Brussels largely consists of late 19th-century mansions, known as maisons de maître. These are narrow, deep, tall, and organized over several half-floors. This unique floor plan requires a specific approach to furniture arrangement.
Narrow and Deep
A typical house is six to eight meters wide and considerably deeper, with two to three rooms in a row and a staircase on the side. Consequently, rooms are longer than they are wide. Furniture placed along the long walls can make the room appear even narrower. A more effective approach is to divide the room horizontally: a seating area in the front section by the window, a dining table in the back towards the garden, and a console table or a sofa with its back serving as a divider in between.
Bel étage and Ceiling Height
The bel étage is located half a floor above street level and features the highest rooms, often over three meters, adorned with stucco and ceiling rosettes. This is precisely where a grand light fixture belongs: a chandelier with significant volume, aligned with the existing rosette. On the upper floors, the ceiling height decreases considerably, making flat ceiling lights the appropriate choice.
The Light is Grey
Belgium experiences few clear days. North-facing rooms tend to feel cool throughout the year. Warm materials can compensate for this: brass instead of chrome, velvet in muted tones instead of cool, smooth fabrics, complemented by wall art and mirrors that reflect light into the deeper parts of the room. Very bright white can quickly appear dull in this light.
Delivery
These houses often have narrow entrances, frequently a step up from the street, and rarely an elevator. The internal staircase usually has tight turns. Similar to Amsterdam, collapsible furniture is advantageous, and a furniture lift is commonly used for upper floors, which requires a permit for sidewalk placement. In the narrow streets of the municipalities surrounding the city center, a parking space must be reserved in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you furnish a long, narrow room?
Divide it horizontally rather than furnishing it lengthwise. Place a seating area by the window, a dining area in the back, and a console or a sofa with its back as a divider in between.
Where should the main light fixture be placed in a mansion?
On the bel étage, aligned with the existing ceiling rosette. These rooms have the highest ceilings. On the upper floors, flat ceiling lights are more suitable.
Which materials are suitable for Belgian light conditions?
Warm materials. Brass instead of chrome, velvet in muted tones, along with mirrors and artwork that reflect light into the depth of the room. Very bright white can quickly appear dull here.
Consultation with an Authorized Dealer
Casa Luxury represents the interior world of an established, authorized Eichholtz specialist dealer. We are listed in the brand's official dealer directory, deliver throughout Europe, and provide advice on selection, dimensions, and delivery times. Inquiries can be sent to info@casa-luxury.de.
Luxury Furniture for Brussels: Maison de maître and Light: Models from the Collection
A selection from the categories discussed on this page. Each image leads to the product page.
Further in the guide: Luxury Furniture Overview · Paris · Amsterdam · Brass