I'm so glad that you are enjoying our tour of Gina and Rik Storms' gorgeous home in Belgium! In this post you'll see that the Storms have created an amazing Belgian country estate... the perfect location for their home.
Walking through the garden door of the Storms' home we are greeted by a large expanse of greenery and a peek of the Storms' aged wood out building.
Like the design of their house, the Storms' garden combines formal and informal elements.
The Storms' garden design includes a series of lushly landscaped walkways that lead to secret outdoor garden spaces and outbuildings.
The cottage garden compliments the rustic outbuilding.
Two gray wood chaises provide a wonderful resting place under the shade of a tree.
I love all of the simple iron hardware the Storms selected.
As we walk back down the same path heading towards the Storms' house, we can see how the tall hedges create outdoor spaces.
A classic stone sculpture is displayed in a hedged niche by the pool.
A brick walkway, edged in a profusion of hydrangeas, leads the way to another private space.
I try to take in all of the beauty as we walk down the path!
A stone cherub, perched on top of a fluted column, is the focal point of another lovely garden moment!
What appears to be an ancient stone wall surrounds this part of the garden.
An array of petit lavender wildflowers flows over the top of the wall, adding natural softness.
As we walk closer, I realize that the wall is actually a planter. I have to remember to add that detail to the long list of inspiration I now have for Patina Farm thanks to the Storms' magnificent home!
What? There's more?
An antique iron gate, hung between two brick pillars, demarcates the entrance to another area in the garden...
Large scale boxwood balls add height and a bit of whimsy throughout the garden.
As we turn the corner, we discover a part of the Storms' property that they have yet to develop. Unbelievably the Storms' entire property was just dirt before the Storms created their estate.
For now, this area serves as a storage place for some of the Storms' architectural elements.
As we turn around, we are once again surrounded by the verdant garden.
Two chairs and a rustic metal table are placed by the pond, another charming place to sit and enjoy the serenity that the Storms have created.
We walk on a stone pathway along the side of the Storms' house.
In the side courtyard we find the exquisite stone sculpture that is the focal point seen through the arched glass window.
Another view of the courtyard...
A pair of stone columns become sculptures, placed on the edge of the patio.
My head is swirling with ideas and inspiration as I take one last look at the Storms' house before we drive to their architectural salvage yard.
As we walk in, we find ourselves surrounded by mantels and gorgeous stone!
Stacks of Belgian bluestone and French limestone fill the yard.
I want to use this sink in my pantry!
Inside the building there is more beauty to discover...
Through a steel window, we spy a room filled with antique mantels.
An antique door is placed in a clean white plaster wall.
A few antique stone sinks on top of a substantial mantel catch my eye.
Another sink, made of a rare stone embedded with seashells, would make a beautiful addition to one of our bathrooms!
A classic stone sculpture reminds me of the sculptures in the Storms' garden.
The combination of the rusted steel window and the beautifully sculpted bust of a little girl is divine!
The walls in one room are covered in antique pine paneling.
Steve and I adore this limestone mantel.
Although we both love the details, unfortunately the mantel is too wide to use in our new Master bedroom.
I could have spent the rest of the day digging through the stacks of stone in the yard, but I realize that my children have "enjoyed" our day at the Storms' for as long as they can.
Our family thanks Gina and Rik Storms again for their generosity and kindness. We know that we will be contacting them when we return home to inquire about pieces for Patina Farm!
We have so much more Belgian Inspiration to share with you in our next posts!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to my dear friend Greet at Belgian Pearls for the Natural Sharing Award!
I would like to give this award to all of you who have purchased our book Patina Style. Thank you!!!
xo
Brooke
If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.
To Subscribe to Velvet and Linen click here.
Please visit our Barnes and Noble page to order our new book,Patina Style.
Signed Copies of Patina Style are available through Giannetti Home.
