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Villa Gaverzicht, Waregem, Belgium, built in 1939. An Art Deco Gem awakens.
Shortly before the start of the war, Gentiel Van Eeckhoutte built this house. Now the villa, which is under historical monument protection, shines in new – and old – splendour.
“The house stood empty for three years, but much of the original fixtures was intact.”
Yves Plancon
However, when Yves Plançon acquired the property four years ago, the full splendor of the villa, which was listed as a historical monument in 2009, could not have been foreseen.
The French real estate developer recalls that ugly wallpaper was stuck everywhere, and the expressive zigzag of the flammé tiles, which meanders almost through the entire building, was hidden under carpeting. “Supposedly, the owner’s second husband couldn’t stand the tiles.
That was lucky for me, because they were in surprisingly good condition.” The basement had another happy discovery ready: the Belgian architect’s entire archive was slumbering there, including detailed construction plans for his villa. An invaluable find for the necessary renovation work. And for the history of architecture.
It certainly ranks as one of my favourite Interiors
Yves Plançon (in front of Van Eeckhoutte’s stained-glass windows) did not hesitate “for a second” when he spotted the object, but before he ventured to renovate the art deco jewel, he spent a year studying the sources.
