The Belgian design aesthetic: Forever pleasing and always moreish. In this roundup, we catch up with our favorite Belgian architects and designers and circle in on their low-key luxe vibe.
Above: Belgian design impresario Axel Vervoordt, godfather to the rough-yet-refined Belgian look that has captivated the design world in the past decade, began with the classical before moving into the minimalist world of the wabi-sabi. See his latest project at the Greenwich Hotel in On Top of the World: A Belgian Antiquarian Designs a Penthouse in NYC.
Above: Belgian design master Vincent Van Duysen likens the Belgian aesthetic to the "art of living"; read more about his design philosophy at 20 Questions: Julianne Moore and Vincent Van Duysen Talk Design. His protégé Nicolas Schuybroek (see below) says, "Working out a door handle for him is as important as designing a tower. The strength of an architect lies in the fact that he can deliver everything, from construction to interior."
Above: Nicolas Schuybroek's own living room, near Ixelles Ponds, in Belgium, via Coffeeklatch. Schuybroek worked as a project director in Vincent Van Duysen's office for five years before striking out on his own a couple of years ago; he's already making waves (see Belgian Luxury on the Côte d'Azur and Stealth Statement Kitchens from a Belgian Architect). "Your personality gets shaped when you work for someone else. I owe Vincent for getting me where I am today."
Above: Stephanie Laperre worked as an interior architect for Vincent Van Duysen for almost a decade before forming Daskal Laperre with Daphne Daskal.
Above: The living room of Walda Pairon, the Doyenne of Belgian Design, features limewashed walls with a simple vintage wooden trestle table and an antique upholstered armchair.
Above: Karin Draaijer in Belgium is one of our favorite under-the-radar interior designers; see more at Karin Draaijer in Belgium.
Above: In A Belgian B&B, Surrealism Included, designer and gallery owner Sofie Lachaert displays a minimalist dining table by Maarten van Severen and wooden stools by Casimir. Photograph by Danica Kus.
Above: Interior designer Dorien Cooreman's restored farmhouse in Belgium features an understated luxe vibe; see more at Hotels & Lodging: Moka & Vanille in Belgium.
Above: Architects Buyse Seghers have us all rethinking our homes with A Fairy-Tale Castle in Belgium: The Architects' Version. Photograph by Frederik Vercruysse.
Above: Brussels-based designer Nathalie Goris collaborated with Matiz Architecture & Design on a West Village townhouse renovation in A New York Remodel by Way of Belgium. Photograph by Hidenao Abe.
Inspired and wanting to re-create the Belgian aesthetic in your home? Start small with 10 Easy Pieces: Linen-Slipcovered Sofas, or try your hand at this DIY: Bathroom Storage as Art Installation.
For more favorite Belgian archtitects, we visit Verdickt and Verdickt's Minimalist Greenhouse in the Woods on Gardenista.
N.B.: This post is an update. The original ran in October 2014 as part of our Belgian Masters issue.
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