THE COUNT and COUNTESS OF ANSEMBOURG
IN THEIR IDYLLIC LAKESIDE MANSION NEAR BRUSSELS
A tour of the European aristocrats’ breathtaking Brussels mansion
Tucked away deep in the woods outside Brussels, the aristocratic Ansembourg estate is a hidden treasure. Like a landscape painting come to life, an elegant black-andwhite mansion stands amid terraced topiar y, a l l reflected in a shimmering lake.
Welcoming us to this lovely scene are the Count and Countess, Christophe and Gina d’Ansembourg, and their sons Antoine, Werner and Charles, descendants ofoneofLuxembourg’s most illustrious dynasties.
The couple are high achievers; Christophe works in finance and is a passionate racing car driver who’s won a few historic Grand Prix. Meanwhile Gina is an entrepreneur with her own natural, vegan, ecofriendly skincare brand, Delbôve Botanical Skincare.
Her love of nature is also on show in the flower- filled rooms here, whose colour, light and warmth evoke her birthplace in the Bahamas. Here she talks about the influence of both her Bahamian and British roots, and how her cultural heritage has helped shape this harmonious home. Where did you grow up, Gina?
“Between the Bahamas,
like an eclectic, exotic touch, because I don’t like the idea of my house being the same as anyone else’s’
Belgium and Britain. My mother is British and my father Bahamian. I was born in the Bahamas, then spent the first seven years of my life in Marbella in southern Spain, which is where my mother met my stepfather. I went to boarding school in Britain.”
How did you meet your husband?
“We’d known each other for a few years because we had lots of friends in common. Then one night we happened to kiss, and somehow a week later we were living together!
“Then a few months later, we were having lunch in the News Cafe in Miami Beach. We were surrounded by beautiful models, and it made Christophe realise how much in love he truly was with me, because I was the only person who mattered to him. So he proposed right then and there. It came as a total surprise to me. That was 29 years ago.”
Can you tell us about his family, the d’Ansembourgs?
“Christophe was born in Belgium, but his family is from Luxembourg and dates back to the 17th century. The family castle was built at the same time with a
‘ My sons are all
different but they
have a very strong bond and are the
best of friends’
Renaissance style in the village of Ansembourg, a few miles north of the [Luxembourg] capital.
“They were Barons initially, but in 1749 were elevated to the dignity of ‘ Count d’Ansembourg’ by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.”
Here in Belgium, do you miss the Bahamas?
“Well, I spent most of my youth in Europe, so I’m used to the cold. However, I do miss the beautiful turquoise colours of the ocean, especially the Exuma Islands and swimming in the crystal- clear waters surrounded by fish.
“The turquoise sofa and Janssen palm tree lamps in the living room are there to bring a touch of the Bahamas to my life here in Brussels.”
How would you describe your personality?
“I’m curious and adventurous, I love to explore new things. One of my passions is visiting sacred, mystical sites or places of prayer around the world. I love to discover ancient spiritual traditions, their wisdom and healing practices.”
“In my work life, I’m focused and I throw myself into achieving my goals in the most enjoyable and positive way I can.
“Even though I’m an extrovert who loves meeting people, I also have a solitary side that delights in spending time alone reading or meditating.”
You have three wonderful sons…
“I adore and admire them. They’re all completely different but they have a very strong bond and are the best of friends. My husband and I put a lot of time and effort into nurturing that connection and into making them feel happy and secure.
“The eldest, Antoine, is highly creative and loves philosophy, playing the piano and photography. He works as the marketing and communications manager for a brand of natural toothpaste, Lebon Oral Care.
“The second, Werner, is very knowledgeable and entrepreneurial, like his father. Ingenious and witty, he’s in his final year of university studying business finance. Both he and his elder brother share their dad’s passion for classic cars and racing.
“The youngest, Charles, is our tech expert, and is studying programming. He’s engaging and warm hearted, a keen athlete who loves chess and hopes to work in game design.”
‘ One night we happened to kiss, and somehow a week later we were living together’
‘ I really like the
glamour of the
Hollywood Regency look’
Since buying this house 25 years ago, have you altered the structure?
“It’s built in the Norman style and we have respected that. We extended it in 2013, with the help of Nicolas de Liedekerke’s firm Volume Architecture, adding wings and a hexagonal office to the original square house.”
How did you go about the decoration?
“I really like the glamour of the Hollywood Regency look. I worked with the designer Gert Voorjans, and it was a pleasure, because he loves colours as much as I do and has a natural eye and talent for combining them.
“I also like an eclectic, exotic touch, because I don’t like the idea of my house being the same as anyone else’s. With Gert, everything was made easy.”
The garden means a lot to you, doesn’t it?
“It’s my sanctuary. Every evening when I get home and come in through the gates, I’m infused with a sense of peace and calm. That’s the first stage of my transition from a hectic day at work to family life. It brings me such joy that I often think of it as the Garden of Eden.
“When we bought the house the grounds were in a state of neglect. They’ve been completely remodelled by landscape designer Michel Delvosalle. Each year we plant new
This cosy living room (above and right) is used by the family in winter, where they like to play chess and listen to Antoine play the piano. Flowers ( left) brighten the room in the summer – Gina
grows them herself year-round flowers, trees and bushes, and we’re able to include rarer species thanks to the advice of my mother-in-law, who’s a botanist.
“Then, seven years ago, we added the lake, which brings a whole new dimension and delight to the garden: ducks come to nest, a heron stops by to fish, the ever-changing sky reflects into it, my husband enjoys feeding the koi carp and I love to meditate at the lakeside.
“Since I adore flowers, especially roses, we grow our own supply of blooms year round. I think home-grown flowers have something poetic and wild about them. When it comes to flower arranging, I’ve learnt a great deal from Thierry Boutemy, who’s a real artist.”
Can you tell us about your husband’s profession?
“He started as a banker then moved into private equity. He is on the board of two major Belgian investment firms.
“He also owns a real estate group that’s active in the tourism sector, with hotels in Belgium and Portugal.”
His passion is cars and motor racing, isn’t it?
“He’s loved cars since he was little and was already driving around the family estate when he was 12. Later he started racing and collecting vintage cars, mainly Formula 1 vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s. He’s been competing in them for around 20 years now.
“He sometimes also takes part in modern races like Le Mans, in which he raced in 2020.”
And you have your own vegan skincare brand, Delbôve…
‘I worked with the designer Gert Voorjans and it was a pleasure — he loves colours as much as I do’
‘ Even though I’m
an extrovert who
loves meeting
people, I also have
a solitary side’