love winter plaids. They are an absolute necessity in my home. Being of the shivery type, and having lived in hot South Africa for a few years, I am still not used to the wintry damp cold of The Netherlands. Up to now it hasn’t been too bad (thank you Global Warming), but I know that the cold rainy days are not far away.
home gym is ideal now that it’s getting colder outside. That’s right, if you want to be fit and toned next summer, now’s the time to start exercising (or so I always tell myself…). There’s a treadmill in my bedroom, some weights and a yogamat and that will have to do for now. But I keep on dreaming about one of these beautiful home gyms shown here, I’m sure I would be a lot more motivated if I had a gym like some of these… (yeah, right)
uilford Green is the new Color of the Year 2015 as revealed by US paint brand Benjamin Moore: “Guilford Green is the perfect thread to connect nature, spaces and interiors with color schemes that signify fresh energy and growth.” I must admit, I am not a fan….
lack and gold interiors are on the menu today. You could see them as a combination of my earlier posts on Copper Blush and Dark Decor. Combine the two and black and gold interiors is what you get. If done right, this combination can add instant warmth, glamour and drama to a space. If done wrong, it will add a tacky, kitsch vibe to a space, which you don’t want. Here’s a collection of examples of beautiful, stylish black and gold interiors done right.
he history of the famous Thonet chairs, begins with Michael Thonet, pronounced “Toe-net” (instead of “Tho-nay”). He was the founder of a building- and furniture workshop in Boppard, Germany in 1819. His unique success story began with the transition of manual furniture production to industrial production.
ucculents and cacti for interiors are all the rage right now, I’m not joking. With the revival of Mid Century design, these plants cannot stay behind. Ideal for frequent travellers and the one’s amongst us who do not have “green fingers” as they are hard to kill. These prickly beauties can go a long way without water or other love. I give my own Aloe Vera a cup a month (if I remember) and it’s still going strong. So skip buying a bunch of flowers next time, and get some of these instead!
s opposed to some of the ultra-chic interiors I like to post here, I am also drawn to the old-industrial vibe as seen in all those beautifully renovated old lofts. The nonchalant, innately cool mix-and-match, arty blend really speaks to me. Also, the visible ductworks and bare brick walls really add to the charm factor. These are places where real living goes on, spaces for creative minds, long diners with intellectual conversation and wild parties. If you are thinking of moving to a loft, let me point out some pro’s and con’s:
am so glad with this trend: velvet interiors. I see so many beautifully designed spaces where this rich material is being used. Velvet upgrades any piece of furniture to a higher level, thanks to its rich, luxurious look and feel. Velvet has a history that dates back thousands of years. Through the centuries and cultures worldwide, velvet was a highly prized material, often symbolised with wealth, power and royalty.
oday is the first serious cold day of Fall here in Amsterdam and it’s time for some Dark Decor. As the days get darker, so is my mood (not literally fortunately). But my eye is drawn more and more towards the cosy, dark moods seen floating around on the net. Dark decor, with grey or black walls (and even dark ceilings!) is the new white, if you ask me. So get some paintrollers and prepare your house for a dark, warm and cosy winter.
all has started, temperatures are dropping and wood stoves or fireplaces are taking a lead-role again this time of year. One of the benefits of a wood stove versus an open fireplace, is that wood stoves radiate a lot more warmth. That’s why you see a lot more stoves, as opposed to open fireplaces, in the colder countries in the Northern hemisphere (think Scandinavia, Canada).
