We have been enjoying lovely weather here in The Netherlands. Spring has arrived! This means that the tulip season has started.

The tulip has come to be a loved symbol of the Netherlands. Many tourists visit our country just to see the bright coloured flower and the astonishing view over the bulb fields. The season begins in March with crocuses, followed by the daffodil and the yellow narcissi. In April the hyacinths and tulips blossom to some time in mid May, depending on the weather.

Happy Easter! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Today is another sunny day which asks for another colourful post! These beautiful images are from the collection of Danish designer and stylist Rie Elise Larsen.

Rie Elise’s collection consists of home accessories, children’s toys, (wrapping) paper, and clothing. All in vibrant colors and patterns.

(images from Rie Elise Larsen)

I love tables made from rustic wood like the table in the image above. I have a dinner table that is made from old wood (over 100 years) that has been found in old houses in Bosnia. The houses were destroyed in the war and now wood from doors etc from these houses are used to make furniture. I finally have made some pictures from our new home. I will give you a peek in the next days so you can see my beautiful table!

(image from Grant White Design)

In the village of Bugnien in France, antique dealer Aurélien and his wife Pascale discovered a sleeping beauty in the form of a small chateau built in the late 17th century. With infinite care they have created a home with an imaginary past, filling it with treasures found on antiquing expeditions throughout France and Europe. The beautiful living room (above) is lit by an 18th century Italian chandelier. The Louis XV daybed is covered with a small gold silk quilt and scattered with simple canvas cushions, a large Florentine candlestick rests on the Gustavian style table.

An old bird cage, a painted dresser and a Venetian mirror are paired with a pastel 18th century Provence style chair.

Aurélien created a living room with an imaginary Swedish ancestry, installing Gustavian furniture and painting it in classic Gustavian shades of dove grays and soft blues. These gentle tones have been tempered by the accents of gilt, crystal and Venetian gilded wood, while a French 19th century chandelier and a contemporary sofa give the room a more cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The bathroom was discovered to be almost intact, and has kept its enameled cast iron bathtub and original tiles. A Napoleon III cabinet in the corner was a find of Aurélien’s from years ago, as was the Executive chandelier placed on it.

(images from marie claire maison)

This gorgeous image is from the porffolio of Australian designer Antony Todd. I love the ikat pillow!

(via Design Files)

In New York’s Chinatown, perched high above the street in a 19th-century industrial loft live architecture couple Solveig Fernlund and Neil Logan. Devoted to collecting mid-century modern souvenirs, the space accommodates the open-plan, live/work environment that suits their personal, verging-on-austere aesthetic. This simple, calm oasis proves that sometimes less really is more.

The intentional decoration seen in the eclectic collection of art is casually leaning against the wall or hung in groups.

The few pieces of furniture they have are all genuine vintage designs from the likes of Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé and Alvar Aalto.

The open shelves in the kitchen allow their china collection to serve as decoration and the floors were painted with grey gloss to reflect light, adding to the airiness of the space.

(courtesy of loftlife)

Another trend for this season is called ‘Simplify’. Minimalism has the reputation to quickly cool and impersonal, but with the right materials and matching eye-catchers the opposite effect can be reached. Modern minimalism is light, playful and earthy. No futuristic or useless objects, but functional object that are hand-crafted from natural materials. In the image above, the butterfly chair is placed in front of a plain wall. The bench made from scrap wood is from Piet Hein Eek. The black rosary from paper mache is designed by Miriam Franks and is available from the Frozen Fountain.

The candle holder looks robust but it is actually made from paper mache. The simple design comes from the Middle Ages. The bench from Dom van der Laan is made from red cedar (available from the Frozen Fountain).

(via Perscentrum Wonen)

I think that this personalized wire hanger for children makes a great gift. Available from Etsy shop Lilafrances.

The renovation of our house is almost finished. I hope to show you some photos next weekend. The only room that needs some work is our office. Last week I found some beautiful images on decor8 which I have saved for inspiration.

This contemporary workspace, located in Louisville (USA), belongs to the firm of De Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop owned by Roberto DeLeon and Ross Primmer.

Above the office are the living quarters. There two separate living spaces adjacent to the office.

Each architect occupies a gorgeous loft.

(images by Bella Grace Studios, via decor8)

One of the interior trends for this summer is called ‘artistic‘. It is original and artistic. Bright yellow is one of the trend colours. Strong patterns in black and white provide a solid basis in combination with rough wood. In this playful residential atmosphere there is not such as thing as bad taste. The only thing that counts is individuality and personal taste. Furniture and accessories have been carefully collected and have an emotional value. Both collectors items as recycled stuff go side by side. The colourful rug in the image above is from Téjo Remy. The wallpaper is Wallpower next 393039 from Eijffinger. The pillow is from is from Zomers bloemen.

The black and white fabric on the wall is patern Taikamylly from Marimekko. The pillow and tea towel are from the new H&M home collection. The table is from the Fenc collection. The vase, made from paper, is from Couzijn van Leeuwen. The beautiful embroidered poof in the image below is from Zomers bloemen.

(images from Perscentrum Wonen)