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In the heart of Brussels, Belgium’s historic capital city, an art dealer awakes to modernist living. Photography by Mireille Roobaert

THE ART Of

eV a l é r i e B a c h

26 | ENTRAMAGAZINE.COM

I t was the first time that we ever considered living in a loft,” says contemporary art dealer Valérie Bach of the Brussels home she shares with her husband. “We found this one, and it was our favorite.”

The couple, who have a historic home in France and a penchant for antiques, were eager to find a new and modern main residence in Brussels. The apart-ment they chose, located in the quartier du Chatelain, “is just 10 minutes from

my gallery,” Bach joyfully states. It’s an area known for trendy shops and great restau-rants, but most notably for its Wednesday market, “where all the expats of Brussels come to drink a glass of wine at the end of the day,” she says with a laugh. “It’s at the very center of the city and is a prized neighborhood. We really enjoy living here.”

The three-story home is entered through what was originally the building’s lobby (it used to be a furniture showroom) but is now a high-ceilinged foyer and home to Bach’s photography collection. The space leads into a study/media room that doubles as a natatorium and opens onto a small garden. “We moved into this loft after it had just been renovated,” Bach recounts, “so little work was needed.” The couple did opt for some minor alterations however, namely opening up a bigger dining space and installing skylights. The latter now flood the upper floors with light, a much-welcomed effect in a city frequented by showers.

The main living areas (off of which are generous terraces for those non-rainy days) are on the upper floors and provide ample space for entertaining, as well as display-ing works by artists like Gilbert & George, Pierre Alechinsky, Bertrand Lavier, Piotr Klemensiewicz, Peter Halley, Simon Hantaï, Raymond Hains, and Yan Pei-Ming.

“The house is very pleasant to live in—big spaces,” she exclaims. “Plus, a new loft meant we were then in need of finding more modern furniture.” Not a hard task for a woman with a constant eye on the art world. Now fitted with pieces by Charles Eames, Poul Kjaerholm, Johanna Grawunder, and Danny Venlet, it’s an altogether dif-ferent kind of showroom.

A work by sculptor arman, who was born in france but became an American citizen in 1972, hangs on a wall of

the study/media room adjacent to the pool.

facing the water are paintings by Piotre Klemensiewicz (far left) and Georges Mathieu. A work by François Boisrond faces into the room.

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