Villa Empain

I discovered Villa Empain during a photo shoot with my friend, Laurent, on a cold November day. 

It is difficult to put into words the beauty of this place. The Art Deco jewel is owned by the Boghossian Foundation, belonging to a Lebanese family with Armenian roots. It hosts amazing exhibitions, concerts and conferences. 

An oval pool in the rear seems to have a decorative role. But my favourite element in the whole building is a former bathroom on the first floor, covered in mosaic of different shades of green and turquoise. 

Address: avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67

COS

I am not a shopaholic. But I have to hand it to COS: it represents a unique combination of minimalism and elegance. Everything at an affordable price.

Even better than the clothes are the accessories (in my humble opinion): shoes, jewelry, lingerie. 

I had a very interesting discussion about clothes with an artist friend. She reckoned that COS were a brand for right-wing people, self-centered, snobbish. I was quite dumbfounded by her statement, since I would certainly not consider myself right-wing. "Disenchanted with politics", someone used to call me. 

Do you think that clothes reflect someone's political beliefs? Feel free to leave a comment below...

Address: 32 avenue Louise. 

Chez Franz

I couldn't stand Chez Franz the first time I went there. I did not feel at ease there, maybe because despite its modest appearance, it seemed to be a favoured meeting place for high-brow ucclois.   

But I changed my opinion. It's a bar for everyone: students, kids, old guys, writers, ladies of ages impossible to guess, daydreamers...  

The cuisine doesn't look bad either. I like the tiles on the floor and the wooden window frames. I would call it typically Belgian, without being too shabby. 

The nicest thing about it is that if you ask the bartender for limes for the caipirinha you want to prepare at home, he won't say no...

Address:
30 av. du Haut Pont, 1050 Brussels