Vosgesparis

Monday Giveaway - Danish design Clothes hangers

2012-02-13T10:35:00.001+01:00

It's a pleasure to have Mirjam Boon and her lovely webshop Heel Wit on my blogs and today we are running another giveaway with her. Being a big fan of white, like myself, we are giving away a set of 5 metal clothes hangers in white today!

Join the giveaway: HERE

Mirjam Boon en haar webshop Heel Wit zijn wederom te gast op mijn blog met opnieuw een aparte giveaway! Mirjam is, net als ikzelf, een grote wit fan en ook in haar webshop is alles overwegend wit! Vandaag kun je een set van 5 aluminium kleding hangers winnen, in de kleur wit!

Naar de giveaway

Bedroom update {grey + white + black}

2012-02-09T19:56:00.001+01:00

Winning the new gray floor through VT Wonen Magazine just before Christmas, also changed the look of my bedroom. Being used to the white floors in there It was a bit of a change in the beginning... but although this floors are grayish-white they bring a lot of light in the house...
Especially when the sun is shining or now, with the snow outside, the light reflects on the floor and it gives my home an almost serene and calm look that I really love...

I only changed some little things around and bought some things in the sale, like a white carpet at Pols Potten . And lots of Linen table clothes in the H&M Home Sale to cover the bed. Next project is a 'proper' {although I have my own look on that word} 'cupboard' for my clothes.

Industrial chair via Sourced & Sold

Black + Silver [from Etsy]

2012-02-07T00:32:00.000+01:00

Having way to many candle sticks {I counted about 26 of them from big to small the last time before I gave away most of them} I reduced the amount to only a few really beauties that I love the most. Next to some of the design ones I am really loving the very simple paper bags I bought at MERCI two years ago.

The black cast iron candlesticks by Normann Copenhagen I got last year are still a favorite too.. And recently I finally found a web shop in the Netherlands that is selling the Kubus from By Lassen that was on my wish list for a long time. I am loving the simple form of it!

Around the Kubus there is a little Garland the lovely French Sandrine, who now lives in New York, sent to me. She makes them by hand and sell them in her Etsy shop Twiggy & Lou among other decorative handmade items for children rooms.

Monday Giveaway - Ali Lamu Bags

2012-02-06T00:01:00.001+01:00

Hello and welcome to this weeks giveaway. Only a week left till Valentines day, so we thought it would be the right time to give away some Ali Lamu Bags as they are all about love.... and made with love

I discovered them some months ago myself and, and they caught my eye because I had never seen something like it before, there was some sort of positive vibe that wanted me to get to know them... Being secretly a bit of a romanticist I really loved the story behind them. I am very happy that this week we can give away three! small bags worth € 39,95 each from Alilamu.nl

Join the giveaway : HERE

Hallo en welkom bij de giveaway van deze week. Nog maar een week tot aan Valentijnsdag, dus we vonden het het perfecte moment om een aantal Ali Lamu tasjes weg te geven. Zij hebben alles met liefde te maken .... en worden bovendien door de lokale bevolking met liefde gemaakt.

Ik vind het ontzettend leuk om deze week drie kleine tasjes ter waarde van € 39,95 per stuk te mogen weg geven via Kathelijne's webshop Alilamu.nl

Naar de giveaway

Behind the scenes with Paulina Arcklin {And a brand new website to inspire you}

2012-02-02T08:58:00.000+01:00

Some time ago I came in touch with Finnish decorating editor and stylist Paulina Arcklin. Her former Helsinki home was shown in the same issue of Dutch interior magazine as my home was in so it almost seemed as if we already knew each other a little. And after some mails we found out we do not even live that far from each other ... So the other week we met at her Amsterdam Expat home and Paulina gave me a little home tour.

I have fallen completely in love with the home where she and photographer Tim, who is responsible for most of the beautiful pictures at their site, live. What I love most is how she decorated their apartment. We totally agreed about the fact that you do not need a big amount of things or money to have a beautiful home. What you need is lots of inspiration and clever ideas.

Paulina and Tim kindly share their ideas on the brand new website they just launched and I am absolutely sure you are gonna love it and won't reveal to much of it on here so you will have lots to read and look at...I'd love you to get to know Paulina a little better by some questions I asked here for this blogpost, as I am sure we are going to hear lots more from her in the future!

Your Helsinki apartment was recently publiced in VT Wonen magazine... and now you are living in Amsterdam.. How do you like the city and do you have a favorite place to go already?
Yes, my former Helsinki home story was in Vtwonen January 2012 issue. I love this city! Really! I really like the lifestyle of Amsterdam and the people who live here.... Everybody is enjoying their life and you can see this also in their homes. Dutch people have such an inspiring and relaxing taste of decorating.

I have many favourite places to visit...interior shops of course! I like to visit them very often and check whats new. I also like places like Roast, Cafe Brecht...and I love Vondelpark and Amstelpark! But I know that I have not seen everything yet, so there might be other places also that Ilike ;) And beause I love photographing myself too, there are so many places to go photographing!

Is there anything you miss from Helsinki and your old apartment in Helsinki?
No. I don't miss anything from Helsinki or my old apartment. And maybe because I love all the new things in my 'new' life. I wanted to change my life and it happened! And if I want, I can always go to visit Helsinki ;) My Helsinki home was a rental home, so the only important things were my stuff. It was very emotional to sell a huge part of it. But now when I think of them, I like more my new stuff then the old ones.

What do you think about the look/layout of the houses in Amsterdam?
I love the old Amsterdam houses. Each one of them has such a personality and unique floorplans. It's amazing. In fact, normally I would like to stay and live in one home as long as possible, but here I have become so curious, that I would like to live in a few different kind of houses. Also in Houseboat, about what I first thought "that! never ever" :D

Is your Dutch apartment gonna look very different from the clean Scandinavian look you created in your Helsinki home? Is there anything you are gonna do different and why?
Yeah, our Amsterdam home is very different as my former Helsinki home. And this "our" home. I found a very special man that came to my life here. He is photographer and we just started working together.

Those few furniture what I take with me from Helsinki, looks so different in here and it's only good. I like a much more relaxed and soft style now. I like to mix and the industrial style is definately a new part of me too.

Would you be working as a stylist in Holland or do you have other plans?
I'm an interior stylist and editor (journalist). When we are going to take photos for a Home Story. I style the homes for the pictures, but I like to use the owners own items and things. And I also style our decorating story photos.

Thank you Paulina... on to many more inspirational meetings....

NOW Get Inspired .... www.Paulinaarcklin.nl

pictures copyright by Tim Collins / Paulina arcklin.nl

EST Magazine #4 {Sandinavian Special}

2012-01-31T19:54:00.001+01:00

Today the wonderful EST Magazine launched their 4th issue... Filled with inspiration from the Nordic countries. Have a look in the home of Icelandic Interior Designer Rut Kara and Danish Tine K. Get to know modern day model turned street style snapper Candice Lake and see inside the home of the original street style photographer Amy Arbus in New York City.

In a special report from my inspirational friend AnoukB, photographed by Marjon Hoogervorst, who also shot the cover of the magazine. You can dream away and get some ideas on how to add some Scandinavian style to your own home.

To celebrate the launch of Issue #4 EST is giving 5 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of the third installment of the PIETBOON Book series showcasing interiors from around the world. Giveaway details will be posted online at Est magazine, Twitter and Facebook

Pictures by Marjon Hoogervorst - Styling AnoukB

Monday Giveaway - Malene Helbak’s Earthenware

2012-01-30T09:14:00.003+01:00

Giveaway: Malene Helbak’s Earthenware

Eating and drinking together, working, reading the newspaper, crafting; is the table the most important piece of furniture at your place? That’s why kleuroptafel.com sells colorful 'table fashion' to dress up your table. This week you can win €50 worth of Malene Helbak earthenware from Kleuroptafel

Join the giveaway: HERE

Samen eten en drinken, bijpraten, werken, de krant lezen, knutselen; je tafel is een van de belangrijkste meubels in huis. Bij kleurtoptafel.com vind je daarom ‘table fashion’ om je tafel kleurrijk aan te kleden. Vandaag geven wij Helbak artikelen ter waarde van €50,- weg.

Naar de Giveaway

Blackboard walls + pallet benchens {Chalkboard weekend - Part three}

2012-01-29T01:06:00.000+01:00

Today some more chalkboards pictures I received and love to share these on my blog with you! Tina from Peppar & Vanilj sent me pictures of her blackboard walls... and I think they are looking amazing!

I have always loved using blackboards not only to write on, but also as a wall to add images you love. On her wall Tina made a moodboard with some of her favorite pictures like the ones from stylist and shop owner Lotta Agaton and the famous picture of the Afghan girl with the blue eyes from 1999.

I also really love the bench she made out of old pallets... it is something I am thinking about since I put down some wooden planks on my concrete kitchen floor when I was still working on it. But seeing the bench VT Wonen made at the woonbeurs I kinda changed my plans as I like both ideas. So I am still thinking what to do.

Trying out things during the kitchen renovation

The bench at the VT Wonen home at the woonbeurs in 2011

Pictures 1-4 by Tina - Picture 5-6 by Vosgesparis

Blackboards from France {chalkboard weekend part two}

2012-01-28T00:23:00.000+01:00

In my previous post {part one}I showed you the pictures Jonna sent me and here are some Nathalie of Nath&Co sent to me. Nathalie is a graphic designer and visual artist. With an eco friendly approach she is re-using materials to give them a new use. She has six blackboards in her home and when people come over they enjoy writing and drawing on them. See more of her boards here and have a look at the boards she designed for her sons room.

The picture below, says Nathalie was an inspiration for her own blackboards... she don't know who's wall it is but funny enough we can find out some things about the person .. She likes to shop online-loves flowers - has an animal called Sid and might even be ready to go to Paris! If this is you let us know ;)

pictures (except the last one) by Nathalie, Thank you!

Chalkboard weekend {part one}

2012-01-27T19:13:00.000+01:00

A few days after my last weeks post about chalkboard walls in bedrooms
I got an email from interior- fashion journalist and stylist Jonna from the blog Mrs Jones She sent me some pictures of her bedroom with! chalkboard walls.

So I thought lets do a chalkboard post again and show you the pictures. But then I received more emails and decideded to show them all to you over the weekend. So here is part one of this little Chalkboard weekend!

The first two pictuers are made by Jonna herself and the last one is photographed by Nina Kellokoski and published in Finnish Glorian Koti-magazine last September, ain't the girl just cute all in Black&Pink. Thanks for sharing Jonna ;)

Maybebag {whats that in your maybebag }

2012-01-26T22:59:00.000+01:00

Since being available at MERCI in Paris the Maybebag seems to pop up everywhere.. Maybebags are made of Tyvek, an extremely light hi-tech material that gives the bags a delicate paper-like appearance. useful in many scenarios: from the daily commute to shopping and holidays, or just crumpled up in your main bag, waiting to be used in one of these - maybe - situations!

On the site they have a small blog called Maybelife... with pictures from what people carry around in their maybebags. If you can't go to Paris you can order a maybebag online at their site or at Orphan Socks with no shipping costs. Or if you live in Stockholm you can get them at Lotta Agaton's shop. If you are lucky enough to have one already .... show us what is in your maybebag !

This weekend I will be showing you lots of blackboards I got emailed and will have a little blackboard wall marathon on here... It will also be your last change to enter our giveaway and win a unique lamp from Zenza .... See you tomorrow!

THE IDEA:The idea for Maybebags was triggered by an observation we made on the London Underground: a lot of people have an expensive handbag that holds the daily essentials, but use a secondary, less stylish bags to carry anything from the extra pair of shoes to the gym kit or books and paperwork. We saw an opportunity for a functional yet beautiful everyday bag that is useful in many scenarios: from the daily commute to shopping and holidays, or just crumpled up in your main bag, waiting to be used in one of these “maybe” situations.

An industrial look bedroom {IKEA LIVE blog}

2012-01-24T00:04:00.003+01:00

Totally forgot to mention my last weeks blog for IKEA LIVE ... where I write about how the new grey floors also changed the look of my bedroom and where I also show some previous looks from the last years.

It is really strange to see how my taste of decorating changed towards the Masterplan) -- Talking about the masterplan {I promise you this will be the last time} I thought it was really cool when I met one of my blog readers last week and she told me that reading my thoughts and ideas about having a masterplan she thought it was a really good idea to make one for herself too ;) --

Since the picture above, taken about 2 weeks ago, my room had a little change again. As I missed the white floors a bit, I bought a white carpet at the Pol's Potten sale to put next to my bed. I will try to make some more pictures of the room again soon. For now you might like to read my blog at IKEA LIVE what the lovely people at LIVE called An industrial look bedroom

IKEA a m'a informée que tous les blogs sont traduits en Français et aussi disponibles sur le site de IKEA LIVE France.

Monday Giveaway - Wooden Snake wardrobe -

2012-01-23T13:08:00.001+01:00

This Monday's giveaway is the beautiful wooden

'Snake wardrobe' by Orphan socks

ORPHAN SOCKS sells a balanced blend of modest and accessible design where crafts and small brands are more important than transient trends and established names. If you would like to win the snake wardrobe worth €59.90, by Maike Timmermann.

You can join this giveaway on my CONCEPT BLOG

ORPHAN SOCKS verkoopt een mix van ingetogen en toegankelijke vormgeving , waar ambachten en kleine merken belangrijker zijn dan trends en gevestigde namen. Als je kans wilt maken op de snake wardrobe van Maike Timmermann t.w.v. €59.90 meedoen doe je op mijn concept blog!

Naar de Giveaway

Today at Emmas Designblogg {new kitchen pictures}

2012-01-21T01:02:00.002+01:00

Over the last few months I have been talking and sharing bits and pieces off my kitchen makeover.. from the old and small kitchen, a bedroom and a part of the hallway I made a bright and large kitchen.

Now that it is finished, I finally made some real pictures and I am really happy to being able to share them with you over at Emma's Designblogg. Her blog was one of the first Scandinavian blogs I started following years ago and I still don't miss a single update.

And maybe even more important, through the years she showed being a great person and blog friend as well, Thank you Emma xxx

A Chalkboard wall in the bedroom

2012-01-18T22:52:00.000+01:00

I found these cute pictures of the girl drawing on this great blackboard wall on the blog of Silje. A blog I found through Nina's community Stylizimo, where you can share pictures of your home with others.

During the last years I have seen lots of blackboard walls in kitchen and hallways, but not that much in bedrooms. I looked around on Pinterest and did a little survey on Facebook and Twitter asking you to sent me pictures of your blackboard walls.. but not one of the pictures was from a bedroom.

A stunning picture from the bedroom of fashion designer Hanne Graumann by Wichman and Bendsen I scannend from last years Elle Decoration. I think this home and room was my favorite out of all UK Elle Decoration magazines of last year. But I will check them out once more and make a choice, like I did with last years VT Wonen magazine and see if there are more favorites.

Sticker on a blackboard wall!

+++

If you have blackboard walls in your home and like to share them. Then please sent me the link to your blog and I will link you up under this post.

Thanks you Jana for the following link: Jeve {scroll down for that cat picture too!} Thank you for sending in your beautiful wall too Tip

WIN.... A Silver-plated copper lamp from ZENZA

2012-01-16T15:36:00.002+01:00

A new week and a new giveaway! Very happy to being able to give away a
great price from Zenza! Zenza is one of my favorite shops. You probably have seen them mentioned in my 'I Amsterdam shopping' guide yet! This week Zenza will give away a lamp worth €139,95 to one of our lucky readers.

Winning is really easy and you can participate on my concept blog by following this link

--->>To the giveaway <<---

closing date January 30!

Ook deze week mag ik weer een geweldige prijs weg geven. En wel van Zenza. Zenza is een van mijn favoriete winkels die je waarschijnlijk al kent uit mijn 'I Amsterdam' shopping guide! En deze week stellen zij een lamp ter waarde van €139,95 beschikbaar aan een van onze lezers.

Meedoen is heel makkelijk en doe je op mijn concept blog door de volgende link te volgen

--->> Naar de giveaway <<---

meedoen kan tot 30 Januari !

Normal gets you nowhere

2012-01-15T14:12:00.002+01:00

Having some more days off last week I had plenty of time to wander through my city... The thing I really love about living in Amsterdam is that there is so much to see and explore all the time, like new shops, galleries, a new part of the old harbor turning into a hip space.You only need time to discover it all.

So last week I had time and went to some bookstores, where I picked up the Kelly Cutrone poster. Not only did I loved the real life show of Kelly Cutrone about the hectic around Fashion week {you may hate me if you thought it sucked} I really love the title of her new book! I also added the Batgirl poster to the wall in the hallway, using black masking tape in stead of framing it! I think it looks really fantastic and basic like this.

And I finally went to have a closer look at new department store Options Where I bought a huge glass vase. Taking off the bubble wrap and tape I thought it would look good on the wall, as I love the word 'Options!'I really believe that if you step out of the box and just ad random things you love to your walls, it will make your home look different and a reflection of who you are.... Normal gets you nowhere ;)

Art + Chalkboard walls at Velvet

2012-01-13T11:36:00.002+01:00

Via Pinterest I came across a picture made by Designer and Stylist Sania Pell, author of The Homemade Home I emailed her about the picture. And told her how much I loved the photos of café-bar Velvet, she made in Zagreb. We had a lovely conversation and she told me how much she loves MERCI as well.. Ofcourse I gave her the adress of Restaurant Grazie a few blocks down to MERCI in Paris. A different, but beautiful place like this one.

The interior of cafe and gallerie Velvet is the vision of the talented Croatian contemporary artist and florist Saša Šekoranja. And I love the combination of greys, blacks and the little red details .. like the red stamped numbers on the tables and the legs of the chairs. I remember loving that kind of details in the cafe of MERCI as well last summer. More pictures of Velvet and the work of Saša Šekoranja can be found on Sania's website and on the Velvet website.

Lovely white ceramics... also to be found on the XL - Danish design tea towels we are giving away on the concept blog - competition open till Januari 23

Graphic + Raw + Simple

2012-01-11T00:12:00.001+01:00

Totally in love with these pictures of the Enamel works by Helen Carnac. Her work somehow brings together my love for graphic looks, raw materials and simple forms. Read more about Helen Carnac and her work on her blog

PS: Do not forget to scroll down to my previous post to participate in the amazing giveaway!

Edition 2012 { WIN... a set Louise Roe tea towels }

2012-01-09T10:10:00.001+01:00

Welcome to 'Edition 2012" our new series of giveaways...
We will be here with a new giveaway every Monday morning. announced on both Vosgesparis as well as on the concept blog.

On the concept blog you will always be able to read more about the webshops and see which giveaways are still open to join, or where you can shop with a discount, by clicking on the 'Win' tap on the top of the page. Hope you will enjoy our new series and and we look forward to welcoming you here on your Monday mornings.

We start this week with a giveaway from one of our new sponsors: UK based online shop Skandivis - the shop for unusual Scandinavian inspired design

Voor de Nederlandse vertaling scroll je naar beneden

Their product line often has a strong link to nature and animals in either design or material. This spring they have their eye on Danish designer Louise Roe & Rikke Hagen {Louise was the co-owner of the popular Danish brand By Nord but has since left to focus on creating her own brand}

Both designers are well know in Denmark but still new to the UK which is just the way they like it at Skandivis. Louise Roe first caught their eye with her vibrant home-ware such as the Cushion with photo print of book together with her XL large tea towels with the porcelain prints.

WIN ...a set Louise Roe tea towels

For this giveaway Skandivis choosed a set Louise Roe tea towels at the value of £13.99 each towel.

To have a chance to win this: Simply join Skandivis on facebook or follow on Twitter @Skandivis And leave a comment in this post telling us what you like about the designs and which one you would prefer to win.

In case you would like to share the giveaway on your facebook or blog , feel free to use the pictures or take the button from the sidebar, much appreciated!
Closing date January 23 - Good luck!

Update: This giveaway is now closed ... Congratulations Rosalinda for winning a set of XL teatowels. And thank you Skandivis!

Welkom bij 'Edition 2012' onze nieuwe serie giveaways

Elke maandagochtend zulen wij een nieuwe giveaway presenteren.Zowel op Vosgesparis alswel op het concept blog. Op het concept blog kun je ook meer lezen over de sponsor, meer fotos bekijken van de giveaways en zien aan welke giveaways je nog kunt meedoen of waar je kunt shoppen met discount. Kijk hiervoor onder de link bovenaan het blog.

Wij wensen je veel plezier met onze nieuwe serie en hopen je hier op de maandagochtend te mogen verwelkomen!

We starten deze week met een giveaway van onze nieuwe sponsor Skandivis - de online shop voor ongewoon Scandinavian geinspireerd design

De producten uit deze, in Groot-Brittannië gebaseerde webshop, hebben vaak een link naar de natuur in design en/of materiaal. Deze lente hebben zij hun oog laten vallen op de Deense designer Louise Roe & Rikke Hagen {Louise was de mede-eigenaar van het populaire Deense merk By Nord en richt zich nu volkomen op haar eigen merk}

Voor deze giveaway heeft Skandivis een set Louise Roe XL theedoeken ter waarde van £13.99 per stuk uitgekozen.

Een kans maken om te winnen is simpel: Volg Skandivis op facebook of Twitter @Skandivis ! En laat een commentaar in deze post achter en vertel ons wat je leuk vind aan deze designs en welke je graag zou winnen.

Wij vinden het superleuk als je de giveaway wilt delen op je facebook of blog, gebruik hiervoor gerust de foto's of de banner !

Meedoen kan tot 23 januari - Succes!

Update: Deze giveaway is gesloten ... Gefeliciteerd Rosalinda met het winnen van een set XL teatowels. Skandivis bedank!

Kidimo at MERCI {Paris}

2012-01-08T17:49:00.000+01:00

In case you are going to Paris this month and are visiting MERCI Being my favorite shop in Paris, I see it as a must of course if you ask me.. You can still play and make different words with the letters from Kidimo till Januari 14. On their site you can also make and order your own unique word!

I was planning to add a text to my wall in the living since painting it and taking everything of the wall, that is now placed on the low cabinets, {see my previous post here} and it might just be one of my favorite French words. Wondering what word you would make !

You can also visit Kidimo (2nd arrondisement)

L'atelier Kidimo - 227 rue St-Denis / En fond de cour - 75002 Paris

TineK Home {New Spring- Summer collection 2012}

2012-01-05T12:27:00.000+01:00

Really happy to find a press release from TineK Home in my mailbox this morning. I am a huge fan of TineK and think her collection is the perfect combination of Scandinavian design with beautiful whites, strong blacks and a French touch. As always a stunning location where the huge amount of lifestyle pictures is shot. Pure eye candy .... have a look at the TineK website or read Tine's personel blog here

This was 2011 {a year in pictures}

2012-01-02T12:24:00.003+01:00

Hello you all and welcome in the new year! I think it is gonna be a great year in blogging land! Looking back at 2011..... there were lots of black and whites, with pictures from my home and around the web. The discovering of many new blogs.... some serious addictions with making mood boards and Japanese masking tape.

Lots of ramblings about my favorite lamps, Paris, concrete... a nearly finished masterplan and home renovation .....and hopefully lots of inspiration! Here is last year in pictures from friends, myself and inspirational places and people! Thank you for all your friendship and kindness and welcome to 2012

Snapshots from the VT Wonen photo shoot {unplugged}

2011-12-29T22:52:00.002+01:00

Hello I hope you all had a great long weekend and for those who celebrate, a wonderful Christmas. For me it was the start of a three week holiday and I am enjoying every minute of it. Looking back at a wonderful 2011 I am so grateful for this last year, that has been so good for me. Starting with a great holiday in January my brother offered me at the Dutch Antilles.

After not having been in such a warm place for years it felt so good and it certainly gave me the energy to finally pick up things I was thinking about for a long time. I have always been an optimistic person who, even if times are hard, has a strong and positive look at things but this last year felt like one big positive flow. I made so many great new friends, had some beautiful trips to Paris. Welcomed a lot of new lovely readers on the blog and even met some of you in person.

In this last post of 2011 some snapshots from the photo shoot VT Wonen did at my home last month. Being my all time favorite magazine, I have been reading and collecting the magazine for years. And like many of you I am totally in love with the style and I especially love the work of my favorite stylist 'Frans Uyterlinde' {who also designed the VT Wonen home at the 'Woonbeurs'}

I was really happy he made some time on the last day before his holidays to have a look at my home and the shoot. It was great to have him around and see him with the photographer work at a photo shoot for the magazine in my own home. Something else to be really grateful for. The year ends with a new kitchen and lots of inspiration and new ideas for next year. I wish you all the happiness of the world and a healthy and happy new year.

Happy 2012 *Rock on*

If you live abroad and would love to receive the VT Wonen you can subscribe at Sanoma media

X-MAS + Black + White

2011-12-24T11:11:00.001+01:00

Wishing you all a merry Christmas

* Bonne Noel * Buon Natale * God Jul *

xxx desiree

Random Beauty {from gray to black}

2011-12-23T23:07:00.000+01:00

Some random beauty I came across today that made my heart beat faster... Just loving the colours and the styling.... as if someone just left the place and can be back any minute.. I guess that's what still life is all about.

Picture 1: Ineke vd Berg - &Styling Picture 2: Gubi Picture 3+4: Chris Court

Perfect places - imperfect people {E-zine}

2011-12-22T23:42:00.002+01:00

Today I got an email from the editors of Lithuanian E-magazine Llamas' valley who now also have an English version of their E-zine online! Llamas' valley is all about inspiration, perfect places and imperfect people... inside also an interview with Emma, from Emma's designblogg

Today you will find me at IKEA Live {my IKEA Blog}

2011-12-19T17:18:00.001+01:00

Since last spring. I am a regular blogger for the IKEA Family Live website. And today you will find me there with some DIY tips on how to make a tough-looking addition to your room with some simple Besta cabinets: A home makeover

X-MAS at my Favorite Parisian concept store {MERCI}

2011-12-16T22:17:00.001+01:00

X Mas.. at my favorite Parisian concept store... A friend of mine was in Paris recently and made some pictures for me of the ever changing interior of MERCI .... a little impression through the eyes of a friend

Same lamp.... different table

Liking all those legs this table has

'make a wish' at neighbor Bonton
First two and last pictures by Carla Coulson All other pictures : Vosgesparis

WIN... Therese Sennerholt Poster & Cards from Tutze

2011-12-15T18:44:00.003+01:00

Being a huge fan of Therese Sennerholt myself, I am very pleased with this beautiful giveaway by Tutze, a huge webshop filled with Home accessories, brocante, decorations, pillows and everything else for you and your home.

Owner Ilse, a Dutch interior designer who lived in France for 12 years recently also opened a real store in her hometown called Tutzestore where she sells, next to a long list of other great brands, the artwork of Therese Sennerholt.

Tutzestore is giving away a poster and a set of postcards to two lucky winners and you can enter the giveaway here!

Tutzestore geeft een poster en een set kaarten weg aan twee gelukkige winnaars... klik hier om mee te doen!

Good luck!

My home in VT Wonen Magazine

2011-12-13T22:01:00.001+01:00

About 5 months ago I was reading about an upcoming contest in VT wonen magazine to win a Loft floor out of their VT Wonen floor collection. A competition they would run in their August 2011 issue. At that moment I was planning everything around the bigger kitchen I wanted to realize over the summer holidays. A kitchen I have been thinking about for a long time. It started with my dream of a lofty space and my masterplan

When time passed by you might have thought this masterplan of me would never be reality.. But I make my plans and slowly,slowly I get there at the end! If you read my profile you know I like to do a lot of things myself, so it took some time before I had everything planned and enough budget to start.

FLoor Loft (kiezel) VT Wonen collection

So when the August issue of VT Wonen arrived I was still working on the kitchen and waiting for the walls to dry. No clue about the floors.. in love with my concrete. And in love with the industrial floor out of the VT Wonen collection, I had been drooling over since I saw that first picture (above). I made a collage of pictures of my brand new unfinished kitchen and wrote them about my masterplan and dream of living in a loft.

Meanwhile I continued working on the kitchen trying out all kind of things: playing with paper and tape Painted the rest of my home and painted one of the kitchen walls in a beautiful black. Although I joked to my friends about breaking down walls and a then just simply win a new floor and finally not having to DIY for a while anymore... I was not expecting anything at all.

To be honest I was sorting out paint for the concrete floor in the kitchen when my telephone rang and VT Wonen told me I won the competition. And within two weeks .... VT wonen's Linda and the floor company came over.... I cleaned out my whole home, floors were placed and everything was photographed for the magazine.

And here is the article, you now also might understand why it took me ages to finally (being able) to show something of my kitchen. I think it was a really big prize and I am so great full for it. The result is amazing and I finally have realized my big plans. Winning this floor was the cherry on the pie in this long process I started with my dream of a loft. ;) Thank you lovely people at VT Wonen! You can see some snap shots I made of the photo shoot here: Snaphots from the VT Wonen photo shoot {unplugged}

Pictures by: Jeltje Janmaat

X-Mas + Noel {kitchen update}

2011-12-11T12:15:00.001+01:00

Hello again.. I feel like I have been away for ages since my last post 9 days ago. I am still rearranging things at home. Had a little birthday dinner party... another party and a meetup with a friend who brought me some great pictures from her last stay in Paris. I have several posts lining up, and exciting things to share... but need time to sort out pictures and write the words in the evening after my daily job.

So I will try to be back this week with pictures from MERCI and also with the last giveaway by Tutze in our 'End of the year special', one that I personally really love, being a poster and a set of cards by Therese Sennerholt . So keep checking back here or here, where we are having two giveaways still running! I am also busy starting up 'Edition2012' If you would like to advertise here on Vosgesparis or on my conceptpage {no name yet} you can mail me for more info and rates.

Now back to this post.... This might also be one of the first pictures of the kitchen I am adding to my blog actually ;) Yeahhh the kitchen is finally done! It is light and bright with a stunning black wall that I am L.O.V.I.N.G to bits! And since it is finished I spent most of my time in there. I am loving the 2.20 long table filled with burning candles in the evening and the Christmas lights around the black star. I also found a new white goat looking cute with a necklace of black and white star garlands from last year. Christmas feeling is slowly coming.... see you soon again!

Stars for Christmas once more #1

2011-12-03T11:51:00.001+01:00

*Concrete lamp Nordic Blends * Stars from HEMA * white bag from MERCI *

My home changed a lot over the last 4 months ... some great {and exciting} things happened after my last kitchen update. That I finally will be able to show you more off in about a day or ten..

Meanwhile I took out the Christmas decoration. I think we got some, like all families, in all sizes and colors. From my own childhood I remember my mother always dressing up the tree in silver and loving the silver bells and birds. My own children loved to go to the Christmas fair and choose some decoration of their own. We bought them little trees they could have in their own room. Over the years my Christmas decoration became less and also less traditional.

I loved my last years tree{So this is Christmas}that I made out of card board, painted white and decorated with stars You could say I love stars and I was happy to find these, by the way beautiful packed, Return to sender ones at our local HEMA department store. So once again a starry B&W Christmas for me I suppose...

Wooden Christmas tree from Wonen met Lef looking great against the black wall

black + white + neon pink

2011-12-01T22:40:00.001+01:00

Jane Birkin

new kitchen wall

Collage: a design made by pasting pieces of paper, cloth, photographs..on to a surface

Blackboard paint & neon pink masking tape in my hall

New Boutique Hotel 'The Exchange' in town -picture via Emma's

Shopping wall in Paris

A pile of coziness

2011-11-30T19:55:00.001+01:00

We Dutch have this word 'Gezellig' It means something like Coziness...
It is a feeling you get when having a meal with family and friends. Or when in winter you put on the heather, light the candles and curl on the couch with lost of cushions and a cup of tea.

I really thought this pile of handmade XXL Cushions from Nepal... that by the way are called NEST ! Totally explained the word Gezellig.

Photo: Vosgesparis - made at Sukha Amsterdam - cushions from Zilalila

There is no future without a past

2011-11-26T23:05:00.001+01:00

Tonight I took some time to surf around and read lots of blogs from my reader-list, leaving comments takes a lot of time and I do try to always leave a note but sometimes I got distracted by a beautiful picture or a link you give... So as tonight.. I saw this picture above of the workplace and a link to an interview with fashion designer Antonio Marras.

It must have been the name that caught my attention , because I recognized it as being a Sardinian name. A name I have seen hundreds of times on signs or on the walls while spending over 25 long summers at my mother in laws place where she had a house in a little village nearby the sea, that could look like this. If you read my blog for some years you may know we went there every summer and I love this beautiful Island with all its traditions, where I have so many memories.

Antonio Marras was born in Alghero and the inspiration for his eponymous label is drawn from travels, tradition, history and memories... Unlike others who work in Paris or Milan he prefers to stay on the Island and work from there. If I look at the pictures of his collections or at this videoclip {look under ADV} I can't help to see images of Sardinian women in traditional customs, I even spent some time looking at pictures {being distracted again} and collecting some of them... I guess I got carried away a bit that ended up in this strange post.. a post that supposed to be about his workplace... There is no future without a past says Antonio in the interview ... I think he is right!

This week {Lots of moodboards }

2011-11-25T19:46:00.001+01:00

Via: AnoukB

Lots of great moodboards this week, they reminded me of some pictures I took at Elle Inside Design this last September. I saw so many great things that I photographed to not forget. I really liked what Ateliers did. They layed out some large moodboards on the floor of a classroom to show their inspiration for the interior they designed for this new college.

Via: AnoukB

Via: Bodie&Fou

Elle Inside design....

Happy weekend you all... and if you are already thinking of your Christmas decoration, you might want to join our giveaway page!

An IKEA makeover

2011-11-22T21:57:00.001+01:00

It is about a year ago or so I bought these low IKEA Besta units. Normally I would have bought the higher and smaller ones. But still having an old television {the one my daughter always jokes about by asking me what that huge thing behind the screen is} I decided to take these as they fitted best.

Last week when I was working on the floors... I took out all the furniture and when replacing things I did not feel at all putting the monster back on. Instead of that I made a little bench with it {hurrah for these low cabinets after all} by adding some left over wooden planks from my huge cabinet and a linen cushions on top... I did not had enough planks so added all pieces that were left on top as a one big puzzle...

After placing most black and white prints in front of the long white wall, by adding them partly on the cabinets and against the wall. It is looking great and inviting and to be honest so much better then a boring television ;)

Early Christmas deco... {VT Wonen Special}

2011-11-19T23:16:00.001+01:00

Totally in love with my black starzzz and thinking already of how to add some Christmas lights to them. Also the VT Wonen issue that arrived this last week had a little magazine coming along with some Christmas decoration ideas such as this embroided napkin. I also went to a webshop event today where I found a little wooden Christmas tree that I took home. I am just loving this time of the year! More about the event on my other blog.

Stars in all colors and sizes via Hudson River

More Christmas ideas can be found at the VT Wonen site

Industrial beauty + perfection

2011-11-14T23:26:00.001+01:00

Isn't it a real beauty... so very close to industrial perfection, this little chair from 1910. It is to be found at Sourced and Sold where I wrote about before {read it here } I think it looks pretty amazing in my home, against the crispy white wall, white washed wooden planks and the concrete floors!

Photos: Vosgesparis

Little lights from Sukha Amsterdam

2011-11-11T21:45:00.001+01:00

Little lights, made in Peru, from Sukha Amsterdam..... because it's Sint Martin's day and because I loved this corner with lanterns last week at Sukha Amsterdam. You can find more of my favorite shops in my Amsterdam city guide

Pictures by Vosgesparis

Saturday morning {unplugged}

2011-11-05T12:36:00.000+01:00

Saturday happiness + making moodboards

Saturday morning...taking it easy with coffee, toast & honey ... meanwhile cleaning up a bit and doing little things! 'We' drilled lots of holes yesterday {I have the best neighbor with the best tools for thick concrete walls} and hung up some kitchen appliances. This morning I decorated the walls with my new black star and hung up a little soft black Jielde I bought last week.
I love black on black and even more love the combination of black and silver!

More happiness when the doorbell rang and the postman brought me a little package filled with new Japanese masking tape. The Catalogue! And a Silver Mini sac that I wanted ever since I saw my friend Karine with it here in Amsterdam {while I was carrying around my huge heavy bag filled with things I did not even need}. So a perfect start of a happy weekend..... wishing you all a very happy weekend too!

New Jielde lamp + Japanese tape

Silver Mini Sac + Bodie & Fou Catalogue

Boots + Music

Black kitchen wall + Painting hearts with water

Blackboard walls + cool workspaces

2011-11-05T00:25:00.000+01:00

Photo via Gispen huiswerk

Wish I had a clean desk like the one above to work on, but the reality is that my studio desk has become a temporary kitchen table, a cool industrial, but very small kitchen table!! For dinner we have to place the plates in an alternately kinda way because it is so small! With only the floor to finish, my new kitchen is nearly there and it will do till I meet the table of my dreams... or feel like doing some DIY again and make one myself.

Guess many of us have a little notebook... a blackboard.. a wall filled with images and articles. Or like me at the moment, because of all the moving around in the house, a big pile! A pile of inspirational books, pictures I made, articles and things from the 'Woonbeurs' I still want to show you.

These pictures are from Gispen Huiswerk {Gispen working at home} Gispen Huiswerk is created around the new way of working. With ergonomic workstations and a site with information about all aspects of creating a flexible workplace. I loved their stand with the huge blackboard wall and the cool work spaces.

Photo via Gispen huiswerkd caption

Photo via Gispen huiswerk

Life in Monochrome {A danish artist studio}

2011-10-31T20:12:00.002+01:00

In this months Elle-UK Edition a great article about the studio of Danish artist Tenka Gammelgaard. A studio with a monochrome Black and White character... Amazingly creative and inspiring.

I so want this !

Pictures via Tenka Gammelgaard

We like to inspire... {a bedroom challenge}

2011-10-30T13:23:00.001+01:00

Picture: Marjon Hoogervorst - Vorstin.nl

This morning I came across this picture at the blog of my friend Anouk. As I was writing my new IKEA post some days ago I had to think of the picture I sent in of my own bedroom and how much I love it to be simple and serene.

Don't you think an uncluttered bedroom is way more relaxing then a room filled with cupboards chairs and lots of decoration.

If you are asking yourself what to do on this lazy Sunday, you might want to have a look at your own bedroom and see if it is ready for a calm and relaxing Autumn.

I hope these two pictures can help you on the way to make your bedroom look calm and inviting. I actually challenge you to play around with your furniture and camera to make a similar setting like on these two pictures.

I would love to see the result.. Sent me a link to the post you made with it or your social media like Facebook or Printerest and I will link it to this post, so we can inspire each other ;)

Picture: Desiree - Vosgesparis

Here are some inspirational links you have sent me so far:

Suvi M's Bedroom
Black and white by Room [by sofie]

Autumn green bed end by Jeanette
Samira's bedroom challenge blogpost

A black and white project {My blog @ IKEA Family Live}

2011-10-30T00:55:00.001+02:00

After Inspired by Paris I wrote a follow up this week on my blog at the IKEA Family Live site: A Black and White project In case you wonder what can happen if you travel to Paris and did not read it here... pop over at IKEA ;)

Today at RAW {Amsterdam unplugged}

2011-10-28T08:57:00.002+02:00

I have been looking for a while at this corner.. today at RAW Materials in Amsterdam.. Thinking how beautiful old floorboards, a raw wall, some simple furniture like two old Indian market tables. Metal open cabinets. Italian ceramic in neutral tones like soft whites, blues and grays and some lost linen napkins...... can create such an amazing decor. Happy weekend to you all!

Black + Industrial + Star

2011-10-25T21:52:00.000+02:00

Do you ever experience that feeling.... that you are aware of the fact that you feel really happy and everything seems to be going as planned... that feeling... as if the stars are shining especially for you!

I have such a week and really enjoyed finding this amazing huge Black metal Industrial star! in a new shop I discovered last week. It came all the way from the USA... in a big container together with lots of other objects, furniture and decoration mostly found in the Eastern states.

It were the raw and unusual industrial items I spotted while passing by on my bike! But the huge star made me turn around.... I have been told it is made by an Amish community from old metal. I love to know that little fact and I can't wait to hang it on my wall!

A little update... I loved to read Kim's comment: They are Amish Barn Stars the Amish make them out of old tin metal and place these on their Barns they are to welcome good luck ;)

Hudson River

Eerste Egelantiers- dwarsstraat 2
Amsterdam

See also my IAMsterdam shopping guide...

An unexpected side table {inspiration}

2011-10-22T00:01:00.004+02:00

When I got an email from TineK this week I thought 'd have a look at the, always gorgeous, pictures... Especially in Autumn they can be raw and sober.. a great inspiration. I love to have a good look at the pictures and the way how stylists use certain objects in their shoots. There even might be something you could even use for your own place.

Also in my own home I like to use things in a different and maybe unexpected way. So I loved to see how in these pictures an old wooden ironing board is used to present different candlesticks ... Finding an old ironing board like this, you could make an unusual side table, if you fill it with little lights and candles it will be a warm focus point in your room this autumn.

Pictures: TineK Home

Happy weekend !

Kitchen renovation + Black & White

2011-10-18T00:07:00.000+02:00

A little update on my kitchen renovation in case you are wondering what is happening with my Masterplan {The masterplan} and what I did with all the ideas {Kitchen Inspiration} and gorgeous kitchen pictures I showed you.

Seeing it took about 5 weeks before the new walls were even dry {thank you for this lovely summer... not!} and I got the great {??} idea, on the way, to renew all the remaining walls in my home as well. I think I am not doing that bad at all... And being back at my regular day job there is just little time to do all the things that need to be done.

So in the weekends I play around {Playing with paper and tape} and really start to know and love this new kitchen space with it bright white walls and concrete floor that tells the story of all the years we lived here as a family.

I love the stripe that shows where the floors were glued to the concrete and where my son tiled with his heavy chair and a create two little holes in the floor.. It might not be the perfect floor in other peoples eyes but it is to me.

Last week I painted the wall in a beautiful Soft Black and ordered some shiny appliances. Today off to my Swedish friends to buy some new curtains... in Black and back home I started to move some furniture around. Things are slowly getting shape... To be continued....

Lets hope to be ready before winter :)

Bodie and Fou catalogue launch {a sneak peek}

2011-10-14T23:15:00.001+02:00

The gorgeous picture above is from the very first mail order catalogue from online concept store BODIE and FOU, that has been launched in the UK today. The digital version will go live online this next Monday October 17!
Packed with gift ideas for him and her.. beautiful leather bags, as seen in the picture, from Clare Vivier {exclusively available at Bodie and Fou} And of course lots of things to make your home beautiful ... from Japanese masking tape {for making great mood boards} to Design furniture and lightining and tough House Doctor DK stools and metal letters.

I especially like the personal touches in both the catalogue and the online store. The founders, two sisters one living in London and one in Paris, are French so you will find a 'French style' shopping guide and personal Style files from both Elodie/Paris and Karine/London!

Great styling by Karine in this workspace above with selected items from the shop to make your own

To celebrate this happy event with you. Bodie and Fou are having a launch giveaway for you to win two of their gorgeous Mini & Maximus exclusive prints: Mima Le Chat print or Le Chat print.

All details to be found on Karine's personal blog

Photograpy: Francois Kong

Elle inside Design... unplugged

2011-10-11T22:27:00.000+02:00

Some random pictures made at Elle Inside Design...
of things I liked & loved!

Black moodboard @ Studio Aandacht

Celebrating the anniversary of their book 'How they work'

See my post about it Here

Modern doctor's bags by Laurens Schellekens... loving the 'inspiration' picture!

Black Paris chique

2011-10-06T23:26:00.000+02:00

Beside our love for long lunches with good bread and lots of olive oil ... white wine and late night chats in cozy local Parisian cafes.. Anouk and I share the passion for the furniture and style of Paola Navone and the color black.... If you are a lover of the style of Paola Navone too you should have a look at this little movie where she shows her Parisian apartment in La Bastille... {I especially love her talking about the table at 4.00}... She makes me laugh but do I understand her love for that table!}

Back to Anouk and her own concept apartment... I has a Paris chique feeling with the black walls, you can almost feel the love Anouk has put into the apartment... And if you have an even better look you will see little mis en scenes... with simple and well chosen decoration setting the atmosphere. Just the way I like it... Anouk has her own blog 'concept 2012' where she shares her inspiration and daily life at work.

Photography by Marjon Hoogervorst Styling AnoukB

An Industrial kitchen and a white bedroom {More from VT Wonen}

2011-10-05T00:36:00.000+02:00

More pictures from the VT Wonen home at the 2011 Woonbeurs in Amsterdam... I loved the kitchen with the industrial window and the fantastic black tiles on the floor... I do not really like tiles in general but I thought these shiny VT Wonen ones were looking great with the natural wood and the grey cupboards. Also really loved how the tiles were used to make a tabletop.

Workspace

Bedroom

This last picture felt a bit familiar when I saw it when sorting out pictures ;)

If you would like to know where the things you see on the pictures are available.. check out this page at the VT Wonen site. More of the VT Wonen home... Industrial loft + Classic elements

Wil je weten waar alles op de foto's vandaan komt check dan deze lijsten op de VT Wonen site Meer foto's... Industrial loft + Classic elements

WIN.... Piet Hein Eek scrapwood wallpaper

2011-10-03T01:29:00.000+02:00

New design PHE-007 - available from November 2011

Really happy to present you the brand new Vosgesparis concept page and our very first giveaway of many more to come!

And do we have a great one to start with!! Non other than Dutch furniture designer Piet Hein Eek, winner of an Editors Award at the 2011 International Contemporary Furniture Fair, is opening our little party of giveaways!

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Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek managed to put planks on paper that really look like planks...The scrapwoodwall paper is great to create an unique wall with in your home or office. It has no pattern so hanging it is really easy and I have been told the new designs will be even more. On the pictures a preview of these new designs, available at the end of 2011.

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In case you missed our first PHE Giveaway some months ago, you now have another change to win. Entering the competition is easy and there are many ways to get extra entries. Go to our Concept page to join the Scrapwood wallpaper competition and read everything about the exciting new designs.

Geweldig leuk om jullie vandaag mijn nieuwe Vosgesparis concept page te laten zien en de eerste giveaway, van velen die nog komen, te presenteren!

Met niemand minder dan Nederlands meubel designer Piet Hein Eek, winnaar van de Editors Award op de 2011 International Contemporary Furniture Fair, openen wij onze kleine giveaway party!

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Nederlands designer Piet Hein Eek, heeft sloophout op papier gezet... Met Sloophout behang kun je op een snelle manier een unieke muur creëren in je huis of kantoor. Het heeft geen patroon dus aanbrengen is kinderspel en ik heb mij laten vertellen dat dit met de nieuwe designs zelfs nog makkelijker is. Op de foto's zie je alvast een voorproefje van deze nieuwe designs, die eind 2011 verkrijgbaar zullen zijn.

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Mocht je onze vorige weg geef aktie gemist hebben dan is dit je kans! Meedoen is simpel en er zijn veel manieren om extra kans te maken op een van de prijzen! Ga naar de concept page om mee te doen aan de sloophout behang giveaway en meer te lezen over de nieuwe designs.

ENTER THE COMPETITION --- >>> KLIK HIER --- >>> GAGNEZ --- >>>

VT Wonen home - Industrial loft + Classic elements

2011-10-02T01:20:00.000+02:00

Tough and elegant... An industrial loft with classic elements. A home I already knew I would like to bits, after seeing only a little glimpse by the editor of Dutch Interior magazine VT Wonen Monique de Ruiter! *yes I am that good in spotting little details Monique ;) *

I guess after seeing this first picture it won't surprise you that I could easily live in it as it has all the elements I love. So yes.... totally in love with this years VT Wonen Home, designed by my favorite VT Wonen Stylist Frans Uyterlinden. I am still sorting out pictures from this very inspirational week so for now please enjoy these first pictures.

More pictures... An Industrial kitchen and a white bedroom

Saturday we also had another blogger meetup at the Woonbeurs organised by the lovely Kirsten from Sanoma Media. A great meeting, with a tour through the homes of leading Dutch interior magazines VT Wonen. 101 woonideeen and Eigen Huis&Interieur.

It was great to see some bloggers from Meet the blogger again and to meet new people. Thank you Kirsten for organizing and VT Wonen for the inspiration! I will share some more pictures over the bext few days....

Meanwhile do not forget to check out my new concept page for great giveaways!

New ... The Vosgesparis concept page!

2011-10-01T15:06:00.000+02:00

Today I would love to introduce to you my brand new blog... The Vosgesparis concept page!

I started this concept page when I was thinking of doing something special for you, my readers. Towards the new year, with all its special days and occasions to celebrate with family and friends, it had to be something festive that would make you happy.

So over the next months the concept page will feature lots of giveaways from our sponsors who joined the 'End of the year Special'. Giveaways with presents they exclusively selected for you to win!

Be sure to be back this Monday as we will start with an amazing giveaway from Piet Hein Eek scrapwoodwallpaper

Feel free to add the picture in this post to your blogs, use the facebook and twitter button under this post .... and spread the word ;) THX so much and a very happy sunny weekend to all of you!

<< Vosgesparis Concept page >>

Nieuw... De Vosgesparis concept pagina!

Vandaag wil ik jullie graag mijn gloednieuwe blog presenteren... The Vosgesparis concept page ben ik begonnen omdat ik iets speciaals wilde doen voor jullie, mijn lezers. Met het eind van het jaar en alle festiviteiten in zicht moest het natuurlijk iets feestelijks worden.

In de komende maanden zul je op de concept pagina elke week nieuwe giveaways vinden van de sponsors die meedoen aan deze Speciale eindejaars aktie. Giveaways met speciaal voor jullie geselecteerde prijzen.

Maandag beginnen we meteen met een spetterende weg geef aktie van Piet Hein Eek sloophout behang

Kopier gerust de foto uit deze post en zet deze op je blog en gebruik de facebook en twitter button onder deze post ;) THX en een heel mooi weekend nog !

<< Vosgesparis Concept page >>

We prefer the beauty of chaos over ugly perfection

2011-09-22T20:49:00.000+02:00

We prefer the beauty of chaos over ugly perfection.... a slogan to my heart!

Tomorrow Therese Sennerholt launches her new collection of graphic prints, here is a sneak preview of them!

Photography by Pia Ulin and styling by Lotta Agaton !

A Punkrock interior with a decadent attitude

2011-09-20T16:31:00.000+02:00

My heart made a little jump this last Saturday when Dutch interior magazine 101 woonideeën came in the mail and I flipped through the pages. I saw a little part of a kitchen with a concrete floor and a heavy metal table and I instantly recognized it as the home where the picture is made that I have been loving for years!

I was really happy to finally read the story behind it and to find out more about the house and its habitats. The home, a former brewery, of Swedish architect and interior designer Johan Israelson and his family is situated in the countryside of Gotland but has a real urban feeling.

Johan is a former musician and describes his style as Punkrock with a touch of decadence... I totally love this style and I recognize myself in many of his ideas. He translates a Gucci black flagship store feeling... into a home where he combines, black and heavy metal with crispy white and soft grey concrete walls. He is not crazy about color but love 'blackish colors ' like olive green and midnight blue and is obsessed with deep purple.

I only ever saw a few pictures of this home... The one above was a, to me, unknown picture of the kitchen and the hallway with coat hooks of steel on a concrete wall covered in a crispy white frame. I loved to see the same idea in this home as I have in mine and more of the home I fell in love with long ago.

Where most people add warmth to a home with fabric and curtains Johan likes to let the light in and gives the home a cozy feeling with sheepskins and a big wood stove.

Great contrast with this dark wooden wall with artwork from Jesper Zacco

Leave a note for your guests...

2011-09-18T00:13:00.000+02:00

I just really loved this idea found on Australian homelife.com The picture above is of a couple's guestroom and the home owners say to always leave a little note for their guests. I can so imagine a crispy white piece of paper sticking out of the typewriter with some sweet words on it.... such a simple but beautiful idea.

The picture below is of TineK's new collection and I thought the colours of the two pictures just work really well together. I love these sober colours at this time of the year, when it is slowly getting colder and darker. I am a big fan of these dark aubergine colours and took out my purple bed throw again and dream about soft beautiful bed linen in warm colors. Do you change things around as well now.... winter is approaching?

black & white or white & black {whats your mood}

2011-09-15T19:31:00.002+02:00

1 Emma's Designblogg - Bodie and Fou 2 unknown - vosgesparis

3 ditta isager - diesel 4 mo+mo living - unknown 5 elle - ikea

A perfect picture..

2011-09-13T09:18:00.001+02:00

Having my first coffee of this morning, a little breakfast with toast and French marmalade.. Catching up with some blogs...Adding a picture with a beautiful light gray painted concrete floor to my Kitchen inspiration album on Printerest. And then I came along this beautiful picture found via Pelle's blog ! A room with an even better 'painted' floor! And all the soft industrial elements I love! It seems to suit really perfect with all pictures of my previous posts.

Pictures : Line Klein - Stylist: Helen Wiggers

Serge Gainsbourg + Paris {moodboard}

2011-09-09T18:38:00.005+02:00

You know I love Paris and I know that many of you love this city too. And even more of you might be dreaming to go there one day... Yesterday on Facebook someone was 'teasing' me by telling me he went to Paris this weekend (It is the weekend of Maison et Objet) He also added a link to a French chanson of Serge Gainsbourg on my wall to listen to. I fell a bit in love again with Serge Gainsbourg when I was in Paris this summer.

For the first time in my live I bought a beautiful real picture in a gallery in Le Marais. A picture of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Made by the photographer who also did the shoot for their album in 1969. Shot au bord de Seine (on the rivers of the Seine) some days after the real photoshoot....

I think it was a bit love at first sight with this picture because I could not forget it and before leaving Paris I went back to the gallery to buy it. I think music is a great thing that can really bring back memories and atmospheres ... and listening to French songs is bringing back the feeling I have while being in Paris that I so love.

I recently framed the picture I bought and thought it would be cool to add some more Serge Gainsbourg to my home, so I started to collect a few images from that area to be printed later on. Aren't they gorgeous together.

Here are some 'Parisian' songs for you to listen to and to dream about Paris... Serge Gainsbourg and this typical 'cheesy' one de Michel Fugain Enjoy your weekend.. I will do some more painting around the house... but I would love to hear what your favorite French song is !

Playing with paper and tape {kitchen renovation}

2011-09-03T22:35:00.002+02:00

The last weekend of my summer holidays has arrived... And I am looking back at some great and very productive weeks. First there was Paris with lots of inspiration and good company. And I had a few days at the beach doing nothing but enjoying the sun as well.

The last three weeks have been really busy and I have been working really hard on putting ideas into action... I made that cute Parisian corner in my bedroom and meanwhile I stripped of all the remaining wallpaper in my home and started working on my kitchen plans. A big wall, and a small one, came down. Doorposts disappeared and slowly the 'loft look' I always imagined manifested itself.

I am still working very hard on it but it is great to see that in less then three weeks from the start I now can make plans on finishing things.Of course a bit of daydreaming is part of the fun, playing with paper (to imagine how that lamp of my dreams would look more or less) and tape (outlining the size of a table on the floor) Putting some art against the walls and creating little corners with touches of color. It is all part of getting to know my new kitchen before making major decisions on how to finish it.

Today you will find me here.... {More bedroom details}

2011-09-01T11:47:00.003+02:00

Thank you so much for your reactions on my little DIY bedroom project,

I loved every single comment ;) Loving also the fact that both Apartment Therapy and Remodelista asked me to sent them pictures of my project.

Here is what Apartment Therapy wrote in their New York small cool book, I love the title: Style as a souvenir: A Parisian bedroom in Amsterdam

Being already honored to be mentioned in Remodelista's Design newsstand as one of their blogs..... I really thought it was lovely of them to ask me to make some more shots so they could show more details of my bedroom. Reed the post here: House call: Vosges Paris' bedroom Thank you both so much!

Now back with both feed on the ground... I have kitchen walls to paint!
And you might want to take a look at our new sponsors.... who are busy to prepare something really cool for you, as appreciated readers of my blog ;)

New bedroom project {inspired by Paris}

2011-08-28T21:41:00.003+02:00

It has been a while since my last post, I was really busy with a big kitchen renovation. It still isn't finished, but I thought it was time to finally show you what I did with all the inspiration I came back with from Paris ;)

As I told in my previous post we did a lot of shopping, mostly as in looking around in beautiful shops and wandering through le Marais ad other quartiers. I saw some really beautiful shop interiors that inspired me to change things around in the house. These pictures are made in my bedroom.

Here in front of this wall there was first standing an old wooden, white painted, chest (you can see it here). But it has made room for a stylish black metal rack to store some of my clothes. I had it made by a blacksmith and painted it black myself. On the wall behind I made a moodboard with pictures I shot in Paris.

The little industrial cabinet, was used as a nightstand before

Some details....

I loved to design this and the idea to have something handmade by a craftsman and especially made for me makes it a really special addition to my bedroom. Of course no big plastic or wooden hangers on here but only small and delicate ones.

The lamp from Merci...

This lamp has seen many rooms in the house...
but I think it finally got its definitive destination ...

Parisian moodboard

A sweet little moodboard in mostly soft grays that gives a little Paris chic feeling to the room with some pictures I made in Parisian shops.

Some words cut out of a magazine I found in a shop.. It had all kind of quotes and messages in it... and I loved these... Paris c'est un lieu de... it makes you think and use your imagination. {grayish masking tape from Merci}

I thought there should have been some shiny skulls on the wall as well, as I did not had any I cut out a page from a watches catalog, it works for me !

Travelling to Paris + getting inspiration

2011-08-19T09:57:00.002+02:00

As a blogger and stylist of my own home I learned to keep my eyes and ears open for every little detail that comes my way. If you blog for some years it almost comes as a second nature. Inspiration and new ideas for your home or blog can be found on every corner.

Last month I was in Paris, capitol of fashion and all things beautiful. For someone like me a great opportunity to find new ideas for my home. I made lots of pictures and absorbed every little detail. And being on the road with people who share the same passion and, like myself, can see beauty in almost anything a great way to exchange ideas for future projects.

A sneak peek of my new bedroom project inspired by Paris

During my time in Paris, beside having lots of coffee, croissants and cozy lunches I have seen a large amount of shops. I think shops interiors can be a great inspiration for your home. In Paris I noticed a few things coming back in many of them. I saw skulls. Lots of skulls, both on clothes and in accessories.

Then there were stars and elbow patches... I found a sweet little grey jumper on a market at Place de Marché Saint Honoré .. Imagine even the market had some stylish signs saying 'new collection' It has a star on the back and elbow patches on the sleeves. Very adorable and I brought it home as a present.

Something I also really loved was the use of pictures. Pictures that reinforced the concept of the store. And pictures in B&W with French movie stars and models that gave me that real I am in Paris feeling I so love. But what made my heart beat faster .... were the moodboards, as in a collage of pictures glued directly on the walls and windows. Or perfectly ordered in little frames.

Now I don't have to tell you, making mood boards as in little collages on my walls are my latest addiction! In my hallway I have filled a wall with graphic prints and family pictures in black and white. I taped them on the wall with aqua blue masking tape to give it a summer feeling....As I am in the middle of a kithen make-over I had to take it off.. but here it is for the last time

Inspired by Paris I will make some new corners to store my clothes. I have different ideas and still having summer holidays I even had the time to actually realize the first one already, pictures coming soon...

Traveling to a city like Paris can have a great impact on you and how you see your home (if you open your heart and mind for everything you see) And don't you just love the fact to see ideas actually come to life!

These weeks are all about realizing ideas and working on the big master plan and this time for real... you can see some pictures of the progress on my Facebook page here

EST Magazine {Fashion up your home with AnoukB}

2011-08-15T21:28:00.004+02:00

Last week the 2nd edition of Australian online magazine EST was launched. In this second edition Est has collaborated with acclaimed photographers, stylists and trend spotters from around the globe to produce a stunning selection of homes, fashion, restaurants and destinations. From a Hampton's home, to the streets of Brooklyn NY and the azure seas of the Mediterranean, each story has a unique Australian twist.

From the streets into your home, pack a punch with stars, stripes and acid brights....
I was really looking forward to this second issue and especially to the 'style counsel' page with the first article of Dutch AnoukB spotting the latest trends in fashion and design. In the article she explains how to use and interpret whats hot and hip at this moment. And with pictures (made by Marjon Hoogervorst ) she shows you how to create your own unique style using the latest trends at your home

Living the Industrial Loft Life {in a city apartement}

2011-08-13T20:16:00.004+02:00

Of course it would be great to really have a space like this to live in.... but one can always dream right! Looking at this loft apartment in Barcelona, it is the open plan living that attracts me.... I love see-through's.

When I open the front door of my own small apartment I see a long corridor with at the end the living room. I love the fact I can look all the way through the long hall and the living where at the end the light comes in through a big window.... it is one of the things I love most about my home. Secondly I like the raw materials of this loft, concrete, stone and great ceilings.

But most of all I love the atmosphere of this place and the way people seem to live in this home. It looks like everything is allowed in here .. bring your motor in ..park your bike in the hallway, sit on a garden chair... and have a sit on the big inviting couch. it's all so laid back but yet taken care off.

Maybe this place attracts me because I am a pretty laid back person myself. I do not fuss to much about things. And to be honest I love a bit of chaos and mess when I am working on a project at home. The other day I was talking with my daughter about how people live in their homes. And she told me how she loved the fact that they could always bring their bikes in.

Bike by Pristine - Amsterdam Fixed-gear

As a matter of fact I love it when they bring in their pretty fixed-gear bikes and park them against the concrete walls..... It's like they bring in a new piece of art each time. Bikes with ever changing wheels and colored frames. One time sparkling and pink. Or like the one on the picture, being my favorite, black, with a saddle and handles with velvet leopard print. And an integrated handlebar and basket by Copenhagen Design.....It's a bit like living the Industrial loft life at 80 square meters

Integrated handlebar and basket by Copenhagen design via Pristine - Fixed gear

Picture 1-3 Photography: Núria Vila Stylist: Mar Requena
Picture 4-5 © Vosgesparis

High heels + black and white postcards

2011-08-10T21:30:00.005+02:00

Yesterday it was Tine K's promising new weblog and today even more good news. That if you like those graphic Black and White images as much as I do! Lotta Ageton showed the new collection of 'Happy' postcards by her friend Therese Sennerholt, that will be launced on august 19th ! I love the styling in the picture and how the cards are attached to the wall with those little black dots! ... now read on for more..

Being still in the Parisian fashion mood I love the styling in the first picture. Funny enough I took a picture at Sukha-Amsterdam last Saturday.. where my eye caught a piece of paper attached to the table with a pair of high heels beside... I moved the heels a bit around and made the picture below.

Sukha, meaning 'Joy of life' in Sanskrit, is a lifestyle shop in the middle of Amsterdam. In a beautiful ambiance you can shop for interior, fashion and accessories. They also have a small collection of typical Sukha postcards with sweet sentences in Dutch, just like the text next to the heels.

Of course it does not rhyme in English but it say something like:
Who knows if at the stroke of midnight a new adventure starts. Put on your high heels and see where they will bring you

Ohh and here is my book of The Sartorialist packed together with some postcards by Sukha!

Tine K Blog {decoration + dedication + inspiration}

2011-08-09T00:51:00.004+02:00

Okay.... I must have been sleeping, or been really busy finishing things at work last month .. but I just only now discovered today TineK is also writing a blog! I just looked at it and as you see in the picture below they are working on a their new lifestyle Photo shoot for next Autumn, they can't wait to show us their new products and pictures and I can't wait to see them. Looking forward on the inspiration this blog is bringing us.

And do check out Tine's Blog or surf to the TineK website

A sneak peek on the set of TineK Homes Photo shoot for the new catalog Meanwhile some pictures from their previous shoots.

MERCI << J'ai ce que j'ai donne >>

2011-08-06T00:08:00.001+02:00

Paris!...I can live without Montmartre.. Place du Tetre and the Tour Eiffel. I did not see any of them during my last two visits. But the one thing I have to do,maybe even twice, while being in Paris is visiting my favorite store MERCI

And every time I do, I am surprised by the different atmosphere in this former factory, that feels like a big loft full of gorgeousness. Marie-France Cohen, founder of children's clothing line Bonpoint, who created the first Parisian children clothing house in 1975. Launched the charitable retail concept MERCI is. Fashion items, furniture and other home accessories are donated by designers. And all profits go to a children's charity in Madagascar.

Last year I bought the big white storage bags ... this time a set of cards and a small black travel journal, with pages to write on and thin envelopes to save your memories in... and as many things from MERCI wonderful words written on the cover ...

Want to see more... read my previous post about MERCI here
All pictures by me

'J'ai ce que j'ai donne' (Jean Giono) is written on the back of MERCI's business card.. it means
'I have what I have given' if my French is correct

I am currently labeling my older posts.. you can find the list of labels in the sidebar.

Paris unplugged...

2011-08-02T22:22:00.008+02:00

Some unplugged images I made in Paris last week... Paris je t'aime

More pictures from Paris on my Facebook page.. come and join the fun ;)

Grazie Paris

2011-07-29T13:43:00.013+02:00

Back from Paris... wandering through this city is such an overwhelming emotion. From the architecture and the open feeling of the big avenue's to the little streets in the Marais. Friendly and Paris chic stylish people, who just seem to care a bit more to say 'bonjour'.

I had a great time with photographer Marjon Hoogervorst, who had to work on a 5 day photo shoot and Interior-designer and style consultant Anouk Brands in Paris. We walked for hours through the city... spotting trends and searching for inspiration in all the beautiful shops. Only to come back with our heads full of new 'decoration' ideas.

Of course there was also time for lots of coffee, croissants and lunches. A few doors down to my all time favorite Parisian store MERCI we had dinner in this stylish restaurant called GRAZIE. A beautiful decorated Italian restaurant with a raw industrial and yet authentic Parisian feeling. Marjon made some pictures that perfectly captured the great atmosphere of the restaurant and I am happy to be able to share them with you.. Thank you girls for all the fun and Marjon for the pictures. Enjoy!

Grazie

91 boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 3e

Open every day... Tél: 01 42 78 11 96

Favorite post of the week {A Stylish Polish home}

2011-07-22T10:08:00.006+02:00

Kavka

You might have noticed I have a different 'favorite post of the week' .... Every week I try to highlight a post of another blogger that I really enjoyed reading, or that has pictures that made my heart beat faster!

Normally I just add a little picture with the link to my sidebar. But this week I am so in love with this blog Holly of Decor8 writes about, that I can't help myself to shameless copy some of the pictures via decor8 and from the original blog Kavka Design I found her blog some time ago for the first time but never bookmarked it, so I am happy to have re-found it via Decor8.

I simply love Joanna's style, her mood boards (*cough* I know it is my obsession, but just can't help that either) and her drawings. Her home is just stunning and feels very much like I home I could perfectly live in!

Decor8

Kavka

Pop up shop for a day

2011-07-21T00:46:00.007+02:00

Last month I met the talented stylist Anouk Brands in her Pop up Shop for a day at the Amsterdam Haarlemmerdijk, {You might remember I wrote about the VT Wonen Pop up Shop in the same location}
Anouk was selling all kind of furniture and accessories she had been using for her styling projects. A great chance to get myself some linen cushions from Day and a cute velvet one from Sissy boy.

I absolutely am in love with Anouk her style and it was great to meet her and to hear more about her work. I was really surprised she loved my blog and how I decorated my home and thought it was really funny (and very sweet, thank you Anouk) how she helped me to decide between two shades of blue with the pictures of my home in her mind..... I mean what would you think, if a completely strange woman would tell you "take this one it will look great in your place " !! Anouk has some great plans for the future, so don't forget to check her website real soon again ! ... AnoukB - Total interior projects

Vorige maand heb ik styliste Anouk Brands ontmoet in haar Pop up Shop die zij een voor een dag aan de Amsterdamse Haarlemmerdijk hield, {De VT Wonen Pop up Shop was op dezelfde lokatie}
Anouk verkocht hier allerlei meubelen en accesoires die zij voor haar styling projekten gebruikt heeft. Een mooie kans om een stel mooie linnen kussens van Day en een klein fluwelen kussentje van Sissy Boy aan te schaffen.

Ik vind Anouk haar style helemaal geweldig en vond het leuk haar te ontmoeten en over haar werk te praten. Ook leuk te merken dat zij mijn blog mooi vind en de manier waarop ik mijn huis inricht. Wat ik vooral heel leuk (en lief) vond was de manier waarop ze mij hielp beslissen tussen twee kleuren blauw met de foto's van mijn huis in haar hoofd..... Ik bedoel maar zo, wat zou jij denken als een compleet vreemde dame je zou zeggen "Neem deze maar die zal echt geweldig in je huis staan " !! Anouk heeft nog een aantal mooie plannen voor de toekomst, dus hou haar website in de gaten! ... AnoukB - Total interior projects

Making plans {on a rainy sunday}

2011-07-17T21:21:00.013+02:00

I love how during a rainy Sunday new ideas can be born. Like many of us, I had a lazy morning in bed with breakfast, coffee and magazines. (love the double ones I can rip out the pages I love) I was thinking on how the room looked before when it belonged to one off my children. There was a red painted square on the wall with a little make up bar made out of dark IKEA lack shelves, a mirror and a bar stool.

On the other wall there was a standing wardrobe. I have been thinking to bring it back in, made of galvanized metal (like the coat rack I made here) But seeing a picture of the Black Loop Stand Wardrobe of Danish brand Hay on Facebook later this day. (you can see it here on Emma's designblogg) I could not help myself thinking on how great it would look in front of the white wall with a little greyish, soft black and white moodboard. around it... Impatient as I am I made a little try out in the hallway around the paper candle bags. I can't wait to start!

Dutch interior designer Natasja Molenaar

2011-07-13T20:38:00.004+02:00

I first came across Dutch interior designer Natasja Molenaar in 2010 when her home and that of a friend who just moved into her new apartment were both shown in VT Wonen magazine. You might even remember I mentioned her and her husband Paul when showing the picture above in a mood board of their home. So I was really excited today to see a message of Marjon Hoogervorst where she mentioned Natasja's website.

After graduating Natasja started her career working for Dutch designer Piet Boon. After 6 years working as an interior designer Natasja started her own Design company in 2010. I think she is very talented and I am very pleased she allowed me to show some of her work here.
More to be found at her website: Natasja Molenaar

Ik kwam interieur architecte Natasja Molenaar voor het eerst tegen in 2010 toen haar woning en die van een vriendin beide in VT Wonen stonden. Misschien herinner je je zelfs dat ik over haar en haar man Paul heb geschreven toen ik de de eerste foto uit deze post met de eettafel en bank die zijzelf ontworpen hebben liet zien in een moodboard van hun huis. Ik was dan ook super verrast toen ik haar naam vandaag tegenkwam in een berichtje van Marjon Hoogervorst

Na haar afstuderen begon Natasja haar carriere bij Nederlands ontwerper Piet Boon. Na zes jaar te hebben gewerkt als interierarchitecte begon Natasja in 2010 haar eigen ontwerpbureau. Ik vind haar ontwerpen erg mooi en ben dan ook blij dat ik haar werk hier mag laten zien. Meer van haar ontwerpen zijn te zien op haar eigen website: Natasja Molenaar

Pictures 1-6: Paul Grootes
Loft project pictures: Arianne van der Wal
Private homes left/right on top: Alexander van Berge

Today you will find me on Decor8

2011-07-11T20:06:00.023+02:00

Holly Becker, writer and founder of the successful blog Decor8, who recently launched her first book Decorate, was so kind to introduce me on her blog today. I met Holly at the bloggers event in Amsterdam a few weeks ago where she shared her successful story with us. I am really honored to see my home on her blog ... So today you will find me on Decor8 ......Thank you so much Holly ;)

Holly Becker, van het succesvolle blog Decor8, die enige tijd geleden haar eerste boek Decorate, heeft uitgegeven was zo vriendelijk mij vandaag op haar blog te introduceren. Ik heb Holly een paar weken geleden tijdens het bloggers event in Amsterdam ontmoet en was zeer onder de indruk van haar verhaal. Ik vind het dan ook een grote eer om mijn huis op haar blog te zien... Dankjewel Holly ;)