This post is long overdue! We are still in Europe and our internet connection is very spotty. It has taken me three evenings to upload all of my images so that I can properly share with you our amazing visit with Greet, Jan and Anthony at their gorgeous home in the Belgian countryside.
Our drive from Brussels to Greet's home was filled with gorgeous sites. I made Steve stop so I could take this picture of this espalier in front of a beautiful arched brick garage.
Even the cows seemed more relaxed than those we see in the US.
I had to take a quick shot of this vine growing on a white washed brick farmhouse.
After a 45 minute drive, we arrived at Greet and Jan's lovely home. After 2 years of corresponding via email and our blogs, I was so excited to meet Greet in person!
Our first moments together felt as if we were seeing each other again after a brief time apart.
After seeing so many photos of Greet's home on her blog, Belgian Pearls, I felt immediately at home.
Her living room was just as beautiful in person.
I took in every detail.
I spied one of Jan's handmade violins on a shelf in an antique cabinet.
We enjoyed learning about the craftsmanship from Jan himself!
Steve captured this moment during a conversation between Jan, Greet and myself. Okay, I'm a bit wrinkled but happy!
Jan was kind enough to show my boys his studio where he makes his guitars.
Then it was on to the Orangery. I remembered it from Greet's posts on the redecoration of this gorgeous room!
Again, my eyes took in every detail!
The Lefevre designed coffee table was one of my favorite pieces.
I gave one of our first copies of our book Patina Style to Greet and Jan, a small gift to show our appreciation for their amazing hospitality!
The outside of their Orangery is just as stunning as the interiors.
Before lunch, Greet and Jan were kind enough to take us on a tour of their gardens.
My favorite part of the tour was walking through their little out building.
I made Steve take a picture so I would actually believe that I truly was here!
We had such a great time chatting the day away...
The back of Greet and Jan's home is just as beautiful as the front. Look at those gorgeous steel doors! And the brick... and the furniture that Jan made himself!
We took in every detail outside as well. I loved the roof tile detail at the base of the wood column.
As if the tour of their home wasn't enough, Greet planned a delicious meal for us to share.
Their puppy Ralph was exhausted by all of the excitement.
After lunch, Greet and Jan gave us a tour of the rest of their home while Anthony took the boys upstairs to play a few video games (the universal teenage language).
We started the tour in their beautiful kitchen.
I loved the simple pot rack on the tile wall above the stove.
and what a gorgeous stove it was!
A large rustic Belgian bluestone sink with a wall mounted brass faucet were functional as well as gorgeou in their mud room.
Down a flight of stairs, the wine cellar did not disappoint.
After the tour of their home Greet and Jan offered to take us to Michel Verschaeve to look at some antique building materials.
As we headed towards the car, Steve and I admired Greet's brick garage with it's lovely aged Oak doors.
On the way to Verschaeve, Jan pointed out a few of his favorite homes. Stunning!
A beautiful Belgian castle in the middle of the Belgian countryside.
Welcome to Verschaeve!
From the minute I stepped out of the car, I was overwhelmed by beauty!
What could we do with a Gothic stone window?
Stacks of Belgian bluestone.
Beautiful ironwork.
And inside, stacks of wood doors and antique mantels.
and more ironwork.
How do we get a spiral staircase to the US?
Verschaeve makes lovely Oak floors.
Greet was so patient with us as we spent at least 2 hours trying to make our way through Verschaeve.
I found our new powder room sink!
It was up to Steve to help me place the items in the design of our new home.
Here is what we found:
1 limestone door surround for the garden
1 limestone sink for the chicken/garden mudroom
4 doors for the kid's closets
2 doors for Leila's bathroom
2 limestone Quatrefoil windows for the living room and kitchen
1 marble sink for the powder room
6 limestone balls for the garden
A few knobs and faucets for inspiration
Michel Verschaeve. My new best friend.
After our long shopping trip to Verschaeve, we hopped into the car for the ride back to Greet and Jan's home.
Our day with Greet and Jan is proof of the power of the internet to connect people from around the world. Steve and I spent time with friends that we will have for the rest of our lives. We look forward to getting to spending time with Greet, Jan and Anthony when they come to visit the United States next year. Until then, we will continue our friendship through our blogs.
To see more images of our day with Greet, Jan and Anthony please read Greet's blog post on Belgian Pearls.
xo
Brooke
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