Jules Wabbes is one of Belgium's most important furniture designers, yet he remains unknown to the mass public. This exhibition presents, for the first time, a complete overview of his work as 'furniture designer' with a specific focus on the pieces he designed for Foncolin, and his participation at the Milan Triennales in 1957 and 1960. In addition to pictures and original drawings, the exhibit will also feature unique pieces, including prototypes amongst which some have never been shown to the public before.

Jules Wabbes est l’un des plus importants créateurs belges de meubles, mais il reste un inconnu pour le grand public. L’exposition présente pour la première fois un aperçu complet de son travail comme designer de meubles, avec une attention particulière pour les meubles du Foncolin et pour ses participations aux Triennales de Milan en 1957 et 1960. En plus de photos et dessins originaux, l’exposition comporte surtout des pièces de mobilier uniques, parmi lesquelles différents prototypes qui sont pour la première fois présentés au public.

More info @ http://www.bozar.be/

BOZAR - Centre for fine Arts
Rue Ravenstein 23 

1000 Bruxelles

Belgium
Info & Tickets (32) 02 507 82 00

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

Jos Devriendt Vases

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

Draw Me A Gaze

"Kris Van Assche and Barbara Polla launched the third edition of their magazine Londerzeel a month ago on Paris Fashion Week. The presentation of this edition “Draw me a gaze” was a celebration of art, illustration, literature and creativity in general. A little something else then another one of his fashion shows for a Dior Homme or for his own label. Read the rest of this entry » ... "

http://www.krisvanassche.com/

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

The Bulb Pendants

This wooden Pendant Lamps, called The Blub Pendant Lamps was designed by Belgian Design Studio Fermetti.

This post via http://www.modecodesign.com/

D&M : From Clay to Art, Concept to Design

Belgian supplier D&M, a market leader in Europe for all modern pottery and tableware. “From Clay to Art”, “Concept to Design”. The most creative Belgian minds provide a stylish return to the essence of things. Pure materials and natural feels. D&M embraces the power of simplicity.

Industrieweg 23 - 2630 Aartselaar - Belgium
T +32 (0)3 888 42 00.
F +32 (0)3 844 84 85
mail: info@dmdepot.be

http://www.dmdepot.be/

WildSpirit Furniture

A few favorites designs from Belgian http://www.wildspirit.be/en/

"The goal of Wildspirit is to convert renewing ideas into signature pieces. Its unique character, its multifunctional and the combined use of wood and leather are the soul of the collection. Wildspirit works with external designers like Michael Bihain, Twan Verlinden, Alain Berteau, Axel Enthoven and Erik Jansen. They were selected because of their similar philosophy to Wildspirit: an expedition for intelligent, aesthetic and durable design objects. Out of respect for their creative integrity, Wildspirit gives their designers carte blanche. The Wildspirit designers create their objects with a twist which gives the product a multifunctional goal. For this reason, all the signature pieces of Wildspirit can be integrated easily in multifarious interiors."