Then it melts away. You live on an island. The fog only heightens the mystery that envelops this concrete villa in the sky. It boasts majestic views over the harbour on one side, and of the Gothic cathedral and city skyline on the other. Meticulously refining it over four years, De Meyer designed the structure to house his growing family, and future-proofed it with ramps in lieu of stairs. The garden was replanted but Mulier kept a mature pine tree out of respect for the original owner.
When Mulier first visited the apartment, it had remained virtually untouched since Despite being happily ensconced in a s maisonette nearby, Mulier made an offer as soon as he stepped over the threshold. Originally, Mulier had planned to merely repair the concrete rot that had proliferated and simplify the layout. Sestig pushed him to go much further. Over two years, they removed lacquer, panelling, marble and carpets; replaced windows with larger ones; sand-blasted walls; and dug up the dilapidated garden.
The garden was replanted with hardy shrubs and concrete benches were recast, both inside and out, arranged alongside works in the same material by the Belgian artist Bram Vanderbeke.
Sittings editor: Gianluca Longo. This clash is epitomised by the airy living room, which is heavily populated by Steven Shearer works juxtaposed with a prehistoric-looking Sterling Ruby metal-glazed ceramic sculpture and a florid Alvaro Barrington painting. In the evenings, he sits on the floor with his black Labrador John John, tending the open fireplace in the centre of the room.
Such convivial relations proved useful one evening in January when Mulier held a fashion show in his apartment for editors, journalists, buyers and friends. The event also enabled Mulier to stamp his personality on the label.
