5
‘We collect a lot of things. When we visit a city, we
look for special pieces and always purchase something.
Sometimes we both fall in love with a work of art or
a piece of furniture, a nice object or a plant. Once
acquired, these pieces move and circulate, migrating
through the house. We are lucky we have three
sub-collectors – our children. They are happy to take
whatever they like or claim for themselves. I have
no doubt that the objects will survive me, which is
a nice feeling.
As a couple, we share the same attitude toward
aesthetics. The evolution of our common taste is
the product of an ongoing discussion between the
two of us. We fell in love with Prouvé and Perriand
for different reasons. Prouvé for his technicality,
his engineering, Perriand for her materiality, her use
of dark wood. When you learn about their careers
and how they went through life, it gives you a better
understanding of their creations.
We rearrange a lot. Doubt and intuition go hand in
hand. Doubt cultivates creativity. The house is a very
nice example of this process because we can decide to
switch around the dining room and living room over
the course of a single day, and then put it all back the
next morning if we’re unhappy with the results.
Opening our home to friends and family has been
a guiding motto in our lives. All our children have a
key to the house. We have no sense of ownership. We
like them to use it as if it were still their home. The
most important item in the house is the dining table,
where we come together and enjoy social gatherings
and entertaining, with good food and wine. For this
you need comfortable furnishings and loving family
and friends. Maybe that’s the essence of everything.
Good conversations.’
Karin and Xavier Donck, an interior designer
and architect, live in Ghent, Belgium.
With a shared love of hospitality
and heritage, Karin and Xavier
Donck collect vintage furniture
and art.
‘Every object has its own story. The more objects
you have from all over the world, the more stories
you bring into your home.’
