EXPLORED_ Animaux Spéciaux in Leuven

animaux speciaux in leuven - by hannelore veelaert for au pays des merveilles-7

During our weekend in Leuven, my friend Paulien and I stopped by Animaux Spéciaux.  This beautiful shop had only been open for two days and owner Jeroen Lemaitre was still getting used to his new surroundings, moving things around, asking my friend to hold a stuffed parrot so he could screw it into the wall and discussing possible future alterations to the shop with us.  At Animaux Speciaux you can get a peek into the fascinating world of taxidermy and see Jeroen’s work and work process up close.  While stuffed animals might be seen as creepy curiosa by some, Jeroen succeeds to take taxidermy to a higher level.  With the right frames, backgrounds and sometimes even a layer of gold paint, he turns animals that would otherwise have died an inglorious death into intriguing pieces of art.  That’s right, most of these animals are either roadkill or died from disease or age.

It’s not a craft that is easy to start with, and that is what makes Animaux Speciaux such a fascinating world of its own.  Intrigued with framed butterflies, Jeroen learned how to treat insects through youtube videos.  Thanks to enthusiastic reactions from friends and family, his newfound hobby soon turned into a passion and he was eager to learn how to stuff other animals as well.  After his job contract ended, Jeroen decided the time was right to follow his dreams and landed an internship in the Netherlands with an experienced taxidermist.

Fast forward to the present and it’s clear that Jeroen has found his calling.  Although he finds it hard sometimes to sell his creations, he doesn’t hesitate to share his craftsmanship with others: on Sundays he teaches how to stuff baby ostriches.  Curious yet?  Have a look at the pictures below to get pulled into the Animaux Speciaux atmosphere, or head to Leuven to experience his world (including jungle sounds) for yourself.

Animaux Speciaux, Mechelsestraat 73, 3000 Leuven - website - facebook - twitter - instagram

Read More

EXPLORED_ Metafoor in Leuven

metafoor via au pays des merveilles-3

With all of its nooks and corners where you can hide from other bar guests, the Metafoor in Leuven easily makes you feel as if you’re visiting a friend’s place.  This pub is located around the corner of the busy Oude Markt, but feels much more laidback and relaxed than any place you’d find on Leuven’s most famous square.  The Metafoor is the perfect spot to gather your entire group of friends around a table, indulge in long conversations and try the wide variety of Belgian beers that they offer.  Locals love watching the people passing by from their terrace, spending a lazy afternoon playing boardgames or getting cosy into their sofa to read the newspaper.  It’s up to you how you want to spend your time here, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

Metafoor, Parijsstraat 34, 3000 Leuven

Read More

INSIGHTS_ Reinaart Vandersloten

insights_ reinaart vandersloten - hannelore veelaert for au pays des merveilles-31

Reinaart Vandersloten and I met during our architecture studies, but we only started talking when we were both at Interieur Kortrijk. At the time, I was an intern with Baroness O., while he was there to present his Space+ design, a multifunctional wall object that I was really impressed with. His beautiful design already implied that Reinaart had good taste, but I was still surprised when I first entered his apartment, which was filled with beautiful vintage design and interesting details. “Everthing you see has a story or a meaning.” Reinaart said, “It doesn’t exactly come together easily, as I’ll never just go to Ikea to buy a few lamps, but it’s a work in progress.” It might be a work in progress, but I just had to ask him to share his home in the Insights series.

Read More

COLLECTION_ plants

collection_ plants via au pays des merveilles

From your reactions to the posts in my “insights” series, it is evident that you love plant filled spaces as much as I do.  That called for some extra inspiration!  I’ve collected other beautiful collections of plants, ideas on how to incorporate them into your own interior and pretty plants that easily survive.  For more inspiration, take a look at my pinterest board here.

  1. Airplants and terrariums from phyt., get them here.
  2. Photographers and founders of Have a nice book Salva López and Yosigo combined plants with bricks and wooden crates in their home.  More photos by Silvia Conde and an interesting interview with the duo here on the freunde von freunden site.
  3. Amsterdam plant shop Wildernis, find out more here on the binti home blog.
  4.  Nicole Valentine Don posing with all her plants.  More photos by Luisa Brimble here.
  5. Macramé plant hangers from Modern Macrame, learn how to make them here or buy them here.
  6. Retro wire plantstands by Modern Amsterdam, get them here.
  7. Folliage wall by The Merrythought, more photos here.
  8. Backdrop with hanging glass jars and succulents, find out how to make it here.
  9. Loopholes by atelier belge serves as an awesome home for plants.  More info here. (photo: @estalldesign)

Bewaren

EXPLORED_ MDBK in Leipzig

MBDK in Leipzig - by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles

When I spent one – very hot – day in Leipzig, I wasn’t very well prepared as to what I wanted to see in this German city.  Luckily my travel companion and fellow architecture enthusiast Enya did her homework and she guided us to the city’s Museum der Bildenden Künsten, the MDBK.  While the collection wasn’t our cup of tea (we both prefer modern art, which was only a tiny part of the collection), the building by architects Hufnagel / Pütz / Rafaelian did leave a big impression on us.   With its impressive terraces and courtyards, the MDBK offers views to its surroundings that look like pieces of art themselves.  A must-see for every architecture lover who visits Leipzig!

Museum der Bildenden Künsten, Katharinenstraße 10, 04109 Leipzig - website

Read More

FRAGMENTS_ Karl Liebknechtstrasse in Leipzig

fragments leipzig - by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles-1

We only spent half a day in Leipzig, so I wouldn’t exactly call myself an expert on this German city.  However, Leipzig didn’t leave us disappointed.  Someone told me in advance that he absolutely loved Leipzig and felt that it was “the new Berlin”, where you could still feel the remnants of former Eastern Germany.  A few days later I set foot in Berlin for the first time, so it’s not that easy to compare, but I certainly recognized the contrast between beautiful lanes on the one hand and their grungier side streets on the other.  I didn’t take that many pictures, so I’m only sharing a few fragments of our one day stay here.  They give you a peek into the Karl Liebknechtstrasse, located in the upcoming Südvorstadt neighborhood.  With its colorful facades housing a mix of vintage shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs, it’s impossible that you’ll ever be bored here.  And if you have explored everything ‘Karli’ has to offer:  coffee bar Mein liebes Frollein, which I’ve blogged about before, is located in one of the sidestreets, and so is the Leipziger Hafenbar.  Running into their beautiful garden was a surprising sight in the city, and thus we enjoyed a refreshing drink there.  We didn’t take any pictures though, so you’ll have to experience this one for yourself!

So, did I convince you yet to visit Leipzig?  Personally, I wouldn’t mind to spend a few more days in this city and explore more of what Leipzig has to offer!

Read More

FRAGMENTS_ Schulz und Schulz

FRAGMENTS_ schulz und schulz - by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles-1

Strolling through the streets of Leipzig, Enya and I were quite surprised when we came across this beautiful St. Trinitatis Catholic parish church.  Intrigued, we entered this building by Schulz und Schulz and discovered its clean lines and wonderful light.  The perfect place for a fan of abstract architectural photography like myself.  You can find my photos below and for more information about the architecture, you can take a look at the Schulz und Schulz website here. 

Read More

COLLECTION_ prints & patterns

COLLECTION_ prints and patterns - via au pays des merveilles

After an intense Saturday (thanks to Horst Arts & Music festival), I want to do nothing but relax on this Sunday.  It’s the perfect day for spending too much time on Pinterest and drawing inspiration from images like these beautiful prints and patterns, for example.  For more inspiration, take a look at my prints and patterns pinterest board here.

  1. Flamingos by Abby Galloway. (full view)
  2.  Pattern sample, 2012 by Caitlin Foster. (full view)
  3.  Terrariums by Maya Bee Illustrations. (full view)
  4.   Windows by A pattern a day.  (full view)
  5. Synchronized Swimmers by Jeannie Phan. (full view)
  6. Black and white winter trees by Ashley G.  (full view)
  7. Cacti print from Dahl House interior. (full view)
  8.  Linocut print by the big harumph.(full view)
  9. Ladies at the beach by Danielle Kroll. (full view)

EXPLORED_ Mein Liebes Frollein in Leipzig

mein liebes frollein - by hannelore veelaert via au pays des merveilles-11We only spent one day in Leipzig (while on our way to Melt! festival), but we spent it well thanks to my travel companion Enya.  This girl did her research and guided us towards Mein liebes Frollein (among other things).  This place was supposed to be a beautiful coffee bar and it didn’t disappoint at all.  We spent some time sipping on our delicious iced lattes and enjoying the sun at their lovely terrace.  The weather was too good to spend time inside, but we couldn’t resist admiring the interior of this place anyway: filled with cute details and gorgeous furniture, Mein liebes Frollein made us feel right at home in the city of Leipzig.    Next time we’re back in town, we’ll definitely stop by again to put their food to the test (they offer breakfast, lunch and sweets), but as far as the coffee (and the interior!) goes, we fully approve.  See you next time, Mein liebes Frollein!

Mein liebes Frollein, Fichtestrasse 15, 04275 Leipzig - website - facebook - instagram

Read More

1 … 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 … 76