About Me
- Heather
- Utrecht, Netherlands
- I'm an creative mind, who looks for the unusual things in life. Food, books and design are my passions in life. In my free time you can find me on the cricket field, running for dear life. Feel free to send me an e-mail with questions, tips, or just a chat! heatherke@gmail.com
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Fabulous Hotels
1:16 PM | 
Posted by
Heather
It's been a while, I know. My internship started in August and ever since it's been chaos. I work 40 hours a week, I am taking driving lessons, trying to finish off schoolwork and somehow find time for myself.
At work we have quite a few projects up and running, two of these are hotels. One is being designed from scratch, and one is more of a make over. This got me thinking about how a lot of people spend a big part of their life in hotels, this could be for work or for pleasure.
Obviously for many hotel owners this means trying to make the stay of their customers as nice as possible. Either by making it feel homely, or making it as luxurious as possible.
Take for example the new suites at Claridge's designed by Diane von Furstenberg. Her choices in fabric and colors are very bold, but work. It looks comfy, warming and welcoming.
Continuing on the colorful front, I came across these rooms in the Andel's Hotel. The designer did well here with the decision for timeless design combined with the perfect color tones.
[Photos from www.andelsberlin.com]
When looking for luxery, there are endless hotels to pick from. Luxury doesn't always have to be shown in size, products and brands. An amazing view is definitely up there on the luxury list. When I was younger we went to a "bungalow resort". The memories will stay with me for my whole life. The houses all have amazing views of the sea, the beach or the forrest. All houses have an outdoor private shower, classic designed rooms, and amazing bathrooms. A view can make or break a hotel or resort.
Sometimes all you want to do is spend a few nights in a hotel and get pampered. This hotel in Portugal almost had me booking a ticket! It's a very modern design, with high tech products. I believe thats a TV in the ceiling. Putting the bed in the middle of the room really works here, even with the dark walls and floors it still looks luxurious and spacious. I must say the whole hotel is pretty spectacular.
I hope I've inspired you to look a bit further than the standard hotels. It may take a bit longer, but in the end, wouldn't you rather stay in a special hotel, and most of all feel special?
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Back to where it started
Today is one of those days. I'm sure you've all experienced it. It's not so much that you feel empty on the inside, it's more to do with the fact that something is missing. No, I'm not talking about a loved one or an organ. I'm talking about your home town, your birthplace, or the country you grew up in.
Lately my mind has been wandering. I sit and think about Cape Town. My birthplace, the city I came home to after holidays, the house I grew up in, the country I call my home.
I found myself staring at one of my empty walls, pondering what to with it. I feel like doing something special with it, not in the mood for the normal slap of paint. And since the wall has got a texture I sadly cant put up any wallpaper without to much hassle. So the answer to my problems seems to be a painting, or a series of paintings.
Dreaming of my roots, and listening to a bit of African music (Mango Groove, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg) it came to me!
Two or three paintings with Ndebele art.
The Ndebele are an african tribe located in South-Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Art has always been an important cultural part of their lives, and a way of keeping their identity. The Ndebele woman were held responsible for the painting of their houses, this was done without rulers or any other tools. The design and the colours that she would choose for her house would set her apart from the group, and show what kind of person she is. The designs are based on symmetrical and geometric shapes, outlined with a black line.
Traditionally they would use earth colours, made from ground ochre and different types of clay (white, brown, yellow and pink). Black was made from charcoal. Today due to availability you will find more commercial colours like shades of yellow, green, red and blue.
To my surprise I found a modern view on the Ndebele art, via Maxalot. The following wallpapers made me think about the many options there are when painting my own Ndebele art. It's not about just copying one of the Ndebele designs, it's about showing your own design, choosing your colours, and showing the world your own identity. In the end the most important thing is to stay true to yourself, and express your own individuality.
Images: Alison Wright Photography, Flickr, Maxalot
Monday, July 26, 2010
Dutchism
Living in holland it's hard not to notice the pride the dutch carry with them, when it comes to Dutch Design. Of course they have great pride when it comes to their football, food, flowers, clogs and their royal family. But for this post I'll keep it close to home, their designers.
Piet Boon, born in 1958, is one of holland's most famous designers. Piet is an architect and an interior designer. He started out as a contractor, but soon found passion in the design side of life. Piet works all over the world and recently realized the interior of a hotel in Las Vegas (the Morgan's Hotel Group - Hotel Delano, the first non Casino Hotel).
Piet has a love for pure, honest and natural products combined with brave and solid colours. While doing this he makes sure that his designs are timeless, durable and most of all chic and comfortable.
Holiday house, Vinkeveen
House, Blaricum
Besides being an architect and an interior designer, he also designs furniture - and has completed many collections. His furniture oozes style and strength. And of course all his furniture keeps in line with his motto of natural products, timeless- and durable design.
I think we'll be seeing loads more from Piet Boon in the near future, and if you want to see some more, why don't you click, and get inspired?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
My Top 5 of the day : Something Soft
Welcome to my first post, it’s pretty nerve racking. Not knowing if anybody will read this in the first place. In that case, I will just continue to talk to myself, it’s not like anybody will find out … ;-)
Cushions possess the amazing skill of finishing off a room or a piece of furniture. Whether they come in one, two or even five, they manage to give it a finishing and homely touch.
Knowing me I’ll have found new favorite cushions tomorrow, so today I give you : My top 5 Cushion Designers of the day!
1. Annabel Grey Fabrics
We’ve been seeing flower prints on the streets for months now, and its only natural that it will crawl off the streets into our homes.
These amazing prints made me smile immediately as they are fun, colourful and oh so stylish. Be sure to visit Annabel Grey Fabrics for more great cushions, curtains or fabrics.
Big Daisy Stripe Square Cushion 20" X 20"
Lollipops Blue/Grey Cushion 18" X 18"
Lollipops Cream Cushion 16"x16"2. Ferm-Living
Want something different? Then these cushions are definitely up your street. Ferm-Living has designed a great line of printed cushions made out of high quality silk and cotton, with the softest filling, down.
If your looking for a less outspoken cushion, check out their site for more designs and other cool products.
Velo - Black
Birdcage - Black
Peacock - Petrol3. Eco Centric
In this time and day everybody is thinking of greener options - why not start with your cushions? Eco Centric has come up with a line made out of organic cotton, recycled seatbelts, t-shirts and ties. Every cushion has its own background, handmade in the UK, or Peru. For other great idea's visit their site.
Organic Alpaca Cushion Khaki and Gold
Organic Alpaca Cushion Khaki and Gold
Seatbelt Cushions
Mokimoe Organic Cushion - Yellow4.Sarah-Jayne Guest
Let your imagination run wild with these cushion designs. They are so fabulous, they'll brighten up your world for sure. I expect to see loads more from this designer, mark my words. She has a clear view on what she wants, and I believe she will achieve it. In the meantime, look at her cushion designs here.
Leaf Cushion
Green Frog Cushion
Floral Cushion5.Hunky Dory Home
The cushions Hunky Dory Home sells are simple, classic and fun. Basic colours combined with fun prints. I fell in love with their Retro prints, but don't be scared to have a look at all the other designs they have.
Atomic
Secretary
Brown OwlI hope I've inspired you to start thinking outside the box when it comes to cushions - they dont always have to be plain, try something new, be inspired!
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