Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors

The text may not be what some are looking for, as it is not a "how to" per se, but the superb photos of a the work of a rare talent speak for themselves. For those who draw inspiration from visuals, this book is for you. The subject residences and projects may often be stratospheric in provenance, but the ideas and concepts illustrated are easily adapted to any budget. This is not a book of luxury residences per se, but a book which visually delineates the design philosphy of a man and his team who have broken away from hackneyed design to give the world a fresh view of what elegance, comfort and atmosphere can be; indeed, as the title states, "timeless". Even if the book sits on a table, it will always be appreciated by the casual glance through, as well as the more careful study of the projects and ideas presented therein.

The photos in the book are beautiful and they provide inspiration for a classic, timeless interior. At first glance the interiors seemed too grand for me, living as I do in a condominium apartment in sub-tropical Miami, Florida. But on closer inspection, I saw elements that I could incorporate into my own home successfully that would stand the test of time and also wear well with my two dogs. Mr. Vervoordt understands comfort, practicality and elegance. It is also a lesson in investing in just a few good things, which can be acquired by almost anyone working with a limited budget if they will educate their eye and acquire things slowly, with discrimination. The beautiful interiors demonstrate that even a rustic, humble environment can look rich and that to be successful, the interior must have a "soul". Mr. Vervoordt recognizes what is important and eschews trendy looks that will date too soon and that one will tire of. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take the time to make a beautiful, comfortable, soothing home. I like the picture of Mr. Vervoordt with his dog, too; it shows that he understands and appreciates living with dogs.

Others have described the content. Just wanted to add that I have found this book to be surprisingly helpful in planning a kitchen restoration (in an old house) of all things. Although there are no particulars given on were to source materials, the photos provide several examples of older kitchens done with beautiful wood and old tile. If you're planning a kitchen today you see all the same conventions in the shelter mags. When does one ever see really old wood or checkerboard floors? This book was a revelation and prompted me to consider options I would never have thought about if I had just looked at the kitchen mags.

This book is for people passionate about the interraction of interiors and art. While the spaces shown are of wealthy tradtional minded clientele, the approach to design and conception, is for every budget, as unlike many books and publications, this book does not feel distant and elitist. This is because there is more passion then money in it. More then anything, this book is for the sake of pleasure, the pleasure that comes from looking at beauty. It is generous in content, and has absolutely no shortcomings. As with everything else, different strokes, for different folks.

I love all Axel Vervoordt's designs. His interiors are works of art and hint to other lives lived within the walls.

Along with many other antique collectors, we first discovered Axel Vervoordt of Antwerp at the 1984 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires where he created a sensation with his display of Ming porcelain that had recently been recovered from a ship lost in 1645 in the South China Sea. His huge display of table after table of the blue and white Ming in a large booth at the center of the Grand Palais was the immediate focus of attention for everyone as they entered the fair.Vervoordt, relatively young (37) at the time, had already been avidly collecting antiques for over twenty years, focusing principally on European pieces from the Renaissance to the present, but also including ancient arts from Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The 1984 Salon launched him into a greater orbit and allowed him to acquire a huge castle in the Belgian countryside which he very tastefully restored over the next four years, using it both as a home and as a shop, albeit one covering acres and acres. More recently, he has refurbished a huge industrial complex on a canal in Antwerp, the Kanaal, to provide a series of shops, work rooms and storage, both indoors and out, for the thousands of pieces in his inventory and to create a large decorating practice.This new book, by Armelle Baron and published by Flammarion, shows the interiors Vervoordt has created for connoisseurs who share his sophisticated, eclectic interest in beautiful objects (and possess large pocketbooks). The 250-plus pages are full of large format, color photographs showing some twenty homes around the world, where Vervoordt has beautifully incorporated a collection of Basquiat paintings with country furniture; furnished magnificent chateaux for the Queen of Belgium and for the merely wealthy; decorated a Dallas home with sophistication we doubt Texas has ever seen before. All appear very comfortable. Some of the homes featured are not at all grand but are every bit as tastefully done: a Swiss chalet, a Provencal farmhouse, a Palladian-style home on a Florida waterway.The present book comes six years after "Axel Vervoordt: The Story of a Style", 2001, published by Assouline, which provides a magnificent introduction to his aesthetic as well as his collection, his castle and his extraordinary skill at mixing styles and periods. This is a taste which flawlessly displays a huge Anish Kapoor sculpture (maybe fifteen years old at the most) next to ancient Thai carvings, Renaissance bronzes and wonderful European furniture, all in a gorgeous stone interior.The current book would be a wonderful gift for anyone interested in interior design or antiques. My only quibble would be the interior photography; some of the many photos do not show sufficient detail across all of the image. The 2001 book from Assouline would be the better choice if you were principally interested in antiques (and has better photography, on a par with the Givenchy monograph of a few years ago). Vervoordt has a different aesthetic than Bunny Williams or John Fowler; think Rose Tarlow working with a very sophisticated European client in the French countryside or a Greek isle instead of Beverly Hills.

I have heard American decorating described as "Cheerful Comfort" which doesn't mean much in the overall scheme of things.If the concepts learned from Axel Vervordt were incorporated into American decor we would be the envy of the world. Mr. Vervordt's talent lies in combining the elements of form, time, and substance and lets them breath together to create a pallete of breathless beauty. He is humble in his choices and shares it all with the reader in an effortless way which is the mark of great talent. The photo layouts are exquisite and the text is like a novel. So worthy of a great talent.

Terrific Book & Design

It's beautiful

Superb interiors.

I could gaze at the illustrations forever. Vervoordt's designs are always imaginative, individual but somehow "right"- works of art in themselves such as most of us would neither be able to afford nor to fully appreciate if we could. Sigh.

A lovely look at classical interiors perfect for any interior designer or enthusiast

Beautiful, inspiring book. Very pleased.