Living in a luxury loft where furniture used to roll off the production line (Mechelen)

The stately facade of the industrial complex stands out in the street on Mechelen-Nekkerspoel. This was a former furniture factory, founded in 1901 by Jos Mariën. The name A. Wolff on the facade may refer to a later owner. “This factory was called Usine à Vapeur: it was the first factory in Mechelen where furniture rolled off the production line,” says Gillian. “The cast iron columns are still a reminder of that industrial past. Where our living room is now, the machines for processing the wood were located. They were coupled to a drive shaft, powered by a steam engine. The drive shaft belt was linked to the hooks of the columns and connected to the woodworking machines.”

“We immediately fell in love with this bright space. Although we first had to put furniture in it to be able to estimate the full size” Dear Luysterborg

First buyers

Today we find 28 residential lofts and offices in the complex. “We were the first buyers of such a loft,” says Lieve. “Living in a loft was less popular in the late 1990s than it is now, but we immediately fell in love with this bright space. Although we first had to put furniture in it to estimate its true size. That’s why we opted for larger pieces, such as the seat and the plants. They should be given some space.”

The plaster bust, a work of art by Gillian’s father, Amedé De Cauwer, is central. “It has already been in various places in the loft,” Lieve smiles.

The sunlight, which falls through four high windows in the living room from 11 a.m. to sunset, was one of the decisive advantages. “The facade was preserved during the restoration,” says Gillian. “You can see in old photos that the size of the windows has remained identical. The contractor only brought the two middle windows level with the floor, so that you can easily step onto the terrace. On the inside we chose to leave the brick wall visible.”

“Some people find the Art Deco style of the 20s and 30s horrible, but I think it is beautiful” Gillian De Cauwer

The couple bought the loft after finding an advertisement in the newspaper. It was a shell, which allowed Lieve and Gillian to choose the interior themselves, but which required a lot of work. “Apart from the kitchen, we did everything ourselves: from installing the wooden floor to the design of the block with the bathroom, the bedroom with dressing room and the office. As a result, the installation took nine months,” Gillian explains.

Striking hobby

There are about fifteen bonsai trees on the terrace, Lieve’s hobby project. More special is Gillian’s hobby that has gotten out of hand. “Five years ago I fell in love with Art Deco furniture. Some people think that style from the twenties and thirties is horrible, but I think it’s beautiful,” he laughs. “The style still looks modern, each object has a unique, sometimes asymmetrical shape.”

The couple scours domestic and foreign flea markets. “I prefer to have pieces that have imperfections so that I can repair, restore and add value to them.”

Gillian restores the furniture and works of art, such as statues and lamps, in his studio in Willebroek. He remembers that he enjoyed making furniture as a child. “That has always been a common thread through my life. When, as a technician, I temporarily have fewer assignments, I retreat to my studio. That calms me down.”

So today a furniture maker lives in this old furniture factory again? “That’s right, I hadn’t thought about that myself,” he smiles.

Mechelen as a furniture city

The building has been protected as a monument since 1997. It is one of the silent witnesses of Mechelen’s past as a furniture city. In the second half of the 19th and the middle of the 20th century, the Dyle city was the furniture center par excellence. According to the 1896 industrial census, there were as many as 1,047 furniture enterprises in the city that year. The presence of the Dyle was suitable for transporting the furniture over the river or by rail. The furniture with sculpted figures, stained glass windows and lion heads in particular were typical of the Mechelen style.

Second life after corona pandemic

The couple decided to refresh the living room during the corona pandemic. “We then painted the columns black. We also replaced a curved steel wall at the entrance with a straight wall. We have incorporated an art deco shape with lighting,” says Lieve. “We had the concrete vaults in the ceiling plastered and we added moldings to the support beams. The merbau wood floor was also given a makeover. That was not an unnecessary luxury after 27 years.”

Steel stairs versus wooden floor

Both the bedroom and the bathroom have no doors and are not too large. Lieve: “A conscious choice. We wanted to keep the living space as spacious as possible. The block was raised one level to create more depth in the space. To continue the industrial character of the building, we installed a steel staircase to enter the block. This forms a style contrast with the wooden floor in the living room. The dressing was also made in warm wood.”

What do you save from a fire?

Dear: “The statue of the naked woman that we bought at a flea market in Paris. It is called Femme au guy. We do not know the maker. I would rather not sell this statue, because I find it so elegant and beautiful. (smiles)”

Gillian: “A while ago I made a wooden sculpture of one skyscraper or skyscraper. Not that it is that special, but I am proud of it and I think it is a beautiful object.”

BIO Residents

Lieve Luysterborg (57) and Gillian De Cauwer (53) have lived in Mechelen since 1997. Lieve comes from Sint-Katelijne-Waver and works as a kitchen employee for Compass Group at Telenet, Gillian was born in Sint-Niklaas and works as an independent technician/restorer. They have no children. “We were immediately won over by the idea of ​​living in a loft. After 27 years we are not tired of it here yet. We can live here until our old age.”

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