Thursday, 18 June 2015 by Irene Hoofs
Last week we did a sneaky little preview of our favourite stop along the Design Kwartier journey, but let's keep on the trail of Dutch design. Even if you did not manage to head to Design Kwartier, let us bring you on a virtual tour recap of all the amazing designs that were present during the 3-day event.
Dutch designer Roos Meerman works in what we would call the experimental realm, her designs work with the development of materials and technology. Ever gave a second thought to how patterns come about? Roos' Canorgraphy project shows us what sounds look like, a machine she developed moves tools such as pencils and pens on a surface based on sound waves produced by a set of speakers to create patterns on textile or paper. Imagine turning a song into a pattern on a scarf.. email Roos for possibilities!
Another experimental endeavour by Roos is Aera Fabrica, combining the different techniques of blow moulding, glass blowing and 3D printing. Watch her video and you'll understand how she came up with the idea - it's like balloons for designers!
Image above and below by Base Photography
Images via Studio Roos Meerman
.. Roos Meerman
Wednesday, 10 June 2015 by Irene Hoofs
Most definitely our favourite stop on the Design Kwartier journey we took while we were in The Hague a few weeks ago - Plant Power. The name itself, come on, how catchy is that? When you enter their wonderful pop up space, you just want to know what everything you see actually is, you immediately go into observation mode.
We were lucky enough to have met the sweet girls behind Studio Plant Power, Roos Rutjes and Iris Rozendaal, who were both kind enough to take us on a little walk through the space, explaining everything and even letting us try some really unique vegetables (I think that's what they are!), something that was really crunchy and juicy, and did not taste half bad! Actually it would make a great healthy snack.. speaking of snacks.. One of the items that caught our eye was the book Plant Power, a collab between Roos from Studio Plant Power and food stylist and author of vegan cookbooks, Lisette Kreischer. Together they are Veggie in Pumps and their aim is to inspire people to integrate more greens into their daily life. This dynamic duo already have 8 books to their name!
There were many beautiful and healthy food and drink options. Like tea that looked too pretty to drink and an elderflower drink that we actually drank and tasted heavenly. Along with those were some other products like the most delicate porcelain pieces by Jennifer de Jonge.
Overall the space was curated perfectly and we definitely walked away plants on our mind and veggies in our bellies!
Images via Veggie in Pumps
.. Plant Power
Monday, 27 April 2015 by Irene Hoofs
"Immediate acceptance of the presented objects is not the purpose of our work." Studio Roex presents to us pieces that make our minds work. Using familiar materials and objects and presenting them in a new and unconventional way. " We want to increase people's awareness of what they see, heightening their ability (and desire) to understand it."
A furniture and product design studio based in Amsterdam, Studio Roex's projects will definitely make you rethink the way you view the objects you see and use on a daily basis. Can this spoon I use to eat my cereal be just a food delivery system or can it be something else too? Hmm..
Monday, 20 October 2014 by Irene Hoofs
Let's jump right into the new week with Ontwerpduo's latest Loena lattern! Beautiful new product being exhibited in Dutch Design Week along with their other designs. They have captured the magic of light in this lamp that stays lighted for up to 8 hours after all other lights have been turned off. Great dim lighting for a night light. Truly magical!
For a little piece of Ontwerpduo, the Bloesem shop also carries their line of "Unstationary".
All images found via Ontwerpduo Facebook.
.. Ontwerpduo
..Ontwerpduo Stationery
Wednesday, 15 October 2014 by Irene Hoofs
The most import design event in the Netherlands is happening :
The Dutch Design Week 2014 will be happening in Eindhoven city, throughout the city there are design locations, also known as expo galleries. Just a break down of this iconic event: There will be 3 design areas, 80 locations, 400 events, countless exhibitions, workshops, seminars, food and parties.
Sounds like a design enthusiast's dream.. unfortunately we can't attend this year but..
If Bloesem were there we would visit ...
1. Poselein+ - A new take on old materials and techniques.
2. REM40 Expo - remembering fashion from the 40s.
3. Union11- "internationally attractive" - a group of young designers exhibiting their works as a group.
4. Pinkie Patisserie "The Bustle" - "flavours that explode in your mouth" we're sold, we'll be there.
5. Het Tafelbureau- Between reality and fantasy exhibition
6. Algaemy - Crafting our future food (shockingly about textiles and not food)
First Image Credit: Rene Mesman ; all other images from respective Dutch Design week links for each exhibition.
.. Dutch Design Week 2014
Wednesday, 3 September 2014 by Irene Hoofs
By now you probably know my family and I spent the summer in Amsterdam… we were fortunate enough to stay two weeks in our own apartment as the tenant had moved out early... I have never been so happy to see a tenant move out as this was a great opportunity to do (yes, you have guessed it right…) just a bit of interior decorating… every year we try to add something new to our place and slowly but surely we are creating our own amazing little nest, trial and error, but ultimately exactly the way we like it.
Last year we had a big makeover done by our friends XandL, perhaps you remember that post? And this year we bought a new much smaller couch at Loods5, I think it fits perfectly in our living room and the best part is that you can use it as a super comfortable sofa bed too.
Very happy I am with our new design piece ... the carbon sideboard 'Fien' (funny coincidence, Fien is my favorite girl name…if we were to have a girl that is, no plans at present…:)) by Dutch designer Frank Winburst. We also bought the bookshelf ‘Stan’ but haven’t had time yet to put it up ... next time when we are there! Christmas maybe…?
The Carbon series is a range of products constructed with carbon threads. The system is made by hand spinning a black carbon tread around MDF shelves and fixate them with epoxy resin, creating a lightweight but strong and stable construction.
The felt pillows are by Tas-ka and now also available in the Bloesem shop in Singapore.
More pictures after the break.
