Martina Bjorn & David Van Severen: A collage of historical splendour and timeless design
Originally from Sweden, Martina Bjorn works as a fashion photographer in Paris. Belgian architect and designer David Van Severen is co-founder of the Brussels-based architecture firm Office KGDVS. They live with their children Roman and Aliona and cat in an elegant studio flat in Brussels.
David van Severen: I remember Martina was in Sweden with the kids, and I was alone in Brussels. We were desperately looking for a new house.
Martina Bjorn: We fell in love with this place, because it has this generosity. It’s very urban and at the same time, you have this leftover space that is a garden, but also a strange courtyard with age-old trees. A piece of wilderness in the city.
DvS: The house itself is more than 100 years old. It’s this mansion-like row house. Very typical for Brussels. It was for sale as an office space. It’s just a set of rooms, basically, that we have filled to suit our needs.
MB: It was for sale as an office space. It’s just a set of rooms, basically, that you can fill how you want. For us, it was easy to see what needed to be done. It felt like bringing this place back to what it was.
David van Severen: I remember Martina was in Sweden with the kids, and I was alone in Brussels. We were desperately looking for a new house.
Martina Bjorn: We fell in love with this place, because it has this generosity. It’s very urban and at the same time, you have this leftover space that is a garden, but also a strange courtyard with age-old trees. A piece of wilderness in the city.
DvS: The house itself is more than 100 years old. It’s this mansion-like row house. Very typical for Brussels. It was for sale as an office space. It’s just a set of rooms, basically, that we have filled to suit our needs.
MB: It was for sale as an office space. It’s just a set of rooms, basically, that you can fill how you want. For us, it was easy to see what needed to be done. It felt like bringing this place back to what it was.
"When we combine old interiors and modern furniture, we’re not looking for contrast. It’s more about finding harmony."
David Van Severen
DvS: When we combine old interiors and modern furniture, we’re not looking for contrast. It’s more about finding harmony.
MB: It’s not a style choice. We don’t see it that way. I think it’s a common language and intention that you can apply into photography or in furniture or in art. That’s why we think those things are combinable.
DvS: A home is where you just feel good. Having lived abroad for more than half of my life, you make your home your world. It’s the paths that you take that shape your idea of home, but it’s more an archipelago of things than one specific point.
MB: The things we have around us include artwork from friends or design pieces from family. It’s just lovely how these things are being mixed with traditional items that we found on our travels. Objects are definitely part of creating a home.
DvS: And at the same time, there’s so much solidity. I always keep my shoes on. We light a fire and cook at the same time. That makes it a very nice place to live. It feels very free.
MB: It’s not a style choice. We don’t see it that way. I think it’s a common language and intention that you can apply into photography or in furniture or in art. That’s why we think those things are combinable.
DvS: A home is where you just feel good. Having lived abroad for more than half of my life, you make your home your world. It’s the paths that you take that shape your idea of home, but it’s more an archipelago of things than one specific point.
MB: The things we have around us include artwork from friends or design pieces from family. It’s just lovely how these things are being mixed with traditional items that we found on our travels. Objects are definitely part of creating a home.
DvS: And at the same time, there’s so much solidity. I always keep my shoes on. We light a fire and cook at the same time. That makes it a very nice place to live. It feels very free.
