Image 1 (source unknown)Passing through my file of images of kitchens, I have to conclude that in Belgian kitchen designs , a lot of returning features can be noticed!
On the basis of the images of my post of today, I'll try to explain a few characteristics of Belgian kitchens.
A couple of years ago, we have known the phenomenon "cocooning". People love to enjoy the warmth and cosiness of the protective area of their home and they invited their friends into their "cocooning" world. Friends are allowed to be part of the family-own habits and to share the intimicy of their home.
This engagement involved a transfer of the earlier accent on the formal dining room to that on the social gathering kitchen room. More and more, kitchens became the centre of the house and the need to have a stay-at-home kitchen was born!
Responding to this need, designers created real dream-kitchens!
In Belgium there were a few well-known designers (Axel Vervoordt, Walda Pairon, Pieter Porters, Garnier,...) who designed desirable "must-have" kitchens.
These designs were an inspiration to a lot of kitchen designers of today.
10 characteristics of Belgian Kitchen Design :
1. Flooring : Almost always the use of natural stone as all sorts of marble, Belgian
bluestone, terracotta tiles.
Image 6 Belgian bluestone for floor, counters and sink. Image source AM Projects via http://www.cotemaison.fr/
Image 7 Belgian bluestone
Image source http://www.bourgondisch-kruis.be/
Image 7 Belgian bluestoneImage source http://www.bourgondisch-kruis.be/
Image 8 Carrara marble for floor, counter and sink.
Image 9 Terracotta tiles
Image source www.costermans-projecten.be
Image 10 Terracotta tiles (source unknown)
In certain houses we even see a parquet floor.
Image 11 Parquet floor
As noticed on the images above, the natural stone is used for counters and sinks.
Image 12 Rouge Belge marble for the counters and carrara marble floor.Lefèvre Interiors
Image 13 Belgian Bluestone as flooring and as counters.(source unknown)
Image 14 Bluestone for the sink.
(source unknown)
Image 15 : REMOVED
Image 16 Carrara marble (source unknown)
Image 17 Bluestone for the sink. (source unknown)2. Wall tiling : There are two types of tiles often used : the Dutch Delft wall tiles and the Morrocan Zelige tiles.
The Dutch Delft tiles have beautiful colour nuances. They are produces since the 16 th century. We call them "Hollandse witjes".
Image 17 : REMOVED
The Moroccan Zelige tiles are handmade by Arabic craftsmen and are glazed with enamel.
Image 18 Dutch Delft wall tiles. (source unknown)
Image 19 Dutch Delft wall tiles.
image source http://www.vanapers.be/
Image 20 Dutch Delft wall tiles in my own kitchen.
Image 21 Red coloured Zelige tiles (source unknown)
Image 22 Green coloured Zelige tiles3. Steel elements : The use of steel has become very popular in Belgium. It is used for doors, for windows, even applicated in cupboard doors.
Image 23 Steel windows and part of the inside doors.image source : www.vanapers.be
Image 25 Steel used in cupboarddoors. (source unknown)
Image 26 Double door again. (source unknown)
Image 27 Steel cupboard doors (image source www.costermans-projecten.be)
Image 28 : REMOVED
4. Furniture execution : Kitchen furniture can be executed in wood (mostly oak wood) or can be painted.
Painted or wood, almost all kitchens have a country looking design nowadays.
Image 30 Painted kitchen (source unknown)
Image 31 Combination of painted and wooden part. (source unknow)
Image 32 Wooden cabinetryImage source www.bourgondisch-kruis.be
Image 33 Painted cabinetryIn a lot of these images, you can notice long centre tables which are called convent tables.
Image 34 Convent table (source unknown)
Image 35 I love the combinateion of that table and the swedish chairs.
Image source www.vanapers.be
Image 36 Another convent table (source unknown)
Image 37 The wooden bench is a nices alternative for chairs. (source unknown)5. Lighting : There is paied a lot of attention choosing the right lighting!
Time that chandeliers were only used in the dining room is past! Now you can see the most beautiful specimens in the kitchen.
Image 38 Notice the convent table and the cutlery area in the cupboard. An amazing idea.(source unknown)
Image 39 (source unknown)
Image 40 This is a picture of my kitchen. We have chosen an 18th century french oak convent table with 19th century french LXV chairs.The floor is a carrara marble and is recuperated from the façade of an old Brussels house.
Lefèvre Interiors
Image 41 (source unknown)
Image 42 Notice the sconces with the chef's hat! (source unknown)
Image 43 The oak execution and the colour of the wallpaint match well!image source http://www.costermans-projecten.be/
Image 44 A cristal chandelier (source unknown)Image 45 : REMOVED
6. Curtains : Blinds, shades and long curtains. You can notice them all!
My preference of curtains are the shades. When walking in the castle of Axel Vervoordt you can see a lot of shades, we call it a "bouillonné" (french). It was there that I felt in love with these shades. See examples of a bouillonné on image 50, 51, 52 and 53.
Wonderful fabrics are chosen!
Image 46 BlindsImage source www.garnier.be
Image 47 Straight blinds (source unknown)
Image 49 (source unknown)
Image 50 Bouillonné (source unknown)
Image 51 Bouillonné (source unknown)
Image 52 In my kitchen I choosed a fabric from Brunschwig & Fils for the bouillonné.Lefèvre Interiors
Image 53 Bouillonné (source unknown)7. Stoves : When it comes to enjoy good food at home, there is the need to use well-known cookers as La Canche, La Cornue or Aga.
Image 54 La Canche (source unknown)
Image 55 AgaLefèvre Interiors
Image 56 In my kitchen, we choosed a La Cornue cooker.
Image 57 A cooker of a mark that I do not know.8. Fire places : settled in!
Image 58 A big fire place.image source www.vanapers.be
Image 59 : REMOVED
Image 62
Image 63 One of my preferences. (source unknown)
Image 64 (source unknown)
Image 62 9. Kitchen hoods : Are eye-catchers! A lot of variety is seen! In wood,stone or plaster.
Image 63 One of my preferences. (source unknown)
Image 64 (source unknown)Image 65 : REMOVED
Image 66 (source unknown)
10. Tablescaping : Last but not least is the wonderful tablescaping that Belgians are that good at! They love beautiful table-linen and napkins. And they do use their most precious crockery and glassware, even for kitchen tablescaping.
Image 67 (source unknown)
Image 68 (source unknown)
Image 69 My table with damask table-cloth.
Image 66 (source unknown)10. Tablescaping : Last but not least is the wonderful tablescaping that Belgians are that good at! They love beautiful table-linen and napkins. And they do use their most precious crockery and glassware, even for kitchen tablescaping.
Image 67 (source unknown)
Image 68 (source unknown)
Image 69 My table with damask table-cloth.So now I piloted you through my 10 characteristics of Belgian kitchen designs and to finish I show you a few images of a kitchen executed by my own company Lefèvre Interiors .
The kitchen is not finished at all but I do like the atmosphere of homes "in-the-make" and here you can see images of the recently build-up of that kitchen.
I do hope to show you within a few weeks the finishing part of it ,if the owners allow me to do!
Some of my clients do not appreciate to have their interior going around the world and I have to respect their wishes.
Lefèvre Interiors
Lefèvre Interiors 
Lefèvre Interiors 
Lefèvre Interiors
Dear Greet, I think I want to move to Belgium!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and also, the materials used in all of the kitchen are so nice! Who doesn't love a nice marble floor (belgian of course!)
Great post, lots of information
Wonderful post! I could cook all day long in the Walda Pairon kitchen in Image #2!
ReplyDeleteAnd such extragavant chandeliers!! Lovely.
such large kitchens ! it would be nice to see some of the themes translated in a smaller kitchen
ReplyDeleteGreet, what a wonderfully educational post. I so enjoyed seeing your kitchen. What style would you say that it is? Is it "Country"? I love the elegant chandelier over your table. I love your colors. The blue is very nice.
ReplyDeleteI notice the kitchens are all very large. What would the cottage sized kitchens look like? The same elements, only smaller? Do they also use alot of stone and wood in them also? More questions than comments, I am afraid. It is very interesting learning about the Belgium way of life. Are there alot of large homes in Belgium? Hugs, Cindy S.
Greet, I think you have the makings of a beautiful book with all the wonderful photos and insightful comments.
ReplyDeleteI love these kitchens! They are my dream, someday.
I love Belgian bluestone and am especially in love with the sinks and counters you've shown. So beautiful. Your kitchen is wonderful -especially like the contrasting color you painted the backs of the cupboards.
ReplyDeleteI think you can come to my house and redo my kitchen from Swedish to Belgian! VERY inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you for visiting my blog - because now I have found you! And I will visit often!
Thank you for this beautiful post!!
ReplyDeleteAll the kitchens you show are breathtaking!
Hoi hoi, leuk dat je bij mij op visite bent geweest!!
ReplyDeleteEn bedankt voor je leuke reactie, ik vind jou blog ook waanzinnig!!
Kom dus ook vaak langs om hier inspiratie op doen.
Fijne dag!!
Groetjes Carolina
HI Greet
ReplyDeleteSo many images to delight us. You have really spoilt us for choice! It is too hard to pick a favourite here but this post will certainly be good reference when 'someday' I buy my own home. Thanks for your comments over my way, always a treat to have you visit.
Have a great week.
Julie
Greet,
ReplyDeleteI really loved this post because the kitchen is my favorite part of the house. We just got our new kitchen in Decemeber, and we choose the Belgian Blue hardstone,when the men came to do the first polish I was amazed how it had changed. There are so many details to be seen in it. I dont feel there is much mantaince to it. We chose to have our sink made abit smaller than what was recommened to us , Im glad we did. I love how it all looks like one piece. I chose to have curtains and blinds made from the same fabric a black and cream ticking. The curtains on one window go to the ground and the other to the countetop.The blinds are the straight ones. Our kitchen table was made from 250 year old oak from France and that is what most people liked when then came in it holds 8 Lloyd Loom chairs. Its a big square 60X60. I have simlar taps to what you have but white.Our stove is a Boretti simlar to La Canche. Thanks so much for sharing all your time and photos with us and sharing part of Belgium with us. Here in Holland I guess they would call this "landlijke". All I know is I love how "cocoony" it feels ... Julie in Holland ;)
This is a fantastic and informative post, Greet.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite is the Belgian bluestone paired with oak cabinets and white walls (with a little steel thrown in!).
Your images are perfection.
xo
Brooke
WOW!!! Greet, this is a fantastic post with so many gorgeous kitchens!! It's impossible to choose one favourite because they're all so beautiful :-) One thing that really stands out to me, though, is the beautiful Belgian bluestone -- I love it!! I also love the dark steel framed doors, windows, and cabinets. It's such a great look.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen that you're working on is spectacular. I hope your client will let you post pictures of the completed kitchen on your blog. And your kitchen is wonderful too :-)
I've saved lots of these kitchen pictures in my inspiration folder :-) Thank you so much for this fabulously inspirational post!!
Kelly
How wonderful. So many beautiful photos and you commentary is extraordinary. I agree with the book comment.
ReplyDeleteImage number 2 is my dream kitchen. It's perfect; I want to move in today!
Love your blog. Thank you for all the beautiful images.
ReplyDelete* GREET~ If I said "I'd like one of EACH, plz", would I sound "greedy"? ~~~~~~~~ Coming here is TRULY like dying & going to DESIGN HEAVEN!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe dined at two private homes when in Belgium on business, many years ago... While BOTH of these families had remarkable spaces "similar" to your incredible tastes, EVEN my HUSBAND couldn't stop talking about the warm, welcoming home in which we dined in their "kitchen", as THEY called it.... it was so old, had so much stone (which is our weakness), a HUGE, roaring fireplace~ It was filled w/ incredibly fabulous old furniture ( we smiled when the hostess described them as "Oh, they're mostly just some old family pieces"!~~~~ All I could think was "WHAT a FAMILY, then"!!!)...
All this, while we enjoyed everything on a remarkably huuug, long, old, beautifully warm & obviously much-used & loved n' treasured wood table w/ incredible linens, china, silver, crystal w/ old pewter, & natural-horn flatware... all just beautifully casual & elegantly mixed together like ONLY the Europeans can do~~~ And, it was lit by the fire & candles... and OUTSIDE??? Ahhhh, beautiful, white fresh snow! It truly WAS ETHEREAL~~~ like we were TRULY in a dream world! WHAT A JOY, TREAT & MEMORY!!!
Coming here is now a highlight of my day, and I personally THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for all you share here. If you write a book, please put me on your list of "FIRST TO CONTACT"!!!
Warmest thanks & best wishes,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Fabulous images, I would love to see more art in the kitchens. It makes such a statement, especially contemporary art works.
ReplyDeleteHi Greet. Thank you for so many images...it really shows the scope, range of Belgian design.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad metal windows are taking off, hopefully there will be wider distribution. If you have great views, metal doesn't impede sight lines as much as wood. xo Trish
I am in love with Belgian interiors so I am so happy to have found your lovely blog! It's just fantastic. I will definitely be visiting you regularly.
ReplyDeleteEvery image so inspiring..I am forever changed. Your work is wonderful and your own spaces beautiful.. I agree, this would make a marvelous book.. So glad I found you. Cindy
ReplyDeleteGreet, weer een fijne, en zeer "educational" post. Allemaal stuk voor stuk schitterend.
ReplyDeleteDe Blue Stone bak~zoals ze hier zeggen "to die for."
Lidy
Oh wow! What an amazing detailed post! A kitchen is definitely the heart of a home. I love the use of chadaliers and curtains in a kitchen, I like that people glamorize this special room these days.
ReplyDeleteOh, cannot forget, I checked out the website of your company - very nice!
PS. your blog is becoming quite a hit with all of these comments! Good job!
Gintare
I want to thank all of you for the wonderful comments on my post! You are motivating me every day to write my next post!!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses!
Greet
Absolutely stunning! Gorgeous images and so much great information. Just love the over all elegance that is so perfectly brought down to a more comfortable and liveable level without sacrificing any artistic merit. This post was sheer delight!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the inspiration that you have given us. My next kitchen must have Belgian influences. Your own kitchen looks gorgeous !
xo
Anci
Great depth and warmth to the designs.....a certain feel not many places
ReplyDeletemanage in their kitchen designs. Thank you. Heather
This post is stunning Greet! You have inspired me with all these images. I love the bluestone and all the metal...simply beautiful! Axx
ReplyDeleteThese photos make my heart cry from desire!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an incredible post! I just love this Belgian style - the use of marble, bluestone, steel and timber is such a wonderful combination! Love it! Tracey xx
ReplyDeleteAmazing post & photos! I'm learning a lot about Belgian design and love it. I love the big stoves and convent tables in the kitchen. Kitchen in image #43 is my favorite... (thanks for numbering your photos makes it so easy to reference). I agree with the comment about the book! I am enjoying your blog immensely. Thanks for the nice comment about my girls. I'm having fun taking the time to be a stay at home Mom!
ReplyDeletexo
Susan
Wow Greet! This was an amazing post. I love kitchens and will be back many times to study this beautiful and informative post. I couldn't even venture a favorite, as every photograph I looked at was splendid! Your own kitchen is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeletejoan
p.s. I have as my screen saver the beautiful photo of the 'hydrangeas at the barn' from your Garnier Antiques post- every time I open my computer it takes my breath away!
I love the open shelving, the high ceilings and the muted colors. I wish I had a space like one of these to work with! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, very informative and beautiful pictures! I can’t wait to do my kitchen.
ReplyDelete+Spencer
The Architectural Antique Review
You have started a very interesting discussion on kitchen design. I'm a cabinetmaker who really does not want to make kitchens for a living, because the most of what is done in the US is just boxes with a "choice of doors and drawer fronts," the most of which are made in a factory somewhere. Boring. I want to do something else if I can, but what?
ReplyDeleteEuropean design just absolutely blows my mind, and I find myself reading quite a bit on it, even though these are often modular kitchens that one would simply send away for and have installed by a local craftsman. But what fascinates me is the utter innovation of those designs, so I find myself returning to them quite a bit.
I am also looking to design a kitchen for my wife in a too small space in a tract home, which necessarily lets out those wonderful European designs that excite me so. And whenever I find myself going out on a limb with some idea or another for our kitchen, my wife always grounds me by saying, "If you stick with the classics, you won't grow tired of them."
So, what do you do that is different and yet timeless and practical and stimulating to make if you're a cabinetmaker? Damned if I know, but if I ever figure it out, I mean to make it for us and splash that baby all over the Internet!
What you've written, though, has given me quite a bit to think about, and I thank you for sharing your concepts.
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ReplyDeleteMaple furniture can also be stained so as to look very similar to cherry in appearance. Red maple cabinets are another good choice to bring warmth and glow to your kitchen without the higher cost of a cherry kitchen.
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is gorgeous! And thank you so much for sharing the inspirational photos!
ReplyDeleteI love the unfitted cabinets. I also love the use of european stoves. The kitchens are so warm and interesting. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would do to own a kitchen like any of these!
ReplyDeleteHello... Just want to say that this worked beautifully for me! thanks for all!!
ReplyDeleteNice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful information specially the last part :) I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck. kitchen designs for small kitchens
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Belgium is much more than good weekend-break material as it is historic one of the most complex and intriguing parts of the region. Thanks for sharing this.
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ReplyDeleteWell, this is a very helpful post. Thanks for the information you provided. It would be great if got more post like this. Nice and wonderful pictures . For further information in details about Kitchen designs Kitchen Designers Brisbane
I also have a Belgian style kitchen in my old house - the use of marble, bluestone, steel and timber in it is such a wonderful combination! Love it!
ReplyDeleteProfessional Kitchen designer Newcastle