Flamant at the Pjazza Tigné, The Point was launched several weeks ago. I received an invitation to the launch but was not quite sure what to expect. Was it a new food store perhaps, more curtains, more lingerie, a restaurant? Well, I soon found out that it was, I suppose what you would call a lifestyle store which, at close quarters, looks like a sophisticated  Ali Baba's cave, without Ali Baba.

Now, I am no lover of modern furniture. To me, it all looks the same and by and large has no character compared to old pieces. But this was different. Everything in that shop had character. This was an encounter of the classical and the modern. There was somehow a feeling of familiarity about everything in that shop.

I struck up conversation with a Belgian who was well informed about the brand. But he had one of those impossible names which I no longer recall. He told me that Flamant has existed for some 35 years. It started with an antique shop in Geraardsbergen. The son of the owner, Alex, who worked in his father's shop, upon being approached by several customers seeking multiples of a hard-to-find chair, decided to find a way to source and reproduce the chair himself. "The end result was a quality reproduction that emulated the artisan techniques and premium materials of the original. It was that first design project which spurred the original idea behind the Flamant brand: the reinterpretation of antique furniture and decorative objects, with care for master craftsmanship, beautiful materials and enduring quality. This concept constitutes the leitmotif in all Flamant collections, and serves as the framework for the brand's international development," the knowledgeable Belgian told me.

I looked around. Most of the pieces I saw were desirable. This was not just modern, cheap stuff made to last for a few years. These pieces had quality and style. And seemed ever so solid with some very fine details.

Flamant is a luxury lifestyle brand and the collection at The Point features updated classics and antique reproductions that look authentic. Each piece is created with respect for artisanship using natural quality materials sourced from small workshops all over the world.

And it is not only the furniture which is so desirable. I loved the woven baskets of all shapes and sizes. They are not 'rough' like the ones I used to buy in Africa, they are properly finished and have character. Then there is the wicker furniture. The Chinese in Mauritius used to make some fine wicker furniture and I have kept a couple of pieces. I wondered where Flamant had had these pieces made. I liked their design.

Then there are the carpets, the lamps, the lighting and those huge green leaves which would immediately transform a room into a conservatory. You look at them and you feel cool. Not to forget the huge bunches of golden-brown leaves which immediately bring to mind cosy autumn days.

The pottery, the framed pictures the tables and chairs... the shells and white coral... whether this is the real thing or not I do not know but it looks beautiful. Flamant gives you the comforting feeling of shelter and protection of a family home. The Belgian gave me some more information: "That feeling of coming home is the quintessence of Flament. We recreate that essence of 'home' by reinventing the past and adapting it to contemporary standards, with authenticity, harmony and hospitality as our core values and family traditions as a main source of inspiration."

I also discovered that the chef who was providing this delicious food was Belgian, Burt Saive of Marcel's Kitchen which is an outside catering business. Everything served was Flamant (remember the Jacques Brel song Les Flamandes?) including the Belgian craft beer but the wines were French - courtesy of Louis Eschenauer and So Good. The chocolates were obviously deliciously Belgian.

I went back home and thought it is such a pity that I was too old to put everything on Malta Park and start all over again.

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