Villa Empain, an immersion in the Art Deco style

A visit to Villa Empain immediately immerses you into the Art Deco style. This bright villa, located in the Embassy district of Brussels, was designed by Michel Polak and commissioned by Louis Empain. Louis only lived there for six months, and now the villa serves as a museum. Worth a visit during Covid times! A villa with a thousand lives Villa Empain has had an eventful history with many different owners. Louis Empain, son of Baron Edouard Empain, had the villa built when he was 22. The villa was completed in 1934, and Louis moved in immediately. After six months of living there, Louis decided that he wanted to live in a smaller and more peaceful place. His faith in God urged him to invest his time and money in youngsters. Villa Empain was donated to the Belgian state, to be turned into a Royal Museum of Contemporary Decorative Arts. During the Second World War, Villa Empain was occupied by the German army, and afterwards the building served as the embassy of Russia. Until 1990, the RTL television station was based there. For years, nobody cared about this Art Deco gem and it fell into decay, until the Boghossian Foundation in 2006 decided to purchase and renovate the villa. For four years, they worked hard to restore the villa to its former state. The garden and swimming pool were also redone. Villa Empain was so successfully restored that the Boghossian Foundation was awarded the 'Europa Nostra' prize for giving the house back its former glory. Today, Villa Empain serves as a museum with exhibitions, dance and film shows, concerts and many other cultural events. The villa is an Art Deco gem that Louis Empain created because of his passion for this architectural style. Architect Michel Polak designed the light-filled villa. The play of natural light with artificial light gives the whole house an exceptional atmosphere. Wide wall openings fitted with polished plate glass, combined with direct or indirect electric light sources, creating a light spectacle. This reflects beautifully on the marble on the inside and the water of the swimming pool outdoors. In the main lounge, a stained-glass window immediately attracts your attention. It consists of 21 square panes of thick, mass-coloured gold glass with motifs representing - or at least a free interpretation of - the Milky Way and the zodiac signs. This window conceals an artificial light source that emits a warm and subdued light. In Art Deco, gold and metal, as well as geometric shapes are inevitable. Everything radiates luxury: the use of marble and striking furniture made of exotic woods or accessories with a mirror finish, chrome or aluminium. The textiles are also quite striking: velvet is the rule, no exception. Integrate Art Deco into your interior How do you bring this luxurious Art Deco style into your home without becoming kitschy? Furnified has figured it out for you! Don't be afraid to play with a shiny look. Gold wall rack Emily or a shiny round mirror are ideal to create this effect. Also the use of marble goes perfectly with this design and Furnified just happens to be the specialist in that field. Add velvet to your interior to create a glamorous yet soft look. For example, our emerald green sofa Gordon will fit effortlessly into your Art Deco living room.