If you read one of my latest posts, I was vaguely mentionning that it was perfect timing to give a new fresh look to your home, a Spring cleaning of some sorts.
And guess what, my charming husband announced to me yesterday evening that he was going to paint my bathroom in black. What I should add, is that he HATES any kind of home work which might include a paintbrush ! So, I might have a good surprise by the end of the week-end !
The inspiration came I believe from a high impact stay at the
Hotel LES NUITS in Antwerp a few days ago.
An all-black room with hurricane lamps and candles, leather trays, heavy black curtains, beautiful art work on the wall, and a long narrow mirror standing vertically on the floor. Loved it !
HOTEL LES NUITS Lange Gasthuisstraat 12 2000 Antwerpen
http://www.hotellesnuits.be/I would suggest taking your car for the simple reason is that you might be enticed to do some shopping in Antwerp; and when I say shopping, I mean it !!!!!!! Designers clothes, accessories, shoes, lighting fixtures, furniture, oldies, decoration items, you name it. Oh, by the way, leave your Smart home, you'll need the big sedan with a mile-long trunk.
If you leave Paris around 8am, you'll arrive in Antwerp after a compulsory stop in the kingdom of Belgian Interior Decoration, the mega
SLOTS , off the highway at Espierres. You'll even indulge in a good strong coffee at their Tea room. You'll want to leave with everything ...Everything is for sale, dah ....
Next stop: Antwerp with lunch at
GRAND CAFE GLENN'S. A restaurant-lounge-bar set in an old warehouse : huge ceilings, interesting luminaries, and a rare mix of wood and metals. Giovanni Pagani, the Armani stores interior decorator is behind this decor. Watch out for the XXL
Mirror Balls by Tom Dixon.
Glenn's39A, Graaf van Egmontstraat.
http://www.glenns.be/Not too far, at 4, De Burburestraat, you'll start carrying paper bags when you'll walk out of
HOSPITAL : a crossover between high fashion and casual couture with eccentric toys for him and her. The shop is a Walhalla for new luxury, with a highlight on leading fashion trends and a diversity of accessories and one-off design pieces. It’s not Colette, nor Corso Como… it’s
Hospital ! The location is in the trendy South of Antwerp, across the well-known Clinic, another of those fantastic fashion emporiums set in eclectic places, all done by the architects PURESANG. The space is situated in a former stables complex from the old Hippodrome of Antwerp.
Wide open space there again with tropical woods mixed with polished stainless steel for the collections Paul & Joe, Viktor & Rolf, Tim van Steenbergen, AF Vandervost and Ralph Lauren. In between 2 fittings, you can have a coffee, a grand cru or bubbles at the mezzanine bar, slightly hidden but with a grat view on the Vintage cars.
http://www.hospitalantwerp.com/Your afternoon will be a long one. (You'll do the visiting tomorrow. )
Head for the delightful villagy vintage quarter of
KLOOSTERSTRAAT , between the banks of the Escaut river and the fashion district, there is that long narrow street with Vintage shops all along, with antique boutiques and design stores. Hope your car is not too far off ! I meant, the trunk, of course !
On Sunday morning, there is a small "brocante" on a little piazzetta where bargaining is fun .
A good hour will be spent in
YOUR, at 88-100 Kloosterstraat, right off the vintage district, a concept-store with shoes galore, clothes both for men and women, jewellery, accessories, books, gadgets, and the
Bubble Lamps of Tom Dixon as well as the luxury bicycle
Abici. " Shopping Cool" : the concept-store motto. 
YOUR your-antwerp.comReady for a drink ? I bet you do !!!! You've had quite some fun but a large glass of Sauvignon is very much needed by now.
Go back to cosy
Les Nuits Hotel, dive into a warm bath with the candles on , MTV playing in the room to wipe out tiredness. Hope you have room 33, called "Nothing to Hide" !
I forgot to mention that all the furniture and accessories comes from Flamant !!! Now, you understand, don't you ? !
The bar is very inviting with their thousand bottles, neck down. And the Club armchair is even more seducing. Soft music in the background, today's newspaper at hand ... total bliss !
Time for serious fare :
APPELMANS, at short walking distance.
The hot spot for Belgians. Great Belgian food, and very welcoming staff.
APPELMANSPapenstraatje 1 - 2000 Antwerpen
http://www.brasserieappelmans.be/Next day is for visiting; a fit pair of legs, Converse sneakers on, a good tourist guide in hand and you're all set for Grote Market, MAS Museum, the Railway Station, the historical center, the Steen Castle and the fortress.
Plan on leaving Antwerp around 4pm, you'll be in front of your TV for the 8 o'clock news.
