It was around 3 o’clock on Christmas Eve when we pulled into Brussels. We’d been on the road for over 7 days touring the Christmas markets in France and Germany, and visiting Larry’s family. Our final leg of our trip was to spend Christmas Eve with our friends who’d recently moved to Brussels. When I say recently, I mean that same day!
Jeff and his family have been the subject of many of my blogs. I have to say he’s unequivocally my best friend in Europe and I was sad when I learned Jeff and his family were moving to Brussels. For economic reasons, they left Paris like so many other Parisians after Francois Hollande took control and imposed so many unreasonable taxes.
Jeff, Helene, Louis and Constantine on the staircase of their new home
But I could see that his move to Brussels was going to be a happy one. His new house, was nothing short of breathtaking with it’s 5000 sq. ft. of Art Deco detail. From 14ft. ceilings to 4 ft wide crown moulding details, every turn delighted the eye. There’s a large backyard garden for the boys to play in. Their Parisian apartment, while large (100m or 1000 sq. ft) what a fraction of the size of this house and certainly didn’t have a full backyard.
Art Deco details were breathtaking. Look at the grillwork spaning the main salon from petite salon
The house has four floors, an immense garage for four cars, and a large backyard. In European standards this is privileged living.
Photo of me on the sofa in the main living room or salon.
The next photo gives you some idea of the scale of the height of the ceilings in this place.
Larry is over 6’2 to give you some idea of the height of the celings.
Art Deco details were everywhere in this house. The house was originally built in the late 19th Century, with the Art Deco additions done in the early 20th Century. (there were influences of Art Nouveau in the Art Deco details). In the ‘Biz’ we’d call this transitional.
From the grill work to the light fixtures, everything was intact from it’s last restoration. Above the fireplace was a stained glass Art Nouveau/Deco scene of a mermaid in the ocean.
The fireplace was 19th Century and made from solid marble. The above stained glass was added later.
Note the intricated moulding on the ceiling.
I wish I had brought a good camera to capture more of the beauty of this house. As it was an Iphone 5 had to suffice.
It was after 1 in the morning when we wrapped up our visit. Our friends were so excited about their new home, they didn’t want us to go.
Fabulous Wall Sconce measuring over 16″ Tall.
I spotted a fabulous ceiling fixture that was at least 4 ft. long in the main entrance of the house. I would have given anything to find something like this to bring back to Canada.
More Art Deco detail in the entrance of the house.
I hope you enjoyed the tour of this magnificent house. We have an open invitation to stay with them anytime we’re in Brussels. This is one invite I intend to take them up on!
Happy Holidays.
Mark LaFleur
The Antique Warehouse
226 SW Marine Drive,
Vancouver, BC
