lubna

It is - I guess - a decade ago that I first saw Lubna Chowdary's tiles. I was deeply touched by her work, I 'recognized' it with my heart, so to speak. The colours, the simple graphic patterns, the glazes and the lovely handmade look and feel. Lubna is a real craftswoman and a remarkable artist who lives and works in London.
Every now and then I check on her website how she is doing, which is funny: it feels like catching up with an old friend...

home made

These are some of my 'home made' photo's of the Little Trees. I've sent them to my business-friends (retailers) this week.
I am looking forward to see my Little Trees on other blogs as well, photographed from a completely different 'angle'. It makes me feel happy (recognition!) and it is very refreshing to see your 'kids' from a different side.

pr presents

Time absorbing, but so much fun to do: sending my new design to close friends, distributors abroad and to some dear press-contacts.
The tape-dispenser bird just flew in from PSikhouvanjou, isn't it cute?

sunday morning etsy visit

From above left: Zakka Nouveau, Paper Phine, Pardon My Vintage and again Zakka Nouveau

new-old

Both the vintage terracotta lampshades and the ceramic looking (plastic) wall cabinet were patiently waiting in the corridor - for 2 months - to be placed in our living room. Last week I ordered some white textile iron wire at Snoerboer, the rest (technical part) I thank to Peter, my dear handyman-husband. Thanks P, for this lovely Valentinesday gift!

spring messengers

Amazing green pod peas (crotcheted!), a spring present from Ingrid.

And this great ceramic cup by Lenneke Wispelwey, I adore her work! Found this photo on her blog.

one week ago

...we came home from Paris. Haven't had one spare moment to post about our little business trip. Here we go!

Metro Abesses, a couple of minutes from our apartment.


The streets - and the Sacré Coeur - around the corner. We were haunted by so called artists who wanted to draw a 'charicature' of us. My answer: no thanks, I am already a charicature of myself!
Are there actually people buying these horrible paintings and drawings from them?


The night we arrived we went straight on to the Eiffeltower. I have to admit, after 20 years, it was pretty impressing. All that steel, it looked like black lace, lit against the dark blue winter sky. It didn't feel cliché at all, it was just amazing. Hurray for tourist hot spots (hi,hi!).


On Saturday we visited some of the places you recommended. Like Tombées du Camion, which was just some minutes away from our apartment. It was great, but crowded and dark, couldn't take a proper picture. We went to Le Marais, rue des Rosiers, which had been changed so much since my last visit there - ehhhh...20 years ago!

One of the must sees was Merci on Beaumarchais (see photo's above). My children remarked: Mom, it feels like being in Eindhoven at the Dutch Design Week. Nice difference this time was that in Merci everything is for sale! Even for simple people like us: we bought some good old Duralex esprresso and wine glasses (not the picardie-type, but the round ones) and some other very handy kitchen utensils!

On Sunday we were at the Maison et Objet Trade Fair, or 'le Salon' as the French call it. Apart from several highlights - like my dear friends of &Klevering of course - I found it rather disappointing. But then again, we missed one of the best halls, number 8, full of great designers like Scholten & Baijings and the Bouroullec Brothers...Next time hall 8 will be the first to go to.
By the way: the reason I went to Paris was & Klevering and they did a wonderful job! It was an honour to have my paperwork in their stand. Thanks guys, you are great!