I regularly receive emails from readers asking me for suggestions where to go and what to do in Amsterdam. For all of you visiting Amsterdam , The Netherlands, I have created a Amsterdam Design Guide with all the best tips for (design) hotels, great restaurants, where to go for your design shopping, the best museums, places of interest etc.
It took me a bit longer than expected to finish this guide, due to the fact that I have been very busy and also because I wanted to make sure that I had included ALL the interesting places for you to visit. You can find the Amsterdam Design Guide here. I hope you’ll enjoy it! The guide will be updated from time to time. Please email me if you have any suggestions that should be included in the list. Thanks!
{You can find more great Amsterdam shops & stops in the Amsterdam category.}
Yesterday I posted about that beautiful chandelier that can be purchased from Atelier Abigail Ahern. When I am in London I always make sure to visit this gorgeous store run by Abigail Ahern. Abigail is a highly experienced and well renowned stylist and interior designer and has worked across Europe, America and the Middle East. Her hallmark being her relaxed and accessible approach to interior decoration.
In her shop she carries a wonderful home collection. Quintessentially eclectic, utterly style conscious and a little bit of tongue in cheek, all pieces are sourced from around the globe bringing the best of other cultures into our own. Part of the collection is also available online. It is worth visiting Atelier Abigail Ahern’s website as the photos, shot by photographer Graham Atkins-Hughes, are stunning.
A sense of drama and love of the ornate characterise this stunning Neo-Baroque inspired chandelier. Suitable for holding taper candles or t-lights it creates a beautiful flickering, flattering low light. This giant chandelier (110×140 cm!) is available from Atelier Abigail Ahern in London.
Pieter Stockmans set up his studio, located in Genk (Belgium) in 1987. Pieter is specialised in beautiful handicraft products made from delicate porcelain. The porcelain is produced according to traditional methods in his own studio in little series under the brand Pieter Stockmans Belgium. His daughter Widukind and her husband Frank Claesen have also joined the business. Click here to visit Studio Pieter Stockmans’ website where you can see their stunning designs.
How nice it is to be creative
with a simple material such as clay
I have done it my whole life
and still have new ideas
How wonderful to express myself
every day
with this white gold
as porcelain is called
Always
in the same philosophy
of tactility and vulnerability
and my own harmony
Pieter Stockmans
I purchased these beautiful gift tags on etsy yesterday. The tags come in a set of 12 or 18, depending on size. Etsy seller Elfrida has designed each pattern herself, trying to give every design its own character. These tags are truly unique, requiring layers and layers to make. They will definitely give that extra bit of charm to your gifts. Another great idea is to use them to decorate your christmas tree, like I will do.
I hope you have been enjoying the posts about the gorgeous interiors of Moroccan Riads! If you, like me, are drawn to this style of decoration, then please find below some ideas for creating a ‘Moroccan atmosphere’ in your home. The photo above was taken in my living room. All furniture and accessories are mine but most are also available in my webshop Le Souk (antique Moroccan tray & folding stand, embroidered Moroccan poof, sequin pillow cover).
These beautiful pillows are all from from Madeline Weinrib. You can visit her website here to see more of her beautiful pillows. Check out her carpets as well, they are gorgeous!
Top image: antique Moroccan tray & wooden folding stand, floor cushions (all from Le Souk). Below right: metal lantarn by Graham & Green, below left: embroidered Moroccan Poof.
Would you like more inspiration? Holly did an excellent post at decor8 last year: Mad about Morocco! And on Maryam’s blog My Marrakech you can read about her life in Marrakech (she is building a beautiful guesthouse!).
This Marrakech riad is absolutely gorgeous! P‘tit Habibi is a beautiful riad at the north end of the Marrakech Medina (Morocco). The house fuses traditional artisan craft with modern design. For the decoration of the individually designed rooms, traditional craftsmanship is combined with cutting edge design.
The Bibliotheque, which is the main meeting space for quests, has a gorgeous large 60s chandelier that lights up the dining table.. The large glass doors of the biblioteque opens out into the travertine paved courtyard, where breakfast or a delicious glass of mint tea can be enjoyed.
The Peruche room is extensively decorated with bird motives and gorgeous shades of pink and aubergine. The glass pattern of the entrance door fills the bedroom with arabic morning light rays. The White room has a French balcony over looking the courtyard. This room has a large private balcony with covered sitting areas with one side open to the balcony and courtyard.
Click here for more information about P’tit Habibi and the room rates.
Another beautiful Moroccan retreat is Castles in the Sand. The villas Dar Beida and Dar Emma, which are available for rent, are located in a dusty coastal town called Essaouira. It is in this little town that Orson Welles based his Othello, and Jimi Hendrix found the inspiration for ‘Castles In The Sand’. Built in the 18th century and constructed in traditional Moroccan style, the houses are located right in the centre of town. You can definitely see that the houses are restored with love. The beautifully decorated rooms are spacious yet tranquil, and provide a cool retreat from the outside world. Click here for more information and rates.
Castles in the Sand was recently featured in a magazine. I absolutely LOVE the kitchen which was featured in the magazine. I have scanned the photo above, that’s why the quality is not so good.
(photos by Gaellele Boulicaut)
I love mixing eclectic elements with modern furniture for my interior! I certainly have been inspired by the beautiful riads I saw in Marrakesh, Morocco, when I was there some years ago. This week I will be showing you some of these riads, starting with Riad Yima.
Riad Yima is “a labour of love” by artist/photographer/designer Hassan Hajjaj. Hassan has been working on this beautiful riad for around three years, studiously hand picking and creating the look and feel using entirely local artisans, traditional builders and local materials. Check Riad Yima’s website if you would like to see more inspiring images or if you would like to book a room in this gorgeous riad. It is located in the main medina a mere 5 minutes away from the main square Djema El Fna, the spiritual heart of Marrakesh.
