Stories and Reflections

Eminent tastemaker Axel Vervoordt recounts the pivotal moments in his life that formed the foundation of his guiding philosophy and signature aesthetic.

Axel Vervoordt is one of the world’s foremost tastemakers. Revered for his discerning eye in art and interior design through a career that has spanned more than fifty years, he is renowned for his captivating minimalist interiors. An iconic figure at the most prominent international art fairs and exhibitions, he incarnates a singular philosophy for how to live with style. In Stories and Reflections, Vervoordt recounts stories about the people who have influenced him most throughout his life — his family, friends, artists, colleagues, clients, and unforgettable mentors — in this memoir that is personal, funny, insightful, and permeated with humility, wisdom, and lessons learned.
He reflects on the key moments in his life from childhood to the present — Rudolf Nureyev’s visit to the Vervoordt’s new castle, his youthful acquisition of a Magritte, discovering Japanese Gutai art, his legendary Venice exhibitions, and insights gained from artists such as Cy Twombly, Anish Kapoor, and musician Mstislav Rostropovich. He details his greatest successes, as well as his personal regrets, while offering first-hand insight into the work that has forged his reputation. A larger-than-life and inspiring man, this book offers snapshots from his life, which paint an overall portrait of his guiding philosophy.