{"id":7817,"date":"2024-12-19T16:01:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T15:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slowlivinghideaway.com\/en\/?p=7817"},"modified":"2024-12-19T16:13:18","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T15:13:18","slug":"boulevard-leopold-antwerp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slowlivinghideaway.com\/en\/2024\/12\/19\/boulevard-leopold-antwerp\/","title":{"rendered":"Boulevard L\u00e9opold, Antwerp"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFollow me<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

Entering the Boulevard L\u00e9opold Bed & Breakfast in Antwerp is like stepping back in time to rediscover the charm of days gone by. This house, built in 1890 and meticulously preserved over the years, maintains a minimalist yet lived-in atmosphere, adapted to contemporary needs without ever losing its authenticity and character. A forgotten glory, enriched with a touch of romance, located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you stroll through the streets of the neighborhood, it's as if you've been transported into a scene from the TV series Rough Diamonds<\/em><\/em>: men with thick beards and kippahs, the small round caps worn atop their heads; women with homemade cakes covered under elegant cloches, ready to be offered to neighbors; children with ethereal faces, dressed in clothing that tells stories of tradition and community spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a short walk away is the new PAKT district, a lively meeting point that hosts The Jane<\/a>, one of the most visionary restaurants in the world, located in a deconsecrated chapel of a former military hospital. Nearby, you'll find the De Koninck<\/a> brewery, home of the famous Tripel d'Anvers; the eclectic Stofwisseling<\/a> upholstery shop; and the August<\/a> design hotel, converted from a former Augustinian convent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Bed & Breakfast occupies three floors of a house that once belonged to a wealthy Jewish diamond merchant. The spaces are defined by large wooden doors, while the high ceilings enhance the elegance of the interiors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The harmony of the rooms conveys a sense of timelessness: the design reflects Belgian aesthetics, but is enriched with unique, poetic details. Among these, the furniture from an old monastery and the collections of curiosities carefully gathered and selected by Martin Willems, the owner, stand out, preserved in antique globes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The living room, with its distinct charm, is narrow and high, as is typical of many Belgian homes. The large windows in the master suite capture the light, offering a dream-like view. But the true gem is the original 1912 bathroom with its retro bathtub, decorated with Art Nouveau tiles. Marble fireplaces complete the decor, offering a timeless experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Martin bought Boulevard L\u00e9opold in 2010 from a couple of friends who had turned it into a Bed & Breakfast. Here's what he told me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Boulevard L\u00e9opold come about?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It all started with my friends, a couple who bought the property and turned it into a B&B in 2006. Every time they went on vacation, they would ask me to look after the guests, and I really enjoyed it. In 2010, they decided to move to Provence and offered me the opportunity to buy the house and the B&B. I personalized it with my own furniture. For example, the pieces in the living room come from an old monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you choose the interior decoration?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I have one main rule for decorating any house: follow the house. That\u2019s why I would never put modern design pieces here, even though I really like them. You simply need to follow the authenticity of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What colours did you choose for the walls?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I don't believe in an all-white interior; it's too easy. All the colours used in the house are variations of green tones. All of the shades are from Farrow & Ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you find all these unique and rare objects?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finding these objects isn\u2019t a challenge here in Belgium; at every flea market or antique fair, you can find interesting pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are your favorite spots around the Boulevard L\u00e9opold Bed & Breakfast?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. PAKT<\/a>, just around the corner, is a complex with restaurants and the taproom Sp\u00e9ciale Belge<\/a>.<\/li>
  2. A walk to the Zurenborg area, the main street Cogels-Osylei, and of course, Waterloostraat with the \u201cfour seasons\u201d: four identical houses, each with a different mosaic on the facade representing winter, autumn, spring, and summer.<\/li>
  3. The Museum of Fine Arts, KMSKA<\/a>.<\/li>
  4. The medieval Vlaeykesgang corridor from the 16th century.<\/li>
  5. In summer, Bar Paniek and Fiskeskur<\/a>.<\/li>
  6. Lier, a lovely nearby city.<\/li>
  7. And of course, shopping... lots of shopping! The best shopping area is Kammenstraat-Nationalestraat with second-hand stores like Rosier 41<\/a> and Labels Inc<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    www.boulevard-leopold.be<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Follow my travel tips:
    INSTAGRAM <\/em><\/strong>    @<\/em><\/strong><\/a>slowlivinghideaway<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    TRAVEL WITH ME<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Large windows, marble fireplaces, and high ceilings intertwine with unique and poetic elements in this grand house located in the Jewish Quarter of the Belgian city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[179,7,11],"tags":[180,50,14],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nBoulevard L\u00e9opold, Antwerp · Slow Living Hideaway<\/title>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/slowlivinghideaway.com\/en\/2024\/12\/19\/boulevard-leopold-antwerp\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Boulevard L\u00e9opold, Antwerp · Slow Living Hideaway\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Large windows, marble fireplaces, and high ceilings intertwine with unique and poetic elements in this grand house located in the Jewish Quarter of the Belgian city.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/slowlivinghideaway.com\/en\/2024\/12\/19\/boulevard-leopold-antwerp\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Slow Living Hideaway\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-19T15:01:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-19T15:13:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/slowlivinghideaway.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/BoulevardLeopold_AntonellaMachet-15.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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