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"A Heavenly Home and Garden in Belgium\nEast meets west at an entrepreneur's historic estate in the countryside, with interior design by Axel Vervoordt and grounds by landscape firm Wirtz International\nA 17th-century house anchors this expansive property in northwest Belgium. The home's interior design and the construction of two adjacent outbuildings were overseen by Axel Vervoordt; the grounds were planned by Wirtz International.\nLinden trees shade a table for outdoor dining.\nOrderly all\u00E9es of apple and pear trees and yew topiary in the estate's orchard.\nA narrow moat is sited to the northwest of the main house.\nA view of the moat's footbridge, framed by hornbeam trees.\nThe towering stepped hornbeam hedge provides privacy.\nThe symmetry of the main house is emphasized by its dormer windows and stepped gables. Roses and boxwood soften the painted brick exterior.\nThe main entrance leads to an airy hall with antique oak flooring and a double stair.\nIn the living room, the cocktail table and slipcovered sofa and club chairs are by Vervoordt; the antique armchairs are Louis XIII.\nThe seating in the library is 18th-century English.\nThe light-flooded master bath.\nThe property's 17th-century dovecote was once used as an observation post during the Dutch Revolt.\nThe dovecote features a studded door.\nChinese wisteria climbs an arbor by Wirtz.\nA pergola festooned with wisteria.\nA simple thatched pool pavilion sits adjacent to the Japanese dwelling, or minka, visible at right.\nThe traditional minka, with its shallow pool and sunken dining area, was transported from Japan and reconstructed on-site.\nThe minka serves as a tranquil retreat for baths, simple meals, and massages; its sliding door opens wide to the garden.\nA Flemish-style earthen-floor barn stands to the east of the house.\nThe underground gallery displays works by, from left, Richard Serra, Kazuo Shiraga, and Saburo Murakami."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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