Bloesem

some things I liked this week...

These 'True Colours Miniatures' by Lex Pott for FOUND BY JAMES...

this DIY project from 'Say Yes to Hoboken'...

    

Let's Go Glamping!

It was probably the word Glamping that did the trick for me to write about Urbans and Indians ~ a new online shop that is entirely devoted to make camping and outdoor adventures a bit more glamorous .... just how I like it :-)

I never understood this whole camping thing as much as most of my fellow Dutchmen like to do , I rather go to a nice B&B or cozy hotel , but sleeping in a tent that is decorated like this ... Yes you could convince to go.

Sponsor Spotlight: The Clay Studio

I really like this series by Sue Tirrell at The Clay Studio - you can always find such interesting pieces at The Clay Studio, and it feels good to know that you're supporting independent artists. One of the things I like to do when I visit The Clay Studio online, is go to their shop by artist section, and that way I can take an individual look at each designer, and not feel overwhelmed by all the lovely options.

Michelle Miller is the artist behind these sweet little cupcake stands (pictured above) found at The Clay Studio, and I like the idea of displaying your cupcakes...though I'm not sure I've ever been able to keep any in the house long enough to make it to its own stand. - Sponsor Spotlight

..The Clay Studio

Milan 2012: Studio Zeta

And speaking of copper ... how about a whole bike made of copper! While Lisette was in Milan visiting the Milan furniture fair 2012 she spotted Dutch designer Bart van Heesch at Studio zeta. He was one of fifty recent Design Academy Eindhoven graduates chosen to exhibit in Milan. And although he was there showcasing his luxaflex made from circles of brass  (see the images below in this post) . I also love to show this incredible bike and the cool accessories from him. 

Another graduate who made it to THE '50' in Milan is Eva Smeltkop with her Refrigerator 02. A small, transparent storage appliance, in which sweets and snacks not only keep well, but also look good. Thank you Lisette for the images!

In the Picture: Flowerpot Family by Verner Panton

In the picture today an all-time favorite of mine the Flowerpot(s)  by Verner Panton.  The Flowerpot is a design icon and truly has stood the test of time.  Awarded many times for his genius designs Verner Panton brought the Flowerpot in 1969 to the stage and and named it after the happy days of Flower Power. The orange one in the image above is the FlowerPot table lamp VP3.

Finding an orignal vintage one form that era is probaly nicest but I would easily buy a new one. Many online shops have them available and &Tradition from Denmark is the current manufacturor.

Sponsor Spotlight: Huset

I think Huset is such a fantastic shop, they have a little bit of everything for everyone, and that makes it easy. I adore these new butter boards from Ferm Living, and would like an entire set please. 

How lovely is this Swedish outdoor lawn game? It is called The King's Game, and has been designed to last, so have fun outside and don't worry about breaking anything!

and another Quick Start: colored storage containers

Let's do one more quick start today to start this week... these beautiful hopper boxes inspired by the traditional Japanese Wappa bowls by design duo Florian Kallus and Sebastian Schneider aka kasch kasch from Köln in Germany... who wouldn't want to have storage containers like these... I know I would!

..kasch kasch

Monday's Quick start: Dutch design by Jetske Visser

 oh mY do I lOve the work by Jetske Visser... a very talented designer and graduate from the Dutch design academy in Eindhoven. 

Just visit her website and enjoy her world. 

Above the 'raw -materials collection Biesbosch', in the image completely below you see 'Forgotten memory' and 'Soot' is the name of her graduation project, which mainly consists of countless pure carbon molecules. An essential element for life and at the same time also one of the main causes of the hothouse effect. 

some things I liked this week...

this collection by Asleep From Day...

this giveaway from Eggpress over at BKids...

the items from Paint de Fish Studio...

these rings by Eva Schreuder...

 and my new goodies from Keecie ... would you like to see who Keecie is then click here :-) ...

WIsh you a really good weekend and of course a warm and special Mother's Day! Hope to see you back next week! ~irene & tiffany

ps. Face-to-Face: a designer's profile is the NEW Bloesem column.

Sponsor Spotlight: Human Empire

I always enjoy visiting the Human Empire Shop - they have an excellent range to choose from. It's the kind of shop you wish was locally in your own town. I am in the summer mood today, so of course I have gravitated towards these awesome backpacks and adorable shoes. There is plenty more to choose from though, and I personally love their poster selection.

I ♥ Copper

{image above via Design*Sponge}

I am liking the copper trend very much. Whether it is copper in an accessory or seeing it in an entire wall ... just bring it on ... don't be ashamed of pulling your copper pieces from the back of your mom's kitchen cabinets, use them show them and know you are in the hip.

In the image below: 'One More Time' : Floating Frame Mantel Clock by Kiki van Eijk at Moss and next to it  Bronze Ate Flatware at Anthropologie.

      

I Like You...

I had to laugh when I saw these Penguin sets. How adorable are they? There's one for olive oil, vinegar, and then two icebergs for salt and pepper. Holaria are the creators of these porcelain cuties, they try to push the limits of artistic expression through their porcelain creations, but without losing sight of its productive viabilty for large scale production.

You can purchase the penguin's, their iceberg companions, and other interesting porcelain items at Holaria online store. - Tiffany King

Sponsor Spotlight: Lili's

Lili's is a sweet online shop with lots of colorful and fun products to choose from. Like these pendants, they would give any room a simple touch of retro. Lili's is all about finding original objects, so there is not an abundance of any certain product, but that makes it interesting! Not to mention there is quite a bit of items to choose from like decorations, lighting, table decor, kitchen items, and much more - so you'll surely be able to find what you're looking for.

I've never seen a cookie jar look like this, but I like it! These are called Cookie Boxes, but you don't have to use them for cookies, they can be used for storage too. I quite like the idea of them being for treats though, and what a great gift to give someone (of course it should be filled with cookies upon giving it to them).

New in their shop are the very beautiful bird feeder called Silo by Normal Studio Creation and the paper mini houses by  Les Colocataires - Sponsor Spotlight

..Lilis

 

Monday's quick start: La Casita de Wendy

Let's start this new week with spring-summer collection from La Casita de Wendy from Madrid. 

Inés Aguilar and Iván Martínez are the designers and creators behind this beautiful brand... in just a short time, "la casita de wendy" has become very popular in Europe with notably Björk who chose some of their outfits for cover spreads for the English magazine "Wire" and French rock magazine "les Inrockuptibles",…

I always love visiting their blog too and have a look behind the scenes of their crafty meetings ... 

..La Casita de Wendy

some things Tiffany liked this week...

Cards by Quill & Fox, and Hazel Wonderland.

Mother's Day is just a few days away (in the States) and I wanted to focus on gifts for mom for the things I liked this week. This year has been a very special year for me, in that my parent's moved about twenty minutes from my home. I haven't lived by my parent's in over ten years, and it was an adjustment at first - but has become the greatest blessing. I have been taking weekly walks with my mom, and it has rekindled the relationship I had with her when I lived at home, how I have missed being near her. So Happy Mother's Day to all those gorgeous women in our lives, and thank you.

I love buying my mom flowers. Here are two unique ways to give her some. First, by Frances & Francis a bouquet where the flowers are actually a hair accessory. Second, the blog stephmodo had a lovely idea to decorate gift boxes with fresh flowers.

My absolute favorite summer accessory is a hat. I think that is a perfect gift for a mom that loves to garden, and the Beribboned Fedora at Terrain is too gorgeous to pass up. This first prize rosette at Story is one classy way of letting your mom know she's number one.