COLLECTION_ Belgian getaways

August 1, 2019

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.

WORK_ Niko Inspiration Center

February 18, 2019

If you follow me on social media, you might have already seen it, but a few weeks ago I launched my brand new portfolio website! Ever since, work has taken over and life has been a bit of a rollercoaster, hence the blog silence. Today however, I finally found some time to share this new baby of mine on the blog as well! While I’m at it, I figured I’d share some of my work as well. In this blog post you can discover the Niko Inspiration Center in Antwerp, the place to be if you’re looking to automate your home. The interior is designed by We Want More studio in a premise previously renovated by Egg interior architects. The stunning staircase is a remnant of that renovation.

So, if you’re in the market for a photographer, content creator or social media strategist focused on interior and design, head to my new website! It will give you a much better overview of what I’ve done in the past and what I can do for you in the future… and in the meantime, keep an eye on my socials for your regular dose of interior inspiration.

EXPLORED_ Espoo

November 25, 2018

When interior architect Edith Macken (who I’ve worked before here) asked me to photograph her work for design store Espoo, I couldn’t say no. Dries was the first to introduce Nordic design to the city of Antwerp when he opened his store back in 2009, and since then Espoo has become the place to be for interior lovers far beyond the city of Antwerp. At their brand new location, designed by Edith Macken, they offer even more interior inspiration then before. With brands such as Menu, &tradition, Ferm Living and Frama, it’s unlikely they won’t be able to still your hunger for beautiful furniture and stylish accessoires. They even have your reading habits covered with a great selection of magazines and coffee table books. If you needed yet another reason to spend a day in Antwerp, this is it. They’re open on Sundays too, so there’s no reason not to stop by! Can’t make it to Antwerp after all? No worries, you can find all your favorites in the Espoo webshop. Happy shopping!

Espoo - Kloosterstraat 75-77, 2000 Antwerpen - website - facebook - instagram - pinterest

FRAGMENTS_ Haptic House

September 16, 2018

Just outside the city of Antwerp, designer Ben Storms transformed a former furniture store into a plaground for his creative endeavors. Under the name Haptic House he created a greenhouse for artistic designs and ideas where likeminded creatives such as Nathalie Van der Massen, C3T, Clay Club, Wilder, Mr. Frisko Vintage Furniture and Wiesi Will found their home. Today Haptic House is opening their doors to the public, but I already got a little sneak peek of their exhibition and studios. I’ve gathered a few fragments of the beautiful Haptic House studios in this blogpost, but if you’re in the neighborhood today, I suggest you discover their surprising mix of furniture design, textile, ceramics, glass, jewelry design, photography, floristry, graphic arts and collectible design for yourself!

Haptic House studios, Turnhoutsebaan 1-3, 2100 Antwerpen - facebook - opening event

EXPLORED_ Rice ‘n Roll

July 24, 2018

When the people of Rice ‘n Roll asked me to shoot their brand new restaurant in Antwerp, the industrial meets boho interior quickly stole my heart. I didn’t expect anything else though, knowing that Nathalie Teugels is responsible for this interior with an underground Vietnamese takeaway twist. However, Rice ‘n Roll doesn’t only please the eyes, its summer rolls are a treat for your tastebuds as well. Think finger-licking good and no guilt needed, because these dishes are healthy as can be (and even gluten free). At Rice ‘n Roll they are well aware that “sharing is caring” and “choosing is losing”, as their menu is perfect for those who want to try it all. We had a go at all the vegetarian and vegan rolls on their cosy terrace and could only approve of Antwerp’s latest culinary addition. So hop on your bike to try these tasty dishes yourself, or have them delivered straight to your doorstep, it’s up to you. Bon appétit!

Rice 'n Roll - Scheldestraat 98, 2000 Antwerpen - website - facebook - instagram

EXPLORED_ Hart en Ziel in Antwerp

October 16, 2016

explored-hart-en-ziel-antwerpen-hannelore-veelaert-for-au-pays-des-merveilles-6604

When you step into Hart en Ziel, a brand new concept store tucked away in Antwerp’s most diverse neighborhood Borgerhout, you can’t help but smile at the abundance of green and beautiful objects. And then you haven’t met the lovely owner Gitte Van Tilborg yet, who’ll surely bring a smile to your face. After 15 years, she decided to follow her dream and open a concept store, filled with heart-warming and often handmade objects. The result is appropriately called Hart en Ziel – that’s dutch for heart and soul – and offers all kinds of cute plants, greeting cards, naturally tanned sheep skins, home accessories and soon also flowers and furniture. Hart en Ziel has something for everyone, for every budget and always with a story. It’s still a work in progress, but after only two weeks, it is already the go-to place for neighbors who need a gift for a loved one or who want to treat themselves.

But Gitte has bigger dreams than merely selling pretty things. In the future, you’ll be able to follow workshops about drawing, knitting, mindfulness and anything that’s good for the heart and soul. Moreover, artists will be able to display their work, use the back of the store as an atelier and meet their potential customers at the same time.

During my visit to Hart en Ziel, I’ve fallen in love with this beautiful new addition to the neighborhood, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. If you’re as excited as I am about this hidden gem in Antwerp, I’ve got good news for you! We’ve decided to treat one lucky reader to the plant hanger (including plants!) at the bottom of this post. Keep an eye on my instagram today to find out how you can win this eye catcher!

Hart en Ziel, Laar 12, 2140 Borgerhout - website - facebook - instagram

SUNDAZE_ Jarri Van der Haegen

January 24, 2016

SUNDAZE Jarri Van der Haegen - by hannelore veelaert for au pays des merveilles-27

If the name Jarri Van der Haegen doesn’t ring a bell, the name of his blog Disco Naïveté most certainly will. For 6 years already, Disco Naïveté is the go-to place on the web if you want to know which music will be hot and happening in the future. It is remarkable how much this 25 year old accomplished through blogging, while still keeping both feet firmly planted on the ground and remembering that there’s more to life than work.

We met when Jarri organized the first vierkantwerpen meeting and I immediately knew he’d be the perfect candidate for another Sundaze blogpost, so I asked him to share a peek into his life and show me his favorite spots in the city.

SUNDAZE_ Lies Mertens

June 21, 2015

sundaze - lies mertens - hannelore veelaert for au pays des merveilles-17

Sundaze is all about that Sunday feeling, with no obligations, only endless possibilities. Whether your day off is on an actual Sunday or any other day of the week: everybody knows and loves that feeling. In this topic, I document inspirational people on their day off. How we spend the day is up to them, no obligations, remember? Through this topic, I intend to see the city through their eyes, but also find out a little bit more about what drives this person in their daily life. The first person to offer a peek into her life, is Lies Mertens, a 25 year old graphic designer and leather accessory designer located in Antwerp, but with a lot of love for travel.

A WEEKEND IN ANTWERP

June 28, 2014

photos by me

A few weeks ago, some friends from my erasmus time in Portugal came over for the weekend. It was so nice to see them again after such a long time, and to be able to show them my new city. We walked around my beautiful neighborhood Zurenborg, cycled through the city and admired Antwerp’s skyline from the roof of the MAS. Soon I’ll finally have more time on my hands and be able to spend more weekends like this.

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KRACHTVOER

November 8, 2013

A few weeks ago, the girls behind Alle Dagen Honger organized a food festival named ‘Krachtvoer’ at DEstudio in Antwerp. This two day festival consisted of documentaries, lectures, tastings, diners, workshops and expositions, all related to food. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to any documentaries or readings (I find it very interesting (and scary at the same time) to hear more about the food industry, it’s ecological impact is what convinced me to become a vegetarian) but I did manage to make a quick stop at the food market and the expositions. The food was of course delicious and the location and decorations were stunning, as was the exposition with works of Alle Dagen Honger’s own illustrator Mayken Craenen and others. For a more elaborate impression of the festival, I added the aftermovie at the bottom, made by my flatmate Mathijs Vleugels.

This was only the first edition of Krachtvoer, so keep an eye out on the Alle Dagen Honger blog (also in english here) if you want to stay up to date on future editions of Krachtvoer or if you’re interested in the food industry as a whole.

LIFE BACK IN BELGIUM

May 24, 2013

Unfortunately, it’s that time of the year again: the exams are coming up, so us students are locked up behind our books and not allowed to think about anything else, like… let’s say blogging. Which means it’s probably going to be (even more) quiet here in the next few weeks, especially since these are the last photos I saved up to share with you. Today I’m sharing a little bit of randomness: my favourite boots on the grass during that first day of spring back in march, some impressions of Antwerp during a school trip (luckily on one of those other rare spring days), the view on Leuven from the top of this year‘s Existenz location and Portico Quartet in the AB, one of the few concerts I’ve done since I got back (I’m saving up to go back to Lisbon!) but definitely one worth remembering. There were very few tickets sold, resulting in a very intimate concert in the AB club covered in twinkling lights and a little talk with the super friendly band afterwards. I’m ending this with ‘Ruins’ by Portico Quartet, because even though I loved how intimate the concert was, they deserve a much bigger audience!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQH0GPL33uc&h=37]

all photos by me

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SINGEL

October 29, 2011

photo by me

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MAS

September 24, 2011

I recently visited the MAS again, and this time I got to see the collection (last time the museum wasn’t officially open yet), but I must say I was a little bit disappointed! The museum rooms were too crowded and too dark to my liking, and all the items were placed very closed to each other, which made it even harder to enjoy the collection easily. Maybe I have to give it another chance on a calmer day? Anyway, I did get a nice photo out of it.

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MUSEUM AAN DE STROOM

May 20, 2011

Last weekend, the ‘Museum Aan de Stroom’ (or simply the MAS), was opened in Antwerp with the expected festivities. I didn’t make it to the opening, but a few weeks ago, we already payed a visit to the MAS for one of our courses. Here are a few pictures!

all pictures taken by me