danish summer house

I'm crazy about the Danish summer houses. They are often black from outside, like the house we rented with friends. The houses are also integrated so well in the coastal landscape. It is mostly a bit hilly, so the architecture is hidden in the dunes, which looks so well and doesn't harm the nature. I haven't seen any high buildings or big hotels ;-) which is so common at the seaside of Spain or Italy. We did go to  Legoland with kids, who of course would like to stay there forever…so the nature is fine for a while, but they need some fun too ;-) I'm a city girl and such a calm holiday was definitely well needed. 

seaside

We chose to spend this holiday time close to the nature, and stay away from cities and tourist attractions.  We went to Sweden's coast and Denmark (close to Blåvand) 

I like the raw and calm landscape in time of the year so much. 

I just wish it would be a bit warmer and not so windy but it has it's charm….

especially when you get back to a warm house afterwords ;-) 

break

Spring is always very exciting for Rafa-kids. 

I am going off for three weeks to work on the last details of our new products. 

Its so great to visit factory and see the final prototypes. But its also about time to recharge. 

Clear my mind in scandinavian wind and enjoy family. 

See you over three weeks!

house in Japan

This Japanese house + studio is touching something in me. I don't know exactly what it is, but it might be the strong contrast between the World outside and the simplicity inside. I really like the first picture with the window….I wish to sit on this rug, and feel this space for a moment. 

I have a weakness for Japanese modern houses, becouse often its not so important what kind of furniture is inside, its more about the space. Architects are plying so well with differs sizes, hights, light and use of the natural materials inside the houses. My architect's heart beats faster when I see something like that. I dream, that one day I will visit Japan and see it on my own eyes.  

picture's via: house-in-shichiku-japan-shimpei-oda

tubabu stool - Martín Azúa

Something beautiful and simple to start the new week. 

Tubabu stool from Martín Azúa collection. 

The three legs are inserted in the seat 

and the footrest is attached by a twisted cord that makes the whole stool stronger. 

Perfect isn't? 

wooden wonderland

I'm never tired of a simple shapes. 

This set of 16 building blocks in beautiful colors is perfect for plying and for display.    

Wooden Wonderland is designed by Lee Storm for Hay. 

The sets come in two variation – “Rose” and “Green” , beautifully packed. 

 " Lee Storm has a playful approach to design 
and embrace colors and shapes as their inspiration and joy. "

Happy weekend ! 

histor - kinderkamer kleuren

It's a very quiet week on the blog. I don't feel very well since few days, and I try to limit my present in front of monitor… so here is just quick hallo from me, with some color inspiration. 

Histor is a Dutch company offering a big range of paints for interior. 

This is not a commercial post by the way ;-) I  like to look at this sort of companies for an inspiration, how to use colors in children's rooms. I was trying to convince my 7years old son for more " calm" and monochrome room color palette, but it didn't work out. He loves colors , so I made him happy and paint one of the wall in his room totally orange! ;-)

For more inspiration you can step by at my Pinterest : children-s-room-styling

photo's : 1/2/3/4/5

DIV with stylist - Cleo Scheulderman

New April vtwonen magazine is so good... I can't take my eyes from it.  Cleo Scheulderman is an Styling Editor at this Dutch interior magazine. In the last issue she proposed few simple DIV ideas for our homes. I like style of Cleo since a long time, and accully when I'm getting the mag, I'm always looking first if she did some work for this particular number. 

Her work is so inspiring… 

I'm especially attached to the natural and relax atmosphere she is creating in her work. 

all the picture"s  Alexander van Berge for April / 2014 vtwonen / styling Cleo Scheulderman

Mjölk

There is so many things which inspire and fascinate me and which I would like to show it here, 

and they are not really related with kids. It's difficult to keep only children design orientated blog , believe me.  One of my interest goes to Japanese simplicity and handcrafts. When I discovered the kitka blog I just couldn't leave this place….

John Baker and his wife Juli inspired by their travels in Scandinavia and Japan, established Mjölk 

: a gallery and furniture shop in Toronto, Canada. 

‘We realized there was something interconnected between these places…they are both cultures that celebrate things that are functional and modest. We try and find universal qualities and translate them to a western audience.’

photo's: Titus Chan for Ceral 

" Mjölk ( Milk ) pure, honest, end essential. 
Nordic design & Japanese handcrafts

room for sisters

I've noticed that there is many ideas for a single room for a child, 

but what happens if two kids are sharing one space ?

How we can keep it personal for each of them and at the same time create a unity ? 

Today I've made a little mood board for two girls sharing one room. They are sisters in similar age of 6-9 . I think It's good to buy the same big furniture pieces, like beds, storage, desks , and this will give the room a structure. With this good base, we can start to play with small accessories to express each child's personality. I really like this big letter shelves, which immediately personalize a corner of each girl.  We can also hang things above the beds: posters, drawings, dresses that the child likes and make the part of  the room more personal. Different bedding sets for each child, pillows,  will do the work too. Then will be good to devote a part of the room, which will be used 'together' . I've choose a tipi, but it can be a nice siting corner or just open space when the sisters can play ....

On the collage you will find :

two pictures from Lucille Michieli for milk Magazine nr. 43

 teener beds from Rafa-kids 

 white kabino sideboard - normann copenhagen 

 wall case in the shape of letter - minis 

acapulco chairs

bedding blue with dots : H&M 

pillows set blue & peach from Merci 

pillows in the shape of rain drop and roe : zü 

backpacks from herschel 

drop wooden wall hooks - normann copenhagen 

bed linen set nude -  normann copenhagen

tipi - nobodinoz

 girls dress from bobo choses

photo's 1/ 2/3