There's a lot to love about Belgium

What first comes to mind when you think of Belgium? Linen, or chocolates, maybe. Or perhaps Axel Vervoordt or Bruno de Caumont?

TT recently heard that the brooding, thoughtful looking M. Caumont is relocating from Brussels to New York, although we weren't able to confirm a timetable.* We can only hope that a move to the new world, with M. Caumont's deep roots in the old, will provide new inspiration without upsetting that wonderful balance of classic and modern. And, Elle Decor, be on the lookout for Bruno de Caumont's first project in New York ... we bet it will be spectacular and camera-worthy.

We love how M. Caumont often carries the same fabric from a wall onto the furniture.

A descendant of the architect of the Place de la Concorde, instead of going into law, Caumont opened a booth at Paris' Clignancourt flea market, and became a decorator only after his own apartment came to the attention of magazine editors and appeared in Elle Decoration.

In 2005, Alexandra d'Arnoux, the editorial director of Maison Française (a French decorating magazine) referred to Caumont as "one of the most promising young talents to be watching."** We couldn't agree more.

Although Caumont's interiors are decidedly masculine, they are livened and softened by his artful use of fabrics, and mix of classic furnishings with contemporary colors.

"I don't want to live in a museum," he has said. "If you do decorate in a way that is somewhat old-fashioned, you still have to acknowledge the time you really are living in."**

Perhaps TT's attraction to Caumont's work comes from the frequent use of his "fetish" color,* Nanking orange (which TT has a special affinity for - possibly dating back to the late 60's and one particular orange floaty minidress with large polka dots).

In addition to his gorgeous interiors, M. Caumont has designed a line of furniture through Massant, a Belgian manufacturer. The furniture is entirely handmade of lacquered beechwood finished with an automotive coating, which should stand up to a lot of living, but looks quite luxurious and elegant.


The color palette in M. Caumont's furnishings is something you haven't quite seen. Colors taken from 19th century paintings and brought to life in pieces that speak to the past but are very much of today. Pieces that will liven a traditional interior, or bring integrity and a hint of the past to a modern room.

M. Caumont, whose own design idol is Madeleine Castaing, advises following your instincts. "Normally, your first impression is the right one," ... If you take any more time, you lose your nerve."*

And about color: "Color can reveal so much about someone's personality. But people don't want to reveal the truth about themselves."***

Hmmm, maybe that's why TT hasn't used much color in our own home, up to now anyway. Perhaps M. Caumont would offer up a tête-à-tête on that luscious orange conversation-a-deux seat, to help us with our color issues ...

Meantime, when we hear more about the where and when of M. Caumont's showroom opening in New York, we'll share.

* The New York Times House & Home, Dec. 13, 2007, **The New York Times Home & Garden, Feb. 3, 2005, ***Elle Decor, Dec/Jan, 2003 • Portrait from House & Garden, Apr 06, by Pascal Chevallier • Photos from Elle Decor, House & Garden, Bruno de Caumont