Toys and kids rooms are often missing from house tours, but lifestyle journalist and young mother Joni Vandewalle was determined to prove they deserve the spotlight too. She collected twenty playful interiors from all over the world in the book Let’s play house. In these homes clutter creates atmosphere, toys and design are interchangeable and creative storage solutions are key. The book Let’s play house is a must have for parents and parents-to-be and a very early Christmas gift idea from me to you!
It’s no secret I love a good interiorbook, so you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to contribute to one! Joni and I met when I asked her to be part of my Insights series. Back then, she was living in a rental apartment around the corner of the home she was renovating. We chatted about her love for vintage, color and flowers and we’ve been collaborating regularly ever since. Our most exciting collaboration is definitely this book, for which I shot all of the Belgian homes!
With the holidays approaching rapidly, a little Christmas inspiration is in order! As some of you may know, I’m always spending the holidays in Portugal, which means that a Christmas tree seems like too much of a hassle. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t like to get my home into the holidays spirit! In this blogpost I’ve collected all kinds of inspiration, from gift wrapping ideas to alternative Christmas trees and from DIY ornaments to festive decoration ideas. Have fun and if you do try one of these, don’t hesitate to send me the result in a DM! I’d love to see what you come up with…
Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping a gift in a reusable material, such as a linnen napkin, or leftover cloth which can be used again and again. It’s a no waste approach to gift wrapping that looks good and feels good too! Learn how to do it here.
Can’t find the kind of ornaments that you’re looking for? Then why not make them yourself! Molly from Almost Makes Perfect explains how to make these hand ornaments yourself here.
This yarn and eucalyptus wall hanging by Poppytalks looks (and smells!) especially great during the holiday season, but you can definitely keep it around a lot longer. Discover the DIY here.
Not quite ready to dress your home in green and red? Try this subtle dry flower wreath by Paper & Stitch here.
If you’re in it for the ornaments but not quite for the tree, this image by Sostrene Grene is a good solution. A bare walls and some washi tape is all you need.
Ana Morais elegantly combined dry flowers, brown craft paper (the most sustainable option when it comes to gift wrapping paper!) and furoshiki to wrap her gifts. For more images of her excellent gift wrapping skills, look here and don’t forget to swipe.
This wall hanging is the solution for those who don’t have enough space for an actual tree. Find the DIY by Almost makes Perfect here.
Abi from These Four Walls combined paper decoration and a foraged brand for a minimal and elegant christmas arrangement. Have a better look here.
Zwoste used pine as tassles in this cream catcher, making it the perfect addition to a boho home for a subtle nod to the holiday spirit. Read more here.
While we’re spending money on Christmas presents for our loved ones, we might as well make sure they’re not the only one benefiting from our gifts, right? My first choice always goes to local, sustainable, second hand, made by a small business or an experience instead of something materialistic. To help you a little on your hunt for the perfect gift, I’ve kept every budget in mind and collected nine ideas that are designed and/or made in Belgium or are Belgian initiatives. Need more inspiration? Make sure to dive into my archives. Happy shopping!
The elegant, timeless and practical Mariko handbag by Lies Mertens, made out of bio leather and built to last. Get it here. For a more affordable design, discover the wallets (one of which is named after me!) in her Antwerp boutique.
Corian disk earrings by Anna Rosa Moschouti, made out of surplus materials from kitchen and bathrooms. Buy them here.
Silkscreen print based on Michael Graves’ resort in El Gouna, handmade by Astrid Nieuwborg. Order it here.
Stained glass mirror by GLASenGLAS, available in different sizes and colors. Find it here.
Terra table lamp, originally a handmade gift from Antwerp based Lauren Van Driessche to her partner, now (thanks to Serax) available for us as well here.
testhereThese These vintage vases are just one of the many treasures sold by Orence store. Second hand is the most sustainable option and budget friendly as well! Find them here.
The museum pas, which gives you one year of free access to more than 150 Belgian museums. Bonus points if you give a pair to a couple, or give yourself one as well: one year of cultural dates guaranteed! If you order now, you can get a limited edition that features De ijsvogels by Emile Claus. Discover it here.
Mambo baskets is a Belgian based company that sells baskets made in Kenya, by women who are now able to send their children to school and pay their medical bills. Get them here.
A flower subscription is a gift that keeps on giving. For Antwerp locals, I recommend Wilder, a flower subscription that follows the seasons, bringing you long lasting dried flower bouquets during winter. Read more here.
The end of the year is approaching and thus it’s about time I shared some gift ideas with you. Up first, nine books that will make your fellow (interior) architecture lovers swoon. From monographs on renowned architects to collections of inspiring interiors, there’s something for everyone with a heart for design in here.
“Ricardo Bofill, visions of architecture”, a monograph on the iconic Spanish architect known for surreal and poetic spaces and one of my personal favorites! Buy it here.
“Think Radical Vintage” is another book in the inspiring “Think…” series, this time featuring interiors that combine vintage design in the most interesting ways. Get it here. (By the way, you can already get a sneak peek of that cover interior on the blog!)
“Vincent Van Duysen, works 2009-2018” is already the second book of one of Belgium’s most renowned architects. With pictures by Hélène Binet, one my favorite photographers, this one is an absolute gem. Order it here.
“Vincenzo de Cotiis, works” features the Milanese architect and artist who is always exploring the ambient tension between crumbling antiquity and futuristic minimalism. Find it here.
Gio Ponti is considered as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and a great source of inspiration for Vincenzo de Cotiis, so his monograph “Gio Ponti, archi-designer” had to be included on the list. From architecture and furniture to installations for private homes or public buildings, this book is brimming with inspiration. Click it home here.
In “Axel Vervoordt, interieurportretten”, you’ll find 17 projects by the Belgian art collector and interior designer. FYI: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are already fans… Buy it here.
“Wild at heart” is the second hook of the duo behind Coffeeklatch, this time focusing on beautiful homes that are shared with pets. For sale here.
Vincenzo de Cotiis’s other architectural hero couldn’t be excluded from this list either. “Carlo Scarpa, architecture and design”, covers all 58 of his structures. Get your hands on it here.
Norm architects and Kinfolk joined forces for “The touch: spaces designed for the senses”. The book features beautiful homes, hotels, museums, and retail stores from contemporary designers by Ilse Crawford and Bijoy Jain to classic cases by Arne Jacobsen. Discover it here.
Because you all seemed to love last week’s post about my new bedroom interior and the accompanying Ikea Ivar hack, I’ve collected eight more ways to customize the popular storage system. The options to adapt the Ivar cabinets to your wishes appear to be endless: you can hang them or add legs to them, paint them in a contrasting color or give them the same tint as the walls, dress up the doors and add door knobs or leave them plain and let one element shine or combine as many elements as you like. See, I told you options were endless! I’ve collected a few examples, some super simple, some a little more challenging, that I hope will inspire you to make the Ikea Ivar cabinets your own!
Exploring cities close to home might not sound that exciting, but it’s something I’ve always been a fan of. Spending a few days in a city that’s only a train ride away, to catch up with old friends and discover the city’s newest additions… Sign me up anytime, really! Staying in a beautiful hotel or holiday home brimming with interior inspiration is the cherry on the proverbial cake if you ask me. To convince you to take a city trip in Belgium for a change, I’ve collected nine places to sleep all over the country. Ranging from luxurious hotels to affordable Airbnb’s, there’s surely something for everyone here. (By the way, if it’s your first booking on Airbnb you can get a discount through this link.) If you just can’t get enough of this list, I recommend you to take a dive into my archives for a lovely cabin in the woods and stunning B&B’s in Bruges and Knokke-Heist.
Rooftop loft with a fantastic view over Brussels, book it here.
One of my favorite examples of Belgian architecture, the brutalist home designed by Juliaan Lampens. Make your reservation here.
Cosy room in a bright and airy house in Ghent. Tested and approved by yours truly! Arrange your stay here.
The Boho Cave in Rica Guesthouse brings Ibiza vibes to Ghent. Make sure you check out their Apollo Suite too! More info here.
The architects of Blancooo hosts no less than three holiday homes in Antwerp, all impeccably decorated with young Belgian designers. Discover them here.
You might never want to leave Bea b&b on the Belgian seaside. It’s ran by interior designer Bea Mombaers so expect to be wowed! Book your stay here.
Graanmarkt 13 is not only the home to a mouthwatering restaurant and a beautiful shop, but it’s also a gorgeous holiday home, designed by famous Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen, for 6 people in the center of Antwerp. Find more info here.
Clouds 9000 is a coffee shop meets webshop meets b&b in a former chapel on the outskirts of Ghent. Make your reservation here.
Hotel Pilar is the place to sleep in the South of Antwerp, while simultaneously taking care of your food and shopping cravings. Discover Pilar here.
Now that I’m making big changes in my apartment (more on that later!), I’m constantly on the look out for affordable solutions that will easily help me give my interior a unique touch. Reminding myself that everything looks different with a fresh coat of paint is one approach, scouring the internet for interior DIY’s is another one! Since I have a hunch that you too might be interested in my favorite finds, I’ve collected my most recent discoveries in this blog post. Curious for more? Have a look at my archive or Pinterest board then!
Real homes are an endless source of inspiration for me, and with a little help from Studio Scott I’ve collected nine of those in this blog post! Studio Scott is the place to be for unique locations for photo shoots, film sets and events, but even if you’re not scouting locations or occasionally want to rent out your own home, their website is worth checking out. With over 400 very divers locations, there’s no doubt you’ll find some interior inspiration there! I’ve gathered nine of my favorites here, but you might want to have a look at their website or Instagram account for more! You might even spot a few that I shot for the blog in the past…
When talking about interior trends in 2019, handmade ceramics is one that you cannot miss. I’m not usually one to follow trends (I prefer to buy things that I will love for a long time, more on that here), but buying objects made with love by talented designers is something I can get behind. These items might cost a little bit more than your average coffee cup or teapot, but if you look at them as functional pieces of art – they are pretty affordable. I’ve collected a few of my favorites from local and not so local artisans, but if you can’t get enough: have a look at my pinterest board! You can already find one of these designs in my home (can you guess which one?), but looking at these, I might have to add a few more…
It wasn’t my intention to devote this post to just one colour, but when I started collecting beautiful interiors of cafés, it quickly became clear that pink’s moment is not quite over yet. During my search I bumped into every possible shade of pink, from subtle blush accents to full on millenial pink interiors. Have a seat and enjoy this dreamy trip around the world with me!
Art nouveau meets the seventies in Louie Louie. The French inspired American bistro is located in Philadelphia. See more of the design by Rohe Creative here.
For pizza in a pastel interior, you need to go to Toronto’s True True. Find more images of the design by Pencil here.
Inspired by 70s pools, Pink Pool café in Seoul is sure to welcome you with a splash. Check out their instagram for more photos.
The Budapest Café in Chengdu, China, is inspired by Wes Andersons’ film The Grand Budapest Hotel. Discover more photos of this coffee bar designed by Biasol here.
Sketch in London is probably the most famous place on this list and the OG of pink interiors. Discover the restaurant designed by India Mahdavi here.
Nude is Kortrijk’s place to be for casual food and fancy cocktails. Have a look at their instagram for more images.
Pastels meet minimalism in Vacation café in Melbourne, designed by local studio Therefore. Find more photos here.
Willmott’s Ghost is located inside The Spheres (a trio of plant-filled glass orbs) at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle. See more of the project by Heliotrope Architects here.
Copper in Antwerp is an excellent occurence of #plantsonpink and was designed by the owner herself. See more on their instagram.
Now that 2018 has come to an end, I wanted to wish you all a very happy New Year and collect the best of 2018 on Au pays des merveilles. Looks like you’ve been particularly fond of peeks into my apartments and beautiful places to stay! In terms of my home, I’ve got good news as I’m excited to share more of my home in 2019. When it comes to beautiful hotels and guesthouses… I’ll see what I can do!
In case you’re a brand new reader, I’ve also collected some of my most read blog posts ever. For extensive city guides and inspiring insights into creative twenty-something’s homes, have a look below. As my New Year’s resolutions, I solemnly swear you can expect more of those in 2019 as well… See you soon!
With the 25th approaching, of course I couldn’t stay behind with helping you pick the perfect gifts for your loved ones. So here’s my last minute gift guide, featuring everything from young designers to wellknown brands. With prices starting at €20, there’s something in here for everyone. Happy shopping!
Snug candle holder (available in different colors) by Sanna Volker, find it here.
Art cheques from kunst in huis – a subscription to their library of art. Find the campaign I shot for them here and (featuring enthusiastic clients) here.
CMMC bag with a limited edition print by Lies Mertens. Get your hands on it here.
Bow earrings with hoops by Barelli Manon. Discover them here.
This blogpost contains affiliate links, however, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting partners that allow me to provide you with new content!
You might have caught me crushing on my brand new dining table if you follow me on Instagram, but there’s just one eyesore left that is keeping me from considering my dining room finished. At the moment I have only four chairs, one of which I found on the streets and has no proper seating. The other three beautiful hand-me-downs from my grandfather’s aunts, but since I’d like to sit more than three people at my table at the same time, I’m in need of something new.
When it comes to my interior, I want to create a space that feels both minimalist and cosy, mixing rough materials with soft textures and vintage pieces with modern design. Exactly the kind of interiors that are featured in Piet Swimberghe and Jan Verlinde’s brand new interior book, Think New Modern. This addition to their series of interior books features a few of my favorite Belgian architects and thus I could not resist adding it to my book shelf. It’s filled with soulful interiors that mix bohemian with minimalism in an effortless way, making me want to move in ASAP. In this blogpost, I’ve collected a few interiors from the book, accompanied by inspiration from the world wide web that feature the same clear lines, sober colours and rough materials. Do you want more? Get your hands on Think New Modernhere or have a look at my Pinterest.
One of the reasons I moved to my current apartment, is the extra room that I could turn into a home office. I was tired of working from my dining table and the constant mess I was creating there and felt that a seperate workspace would not only increase my productivity but also make my sparetime around the house more relaxing. Also, what’s not to love about another room to decorate… Soon I’ll show you this new atelier of mine, but for now I’m leaving you with a ton of home office inspiration.
You may or may not know that I try to live my life as sustainable as possible. I don’t eat meat or fish, rarely cook anything other than a plant-based meal (get yourself one of these cookbooks if you’re curuious), prefer public transport over cars, compensate my carbon footprint through Treecological whenever I take a flight, avoid plastic bags and take the production process into consideration whenever I buy something. That’s why I switched to Method‘s cleaning products. Made out of natural ingredients only and wrapped in 100% recycled plastic, Method doesn’t consider sustainability a trend but a necessity. No green-washing here, these products are actually people and planet friendly.
This week, Irene Schampaert and Judith Baehner launched Wonderplants 2, another book filled with urban jungle interiors and tips on how to keep those plants alive. As I’m a big fan of both beautiful books and luscious plants, I couldn’t resist rounding up some Wonderplants inspiration in a COLLECTION blogpost. You’ll discover a few that are also featured in the book, two interiors that are part of my INSIGHTS series and lots of inspiration from the world wide web. Can’t get enough of these green interiors? Get the Wonderplants 2 book here!
Architect Anouk Taeymans‘ lovely interior, shot by Jan Verlinde, is also featured in the book. Get a sneak peek here and stop by her open days and stock sale next weekend if you like her style. (I know I do…)
Wonderful livingroom. (source unknown, please tell me if you know the author of this image)
The home of fashion designer Paloma Lana (from the appropriately named label Paloma Wool) is another interior that is featured in the Wonderplants 2 book. Find a sneak peek of her home, shot by Cesar Degarra, here.
Sofie Vertongen introduced the air plants in Belgium with her webshop Phyt and runs a very successful plant shop called The Plant Corner. I featured her interior on the blog a few years ago, you can find it here.
Clapton Tram is a plant filled film & photography daylight studio, based in a Victorian historic tram depot in London. Shot by Haarkon here.
Lovely dining room shot by Caro Langton & Rose Ray, see more here.
Snapshot from Jeannie Phan‘s beautiful studio. Find the full size image here.
Plantlovers Miguel and Lisa’s apartment in Brussels, get all the insights here.
Lannoo kindly gifted me a copy of Wonderplants 2. However, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting partners that allow me to provide you with new content!
Since I moved from Leuven to Antwerp, five years ago, I’ve changed houses quite a few times. First I lived in this room, in a house I shared with 4 others in the lovely Zurenborg neighborhood. After two years, I felt the need to live on my own and moved into a small studio in the same neighborhood. Less than a year later, my landlord decided to renovate the building and I was yet again in need of a new home. I ended up in the lively neighborhood of Borgerhout, in a slightly bigger apartment, with high ceilings and marble mantelpieces. I loved this apartment, but it felt a little bit small for my interior experiments and I couldn’t get over the vinyl flooring with a fake hardwood print, a feature I decided to overlook since I was in need of a new home urgently. That’s until my neighbors from across the hall let me know they were moving out of their apartment. When I had a look around, I fell head over heels in love. This place had the same high ceilings and marble mantelpieces that I loved so much, mixed up with hardwood floors, rooms that were much more spacious, an extra room that I could use as an office and an adorable balcony. At a fairly reasonable price, the decision to move across the hall was made in a heartbeat.
So, a few months ago I moved into this new apartment and since then I’ve been collecting interior inspiration, moving things around and eyeing new pieces. In my previous, smaller apartments, I had to choose furniture carefully, letting some pieces shine while others blended in, in order for the result to be balanced. In my current home, it’s an entirely different story. It’ll take a little while before I can show you the entire apartment as some rooms are more finished than others, but if you would like to see more images of my previous apartment in the meantime, let me know in the comments! For the time being, I’ll keep moving things around, saving money for new furniture and daydreaming of this collection of interiors, where interesting pieces of furniture take the center stage.
Designer Antonio Sciortino‘s home photographed by Serge Anton for, more images here.
Source unknown, please let me know if you know where I can find more info about this gorgeous space! View the full image here.
Architect Ricardo Bofill‘s home and studio, also known as The Factory. (Photo courtesy of Ricardo Bofill.) See more of his work here and discover the rest of The Factory here.
Last Sunday, I shared some INSIGHTS into the home of visual merchandiser Line and product designer Ben. Needless to say: these two live in a home that’s styled to perfection. How did they do it? Two things come to mind when trying to describe this couple’s interior: plants and lots of deco. Line’s soft spot for carefully curated corners comes with the job, so it’s no surprise that she’s gathered many deco items over the years. The pieces she’s hunted down with determination (the posters of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola come to mind) combine beautifully with her accidental finds (like the bar cart she’d been dreaming about, which she finally found on the street) and form picture perfect settings in every corner of their home. Intrigued? I’ve collected a few items that’ll help you do the same, as long as you have fun with it!
Pikaplant, get it here with a 5% discount code if you use the code AUPAYSDESMERVEILLES.
Although I still love a beautiful marble print, terrazzo has slowly but surely been taking marble’s place as the go-to print for interior fanatics. The composite material of stone or glass chips mixed with cement is available in every possible color combination, speaking to both black and white aficionados and color lovers. Lately, the speckled texture has spread from floors and kitchen counters to paper and fashion accessories, so there’s no need for a new kitchen when you’re looking to incorporate some terrazzo into your home. In this collection I’ve gathered a few of my favorite terrazzo (printed) products, a tutorial to make your very own terrazzo coffee table and a bit of terrazzo inspiration!
DIY terrazzo coffee table by Heju. Find the instructions here.
For those among you who fell in love with Lies Mertens’ eclectic apartment, I’ve collected a few items that’ll help you bring that eclectic touch to your own home. You can do so by mixing design with affordable items and vintage feel with industrial aesthetics, and finishing it of with some quirky and tropical vibes.
In my previous blogpost, Liene and William told all about their ongoing renovation process and their “brutal chic” style. Brutal chic, you say? Think items that merge esthetics and function perfectly, classic design pieces, industrial elements and an occasional dash of kitsch. Next, combine all of these in beautiful still lifes for the finishing touch to an interior that tells a story. If you want to bring a little bit of their style to your own home, I’ve got just what you need in this week’s collection…
As you’ve probably seen in my latest insights blogpost about the interior of the man behind Animaux Spéciaux, Jeroen Lemaitre has impeccable taste and an eye for the unusual. It’s hard not to get inspired by the artist and entrepreneur’s intriguing interior. Lucky for us, he doesn’t make it difficult to give our own interior that Animaux Spéciaux touch. I’ve collected my favorite items from his webshop, that will certainly lift your interior to a higher level. And there’s more good news: with the code AUPAYSDESMERVEILLES you’ll get a 5% discount in the Animaux Spéciaux webshop! Happy shopping…
It seemed you loved Nathalie Teugels‘ beautiful apartment as much as I did, so I’ve compiled a little collection to help you implement Nathalie’s style in your own home. Marble elements, something to store your magazines and anything related to plants are essential to Nathalie’s interior, but the best way to incorporate her aesthetic into your interior, is of course investing in your very own piece of Teugels Meubels. So don’t forget to keep an eye on Serax, where you’ll soon be able to buy Nathalie’s coffee table meets magazine rack. (featured on the blog before here)
In my last blog post, I shared the beautiful apartment of Marijke Vissers. Many of you let me know they were really inspired by her interior, so I figured I’d give you a little hand in recreating her apartment’s cosy atmosphere in your own home. From luxurious materials such as velvet and brass to quirky details such as robots and humorous messages, this collection has got you covered!
While I’m a monochrome girl at heart, I’ve always had a soft spot for, well, soft pink. That’s why today’s collection is wrapped in blush tones, displaying several ways to see life through rose-colored glasses…
Pink Stairs print by Annaleena Leino Karlsson. Buy it here.
With the holidays coming up, I’m sure many of you are still stressing about what gifts to buy. I’ve collected some of my favorite gifts, all available to order online so you won’t even have to run out the door to get them! How’s that for relieving your holiday stress! Once you’ve ordered these beauties, all there’s left to do is wrap them with a pretty paper… Lucky for you, I’ve got some inspiration for that here as well. Now, get into the holiday mood with these christmas themed blogpost from my archive and go enjoy the holidays!
“Micro-factories: move aside mr. Ford” by John and Masa Kleinhample from Klein agency talks about creative companies that combine traditional crafts with digital communication. Get it here.
Rivet necklace in silver by anna + nina, buy it here.
Scented candle in spiced pumpkin by pommesfrites. Order it here.
Handmade macrame wall hanging by Bermudadream, find it here.
The limited edition “Box of wonders” containing the “Wonders are collectible” book by Animaux Spéciaux’ Jeroen Lemaitre (who you might remember from this blogpost) and an original artwork by the man himself. Purchase the giftbox here or the book here.
Kikkerland whiskey glasses and chaise longue whiskey stones to keep your drink cool without the watering disadvantages of normal ice cubes. Get the glasses here and the stones here.
Soap hanger from Meraki in bamboo charcoal, sesame scrub or mangosteen, available here.
Cordon coffee roasts its coffee right here in Antwerp and delivers it at your or your loved one’s doorstep, while supporting my friends’ film project Echangeur at the same time. Sounds like a win-win! Get your caffeine fix here.
“Wonderplants” shares the interiors of 20 plant lovers. Find it here.
As most of you might have already caught on instagram or facebook, I’ve recently had to move out of my studio due to some unforeseen circumstances. However, I’ve found a lovely apartment, in a much quieter neighborhood, with a separate bedroom (one that doesn’t double as an entryway!) and with a lot more space to decorate. This time I don’t need to invest in as many new pieces as after my last move, and I’m quite enjoying the fact that my pieces of furniture have more space to shine now. However, one thing that I do miss is some mood lighting. As it turns out, I only own three of these IKEA Ranarp lamps, which is not enough to provide an entire apartment of some cosy light. So far, I’ve been rethinking a DIY that was meant for my previous home (more on that one later, for sure!) and I’ve collected my favorite table lamps and wall lamps (and I couldn’t resist to squeeze in two gorgeous pendant lamps as well…) from my pinterest. Obviously I can’t buy all of these, so I still have some thinking to do. Which one is your favorite?
This week I’m presenting you with my favorite new Belgian designs of late, ranging from 4 meter long tables to tiny hammocks for air plants.
Siblings Glenn and Sylvie Buydaert launched their label Bultin about a year ago, with these minimal lamps as their rather stunning first collection. More info here.
Photographer and designer Luca beel creates gorgeous “Luca Bowls”. More pictures here. (You might have seen them before in this INSIGHTS blogpost.)
Axelle Vertommen saves old ironing boards and residual wood from the trash and turns them into these unique shelving systems. Read more here.
Nicole Brock designed this ingenious modular vanity table, including a detachable suitcase. More info here.
Nathalie Teugels stands for magnificent minimal furniture in steel and marble, all handmade by Nathalie herself. This magazine side table is one of my favorites. Read more about her here.
Leather accessory designer (and one of my best friends) Lies Mertens (you’ve seen her before on the blog here) designed this cute Hammock for the air plants of Phyt (which you’ve seen on the blog before here). Buy it here.
With The Lab Brewer, you can easily make your very own cold brew coffee or botanical gin, and impress your friends with your newly acquired brewing skills . Get it here.
This lovely mirror, called Dome, is designed by the Brussels based Hausmerk and made in Belgium.
Studio Sergeant developed Alfons, a clever extendable table that can seat up to 16 people and extends in small steps, ensuring it fits any situation and any space. Find out more here.
After last week’s post about my interior, I received some questions about where to find certain items. I collected them in this post, together with a few other of my personal favorites. Hopefully you’ll be able to find the answer to all your questions here, but don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you’re still wondering about a certain item!
In today’s post, I wanted to share the items I selected at Ikea for my studio and explain why. You already caught a sneak peek in last week’s post about the studio and what I’d like it to look like, but here are the items in their full glory!
As I’ve mentioned a couple of times before, I’ve finally moved into a place of my own this year. After sharing a house with others for many years,I felt it was time to take the plunge and get my own apartment, so that’s what I did! As of January, I’ve been living in a small studio in Antwerp and I’m totally thrilled about it. Moving into a place of my own for the first time, also meant that I needed quite a few new items of furniture to turn this studio into my dream appartment. With a little help from Ikea I’ve been trying to do exactly that, and this month I’ll be sharing the process on the blog. Today I wanted to show a few inspirational images for small homes. My studio is not big, nor does it have a separate bedroom, so it’s not that easy to achieve the rather minimal look that I adore, while still finding space for all my things. I’ve lined up a few images of studio apartments that manage to combine different functions in one space while still looking clean (1 – 2 – 6 – 8 – 9) and others (3 – 4 – 5 – 7) that represent that clean look with a bohemian touch that I’d love to achieve. Be sure to check back here next week for the next post in this ikea x au pays des merveilles project!
It’s been a while since I’ve shared some interior inspiration, so after showing you my favorite bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and dining rooms, today is all about the workspace. While the studio I’ve moved into is rather small, I still need a corner where I can focus on my photography and the blog, without turning my entire home into a workspace. There’s more where this collection of pretty workspaces came from, on this pinterest board to be exact!
Designer Tess Guinery’s home in Sydney, see more photos by Alex Carylehere.
Stationery is one of my weak spots and something I can never get enough of, so for today I’ve rounded up my most recent discoveries. It’s a selection of both Belgian and foreign design, and both young designers and established brands, but all of have simplicity, interesting details and monochrome prints in common. Hopefully you like them as much as I do!
The Daily Fiction collection by Normann Copenhagen. More photos here, the collection is available in Belgium at Espoo. bütik and La Fabrika.
Brassing ballpoint pen by Ystudio, on which you can create a personalized brassing effect by removing the paint on the surface with sanding paper which is attached in the product’s package. More info here.
Next weekend De Invasie is finally taking over Antwerp again. This platform for young talent will invade several locations in the city, where over 80 Strijders – warriors – will present their newest creations in fashion, interior design, illustration and many other domains. To celebrate the launch of her first collection of leather goods at De Invasie, I’ve teamed up with my friend and one of my favorite Strijders Lies Mertens. Keep an eye on my instagram account today to find out how you can win one of her handmade designs!
Lies Mertens designs and makes beautiful leather goods, sized to fit modern life. (You’ve seen her on the blog before here.) More info here. (Photo by Eline Ros.)
Margot Thyssen creates ceramics that are stunning in their simplicity. Find out more here.
Architect and all-round creative Anouk Taeymans is presenting an innovative design-shelf with her label byANOUK. See more of her work here.
Atelier Belge is the brand behind the beautiful modular organizer Loopholes, find out more here.
Ophelia creates gorgeous lingerie by hand, inspired by contemporary art, vintage, and modern women. Read all about it here.
Textile designer Jente Hendrickx is the brains and hands behind a collection of stunningly fragile textiles. See more of her work here. (Photo by Eefje De Coninck.)
Nord interior design is the furniture label of interior designer Femke De Witte. Soon more info here.
Graphic designers Linde Luyten en Tille Lingier from RE_DO give new life to paper waste from printers and turn them into unique notepads and weekplanners. Find out more here.
Leen Vanbroekhoven founded Oh My Kids, a brand of graphic sweatshirts for kids. See more here.
After sharing my favorite bathrooms, diy projects, kitchens and dining rooms, it’s time to share my favorite bedrooms! As I moved from a shared house to my own studio, I already had all the necessary bedroom furniture (see my old bedroom here!) but extra inspiration is always welcome of course! That’s why I’ve collected nine beautiful bedrooms to share with you today. For more bedroom inspiration, take a look at my pinterest board here or take a look at my interior archives!
Bedroom of content creator and stylist Jordana Nicholson. Follow her on instagram for more photos of her home.
Elevated bed in an apartment in Wiesbaden, designed by Studio Oink. More pictures here.
Bohemian bedroom of Levi and Claudia; discover their home photographed by Emily Beetleshackon her blog.
An original wardrobe solution, separating the bed from the rest of exhibition designer Mira Schröder’s home. Find more photos by Marlen Mueller (and an elaborate interview) here.
Inspired by my recent move, I have already shared interesting DIYprojects for your interior and beautiful kitchens and dining rooms, so today I wanted to show you the most beautiful bathrooms I’ve discovered on the worldwide web. Take your time to click through and find out more about these gorgeous bathrooms and the houses they occupy! And if after all that you’re still in need of more bathroom inspiration, take a look at my pinterest board.
Interior designer Elizabeth Heier designed this beautiful concrete sink in her own bathroom. More info and photos on her blog (norwegian) or here (english).
Interesting tiles in the bathroom DWA designed for a creative studio. More images by Davide Lovattihere.
Pink combined with marble in the bathroom Esther Bruzkus from architecture, interior and furniture design office BRUZKUS BATEK. More pictures by Jens Bösenberg here.
If there’s one thing that makes me want to get crafty, it’s having a new place to decorate. I’m craving some spare time to work on a few DIY projects to decorate my new studio, and these projects that I found through pinterest are a great source of inspiration. I’m not tired of the marble trend yet and I’m particularly excited to experiment with copper pipes, as the possibilities seem to be endless. To be continued, for sure! In the meantime, check out my pinterest board for more diy inspiration!
Mini copper and marble shelves by The Merrythought, find the tutorial here.
Pegboard by Fall for DIY, find the instructions here.
Neon letter light by I spy DIY, read the explanation here.
Hanging copper planter by A bubbly life, see the tutorial here.
Marble hexagon coasters by Homey Oh My, find out how to make them here.
Marble tray by Almost Makes Perfect, see the instructions here.
X-shaped coasters by François et Moi , read the how-to here.
Copper coffee maker by Homemade Modern, discover how to make it here.
Marble dipped vessels by Sugar & Cloth, find the tutorial here.
As I mentioned before, I’ve recently moved into a tiny studio of my own. Even though it sometimes feels as if I’m camping in my own home, I’m truly enjoying picking out furniture and decorating the place. One area I never really paid a lot of attention to (decoration-wise) in my previous homes, was the kitchen and the dining room, as these were always shared. Now that I have a tiny kitchen of my own, I’ve been looking for inspiration on line and I’m in awe of all the beautiful spaces I’ve come across. I’m renting my studio, so I can’t change a lot, but that doesn’t keep me from dreaming about pretty kitchens. Take a look for yourself at my favorites (make sure you click through to the sources to find out more!) and if you want to see more, take a peek at my pinterest board here.
Deli Hally’s, located in London, has a beautiful open kitchen with brick walls. It is designed and owned by Alexander Evangelou and James Waterworth of London design firm Alexander Waterworth Interiors. Find out more at Remodelista. (Photo by Helen Cathcart.)
Lately I’ve been drawn to small but detailed silver and copper rings and earrings, accompanied by a statement necklace. As my wallet doesn’t allow me to buy all the jewelry that catches my eye, I figured I’d share my favorites in a collection blog post, so I can hopefully make you happy with my discoveries! These pieces of jewelry, all made by independent designers, would make beautiful Christmas presents for a loved one… or yourself. I won’t judge!
Even though at the moment I have forbidden myself to buy anything interior related, I can’t stop dreaming about a place of my own filled with beautiful design. I currently have no more space left in my interior, but there’s no harm in dreaming, right? So today I’m sharing my current favorites with you, from affordable to… not so affordable. As long as I’m wishful thinking… For more good stuff you can take a look at my pinterest board here.
Beautiful packaging can always convince me to spend a few extra euros on a product. It’s just such a delight to not only buy something useful, but something that’s easy on the eyes as well. Here are few examples of stunning packaging designs, if you want to see more of them, you can take a look at my pinterest.
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.
Airplants and terrariums from phyt., get them here.
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.
Amsterdam plant shop Wildernis, find out more here on the binti home blog.
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.
Recently I’ve been shooting a few homes for new editions of the INSIGHTS series, which left me super inspired for my own interior. I can’t wait to share the photos of these lovely interiors with you, but until I find the time to edit the photos and write the interviews, you’ll have to do with some sneak peeks I’m sharing on instagram and the other inspiration I’ve found on the web. As you can see I have a soft spot for white interiors with wooden floors, lots of light and natural accents. I wouldn’t mind calling one of these pretty interiors my own at all!
I strongly encourage you to click the “more” link after each description, because gushing over the rest of these interiors is totally worth your time. I’ve also included the links to all the photographers and home owners (after all quoting pinterest or tumblr as a source doesn’t really count as giving credit), so grab a cup of coffee and enjoy your Sunday with this collection of inspiring homes and interesting people! (And if you’re done with these and still hungry for more, you can check out my pinterest board on beautiful homes over here.)
Bathroom of the Oslo based photographer and stylist Line Kay. (more)
Home office of interior designer Fleur from Studio 188. (more)
Written by women I admire and fellow bloggers, and covering topics such as architecture, inspiring people, photography, interior and food, there’s no doubt I’d be happy to come home from my new job and relax with one of these inspiring books.
While you’re reading this, the end of my holidays and my return to Belgium are slowly coming near. That doesn’t mean the end of my summer plans though, I’m still longing for endless summer nights and I am planning to spend the rest of my sunny sparetime with pink cocktails, campfires, vegetarian barbecues, festive decorations, cute food trucks, gorgeous table settings and maybe even outdoor movie nights? One things is for sure, there will definitely be some dancing and sleeping in the woods involved. So here are a few ideas that might inspire you to make those upcoming summer weeks even better, I for one can’t wait!
A mix and match of thrifted gold-edged plates and brown glassware for Sophie and Ivar’s wedding, photographed by Melissa Milis. More info and photos here.
As I spent last summer focusing on my graduation, my summer wardrobe has been seriously neglected and I’m left with almost nothing to wear this season. Which means that I have some serious shopping to do during the summer sales! To prepare myself for some sale shopping, I created this collection featuring my ideal summer wardrobe: lots of black and white, graphic prints, simple silhouettes and interesting details. Oh, and comfort is key. Confession: I already bought those black shorts and they are such a joy to wear that I don’t want to take them off anymore. Ever.
While we’re spending money on Christmas presents for our loved ones, we might as well make sure they’re not the only one benefiting from our gifts, right? My first choice always goes to local, sustainable, second hand, made by a small business or an experience instead of something materialistic. To help you a little on your hunt for the perfect gift, I’ve kept every budget in mind and collected nine ideas that are designed and/or made in 
