Antiques

Dealer’s choice

From a 19th-century castle to the former home of a Flemish master, antique dealer Paul de Grande’s homes play by his own rules. But every one of this Belgian TV star’s residences – including this new retreat in the South of France – comes up trumps, says Barbara Stoeltie
By Barbara StoeltiePhotography by René Stoeltie
Paul de Grande Claviers antiques
In the living room, a pair of 19th-century gilt-wood torchères stand guard at the passageway to the kitchen. The Georgian wing chair is upholstered in grey flannel and above the cabinet – featuring a parcel-gilt bas-relief of a dolphin – there is a framed engraving of a series of portraits by the leading 18th-century Dutch draughtsman, engraver and art collector Jacobus Houbraken

The Belgian antique expert Paul De Grande is probably one of the best-known figures in Flanders, primarily due to his overwhelming presence on television. Not a week – or even a day – goes by without the mischievous, bespectacled figure appearing on screen, particularly in the popular  Stukken van Mensen, a broadcast with an untranslatable title in which people show up in the studio with an object they are offering for sale to six antique dealers. De Grande, who bears a strong resemblance to Belgium’s Prince Laurent, invariably steals the show and gets away with murder, but such eminence has been hard-earned. Paul is the quintessential self-made man who worked his way up to the top; early in his career, he managed to buy a castle near Bruges, fill it with antiques and attract an international clientele.

Architecture Building House Housing Staircase Indoors Foyer Interior Design and Person

In De Grande’s newly renovated French retreat, the 19th-century cement floor tiles, stencilled Art Nouveau wall decoration and staircase are part of the original décor. He added the Moorish-style display cabinet, the majolica umbrella stand and the Tridacna giant clam

Art Painting Mural and Plant

Wall stencils were very popular throughout the Art Nouveau period. Stylised floral motifs, soft pastel colors and whiplash curves were all part of the visual language

Cabinet Furniture and China Cabinet

This early 20th-century Moorish-style display cabinet, which was once part of the furnishings of a jewellery store, provided the ideal place to display a collection of shells

In 1986, my husband René and I travelled to De Grande’s Castle of Snellegem in Jabbeke, accompanied by our friend and colleague, the late John Vaughan, to photograph the place for The World of Interiors. We were startled when we found ourselves face to face with the recently renovated attic, where no antiques were to be seen; rather, several ‘Torso’ armchairs by Paolo Deganello were prominently arranged in a minimalist space.

It is typical of De Grande to surprise the spectator with an unexpected twist. That is exactly what happened a few years ago when he sold his castle and took up residence in Memling House, an elegant, Neoclassical mansion in the heart of Bruges. We have known him for almost half a century, but he still managed to surprise us with the news that he had also bought a house in the South of France and that he was almost finished with the renovation.

Indoors Interior Design Wood Floor Chair Furniture Architecture Building Foyer and Hardwood

In the living room, an entire wall is taken up by a section of 19th-century Neo-Gothic wood panelling. On the ledge above it stands a pair of wooden ‘trophies’ from the same period, while the ceiling cornice boasts an unusual stepped structure. The jib-door leads to the house’s entrance

Floor Desk Furniture Table Indoors Interior Design and Flooring

On the top floor, the landing leads to several guest rooms. The flower stand is 19th-century and is made from natural materials including twigs, kernels, branches and vines

That De Grande had chosen a place where he would be able to relax was, at least, no surprise. The house was a far cry from the blinding spotlights of television studios, and its elegant, understated architecture was the perfect backdrop for a carefully selected variety of furniture and decorative objects. That he would not entirely renounce his passion for antiques was also to be expected, and that is why eye-catchers such as a richly carved wooden panel with masonic symbols, the panelling of a 19th-century Neo-Gothic library – which takes up the entire back wall of the living room – and a large number of 18th-century chairs undertook the journey south from Bruges.

Furniture Bed Bedroom Indoors Room Chandelier and Lamp

In the master bedroom, an intricately carved 19th-century four-poster bed takes up most of the available space. Above the English chair there is a panel with a masonic emblem, while the mirror over the fireplace is in the manner of William Kent

Indoors Interior Design Fireplace Hearth and Kitchen

In the kitchen-cum-breakfast room, the chimney breast is clad with glazed tiles. The hearth doubles as a feu Provençal and is ideal for grilling meat and fish. The wooden ceiling was given a red wash, inspired by the traditional colour on  18th-century Swedish barns

One of the most striking additions in the house is the fireplace in the kitchen, featuring a wall clad in green glazed tiles – reminiscent of a Swedish stove – that doubles as a grill. It is one of several bright spots of colour that contrast with the otherwise white walls, alongside a fiery red paint chosen for the master bedroom and adjoining  bathroom. On the upper floor there was enough room under the beams for a billiard table and a few guest rooms and despite the fact that the house is located in the South of France, and the owner has an unmistakably French name, one clearly recognises the signature style of the Flanders-born and -bred antique dealer who has found the perfect spot to retire from ‘the smell of the grease paint and the roar of the crowd’…

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For more about Paul De Grande, visit Instagram @degrandeantiques