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The Ultimate Urban Oasis, in the Middle of Antwerp

We've long admired the work of the talented team of Megali Elali (writer) and Bart Kiggen (photographer), whose blog Coffeeklatch delights us with its intimate portraits of everyday life in Belgium.  So when Kiggen wrote to us recently to say the duo has launched a new online magazine "where we feature more everyday stories of people, places and stuff," we barely read past "and stuff" before we rushed over to check out their new site, All Items Loaded.

There we found the story of Wilbert, Johanna, and baby Sien, who live in a jungle—in the center of densely populated Antwerp. Their house, a 19th century maison de maître (a "master's house" or city mansion, with a private garden), is home to a garden grown wild, with vines creeping up indoor walls, a collection of cacti rescued from the streets, and a rooftop pond. "Once a year I prune the plants, and that's it," says Wilbert. 

Photographs by Bart Kiggen courtesy of All Items Loaded.

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antwerp urban garden by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: Wilbert, on the second floor, admires the trunk of the ficus vine that has wound its way up from the ground floor dining room.

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Vines grow up to the second floor Antwerp by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: Wilbert first lived in the house when he was a student; while renting a room from the previous owners, he helped them restore the interiors during his summer breaks. Years later, "when they told me they wanted to sell the house, my girlfriend Johanna and I didn't hesitate for a second. We bought it immediately," says Wilbert. "It feels good to be back."

Much of the house's original detail, including tiles and staircases, have been preserved.

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Ficus grows up a wall in Antwerp by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: Ficus, which frames a window in the dining room, has grown up the wall to colonize the terrace on the second floor.

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ficus growing up a wall to a second floor terrace in antwerp via Gardenista

Above: The path of the ficus.

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First floor outdoor dining room in Antwerp by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

 Above: The dining room is in the house's conservatory, with enough sunlight in winter to nurture succulents and cacti.

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Wilbert, Johanna, and Baby by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: Wilbert (L), Johanna, and baby Sien.

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Cacti on shelves in Antwerp by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: "Some plants that are here, we have found on the streen. I cannot stand to see that," says Wilbert. "Half dead plants? I have to save them."

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an old bathtub recycled as planter roof garden Antwerp by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: On the third floor, a vintage bathtub has been converted to a pond.

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Antwerp building covered by vines vertical garden by Bart Kiggen via Gardenista

Above: "In the beginning I wanted to add some changes, but in fact the house is perfect just the way it is," says Wilbert. "There's no way to make it better."

For another city jungle seen through the eyes of Kiggen and Elali, see Radical Urban Gardens in Antwerp.


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