When my boyfriend and I decided to spend a week in Milan, the first thing that came to my mind was: “we must visit Villa Necchi!” On a rainy day in July 2019, we made our way to the iconic villa which you can only visit with a guided tour. Lucky for us, we were the only visitors that morning and received a private tour, where we discovered everything there is to know about the villa’s rich history.
Villa Necchi Campligio, Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milan, Italy - website - instagram
In the summer of 2019, the boyfriend and I traveled to Italy by train for two weeks of pasta, sun, friends and… architecture! I may not work as an architect anymore, my love for architecture never faded. Luckily my boyfriend is always down to discover another magnificent building! In Milan we visited some of the classics (more on that later!), but the one that made the biggest impression was a bit of the beaten track. (Half an hour outside of Milan by public transport to be exact!) The Gallaratese Quarter was designed in 1967 by Aldo Rossi and Carlo Aymonino, as an answer to the housing shortage after the Second World War. It’s a huge complex, including open-air decks, interconnecting bridges and an amphitheater, all in an exquisite color pallet of browns, reds, yellow and blues. With surprises after every corner and countless interesting views (and square meters!) it’s so easy to get lost in, and a must-visit for anyone with a heart for architecture. Even though you get only one hour to discover the premises (the guard at the entrance will ask your ID in exchange), it shouldn’t be a surprise that I easily filled up my camera’s memory card.
Oh, if you love these images as much as I do – I’ve added some of them to my print shop! Don’t hesitate to contact me if you can’t find the photo you’re looking for, I’ll gladly upload it for you!
Gallaratese Quartier, Via Francesco Cilea, 106, 20151 Milano, Italy
Some things on your bucket list disappoint when you can finally cross them off, others are exactly what you hoped they would be. Then there are those that leave you speechless and let you return home with hundreds of photos to edit… La Muralla Roja, or “the red wall”, is definitely in the last category. The housing complex in Calpe was designed by Ricardo Bofill at the end of the sixties and is an abundance of pink, red, purple and blue, poured into geometric shapes and complimented by luscious green here and there. With its countless bridges, staircases and vistas (inspired by traditional casbah architecture), wandering through La Muralla Roja is a true adventure. Not only does there always seem to be a new staircase or view to discover, the building seems to change with the sun and the clouds, surprising you time in time again. Complete with a rooftop swimming pool, solarium, sauna and rooftop terraces, Bofill‘s design was well ahead of its time and a dream come true for any fan of architecture with a dash of pink!
If the picture overload in this blogpost convinces you to pack your bags and travel to the Costa Blanca yourself, please note that you’re only allowed to enter the site of La Muralla Roja when you’re staying there. Several apartments in the building are for rent through airbnb, I’ve included the one we stayed at below. Its interior is not as jaw-dropping as the building itself, but it has everything you need. Even though you will undoubtedly run into other tourists exploring the building, it’s a quiet place to stay and if you’re lucky (as we were) you have the rooftop pool all to yourself!
La Muralla Roja, e - airbnb (click here for a discount if you're a first time user) - Ricardo Bofill
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.
A few weeks ago, Eline, Lies and I spent a few days at the Costa Blanca in Spain, a regionthat is mostly associated with beach tourists. and elderly people. While it’s definitely not the most adventurous holiday destination, the region does have a few surprises up its sleeve. You’ll have to wait a little bit longer for a blog post about the main reason of our stay (I did share a little bit on Instagram already), but today I wanted to focus on Las Salinas de Torrevieja, a mesmerizing pink salt lake. (So no, these images aren’t photoshopped!)
Centro de interpretación Parque Natural la Mata Torrevieja, e - website
Spending a few days in a cabin in Sweden has been on my wishlist for quite a while, but I haven’t made it there yet because Scandinavia is so damn expensive and time is always an issue. However, I don’t have to fly to Sweden anymore to make my cabin dream come true! The Dammhus brings that Scandinavian feeling to the North of Belgium, and does so in style. A while ago, I was asked by a Belgian magazine to photograph the recently opened cabin, which had been on my must-visit list ever since I first scrolled past in on Instagram, so you could imagine my delight! Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend the night at the time, but if the beds are as comfy as the interior is pretty, waking up here must be a dream come true. Speaking of that pretty interior; the couple of the Dammhus had a little help from their inlaws of Espoo, which explains the picture perfect Scandinavian look!
Surrounded by a private forest, overlooking a picturesque lake, housing four bedrooms, no less than twelve beds and two bathrooms and only an hour away from Antwerp city, it’s the perfect getaways for families and groups of friends that want to escape the city for a few days. I’m already checking my calendar as to when I can try out those beds myself…
The Dammhus - 2382 Poppel, Belgium - website - instagram
A few months ago I was asked to photograph the studio of Caroline Notté for De Morgen Magazine. Not knowing her work, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered my shoot location of the day. When I showed a few sneak peeks of the interior on Instagram and asked if you’d be interested in a blog post about it, you were pretty clear. So here it is!
The studio of the Brussels interior designer and architect is located in Ukkel, a rather fancy neighborhood in Brussels. The gallery found its home in architect Louis Herman de Koninck’s former home. Built in 1924 by the designer of the famous Cubex kitchen himself, the building is an absolute icon of Brussels modernist architecture.
Caroline Notté gave the iconic building a new life as her office and a “collector’s cabinet ” where avant-garde designers, artists and visual artists are displayed and for sale. The gallery, with works by David Umemoto, Pol Quadens and Sammode Studio is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 6pm and absolutely worth a visit.
Caroline Notté Gallery - Avenue Fond'Roy 105, 1180 Ukkel - website - instagram
PS. Curious for more of my work? Have a look at my portfolio, my archive or stay up to date through Instagram!
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.
When I visited Lisbon for the first time, with my parents in 2011, we wanted to visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos but ended up finding ourselves in front of closed doors. Despite my regular visits to Lisbon and Belém in particular, it somehow never occured to me to give it another try. Until now that is, and it was definitely worth the wait! Built in the beginning of the 16th century by King Manuel I to celebrate the Portuguese discoveries, the monastery was afterwards donated to the Jerónimos monks. With its national and religious Portuguese symbols, nautical motifs, exotic plants and animals carved in limestone, it’s a striking example of the Manueline style. No wonder it has been classified as Unesco World heritage! Despite it being winter, we were lucky to visit the monastery on a sunny day. The light pouring through the cloisters casted mesmerizing shadows on the walls and floors, while it turned the columns of the church into colorful works of art, thanks to the stained glass windows.
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - Praça do Império, Lisbon - website
Curious for more must-visits in Lisbon? Then have a look at my city guide, where I’ve collected no less than 90(!) tips for you, during the 5 months I lived in Lisbon and my many visits afterwards. I promise you won’t be bored when visiting the Portuguese capital!
For a breakfast lover as myself, it’s no surprise that last year’s favorite discovery of my yearly trip to Lisbon was Dear Breakfast. Obviously I just had to visit again and introduce this café properly on the blog. With a menu that’s filled with fresh juices, delicious coffees, fingerlicking good avocado toasts and tasty pancakes, Dear Breakfast is a taste bud tingling ode to morning foods. However, it’s not only the menu that will make sure your day is off to a great start. The architects of Studio Astolfi mixed bricks, concrete, velvet, marble and luscious plants with arches, vaulted ceilings and the occasional dash of dark blue and pink (make sure you visit the toilet downstairs!) and turned Dear Beakfast into a sight for sore eyes that will make any trace of a morning mood disappear in a hearbeat. Located right around the corner of my old appartment, I wish this breakfast walhalla would have been around during my time living in the Portuguese capital.
Dear breakfast - Rua das Gaivotas 17, Lisbon - website - facebook - instagram
Planning a trip to Lisbon soon? Don’t forget to have a look at my Lisbon city guide. Written after living there for 5 months and updated with every visit, it is packed with tips that will make your stay in Lisbon an absolute dream.
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It’s been a year since I rediscovered Copenhagen all over again, when I visited my family in their new Danish home. Of course a visit to the botanical garden couldn’t miss on my itinerary, so we spent some time in the infamous Botanisk Have, which turned out to be the perfect place to warm up after a stroll through the city. While winter turned Copenhagen rather dark (and extra cosy), I still managed to snap a few analog shots while we marveled at all the beauty. Scroll along for luscious plants and intricate details of the beautiful greenhouse and don’t forget to add this one to your must visit list for any future trip to the Danish capital!
Botanisk Have, Gothersgade 128, 1353 København - website - facebook
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
In a few months I’m (hopefully) off to Portugal again for the christmas holidays, so it’s about time I shared the remaining photos of last year’s trip to my favorite country. Despite living in Lisbon for 5 months and visiting the city countless times since, a visit to its neighboring town Sintra, known for its numerous royal palaces and castles, was somehow long overdue. Last winter I finally made it and visited Sintra’s Quinta da Regaleira, a clear favorite among my Portuguese friends. This romantic palace dates back to the early 1900s and is surrounded by a garden that was designed to mimic the idea of “heaven and hell”. Any luscious garden is a must-visit in my book, but with its multiple lakes, grottoes, wells and fountains, this garden is something else. Only a train ride away from the city of Lisbon, Quinta da Regaleira is a mysterious fairy tale that’s waiting for you to be explored.
Quinta da Regaleira, R. Barbosa do Bocage 5, 2710-567 Sintra, Portugal
While I’m enjoying sunnier places this week, I wanted to share few fragments of last year’s trip to Denmark. I visited family in the vicinity of Copenhagen and spent a few days wandering the streets of the Danish capital on my own. One of my favorite discoveries was the Glyptoteket, a museum that is dedicated to sculptures but is a work of art on its own. Wandering through its marble clad halls and exploring the luscious winter garden was an absolute dream and a must if you’re ever in Copenhagen.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Dantes Plads 7, 1556 Copenhagen - website - facebook - instagram
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
As I’m currently spending the majority of my time either behind the camera or behind my computer, I figured I’d show you a glimpse of the kind of projects I photograph for a living. Last winter, I shot the brand new hearing center Foon in Leuven, designed by Edith Macken (who I’ve worked with before here) and Pinkeye Design Studio. Having hearing protection made to measure is not exactly the most pleasant experience (been there, done that), but it’s certainly no punishment when it takes place in an interior like this. So if you’re ever in Leuven: take care of those ears of yours and enjoy this beautiful interior while you’re at it.
Foon, Mechelsestraat 7, 3000 Leuven - website - facebook - instagram
While I’m swamped with work this month, I’m fondly looking back at last summer, when Lies, Eline and I rented a camper for a few days and explored the island of Ibiza. What started as a joke (“Hey, none of us have to work next weekend, maybe we should go to Ibiza?”), turned out to be a great decision. We stayed away from the city and its notorious clubs and instead spent our time exploring empty beaches and wandering through cute towns. Since you can drive from one side of the island to the other in less than an hour and camping in vans is allowed anywhere, Ibiza and campers can only be described as the perfect match. Unfortunately I could only snap a few photos before my film camera jammed, so I only have a few fragments of the beautiful island to share, but that’s just another excuse to go back if you ask me…
It took me a couple of years, but during my last visit to Lisbon, I finally made it to the neighboring city of Sintra. This infamous town is mostly known for its numerous royal palaces and castles (more about that later), but today I’d like to put its countless shades of pink in the spotlight. While Las Palmas already surprised me with its infinite supply of pastel facades and Lisbon’s amount of soft colored houses is pretty impressive as well, Sintra turned out to be devoted to one pastel hue in particular. I’ll let the pictures do the talking, but can you spot the lurking grandmother behind the window?
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
It’s been only a few weeks since my friend Simon and I boarded a plane to Jordan with an open mind, five rolls of film and a lot of enthusiasm to make a road trip through this country. Before a good friend of mine moved to Amman, I never even thought about visiting Jordan, but I was curious to find out what made him pack his bags and move to a country that’s so different from our Western world. Of course I already knew about Greening the Camps, the non-profit organization he founded in Amman with two friends. (They design, develop, build and maintain rooftop gardens in Palestinian refugee camps. While the Palestinian people have a thousand year history as farmers, the refugee camps leave little to no place for agriculture. By building rooftop gardens, Greening the Camps wants to reconnect local communities with their cultural heritage of farming while growing their own food. You can have a look at their website for more info or to support them.)
Even though I’d already seen images of Jordan’s beautiful landscapes, I wasn’t prepared for how they’d just keep coming, one after the other and how breathtaking they’d be in real life. It took us only three days to realize that five rolls of film was a grave underestimation of how enthusiastically we’d be snapping away at all those mesmerizing sights. Apparently smartphones are all the rage while shooting film is considered very old fashioned in Jordan, so unfortunately we weren’t able to buy more. Otherwise, this post would have been at least twice as long…
A few weeks ago, I showed you some of Lisbon’s brutalist architecture, but today I want to share a few snaps that capture why I fell in love with the Portugese capital all over again during my last visit. Light blue, soft yellow, blush pink and that wonderful, wonderful light… my favorite city has it all. If this wonderful weather that we’ve been having lately hasn’t catapulted you into a holiday state of mind, this pastel colored glimpse of Lisbon might just do the trick. Oh, don’t forget: if you’re planning a trip to Lisbon – I’ve collected all the good stuff here. In the meantime I’m off enjoying the sun again in our little Belgium. Até já!
It’s early in the afternoon when I cross Campo Clara, a square which is home to the famous flee market Feira da Ladra twice a week. When I lived in Lisbon a few years ago, I spent many hours wandering this market, looking for second hand treasures, but today I have a different goal. I’m heading to Santa Clara 1728, a hotel hidden in an old convent on the often busy plaza. Once I step foot inside the majestic entrance hall, the lively city couldn’t seem further away though.
Santa Clara 1728 - Campo de Santa Clara 128, 1100-473 Lisbon - website - facebook - instagram
The city of Lisbon might be known for its colorful facades and picturesque street views, that’s not all it has to offer when it comes to architecture. Because I can never resist brutalist architecture with its geometric shapes and intriguing use of materials, I did a little research on brutalism in Lisbon before my last trip to my favorite city. A google search led me to the Palácio da Justiça, the courthouse of Lisbon which was designed by Januário Godinho & João Andresen in the sixties. This mastodont of a building ticks all the brutalist boxes, so if you’re a lover of all things architectural, it is definitely worth a detour from your average tour of the Portugese capital. In that case, don’t forget to checkout my Lisbon city guide for more must visits!
When driving through the polders in Knokke-Heist, it’s Jonas Van Put’s Observer emerging above the horizon that confirms we’ve almost reached our destination. Amidst the meadows, sprinkled with bunker ruins dating back to 1785 and the occasional flock of sheep or herd of cows, The Bunkers has found its place in a former barn that has been beautifully renovated by architects Govaerts and Vanhoutte. While this historical site’s architecture is remarkable, the true protagonist of the experience is the wide view over the luscious green polders, only occasionally disturbed by a few trees or bunker ruins, one of which is now serving as a sheep stable. Upon our arrival, it’s immediately clear: partner in crime Lies and I have sucessfully managed to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and our daily lives.
The Bunkers - Burkeldijk 18, 8300 Knokke-Heist - website - facebook - instagram - twitter
Sharing fragments of Belém‘s famous Padrão dos Descobrimentos today! It’s all in the details, if you ask me… For more things to do in and around Lisbon, have a look at my city guide or keep an eye on the blog, because I still have a lot to share!
The combination of plants and rough concrete is one that is always a win in my book and Lisbon‘s Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian proves my point with conviction. This brutalist museum houses the art collection of the foundation named after businessman and philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian. While the ancient and modern art collection is supposed to be impressive (I have to admit I only ever visited the library), it’s the surrounding gardens that truly make my heart beat faster. The fragments I’m sharing in this blogpost should give you an impression, but why not plan a trip to Lisbon and visit the Gulbenkian yourself? In case you do: boredom won’t be an option because I’ve updated my Lisbon city guide…
It doesn’t take much for me to feel at home in the city of Lisbon (I studied in the Portugese capital for five months and have visited countless times since), but Casa C’Alma feels exactly as the calm home that this guest house‘s name suggests. Scandinavia meets Portugal in the mix of hardwood floors, white walls, an occasional dash of color, carefully chosen furniture, luscious plants, excellent selection of reading material and delicious Portuguese breakfast. The cherry on the cake in this spacious apartment is a dreamy light blue kitchen, making it hard not to fall in love with this boutique bed and breakfast that feels like a breath of fresh air. Yes, whether you want to retreat into the privacy of one of their serene bedrooms or enjoy the spacious common living room while chatting with your fellow guests, stepping into Casa C’Alma will always feel like a breath of fresh air. Its location couldn’t be better either, with Copenhagen Coffee Lab (perfect if you’d like to stick with the Nordic atmosphere), bakery Tease and the shops of Principe Real only a few minutes away, making it an excellent starting point to explore the city. For a good night’s sleep in the city center of Lisbon and a dose of Scandinavian interior inspiration, this is exactly where you want to be.
Casa C'Alma - Praça das Flores, 48 1° Floor, 1200-192 Lisbon - website - facebook - instagram - booking
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you have without a doubt noticed I spent the end of the year in my beloved Portugal. Before meeting up with my family for the holidays, I spent 5 days on my own in Lisbon, doing what I love to do most. I revisited my favorite places from when I used to live here, discovered new places and wandered the streets of my favorite city with my camera in hand. I’ll soon blog about my favorite discoveries, but first I wanted to share a few images of the MAAT, Lisbon’s museum for Architecture, Art and Technology. Last year, the majority of the museum was closed to the public, but this year I had better luck. While the expositions I visited were interesting, the museum building itself that was the true highlight of my visit. I couldn’t resist snapping a few new pictures of all the different textures on the billowing facade and the extraordinary view over the Tejo.
When walking through the Guido Gezellelaan in Bruges, number 36 might not seem that different from its neighbors. Only a subtle sign – Kind of OJ – on the front door alerts you that something might be going on here. However, first looks can be deceiving. Once the front door of Kind of OJ opens, it’s instantly clear: this is nothing like your typical hotel in Bruges. The majestic hallway, where statues of half naked punks by Rotterdam design label Nightshop greet you, gives you just a first impression of all the wonders that are waiting here for you. Welcome to Kind of OJ: part bed and breakfast, part gallery, part showroom, and all kinds of surprising.
kind of OJ - Guido Gezellelaan 36, 8000 Brugge - website - facebook - instagram - pinterest - booking
When it comes to interesting cities in Belgium, Lokeren might not be the first one that pops into your mind, but there is one place that makes a visit to this Flemish city worth a visit. At Bar Copine, located on Lokeren’s main square, you can find anything from interior accessories furniture to delicacies, care products and fashion. However, Bar Copine is not only a shopping destination, here you can also stop by for a cup of coffee, a piece of cake and a healthy lunch or breakfast. When they asked me to shoot their new interior, designed by Man architecten, and their menu, I got the chance to try some of their dishes and let me tell you: these dishes not only look splendid, they taste absolutely delicious as well. Bar Copine is not only a dream come true for its owner Kim, but it is dreamy on its own, dressed in pastel hues, terrazzo and dashes of gold. So, next time you’re in the neighborhood of Lokeren and you’re in need of caffeine, something new or a meal… you know Bar Copine is the place you’re looking for!
Bar Copine, Markt 71, 9160 Lokeren - website - facebook - instagram - pinterest
While I’m already counting down to my next vacation (only 11 days until I’m cruising around Ibiza in a camper!), I wanted to share my last photos from Gran Canaria with you. As a lover of all things botanical, a visit to the Jardín Botánico Canarian obviously made it on my to do list. This garden was the life work of Swedish-Spanish botanist Erik Ragnar Svensson, who spent many years searching for a site where all of the highly diverse plant species of the Canary Islands could grow successfully. (Gran Canaria alone has a wide variety of microclimats and both forests, deserts, beaches and volcanoes, so you can imagine the huge diversity of vegetation when looking at all of the Canary Islands!) He finally settled on a steep slope close to the capital of Las Palmas, resulting in a lushious garden dwindling down the slope along narrow pathways and staircases. My sister and I spent our day admiring the enormous cacti in the Garden of Succulents and, well, Cacti, bumping into surprises like a waterfall, caves and places with names like “The Road of the Dragons” and “The Fountain of the Wise”, wandering through the Garden of the Islands and the Garden of the World and discovering the Hidden Gardens inside cute greenhouses. With its 27 acres, approximately 500 different plant species and over 10 000 cultivars of succulents, the botanical garden of Gran Canaria definitely is one of the most beautiful gardens I have visited, and I’ve visited my fair share!
Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, Ctra. del Centro, Km 7, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain - website
In my previous blogpost I raved about the cave dwelling we stayed at in Gran Canaria, so today I wanted to share more photos of that experience. In this post I’m taking you on a tour of Acusa Seca, a small village of cave dwellings dating back to the 6th century with a breathtaking view over Roque Nublo (the appropriately named cloud rock). During our hike through the surrounding valley we encountered even more breathtaking views, hence the picture overload. Have a look at the photos below and wander through Acusa Seca with me!
When I was planning last summer’s holiday, I came across an intriguing airbnb by accident. A house carved into the rocks, with an incredible view right at its front door. Thinking it was probably somewhere really far away and exotic where I wouldn’t end up in the near future, I saved it for “someday”. A few weeks later, when I wanted to show that impressive Acusa Seca cave house to a friend, I noticed it was located on Gran Canaria. The island where my sister was planning to spend 5 months for her Erasmus.
Before we started our 50 km roadtrip, Eline and I first had to drive our car from the airport of Barcelona to our hotel in Girona. To make sure we had the best possible experience during our first drive with the prius plug-in hybrid, the toyota team programmed a scenic route into the GPS. We drove along some of Barcelona’s most impressive views, but there was one in particular where we could not resist to make a quick stop. When we spotted the lushious vegetation and interesting architecture of the Jardins Fontserè i Mestre, we just had to pull over! Unfortunately the greenhouses were closed, so we didn’t get the full experience, but I did manage to snap a few photos that convey the atmosphere quite well. Definitely a place that should be listed in my city guide for Barcelona!
Normally I would try to recap my holidays in a more or less chronological way, but once I started editing photos of our last evening in Las Palmas, I couldn’t wait to share these dreamy pastel fragments of Gran Canaria’s capital.
As you might have guessed from all the spamming I did on Instagram (you can find all images from our trip here), visiting my sister on her Erasmus destination was pretty spectacular. The island of Gran Canaria truly has it all, from black beaches and deserts to lush vegetation and breathtaking mountains (more on that later!), while Las Palmas is one dreamy sequence of exotic palm trees and sublime pastel hues. Quite the opposite from the all-in resorts that I imagined beforehand, but hey, I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
all pictures by Eline Ros and me
It came as quite a surprise when Toyota asked me if I wanted to try out their Prius Plug-in Hybrid. I’m not a car expert, in fact, I just passed my driver’s license test and still had to pick up my driver’s license. However, I do care about sustainability and love traveling, so this trip seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out that brand new driver’s license. Toyota challenged me and my friend Eline to go on a 50 km road trip, discovering interesting spots in a 50 km radius around the Mas de Torrent hotel where we were staying. Why 50 km? This is the Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s driving range using only its battery. Yay for no emissions!
I was very curious to discover the Catalonian provence of Girona, as I’ve traveled to Spain multiple times but only ever visited Barcelona. As it turns out, Girona holds beautiful beaches, incredible views, picturesque medieval villages, interesting architecture and, last but not least, excellent coffee.
During my last visit to Lisbon, I made a quick stop at the CCB in Lisbon’s parish Belém. I visited this cultural center once before, during my Erasmus in 2012, and absolutely loved it, so I couldn’t resist paying it a second visit after I discovered the MAAT. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go inside and check out the current exhibition (I had a plain to catch), but I did take a closer look at the architecture and was pleasantly surprised. Due to the winter light, the building seemed to be dressed in soft pink tones, which worked beautifully with the CCB’s surrounding greenery and the building’s composition. Just in case you have plans to visit Portugal’s capital, don’t forget to check out my city guide for more tips on what to do in (and around) Lisbon.
Ever since I read about the new museum for architecture, art and technology in Lisbon, or the MAAT, I couldn’t wait to visit this impressive piece of architecture on the bank of the river Tagus in Lisbon’s district of Belém. Unfortunately, I was only able to visit the foyer of the museum, as the new exhibitions were still a work in progress. However, the architecture itself did not disappoint. The tiled facade, curving towards the river, beautifully reflected both the sound of the waves and the play of light on the water surface. On the undulating rooftop, the balustrades and stairs collided into a playful composition of lines. I hope these images give you an impression of Amanda Levete’s design and encourage you to leave Lisbon’s city center for its Belém district. For more must-visits in the wonderful city of Lisbon, have a look at my city guide here.
During our road trip through France, Lies and I indulged both in breathtaking nature and stunning architecture, and today I’m concluding my report of our trip with the latter. Le Point du Jour is a housing project designed by Fernand Pouillon between 1957 and 1963 in Boulogne-Billancourt, a Parisian suburb. The twenty five buildings house no less than 260 apartments, facilities and shops and yet the site never feels dense, on the contrary! The materials, the lines of the buildings, the greenery and the colors form a perfect composition that never bores the eye. A must-see if you’re visiting Paris and prefer magnificent architecture over tourist traps, but then again, who doesn’t?
Inspired by Laurent Kronental’s photo series Souvenir d’un Futur, Lies and I decided to see those Grands Ensembles in Paris for ourselves during last summer’s road trip through France. These enormous housing projects were built between the 1970s and 1980s and were meant to be a solution to the housing crisis, urban migration and the inflow of foreign immigrants, while also meet modern needs. The resulting buildings must have looked pretty futuristic back then, but nowadays they feel rather like the captivating movie decor of a Modernist utopian city. We visited three of these Grands Ensembles in the outskirts of Paris during our trip (one of which I didn’t photograph because it felt inappropriate, but you might have already seen Bofill’s Les espaces d’Abraxas in the hunger games movies anyway) and today I’m sharing two, the circular Les Arénes de Picasso in Noisy-Le Grand, designed by Manuel Núñez Yanowsky and the Le Viaduc (1980) and Les Arcades du Lac (1975) in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, designed by Ricardo Bofill and dressed in rosy hues. If you want to see more of our roadtrip, have a look here on the blog or here on instagram, and keep an eye out for my last post about our vacation if you’re enjoying these posts filled with stunning architecture!
As some of you might know, I didn’t always live in Antwerp (or Lisbon, or Leuven…), but I grew up in a small town in the east of Belgium. The nearest “big city” was Hasselt, which back then consisted mostly out of high street stores. At the age of 16, we didn’t expect much more from our shopping trips, but times change. And so did Hasselt! Every time I return I’m surprised by all the new shops and bars, so I figured it was about time I shared my favorite places in this incredibly cosy city. As usual, you’ll find a map at the bottom of this city guide for Hasselt, where you’ll find even more tips from very reliable sources, and this post will be updated as I discover new places.
Our road trip from last summer brought us to the french west coast after we visited the impressive villa cavrois. We barely made any plans for this trip (we literally decided one day ahead that we’d drive through France), but Etretat was on the top of our list right from the start. With its stunning cliffs (including several natural arches) it is a however one of the most popular destinations at the french west coast for tourists. We had no desire to spend our night among the crowd, so we headed to a camping that still had a spot for our tent in the nearby village of Yport. Boy, was that a good choice! The campsite (and thus our tent) turned out to have a breathtaking view over Yport and its beach. We spent our days here reading, indulging in crêpes and baguettes and exploring the beach and the typical French village, before we headed to Paris. However, that’s for another post. For now, I hope you enjoy these photos of our stay. More photos of our trip can be found here on the blog or here on instagram. Are you inspired yet to take a trip to the french west coast yourself?
This summer, my friend Lies and I opted for a budget holiday, driving with our tent through the North of France, exploring both architecture and nature, while ending with a bit more luxury in Paris (hello hotel panache!), where we would meet up with our friend Eline. The first stop on this roadtrip was Villa Cavrois, an impressive modernist mansion located in Croix, just over the Belgian border. This “modern château” was designed in 1929 by Robert Mallet-Stevens for the wealthy Paul Cavrois (a textile industrial), his wife Lucie and their seven children. The architect also designed the entire interior of this 2800 m² mansion, and opted for luxurious materials such as marble and precious wood, while never losing sight of functionality. However, after being occupied by the German army during world war II and an unsuccesful architectural intervention, Villa Cavrois was abandonned and vandalized. Luckily the French state realized the value of this building and bought the property in 2001, with the goal of restoring it to its former glory. 13 years (!) of research and 23 million euro (!) later, Villa Cavrois is restored back into its original state of 1932 and open to the public.
Last summer I spent a couple days in Cologne all by myself. You’ve already seen fragments of that trip on the blog and my instagram, but today I wanted to share my favorite spots in this lovely German city. I collected tips from friends and other bloggers beforehand, so in the map at the bottom of this post you’ll find a lot more places than I possibly could try in those three days but would love to explore during another visit to Cologne!
It’s no secret that I’m rather fond of botanical gardens, so it shouldn’t surprise you that when I planned to visit Cologne, the first thing I looked up was if the city had a botanical garden. Wandering through the lush gardens, exploring its stunning greenhouses and reading while enjoying these exotic vies turned out to be a perfect way to spend my afternoon. What can I say, I just never get tired of botanical gardens! So here are a few fragments of Cologne’s most peaceful hideaway, hopefully this dose of greenery brightens your Sunday!
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
Ever since I set foot in Cologne’s Kolumba museum five years ago, I’ve been in awe with this architectural masterpiece by Peter Zumthor. When I planned to spend a couple of days in Cologne this summer, the first thing that popped into my mind was that I’d be able to revisit the Kolumba, which I still remembered as one of the most impressive buildings I’ve visited. Curious whether or not it’d live up to my memories, I couldn’t wait to pay this museum for religious art a second visit. Built on the ruins of a gothic church, the building forms a stunning play on the contrast between old and new, light and dark, matte and reflective surfaces. Needless to say, I was not disappointed by my second visit at all.
This summer, I felt the need to escape our little country on my own for a few days. When choosing my destination, I was looking for something not too far away so I could easily reach it with blablacar, not too expensive, not too touristic and preferably not in France, as I already planned to go there a few days later. Keeping all of this in mind and considering tips from friends, I decided on Cologne. I had already been there five years ago during a school trip, to visit what has become one of my favorite buildings, but didn’t really remember the city itself. Cologne turned out to be wonderful and exactly what I needed. (Would you like to see a city guide?) I enjoyed the sun (36 degrees!), sipped on iced lattes, wandered the beautiful green streets of the city, caught up on my reading, admired that favorite building for the second time (I’ll show you the photos in a blogpost soon) and visited the most beautiful musea Cologne had to offer. One of those was the Skulpturenpark, a parc that hosts biennial series of sculpture exhibitions. The current exhibition, KölnSkulptur #8 will be on show until June 2017 and made quite the impression on me. With works by Dan Graham and Sou Fujimotto among others, it’s no surprise that I shot nearly a whole roll of film here. I hope these fragments of my visit give you an accurate impression of the hours I’ve spent enjoying this beautiful parc.
Vilvoorde might not have the reputation of being the hippest of cities, one particular place is certainly trying to make up for that. As part of co-working space Firma, Cantine is the place to be for a delicious lunch in a stunning decor. Their carefully selected (vegetarian!) menu is complemented with daily specials and weekly suggestions, making sure that even the most regular visitor won’t get bored. Besides food, Cantine also offers a selection of lovely Vitra goodies, which will soon be expanded even further. For those who can’t make it to Vilvoorde for lunch during the week, Cantine also hosts a tasty brunch every last Sunday of the month, invites you for an after work drink (or two!), every second Thursday of the month, and you can even book this gorgeous space for a private dinner club. And gorgeous it definitely is, but what else did you expect from the talented ladies of BRNSO. aka Baroness O.?
Cantine, Schaarbeeklei 636, 1800 Vilvoorde - website - facebook - instagram
If you’re in need of a new haircut but don’t feel like wasting time sitting around waiting for your hairdresser to be done with the previous client, I recommend you to pay a visit to De Kapbar in Leuven. Owner Lisa might still be young, but she damn sure knows what she wants! This gal launched her very own hairdressing salon, where you can enjoy a drink in the bar while you’re waiting for your turn. Sipping on your cup of coffee surrounded by brick walls, white wooden floors and vintage furniture, you’ll feel at home instantly, but most important: Lisa won’t mess up your hair. I wouldn’t dare to recommend something I haven’t tried for myself, so I took the plunge and let Lisa work her magic on my hair. I can honestly say that you’re in good hands with Lisa, so if you’re locks need some help, De Kapbar is the way to go, and while you’re in Leuven anyway, give these places a try too.
De Kapbar, Naamsestraat 55, 3000 Leuven - facebook