"Chamber of Wonders"

For the Holiday pop-up "Chamber of Wonders", I sought to create a deeply intimate and enveloping scénography—one that felt less like entering a gallery and more like stepping inside a velvet-lined jewel box suspended somewhere between fantasy and memory. a treasure cove filled with perfectly curated treasures. Situated on Kloosterstraat, Antwerp’s celebrated destination for antique and vintage discovery, I had the pleasure of transforming a raw casco space entirely from the ground up, allowing every surface and atmosphere to become part of the narrative.

The intervention was intentionally immersive and theatrical in spirit. A deep burgundy carpet stretched throughout the space, grounding the exhibition in warmth and richness, while more than 200 metres of ice-blue velvet curtains softly enveloped the walls. Their heavy folds created a cocoon-like atmosphere that muted the outside world and invited visitors into a more intimate rhythm of viewing and discovery. The contrast between the saturated burgundy tones and the cool softness of the blue velvet lent the space a cinematic quality—both decadent and serene.

At the heart of the exhibition stood a long oval antique table in cherry wood, acting almost as a stage around which the entire composition unfolded. Objects gathered upon it in layered arrangements, encouraging visitors to wander slowly through the space and continuously discover new dialogues between form, colour, material, and scale.

For this holiday presentation, the focus intentionally shifted away from monumental furniture pieces toward a more delicate and personal curation of objects and artworks. The exhibition celebrated the charm of smaller treasures—pieces capable of transforming interiors through detail, texture, and emotion. Among the most anticipated highlights each year is the collection of handblown glass Christmas ornaments, uniquely crafted in whimsical food-inspired forms. Presented together in abundance, a table displaying more than 600 ornaments became a joyful centrepiece within the scénography. Throughout the duration of the pop-up, these delicate objects quickly dissolved into the hands of visitors, each piece finding its way toward new festive interiors and family traditions.

The presentation brought together a refined selection of artworks, vintage ceramics, vintage lighting, bespoke lampshades, vintage jewellery, and signature silk jewellery trays. Cushions, plaids, decorative objects, and carefully selected smaller vintage furniture pieces completed the composition, resulting in a richly layered environment where every detail, in true Maison de la Folie spirit, contributed to the overall atmosphere.

The Holiday pop-up unfolded throughout December 2025, on Kloosterstraat, Antwerp.

"Chamber of Wonders" - the making off: