In Bruges two neighbouring listed merchant houses from the 16th and 18th centuries , perched on the side of a Bruges canal were transformed in a modern family home. Throughout the house the focus is on texture and colour with untreated oak floor boards, funrniture covered in linens and a dove-gray shade on the wall which respond to the cool northern illumination.
At the entrance of the haouse is a huge hall, unadorned except for an 18th century sofa and metal chandelier. This opens into a lobby. From here, the rest of the ground floor rooms open out. The living room has a cosy atmosphere created with a mix of dark linens, a large sofa and a crackling fire. The dining room is cooler in feel, but still welcomingly informal thanks to a combination of rustic wooden table and white lacquered 18th century chairs. The kitchen continues the trad-modern theme with wood and old-fashioned brass fittings teamed with a modern black worktop, made of bluestone.
Upstairs, a first-floor landing leads into the main bedroom, which boasts one of Vincent’s trademarks – a booth-like wooden niche that wraps around the head of the bed. The main bathroom boasts Zen-like simplicity: a huge carrara marble bath complemented by a stone washbasin and a white leather bench.

(Source: Elle decoration November 2003)

Architecturally speaking here is a house that links together naturally. With it’s interconnected living spaces flowing of a central hall and stairwell, the space feels all of a piece. To the right of the hall is a drawing room. To the left there’s an enfilade of kitchen/dining room and a family sitting room. Upstairs internal doors link master bedroom to a dressing room and bathroom beyond. There’s also privacy: rooms may be shut of by tall double doors.

(Source: Harmonious Home, Judith Wilson)

Photography:

Koen Van Damme

Andrea Ferrari