Thursday, January 21, 2010

Belgian Factory Restored

Some of my favorite magazines are from France and Belgium. I recently saw this wonderful Brussels home that was originally a mirror factory and wanted to share it with you.
The owner, an artist, has lovingly restored and refurbished the factory over the course of several years. The dining room above features a naturally worn farm table and a collection of antique cream chairs with a wonderful patina. The cupboard is made from several old pieces of wood and houses only part of the owners extensive glass collection. The large entry is painted a beautiful buttery cream while the ceilings and upper mouldings are painted a contrasting white. The doors and built in mirrors add to the already light filled space. An antique woodworker's table is a beautiful place to display the owners collection of vintage hats. The light fixture is from IKEA. The kitchen is so wonderfully rustic. Old library shelving is painted white and used to display the huge collection of dishes and serving pieces. An antique library ladder is used to retrieve those items too high to reach. Notice the thickness of the shelves; thicker shelves were created to handle the weight of the different types of crockery. I love the interesting contrast of the industrial style faucet. The owners extensive glass collection is housed in an antique museum case that was painted a soft white to match the walls and highlight the glass. A collection of old unmatched chairs were also painted in soft pastels which unify them. The soft colors and leaning antique mirror add to airiness of the room. Interestingly the light fixture, which matches the entry fixture is also from IKEA.
The library, which doubles as the owners studio is washed in gray paint. The library shelving was also painted and holds the owners extensive collection of books. A vintage stepladder makes the high shelves accessible. I love the wide pine floors, softened from years of use left natural and waxed. The light in this room is just fabulous.
One of several bedrooms -I included this room because I adore the wall moulding.
Here is the adjacent bath. I like the mix of pieces in this space. The antique painted table looks so interesting with the reproduction tub.
This is the trompe-l'oeil bedroom. A closer look reveals a wall of canvas painted by the owner to look like pillows and headboard. A vintage industrial metal stool serves as night stand.
Finally another bath - I just adore the way the owner painted/washed the wall in a soft green. An antique cupboard holds extra towels and sundries for guests.

For more information about this wonderful factory turned home in Brussels click here.

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(all photos marieclairemaison)

20 comments:

  1. Oooo! instant love!! I have saved some of the images with cuboards and shelves for our bathroom inspiration. What a wonderful old factory.
    Ness xx

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  2. Nice pics, makes me want to have warmer weather and get into the studio with the windows up.
    Leslie

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  3. Love all the pic, i think i have the sister chairs to the ones in the kitchen i believe..Great blog. thanks for sharing lulu

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  4. Dear Gina,

    Thank you for all your beautiful posts.

    I would like to nominate you for a 'Kreativ Blogger' award.

    I look forward to following your blog closely again this year.

    Fond Regards,
    David at Willowbrook Park.

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  5. Okay Gina, I admit it, I got sucked in by the pillows/headboard. Very authentic looking! Another gorgeous post.
    Angex

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  6. I love the open shelves in the kitchen, especially with the ladder. What a fabulous home!

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  7. The Trompe-l'oeil bedroom is amazing as are all of the images. That is just the artist in me!

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  8. Amazing kitchen, oh to have that many wonderful dishes, Kathysue

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  9. So nice that you showed that Belgian house here! I had not yet discovered it! It is beautiful restored!
    xx
    Greet

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  10. Gorgeous...loving all of the dishes...and glassware...and books.

    Just wonderful...Thanks!

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  11. Gina,

    I found this post very interesting as I recognized a photo I had saved some time ago from this house, but did not know its history.

    I always enjoy visiting Willow Decor--Keep up the good work!

    All the best ~LeAnn

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  12. Thank you for sharing this with us Gina~ it's pure heaven to me, every last image and room!
    Happy Friday to you.

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  13. Thai is such a beautiful house I want to move in!!

    Would also LOVE your support on the ELLE DECOR window I did for the Big Window Challenge this year with Apartment Therapy. Check it out at http://www.bigwindowchallenge com. As we all know, AT doesn’t make it easy, but you can vote TWICE a day, once online and the other by texting “1” to 89800.

    Your support means the world to me!!

    Xo
    Eddie

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  14. What a fabulous space! Love all the shelving!

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  15. see.....
    i love this too.

    i loved the rustic home 'white washed.'
    the displays of dishes and glasses are the best part.
    xx

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  16. love the look, trying to get the look, it's soothing, clean, & has history

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  17. I loved all of projects shown here - espcially Pam Pierce's kitchen. Cote de Texas and you both have wonderful blogs.

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  18. so inspired and beautiful! hope you can take the time to check out my blog sometime.

    maggieonthemove.wordpress.com

    happy new year!

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