Living & working in an urban oasis
Paul Schrader has created a studio and home for himself and his art.
“I like to keep my furniture in the same spot. Once it fits, it fits. It’s like a painting that you compose and then is never changed. When it comes to furnishing, I don’t follow a strategy: I like something, and it all sort of fits together and just like a painting, furniture can function as a time capsule. The moment of creation has passed, but there was someone who painted it or, in the case of furniture, who designed it. When you see an art work, you recognise an intrinsic value, a cultural context in mind. The author, the time and the work merge into a single idea. That also applies to classic furniture.”
Their ideal home in touch with nature
Adeline and Florent Maillet left the city to build their ideal home in touch with nature.
“The traces of our elders are visible every day, in the landscape, in the walls that have been built, in the shape of the plots, in the fruit trees they planted. When choosing furniture, we like things that have a past and evoke emotion. We like wooden furniture. Wood comforts. We’re not interested in decoration for decoration’s sake. We want things that are of quality, which we can pass on to our children.”
Collecting vintage furniture and art
With a shared love of hospitality and heritage, Karin and Xavier Donck collect vintage furniture and art.
“I have no doubt that the objects will survive me, which is a nice feeling. As a couple, we share the same attitude toward aesthetics. The evolution of our common taste is the product of an ongoing discussion between the two of us. We fell in love with Prouvé and Perriand for different reasons. Prouvé for his technicality, his engineering, Perriand for her materiality, her use of dark wood. When you learn about their careers and how they went through life, it gives you a better understanding of their creations.”
