Ideas how to use bench in your home.

Dream house in old factory

Lamps from natural materials

Did you notice a massive return of furniture, accessories and lamps made out bent wood ? You can find them in almost every interior brand from H&M home , Tinekhome or Bloomingville. Last year Piet Hein Eek designed the limited-edition range for IKEA called Jassa. A collection of furniture and homeware based on traditional Indonesian and Vietnamese crafts. Seagrass and water hyacinth alongside bent bamboo, all the items represent a fusion of handmade aesthetics and mass-production techniques. I see all these products as a part of the trend called - Scandi Boho Style. It is the combination of Scandinavian simplicity and brightness, and the creative and artful touch of the Bohemian style. The key to every bohemian home is the mix&match of unique finds, vintage and ethnic objects and original fabrics.  

Products made from natural materials fit just so perfect in this trend as they add a warmer and welcoming touch into a little bit cold Scandinavian white interiors. These lamps are also perfect if you love minimalism but want to add some more texture and soul into your home. 

Thank you for inspiration, 
picture credits : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 

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Natural & Green

Perfect for the Summer mood -  fresh and light interiors. 

All these arrangements make me feel so relaxed and comfortable. Light, natural materials with the touch of plants and greenery. What a beautiful simplicity! I think this way you can keep the summer inside for all year long, right? If you don’t like all white interiors so much, adding natural textures of wood and warm, cozy textiles will do the magic - believe me. I’m only not sure if I can let my two boys into such a crispy white and fresh spaces…. I can keep dreaming…

Thank you for inspiration, picture credits : 1 - 2 - 3 & 4- 5 & 6 & 7

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Out and About

Remember my first post about Friday’s ‘Out and About’ ? Each Friday we would like to go and discover some new places and recharge our batteries and get inspired. Today I would like to show you our last outing.  We went to Amsterdam, to see the fourth edition of pop up event called : The Loft. This event is created by interior design agency, with passion for design in the field of furniture, arts, accessories and curiosa. Everything in the space is curated with an eye for the smallest details. 

Directly from a busy street in the heart of Amsterdam we climbed the 3floor of the building to Enter The Loft. I wasn’t sure where to look! From the beautiful windows with views I could stare for hours - big garden behind the Amsterdam’s canal houses and on the other  site historical brickwork of Bijnekorf , the most prestigious warehouse of the city….then there was the loft. It belongs to  ‘Miss Bare’ as each pop up interior is dedicated to  an imaginary person. This time it was a divorced women, her kids lived already independent ( this we had chance to know during our visit). We really like the serene atmosphere and reach textures of all the minimalistic objects. My favourite was the contras between the dark, sleek kitchen with marble top, put next to the ‘imperfect’ and relax table set with chairs. The pictures above the kitchen made it very monumental, but the rustic and romantic table - softened the whole.  Living in one open floor plan with kids is not an option I think, but maybe one day we could move in such a relaxed and free space. I really would not mind. 

Pictures for the post from The-loft-pop-up and Rafa-kids. 

Living in an old school

I have  a new dream. I would like to move to a new place….and not just ‘a place’ I would mostly like to adopt an old school for a new home for our family. High ceilings, big windows and character of old details, it is something that speaks to me a lot. I’m showing you today an example of amazing adaptation of free standing school in the countryside close to Amsterdam. I’m not surprised that Viviën en Robin fell for this space and put all their energy to create this amazing 300m2 new home for their family. Pictures are made by Jansje Klazinga , styling by Suzanne de Jong. 

Thank you for the pictures: ensuus -binnenkijken-vtwonen-dorpsschool

I do not want to move out of Rotterdam, so I’m looking for an old school in our reach. Happily there are few projects run by city of Rotterdam including adopting old buildings. The old schools which are not in use any more are a great option for creating a new apartment for people who are looking for something unique. We already visited two of the schools and are so exited! …. Of course it’s a long and a challenging way to get it, but we are very determined. Hereby few pictures from one of the schools, we really like. 

Rafa-kids new shelves collection - PART 2 - shelf L

Today we would like to show you for the first time our

Rafa-kids L shelf. 

We designed this shelf with aim that it would grow with the needs of your child. At the beginning it could be used in a baby nursery above a commode. You can storage the necessary accessories on it and display special baby clothes. The shelf is deeper than our other shelves XL, M and S, so that you could even put little shoes on it for example. 

In a toddler’s room, L shelf would be a great help to display little toys and favourite wardrobe garments.  The L shelf is a functional and beautiful addition to our Rafa-kids collection. 

Like the other shelves, this one is also made from first class Finnish Birch plywood with metal elements. Powder coated steel rod is designed for hangers or clips. To make it even more playful we will introduce a choice of colours to these metal element to be combined with the L shelf in natural birch or full white finish.

We hope you like it as much we do! 

little break

I hope many of you already enjoy the holiday months …

Rafa-kids was working till now and prepared so many exiting things for you for the coming season. 

One of them will be a launch of a new Rafa-kids’ designs 

and attending the Maison&Object fair 4-8 September 2015 in Paris...

but first a little summer break with family and friends…

See you soon. 

photo © Paulina Arcklin | Zilalila Patch beanbag

Rafa-kids at ACTUS - Tokyo

It took me a long time to write this post, since I didn’t know where to start. 

I have a weakness for Japanese culture since my study time. I never had a chance to visit this amazing country, but I always knew it would come one day….Two years ago we had a special visit from Japan in our Rafa-kids’ studio.  ACTUS is a well known representative interior store in Japan, with 40 locations.  They were one of the first stores which imported Scandinavian furniture to Japan and collaborated with many European furniture brands. Their plan was to expand their collection of children's products and Rafa-kids was invited to take part…. We were very exited! 

The new store with design for children opened it’s doors last month. We could not be more proud to see our Rafa-kids’ beds standing in this fresh ACTUS store. There is no way, that we are not going to see it in real, maybe still this year….we will let you know!

NIDI - furniture for today's youngsters

Finally! For ages I haven’t seen such a fresh and brave children’s furniture collection. 

Please discover the new : NIDI Graphic Collection, made under the roof of  Battistella. Well known, family company which started in 1953, by Mr. Alfredo Battistella in Soligo, Italy. In 1963, the Battistella brand was the first to launch a line of children's bedrooms in laminate on the Italian market! Currently the innovative business is run by the founder’s son Mario. NIDI is a collection of children's bedrooms that combines play and design in the spaces dedicated to today's youngsters.

“ … Basic shapes and minimal design are the keywords of Nidi graphic world! 

Squares, lines and triangles give shape to Vanny, the geometric desk with secret storages,

 in all your favourite colours!..” 

Where do I begin my delight? The architect’s heart beat faster when I see a modern house like that, chosen for a photo session for a kids collection.  Open, big space with concrete walls and floors.  The furniture are designed with an appreciation for the modern aesthetic  with a twist. Contrast between raw concrete and red accessories make the space so playful and fool of light. Fantastic! 

info and photo’s via: busyboo