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. 

Magic Grey - Emsloo

Do you still follow many blogs ? I have only few very favourite ones. From time to time I discover a new blog and just dive into it. It happened to me with Blog - Emsloo. A magic countryside house in Sweden, with two kids playing around and talented mom capturing their every day life.This calm atmosphere is what I need from time to time, especially now actually in this hectic period. Many of you are probably also busy with festive season’s preparations so I will not take a lot of your precious time….

Lotta Agaton for H&M home kids

It doesn’t happened often that well known interior stylist is creating images for children’s products. Or I don’t know about it, since the names of the stylists are most of the time not even mentioned in the production photos. When I discovered that one of my all time favourite Swedish Interior Stylist Lotta Agoton, made sets for the new H&M kids home collection I just wanted to show it to you. Lotta works for world know companies like String or Bolia, and create work for advertising agencies and newspapers both in Sweden and internationally. Her work is very inspiring and always up front with trends in my opinion. 

This time we see her images created for “ Halloween “ kids party and decorated with textiles from Swedish giant H&M .  All the products are very bold and in simple three colours - black&grey and pink. Rugs, beddings and plenty of storage option - baskets in different sizes and colours. I really like the image with two girls , chilling in their beds.  A lovely mess and a “real” feel of how the children’s rooms normally look like….

Happy weekend! 

Personal treasures - Couleur Locale store

Do you remember my blog post about Bohemian vibe in children’s rooms?  One of the characteristic elements of this style, is to decorate it with unique, one of a kind, objects. Unfortunately not all of us can travel to find them in different parts of the globe and take them back home…but there are people which would love to do it for us!  Couleur Locale store concept is based on this nomad need of traveling and searching products which are one of a kind pieces. Don’t you like that? Each stool, lamp or even little bowl and basket tells a story…..and this can be found in Marocco, Kenia, Senegal …you can read more about it here. 

I really like this beautiful styling and pictures created by stylist Cleo Scheulderman 

and photographer by Jantje Jelmaat at the authentic Maroccan home transformed into a modern space. 

ZARA mini Autumn 16

I’m so exited to start a new week with pictures of new ZARA mini Autumn 16 campaign. 

Can you spot Rafa-kids new B Bench in there ? How cool is that! 

I was always a big fan of work of the Dutch stylists Jantine Vaartjes and Vivian Hoebe who are running unique studio April and May . It is not the first time that they work for ZARA - you can find the old post about it here. I think our new BB bench fits the minimal and warm look of the collection so well, enriched by using a simple elements. Photographed by BEELDSTEIL. I hope you are well and it’s going to be a good new week ahead of us. 

Visse Vasse - visual stories

Are you looking for inspiration to create a gallery wall at your home ? 

Well, I just discovered VisseVasse - visual stories website and I really like it. 

As you know me, I like products which will look great in kids’ rooms the same way they can be exposed in our living room. VisseVasse -  ring the bell! This Danish company was founded by Dorthe Mathiesen and Karsten Noel. They both have worked for the past 20 years in the field of fashion, production design and graphic design. In 2013 they launched Langebro the first city poster. With its references to 1930s poster artists and the mint/turquoise colours of the era, it set the tone for the upcoming collection of posters featuring landmarks from Danish and European cities…..can you find yours?  Please read all the story of the company here. My favourites are exclusive collaboration with photographers Vee Speers (Australia) and Dan Isaac Wallin . Only not sure if my boys would like them in their room, through…..

HAM at Molly Meg

Do you know HAM already and follow the life of a Rabbit? Established in 2011 , HAM has a growing range of cult animal motifs, all of which have been created by London based illustrator Jo Ham and brought to life by talented makers within the UK. 

This May HAM launches its brand new wall sticker’s collection at the London kids store, Molly Meg. Of course we know this great store and are excited to spot Rafa-kids furniture in their new campaign. Can you see our  R toddler bed in white on the new pictures? Thank you Clare Nicolson for the great styling and photoghtaph by Yeshen Venema.  That’s not all. To celebrate, Rabbit has taken over the facade of the building with a HUGE Superhero sticker. This Sunday, there will be a free daylong screen printing event with Jo and Sam at the Molly-Meg store. Please don’t miss it if you are in London! 

In-store Exhibition 9th May-20th June! 

You can join screen printing session this Sunday 15th May.

The workshop is free. 

Location: 111 Essex Road London N1 2SL

Inspiration : Scheltens-Abbenes

Remember, that some time ago I asked you what you would like to see more on my blog ? here in this post. Some of you suggested, that it would be interesting to know what inspires me. Well, one of the answers will be - other creative people. Working together duo Scheltens-Abbenes will be one of the top of my list. I just came across their house at the new ELLE Decoration NL and need to show it to you. It is 400m2 space, where this creative Dutch duo work and run a family life with their 2 children. Living and working with your partner, is exactly our life too, so I feel even more inspired.  Maurice is a photographer and Liesbeth is an artists.

“ … Rather than present an object in its original state, they arrange and meticulously photograph their subjects, which eventually take on the form of a new object all together. The innovative couple can be seen as the forerunners of the emerging still life trend and its presence in the fashion realm…”  

Their talent is highly appreciated by famous fashion houses, such as Valentino, Hermes, COS, Chanel, Louis Vuitton…..and many more! also magazines, such as Modern Design Review, Fantastic Man, The Gentlewoman or New York Times Magazine are anxious to collaborate with them. If you would like to know more about them, just step by Coffeeklatch for an interesting interview. What I like about their house, is the relaxed and cosy atmosphere, which is a bit opposite of the perfect and conceptual work they make for their clients. I wish one day, we could own such a space, when we could hold under one roof our creative and family life in such a great way.