Out and About

Weekend! Last week we decided that our Friday’s are going to be “ Out and About ” . Each Friday we will go and discover some new places and recharge our  batteries and get inspired. Do you like the idea ?  Today I would like to show you our first outing.  We went to The Hague, since there is a 3 day event called “ Festival Design Kwartier” 27-29 May. Tomorrow you still have chance to see it if you are around. Open doors to designer’s studios, houses , galleries and shops all filled with design. 

On our ‘must see’ list was Tas-ka store. Unique design concept store hosting also products for MINI - people. 

Tas-ka is run by Jantien Baas and Hester Worst.  In the store you will find, their own design prints all over the place. From designed and manufactured in The Netherlands textiles, their bedding, bags, cushions, tea towers. Their print comes on lamps and plenty of beautiful paper goods too. Jantien and Hester also carry a well curated collection of goods from other brands. Exclusively for “ Festival Design Kwartier” we could see this cute mustard yellow exposition wall with accessories for little ones. There is also a bookstore !  As you could see the store has a minimal look with a graphic touch. Atmosphere is built with care for every little element and product. Well done, Tas-ka! 

pictures> Rafa-kids

Olive Loves Alfie - London

We are very exited to receive a fresh press material from children’s store Olive Loves Alfie in London.  

9 years ago they opened their first store dedicated to kid’s world and last year they have launched a new store Olive Loves Alfie East in London's newest postcode E20. Perching on the edge of the Olympic park they have found an urban idyll. The store is run by interior design lover Ashlyn Gibson , creative director of two interior books. I presented you one of them here:  Creative childrens spaces. 

Don’t you think our Rafa-kids R toddler bed look so representative and beautiful ?   If you are in London, now is the chance to see and touch our furniture in this inspiring space. We could not be more proud. Please have a look for more details:  Olivelovesalfie. 

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. 

Balouga kids store in Paris

I can’t believe I made my first post about children's shop in Paris called Balouga in September 2011! That’s a long time ago. I visited the store and really liked the collection, which is in short : an heaven for kids' design lovers. The only thing I missed at that time was a bit  more organized interior.  How great is to see now, that the shop changed the location and the space is much bigger and finally all the beautiful design product got some air and are well exposed . Congratulation Balouga . 

photo credits: Balouga lookbook, October 2014, styling C. Huguet © Julie Ansiau

place - Couleur Locale in Knokke

Last weekend we made a little trip to Belgium. 

One of the reason was the curiosity how the Couleur Locale store in Knokke looks like and how  Rafa-kids' bed feels out there . I met Ruth, the founder of the store during a photo sesion at our studio for  Happy Lights some time ago, remember this post  Happy lights kids E-catalogue ? 

 We were so surprised to see our A teen bed standing in a front window! and then discover this charming store. What a great mix of modern design, special objects from travel journeys of Ruth and her partner, and then also a bit of products for kids. The happy lights lamps give the store such a colorful vibe and positive energy! 

The street was so busy and packed that we escaped to the  beach pretty fast, 

which is just around the corner,  with the best ice cream ever for our kids. 

COS beauty in simplicity

When I read this article at : Independent magazine about Cos, I decided it was really time to see the shop in real. Since we have one in Rotterdam it wasn't that difficult. Their concept appeals to me so much. I'm into minimalism in life at the moment, and wish to reduce things around me at home and also in my garments. Their clothes are of great quality for a reasonable price. 

COS say them self :  "To play with volume and proportion, rather than follow fashion trends. We have always hoped to create styles that last beyond the season." 

Yes, I really appreciate it, and I see that their style is inspired by architecture, graphics, design and arts. The shop itself, looks so stylish and minimal too, all the staff wears black, and they pack your clothes beautifully, a real pleasure to step by. You can find them in R-dam at : Karel Doormanstraat 278. 

The COS website is beautiful too, and don't miss the section THINGS, 

with minimalist products and architecture - so inspiring. 

Cos Pop-up shop for Salone del Mobile, Milan via: retaildesignblog

Groos - design from Rotterdam

I stepped by new concept store GROOS last week. Happily I live not so far away from it so it was really time to have a look.  If you will visit Rotterdam , it's just few minutes from Central Station. Here you can have a small bite of design scene from Rotterdam. All products in the store are designed by people leaving in Rotterdam and now on display in this hip new place. In this concept store you will find design, art, clothes, books and music. Definitely great place to find unique gift and not standard object. I really like the atmosphere of the shop and displaying objects by colors. Do you like the idea of having a store supporting local designers? I do!  I hope it will be not only attractive for tourist visiting Rotterdam, but also will be supported by local customers. 

Bonbon on the block ❤ Dads

BonBon on the block is a Kid's Concept Store, run by Marieke and Lenny in Rotterdam. Few days ago they presented their brand new campaign BonBon on the block loves dads - and I think its amazing!  After 3 years of running the shop the ladies were hungry for some change and searched for a way to show their collection.  Six homes, six dads who were portrayed by photographer Jan Bill. The kids were dressed by her stylish fathers, using all the clothes and accessories collection from BonBon on the block. The images are just wonderfully playful and natural, made with a great sense of humor an stylish atmosphere.  BonBon on the block is a shop with a great eye for trends and I think they just brought their shop into the next level! Well done!  

Enjoy the great look book of BonBon on the block ❤ Dads 

and of course step by the shop : BonBon on the block.  

founded via lillelykke-kids.blogspot.nl