101woonideeen voor kinderen

The latest issue of the Dutch magazine 101woonideeen

 is bringing a big amount of color inspiration for children's rooms. 

My 7 years old son told me very recently that white, gray and black are the saddest colors on the planet! He doesn't really understand why our house is so monochromatic and why I paint all walls so dark gray. It was very confronting I have to confess. I do love colors, but not much in the interiors. I was trying to explain to my boy, that the white and gray are a good base to play with colors in his room…and when he got few new colorful pillows he was getting smile on his face. He announced : "colors make me happy" ! 

When I saw these colorful photos in 101woonideeen , I thought, yes some people do it so bravely and they go for such a strong yellow and neons , are you? I spot stars all over : on the wallpaper, bedding and floor…. 

photo's :  Sjoerd Eickmans / styling Kim van Rossenberg

Our boys' room was published in this issue, 

under instagram action run by the magazine few weeks ago! 

The one in the corner with the wooden bunk bed and some blue is ours ;)

Donna Wilson 10th Anniversary & New Catalogue

 " … 2013 marks the 10th Anniversary of the company 

that Donna started whilst making odd knitted creatures for her final show at the Royal College of Art..."

She never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be making weird knitted creatures for a living! 

Donna Willson runs a studio and workshop in London. 

Her team knit, sew, pack and send all the products to individuals and design shops around the world.

 If you are looking for something very unique, colorful and made with love, she is the one for you ! ;-) 

 Please welcome new friends in the family: monkey named Bruce, Belle the Bird , BiBi Bear and Smokey Cat. 

There is some new Gigant Turtle Floor Cusion, 

more beautiful luxury soft lambswool blankets and scarves with a graphic and colorful touch... 

You can see all the news: Donna_Wilson_Catalogue

We are just waiting for this great Rill too arrive to our home! ;-)

Zilalila

Happily we can still enjoy the last days of summer and a nice weather here. 

I have already started to look for some warm plaids and pillows for our house and Zilalila is one of my favorite brands since a long time. I was so happy to see their new photo session with kids involved. This great brand connects fair trade production with an artistic touch and beauty.  Sam IJsbrany and Anita Bokos are the creative duo standing behind it. Based in The Netherlands and all the products are made by women in Nepal. 

" ...One of the Zilalila production units has over 240 producers,

 benefitting over 2500 family and local community members.

The producers receive a steady income, health care & insurance, and low interest loans. Their children get free primary education and higher secondary school is sponsored for those unable to afford further education...."

Tiger rug

 “It is said that the tiger skin . . . 

creates anger and keeps the aspirant away from snakes, scorpions and other insects.”

I keep seeing the tiger rugs and please don't ask me why. I don't know.

 I like the modern black and white one designed by Dylan Mortorell  (first photo)  It would look fantastic in a child's room or in some monochrome leaving room. That's the best sign of a good design, in my opinion. 

When you type in google Tibetan Tiger Rug you will be surprised how many different ones there are. They mind be looking a bit 'scary' and have strong colors .  The tiger rug from House of Rym has something exotic and raw. Soft, comfy and unique is the white tiger rug from Romawinkel which is like a domestic friend. 

Poor Toys & Happy Toys

Two brands: one from Poland and other from The Netherlands. 

One called they toys " Poor " the other " Happy" .

 Do you know which toy belong to which name? I'm not going to tell you. 

What is so interesting for me, is the fact that they both used simple materials. Dutch brand Usuals has crafted a set of handmade wooden toys out of branches from a hazel tree that grows on the family farm of one of the designers. The brand was formed by design duo Van Eijk and Van der Lubbe. The other toys are coming from Poorex and they combine simplified wooden vehicles with household items such as a brush, a plug and a clothes peg. 

Do you like them ? 

BAWA table for children

If you are looking for some inspiration for a child room with workspace, 

please don't miss a new blog post at : handmadecharlotte. 

At least I don't have to do selection for you, because this is very nice one! ;-) 
made by Siham Mazouz from Frenchbydesign

My older son still have 1,5 week holiday before the school will start here. 

I just found this interesting set : table & 4 chairs & wooden blocks.

 It's not really a desk " back-to-school"  but a small, playful table for younger kids. 

It has the " back to basic " look and that's why I like it.  It is design by Klaudia Kuhn from Poland ,

 and named BAWA.  You can find more info at : Interiorrecords

I'm Back and Ferm Living AW13 Collection

Hello my dear readers after 3 weeks of silence. 

I've had a wonderful sunny and relaxed holiday's time and it's so difficult to get back to work. When I was checking internet today and looking what have happened during this 3 weeks time online, I just notice that summer feeling is slowly getting away and the Autumn/Winter trends will pop up now....

I was so glad to see the new Ferm Living AW13 Collection.  I really like the minimal and geometric look and calm and quiet scandinavian colors. Do you like the brown tones and mustard ? and what about cutting the wall paper and making some big collage on the wall out of it? There are new patterns added to their big wall paper collection, also new beddings and cushions…

just have a look at the new catalog : Fermliving - aw13_katalog

Summer Break

photo - Philip Newton 

Finally the warm and relaxed days so close by….

Tomorrow we are leaving for 3 weeks holiday and I just can't tell you how much I need it. 

We are going to see family and friends and enjoy being there for our boys. 

I wish you a fab summer, 

and I'll see you back here in a couple of weeks!

Bloomingville - teener room

Can anyone explain me why such an inspiring brands like Bloomingville  or House doctor  don't have a children room section?  ( happily there is a Ferm Living with a big range of products for kids  ) The companies would like to decorate our kitchens, living rooms , bathrooms and gardens and it looks like the children's room is kind of left over. We can just pick up few things from their collection and put them to a children's room. That's what I just did for this post. Betina Stampe (owner of the Bloomingville) has 4 daughters, so it's even more interesting there is not special girl department ;-)  but with a lot of pink and gold it is a very feminine collection (I think!) 

Today I'm showing you a new Bloomingville collection for fall/winter 2013 

where there is only ONE modern teenager's bedroom photo!  ;-)

For the ones who don't know the company. Bloomingville is a Danish brand established in 2000. 

It started with two people Betina & Simon Stampe, 

and grew into established company of 40 employes and 40 agents around Europe. 

 " The unique Bloomingville's style is a mixture of raw products with a nostalgic scandinavian twist and reproductions of fantastic pieces from times past inspired by French brocante " . 

You can watch the new catalogue here : bloomingville

Rafa-kids set F&A whitewash for two girls

I'm a mom of two boys, so probably subconsciously I go for more boys' style elements in our Rafa-kids design. If someone will ask me what girls have in their rooms, I will have to think twice, before I will give you an answer ;-) When I was a child , I was always playing with boys and I don't remember having any pink or princess time in my life. My mom was also pretty cool with making more unisex costumes for me. Accully I have always felt that I will have sons myself. 

So now, when I have to think about some ideas to decorate a girl's room with our Rafa-kids beds, it's not so straightforward. This is our first photo session with F&A beds in whitewash color. I hope you like it….

I was trying to imagine simple, beautiful design objects for a modern girl's room. The linen plaid (on the bunk bed)  makes it more soft and the coral color is so beautiful with blue. I'm such a big fun of Bloomingville plaid with crosses in neon. Soft and very comfy.  After Summer brake ( which starts for us on Friday and will take 3 weeks) I will come back to you with much, much more ideas to inspire you. 

Big thanks to Loods5 for support. 

If you like any of the products you can find them here in NL : 

 " Nobody chair " from HAY, Unfold pedant lamp black from MUUTO , 

milk small lamp, clock, cotton ball lights : all at Loods5

Pillows and blue plaid - Zara home

Plaid and pillow with cross pattern  Bloomingville at debijenkorf