Industrial Touch in Children’s room

Trip to Copenhagen and Høst

I’m just back from a little trip to Copenhagen where Rafa-kids furniture were presented at CIFFkids fair on the Fabelab stand. Any excuse is good to visit this beautiful city. It was such a fresh and cold weather and I managed to look around the center and step by some stores and coffee bars. One of my ‘must see’ visits this time was famous Høst Restaurant designed by Norm Architects. 

It is already 4 years old, and won many international design awards…but well, I wanted to see it myself. What I like the most is the combination of the imperfect materials like recycled wood, aged concrete, steel, next to some warm wool of the blankets, greenery and delicate modern light. The old wooden ceiling and the not perfect walls, give such a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. The neighbourhood is also nice with a big park, food markets and plenty of space to breath. Probably even more beautiful during warm days, when you can sit outside. I will be back! 

Photos from Norm Architects website / Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

IMPS&ELFS flagship store in Amsterdam

Last Friday I took a little trip to Amsterdam…the weather was absolutely wonderful, so I walked a lot ( 10km! ) but there is no regret. I always avoid the tourist hustle and go into more quiet parts of the city. This amazing first flagship store of IMPS&ELFS is a perfect example of a hidden diamond for me. Old garage, which is adopted to a boutique and a head office of the brand. The interior itself has all the original industrial elements which make the space so unique. 

The store was opened in 2007 by Fons Cohen who is founder of the brand, together with the creative director Jacqueline Streng . The first collection came in 1997, with a lot of dark grey and even black colours for kids! the name was Angels&Demons…which was very soon changed. The brand has had no success right away, but now they sold at about 500 high quality multi brand boutiques and department stores worldwide. They try to look from a perspective of a child….and like you can see on the pictures it doesn’t look like a kids’ fashion store at all, since IMPS&ELFS offer a wide range of kids’ deco products too. I just couldn’t leave the space….

pictures from  IMPS&ELFS store  in Amsterdam  / Sloterkade 41-44

Lloyd Industrials Rotterdam

Last week we bought two amazing lamps for our house. Yes, I am very proud of our new treasures… For the last four years I had to look at the hanging light bulb above my working space and in our library … but, you know, after having second child we had a bit different priorities. Now we are slowly getting back on track, fixing small things in the house that we never had time for before. It makes me very happy….

Coming back to these amazing industrial lamps. We got them from Lloyd Industrials, a starting business from our neighbourhood.  We both have our studio in the Hofbogen Rotterdam. All the lamps are coming from a factory in France and are brought back into their glory by hand. All the hard work is made with respect for details and high quality of the original, industrial design. Co-founder René has such a pasion and enthusiasm for his work, that taking these lamps to our house was definitely made with no doubts.