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"When I begin with a new client, I always...\n\n Like to know them better. I invite them to the Kanaal, our complex in Antwerp, and to our castle, and then we'll have lunch. I ask them a lot of questions about what they like and don't like, how they live, how many children they have. When clients ask me to design their home, it's important that they feel completely at home when it's finished. Through art and objects, I want to make their portrait in their home. I want our clients to discover themselves. Normally, we become great friends with our clients. They need to love art, or they need to want to love art or be introduced to art. The artwork is very important in my interiors.\n\nThe mistake most people make when doing their own designing is...\n\n I think they copy too much. Some people are capable of doing their own houses. If they put a lot of their own personality into them, then they can be very interesting. Copying others is very boring.\n\nClients can make the design process go more smoothly by...\n\n It's important to have a very good relationship with the professional and to trust him or her. I want my clients to feel that they have made their own choices. Sometimes they make what I would consider the wrong choice, but they have the right to make that choice, because it gives their home personality. It's not important that everything be beautiful; ugly things can make the beautiful even more beautiful.\n\nThe most unusual request from a client was....\n\n They all have the right to make unusual requests!\n\nFor someone who wants a big look on a small budget today...\n\n Most of the houses I do don't look expensive, but they are! Nothing is ostentatious; it all looks like they've always had it. Sometimes you can do more with less. You have to give the house lots of personality\u2014that counts most of all.\n\nOne of the best things right now to collect for an investment is...\n\n The Zero group of European artists from the 1960s. I think in a few years their works will get the same prices as Rothko and Pollock do now. Also, very good archaeological artifacts with provenance and good early Renaissance pieces. All pieces that look universal and timeless are still underpriced, compared to contemporary art.\n\nIn the area of home electronics, people are asking for...\n\n The best of televisions, but I personally don't like them in every room, because it breaks up conversations between family and friends. It's bad for family life. A lot of people want computerized systems, but I also have a lot of clients who want everything very simple and classical. They'd rather invest in art; they don't want the complication. Instead of a housekeeper, you need an engineer.\n\nIn the next ten years the most important thing in design or architecture will be...\n\n We live in a worldwide society. Everything should be authentic and strong. For me, it's important that everything be quiet and serene.\n\nMy biggest design mistake was...\n\n I don't remember. I'll work with a problem until it's right.\n\nMy favorite room to design is...\n\n Where people love to live most. For some people it's the kitchen; for some it's the library.\n\nI change my own interiors...\n\n Some rooms we never change; others we change almost every season because our collections change. We have too many things, so some things go to storage. If we have something contemporary, I find I want to make it more classical, and vice versa. I love to change.\n\nThere are many rules designers and architects should bear in mind. one is...\n\n Having respect for the original architecture. Even contemporary architects should respect what's genuine and old, and contemporary designers should respect what the architect has made. For me, it's like something holy; I try to be as discreet as possible in my work. You can do an addition, but the addition should be like a dialogue and not be overwhelming.\n\nThe order I follow when I design is...\n\n First, knowing the client. Second is seeing the house and trying to make it interesting, with good volumes. You either restore it to its original condition or you create good volumes. I'm very keen on divine pro- portions like the golden section. If it's a newly built house, I want to talk to the architect about the style and what it means. I talk to the landscape architect as well. You make a team to create something great.\n\nEvery home must have...\n\n A fireplace that works. And candlelight as well.\n\nMy personal dream house would be...\n\n My own house, my castle, I love very much. I would never want to change it for anything else.\n\nWho or what has influenced my style...\n\n Palladian architecture and the minka houses of Japan, the Japanese country style. The Fortuny style. And English libraries and English country houses have inspired me a lot. There you see easy living with great objects.\n\nThree essentials for entertaining are...\n\n Making everyone feel comfortable, enjoying yourself and creating a fantastic atmosphere. I like it very festive: lots of candles and good food and good wine. My wife, May, and I like to entertain well.\n\nFor inspiration, I go to...\n\n I've been to Japan a lot over the past few years to see the minka houses and the monasteries and the contemporary places as well. I always draw inspiration from great homes. For me, inspiration has a lot to do with art. I like to study paintings and interior scenes to see how they did it. And I'm always looking when I walk\u2014every street, every door. I get inspired everywhere."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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