tribute to nature

A tribute today, to my number one inspiration: nature! All of the images above can be found (and tracked back) on my 'Nature' Pinterest board...Happy sunday!

who designed my new table lamp?

Meet my latest purchase from the online second hand market called Marktplaats. For only € 26,- it was mine! I loved the size (the shade is huge!), the shape, the perspex material and the price!
I would love to know what designer or manufacturer produced this lamp back in - what I believe - the late seventies/early eighties. I know it's not a Verner Panton, it misses a certain refined touch. But I am curious if there is anyone amongst you that might have a clue of the origine? I would be happy to hear it!

STOCKIST SPOTLIGHT goes Austin Texas: Nannie Inez

It is already 2 years ago that I started a little series called 'stockist spotlight'. It was great fun to do, but so much work that I wasn't able to do it on a more regular basis. Then again: I'm a designer, a business woman and not a blogger in the first place. But sometimes you meet new stockists that are so special... anyway, I dusted off the whole plan one more time!

I met one of the owners of Nannie Inez, Deeyn Rhodes, on the International Gift Fair in New York. She pointed at my pop-up posters and said: hey, I have these posters on a photo that I used for the inspiration moodboard for the store! She looked it up and there it was: a picture of my living room, with pop-up posters all over the wall! 

photo: Jessica Pages

Nannie Inez
Owners: Deeyn Rhodes and Lonzo Jackson
Location: Austin, Texas, USA 

photo: Wynn Myers

Why is your shop called Nannie Inez?
Nannie Inez was my grandmother’s name. She was a very meticulous lady and cared very much about her environment being aesthetically pleasing. The way she cared for her home, garden and entertaining is something that I will always hold dear. Lonzo and I have lived away from Texas for over 10 years and moving back to be closer to family made choosing the name Nannie Inez feel very natural.  

What what kind of shop would you call it? Gift, home, design...? 
Well, we sort of blur the three categories but I would call it a design concept shop. In my mind a concept shop is a place to go to have an experience, see something new and connect with something on an emotional level. I hope that customers visit our shop and find things they love and have an escape for a bit.   

photo: Jessica Pages

What made you decide to start your own shop?
I come from a family of entrepreneurs so although I might not have always known what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to have my own business. I previously worked in fashion for luxury designers and although it was great, I knew I wouldn’t do that forever. A few years ago we had the opportunity to move to London with Lonzo’s job. It was in London that we cultivated our love for modern, whimsical design. 

photo: Jessica Pages

Do you have a particular way of styling in your shop? Your own ‘hand’?
That is really Lonzo’s specialty. He has a great eye for styling. I love it when he works in the shop because I usually return to a completely remerchandised space. We like to mix styles and don’t identify strongly with one aesthetic. For example my favorite vignette in the shop at the moment is mid century credenza and settee paired with a super modern bright orange powder coated metal side table from Bend, with whimsical pillows by Donna Wilson and a super vibrant Bitmap throw from Zuzunaga. On the wall is a 1950’s French map arranged with Jurianne Matter 3D pop up posters.  Displayed on the credenza is a super minimalist planter by Pigeon Toe and a very playful ashtray by Yoshitomo Nara. 

We do try to arrange things by usage and color story but those our only rules and we are quite flexible with our rules anyway! Oh and plants, lots of plants are a must in our shop.    

photo's: Jessica Pages

What will you be doing in five years?
Well, Lonzo and I have just started building our own home a few blocks from the shop and I can’t wait for it to be completed. After moving more times than I care to recall, I look forward to having a real home. In terms of the business, I hope to be well established within the Austin design community with a growing online presence. Lonzo has a woodworking shop not far from Nannie Inez and we hope to start developing more Nannie Inez pieces in the near future.  

photo: Jessica Pages

Thank you Deeyn, for your time, for your inspiring answers and your lovely photo's!
For people outside of Austin: don't forget Nannie Inez has a wonderful webshop too! If you go there don't forget to use the coupon-code above (between 08-04 and 08-05) !

spring poetry

"Yoohoo, Spring, we're down here in the Netherlands, please don't skip us this year!" 
We are getting a little impatient, it keeps on snowing and freezing...

In the meantime I feed my soul with these intriguing floral works by Anne ten Donkelaar. She uses pressed real flowers as well as cut out flower pictures to make 3d collages. Each element is meticulously placed on pins which creates the depth. I think they are so poetical, I could look at those works for hours, they tell a thousand stories....

humans of new york

It was Kay from Kaylovesvintage that wrote a kind of ps in her blogpost: 'My favorite website at the moment is Humans of New York'. 
Since I like Kays' taste, I love humans ;-) and I went to NY in August, I immediately clicked on the link and couldn't stop scrolling, looking and reading!

Humans of NY is hosted by Brandon Stanton, a photographer and storyteller, who walks the streets of New York on a daily basis. He watches and approaches his 'humans' completely fearless and with so much attention, love and humor. And the way he tells their stories - sometimes in just a few words - is so very pure!

The first two photo's for example got the following quotes: 
 Left (asian woman): “May I take your photo? You look beautiful.”
“OK, just make sure you can see the bag.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were advertising something.”
“Isn’t everything beautiful advertising something?”
 Right (little girl): “We ordered her those pants, and as soon as they arrived, she cut off the bottoms and made a pair of gloves.” 

If you had plans for this Sunday, just forget it: if you click the link you'll stay at home and visit Brandon's New York...

bathroomgarden

I've never felt the need for having plants in my house, since I have a nice green garden that I love to work in...
But somehow on a cold winter's day a few weeks ago - fed up with the snow - I bought basic flower pots and a lovely Succulent Family! Succulents are famous for growing without much care, just my cup of tea, I thought.

I created a little garden in my bathroom, because I love the combination of tiles and plants.
Every morning, while taking a shower, I enjoy the sight of my new green relatives. Miracles happen: I even water them every now and then...

blue & bronze (terra and copper)

Love the combination of blues and bronzes. I found some stuff via Pinterest.
From above left: Taurus sculpture from the fities and parasol by Kururi. Both - unfortunately without a real source - via my Pinterest boards
The cushion I found at dutch webstore Raaf. The coppertape - can you imagine all the cool things you can do with that? - comes from Manufactum.