House Call: Eefje's Compromise Belgium

House Call: Eefje's Compromise
Belgium

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Name: Eefje
Location: Belgium
It’s almost a year ago when we moved in our apartment and we are pretty much settled. When we had to choose for furniture it was a hell of a job, because my love and I have a very different taste. A few years ago I found new interest in decorating and I was hooked on country-style, rustic furniture. But my love is more into the modern style. So I had to find a way to make these two styles work together.

For almost a year of looking into magazines, books, watching homemaker-over programs, I found the perfect style for me and my love. I bought everything before moving into the apartment so it was a bit exciting to see the result.

It's sober but classy, industrial but with natural influences. I don’t like straightforward styles. I would rather choose an interior by colours. If the furniture, walls, and decoration has similar colours you can get a great look too. I think a home is never done. I still like finding new furniture, trying colours, making new cozy corners. I painted my living room in three different colors over the last eight months. I like changing. The process is more interesting that the final result.

MY FAVORITES

Sea shelves, sea objects, stones

Little rare objects

Dramatic dark wallpaint

Nice and cozy corners

Various textures

Mysterious art

Candles

Industrial lamps

Greetz, Eefje

Thanks Eefje!

Comments (26)

How absolutely pretty. and calming. and just a wonderful place to come home to... Good job...

posted by alittleltc on January 28th 2009 at 5:30pm
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Great job Greetz and Eefje. I love the color combinations. Can't wait to see what you do next.

Groetjes uit NYC!

posted by azure on January 28th 2009 at 5:33pm
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Great job representing la Belgique!

posted by tgsgirl on January 28th 2009 at 5:45pm
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Great job! Every thing looks lovely.
You must be quite strong, physically and mentally, to paint the same room 3 times in 8 months, more power to you!
thanks for sharing.

posted by sassydo on January 28th 2009 at 6:11pm
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I am sorry but the title Burn Before Reading comes to mind.

I do like the colors in these photos.

posted by LoriSF on January 28th 2009 at 6:19pm
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Who says "my love" that much. Give me a break.

posted by jyw on January 28th 2009 at 6:35pm
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yes love the dark wall above the fireplace. great job!

posted by lovelyrita on January 28th 2009 at 6:42pm
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This is Sophie's Choice for decoristas.

posted by rosenatti on January 28th 2009 at 7:27pm
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Very pretty. I like all the contrasts--dark with light, rustic with modern.

posted by kelleyk on January 28th 2009 at 8:11pm
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I like how the candles on the coffee table have actually been used! We see so many pristine, untouched candles that are like those little shell-shaped bathroom soaps that nobody's allowed to touch.

posted by Ina on January 28th 2009 at 8:18pm
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love the books in the fireplace.

posted by allijean on January 28th 2009 at 8:43pm
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jyw --

It could just as easily be a choice based on English being a secondary language. Friends of mine from France refer to each other as 'my love' because it's the literal translation from French.
I personally think it's sweet.

More importantly the style is amazing!

posted by embarr on January 28th 2009 at 8:47pm
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jyw & embarr --

Eefje is a Dutch name, so it's probably a result of Dutch being her native language. Dutch for "my boyfriend" is "mijn lief", with lief being derived from liefde, which means love. See where I'm going?

posted by tgsgirl on January 29th 2009 at 6:16am
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Some compromise!

posted by Usbek de Perse on January 29th 2009 at 9:03am
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nice..
but..i dunno...books in the fireplace is cool but TV on the mantel isn't??

posted by jamilkb on January 29th 2009 at 9:21am
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Lovely job! My only suggestion would be to replace the tiny light by the couch with something more substantial. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home.

posted by vintagemodern on January 29th 2009 at 10:41am
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tgsgirl --
I realize it's Dutch; that was my point. I assumed it was a translation of sorts but didn't know the language to know exactly what -- I merely was trying to encourage more sensitivity to those who don't speak English as a first language. Thanks for the information though! :)

posted by embarr on January 29th 2009 at 4:13pm
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Yeah, ok. It just read "pretentious". I stand corrected. Mea culpa.

posted by jyw on January 30th 2009 at 12:32am
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Thanks for all your sweet and helpfull comments!
Its true, i'm a Dutch girl who live's in Belgium.

posted by Eefje on February 2nd 2009 at 2:59pm
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Good job! You did indeed put together a modern yet traditional look. It's very very nice. Polished, clean, yet warm.

posted by paloverde23 on February 5th 2009 at 4:34pm
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Beautiful, soft warm colors. Love it.

posted by kirstin on February 9th 2009 at 11:19am
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Beautiful! I especially love the kitchen cabinets and the arrangement above the couch. Nice job!

posted by k ran on February 12th 2009 at 5:37am
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love that kitchen and the colors chosen works well!

posted by erwinman on February 16th 2009 at 1:53am
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It's a lovely home overall, but the kitchen makes my heart skip a beat. How do you people do it? You "oganized types"? It's perfectly without clutter. Maybe it was just for the photo? I wish you could come order me around my own kitchen: "This goes here! That goes there!" I even have the benefit of more space than stuff...

posted by BlueLM on February 19th 2009 at 1:42pm
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Lovely, romantic, restrained, well edited with great touches of color.

posted by luckypeach on April 2nd 2009 at 2:28am
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you have so good taste! i love the color palette and how you organized the frames and collectibles. i love the decluttered atmosphere you created. very inspiring!

posted by mariatherese on April 28th 2009 at 9:09am
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