Time with Marieke Verdenius

If you've seen Marieke Verdenius' Instagram feed, you'd know exactly how stunning it is. Beautiful, minimal still-life images featuring only the freshest ingredients.. There's something about it that really soothes the soul. The food blogger now works as a food and lifestyle editor for the online magazine, Jamie Magazine (yes, by the one and only Jamie Oliver!) and she killing it! Marieke kindly took some time off to share with Bloesem on the Bloesem Gazette where she gets her inspiration for amazing recipes, and a little secret or two to whipping up a great meal.. Here's the rest of the juicy bits!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Peanut butter sandwiches, especially with toasted bread.

Ah yes, the classics! Any tips on making the perfect sandwich?

Add some sliced avocado, it always works. Or, if you add some lettuce to your sandwich, make sure it is seasoned with a honey-mustard type of vinaigrette. It tastes so much better!

And how do you like your eggs?

Poached! Or sunny side up.

What is your favourite comfort food and why?

Croque-monsieur. During my studies, I worked as a chef at a cozy lunchroom. I really loved baking these grilled sandwiches with various fillings for our guests. I created my favourite combinations, such as one with organic ham, mozzarella, pesto & pine nuts. Or chèvre with homemade peanut butter and honey.

For a first time cook, what would you recommend they try making?

Cook spaghetti and add some raw ingredients like sliced cherry tomatoes, rocket, feta cheese, seeds, nuts, freshly chopped herbs, olives or anything you like. Season well and add some extra virgin olive oil and a little bit of lemon juice. Easy does it.

And what do you think is the most versatile ingredient to work with?

That’s a difficult question to answer because I could mention more than just one. If I had to make a choice, I’d go for lemon. It is the best secret ingredient to give your vegetables or pasta dish a kick. Lemons combine with everything, from fish to salads and from cake to cordial, it’s an ingredient that uplifts nearly everything.

Name 5 places you go to for recipe inspirations.

At the office, where I am lucky to have access to a small culinary library filled with the latest publications and favourite classics. On Instagram and Pinterest, by browsing through the feeds of many talented Instagrammers & Pinners worldwide. I also visit restaurants or food shops for inspiration, it is really nice to see how their different signature dishes are presented. Sometimes I meet up with fellow foodie Instagrammers to cook and eat together. And lastly, cooking programs on the BBC. I could watch them 24 hours a day.

What's a ‘must try’ local dish?

I would say kroketten by Holtkamp (croquettes with prawns, lobster or veal). They are Yotam Ottolenghi’s favourite too.

Wow, that sounds awesome. And what dish makes you miss home the most?

My mum's ‘kruidkoek’. She created her own recipe, which is still a secret to all of us!

What's a good dessert to get in the mood/ date night dessert and your go-to drink?

Meringue with fresh seasonal fruit & whipped cream. My favorite drink, except water or tea, is a glass of white wine or a GT with cucumber.

And when you're getting together with your friends, where do you eat?

One of my favorite spots in town is ‘De Kas’, a restaurant located in a glass house. They serve the best organic food. If I have less to spend, I love eating at a small, intimate restaurant called Balthasars’ Keuken. It’s located in the heart of the ‘Jordaan’ area on the Elandsgracht.

Do you ever diet/detox?

Sorry, I can’t say I have.

What about dietary advice to help stay in shape?

Stay away from too much sugar or sweet things.

Any tips on food styling?

Keep it simple and make choices, less is more.

What trends do you see in foodie culture?

I think we are slowly changing our food habits by eating more honest food that’s locally produced. People really like to hear how and where their bread, cheese or sausage is made. These days it is quite common to drink beer produced by local brewers rather than the mainstream alternatives. And a positive development is that new local food start-ups are finding support in the community.

Lastly, tell us your secret indulgences!

Organic fries with mayonnaise, it’s part of my monthly menu!

Anyone else's got cravings now? Thanks for the lovely interview Marieke!

Photo credits: Marieke Verdenius

.. Marieke Verdenius
.. Bloesem Gazette Issue No. 5

Meeting Heju

DIY Hooks by Heju

Passionate French architects Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann are the people behind Heju, where they share creative ideas, inspiring product and graphic designs, and also easy to follow DIYs. Their collection of crafts is so pleasing to the eye you would never guessed they were simple crafts that you and I can do too! Read on for the rest of our interview with Heju about where they get their inspirations for such creative craft projects, and also some really helpful tips for those of us less adventurous. Continuing from where we left off on the Bloesem Gazette..

What is you favourite DIY project so far?

The DIY that we are most proud of is the "lampe bijou" which is a lamp made with bracelets. We feel that this DIY represents our desire to modify and enhance the functions of an inexpensive item to create something more. We like to create aesthetically pleasing and ludic objects but above all, useful ones.

Yeah I saw it too, we thought it was really smart! Where are some places you go to online to find inspiration for such cool DIY? 

It’s not really original but we spend a lot of time exploring Pinterest. It’s a great tool to find some DIY ideas, some recipes or just inspiration for decorating your home.

Read on for the full interview..

Lampe Bijou by Heju

What about other DIY crafters in the community that inspire you guys?

Among our favourite DIY blogs, there is 'The House that Lars Built' created by Brittany Watson Jepsen. Her whole concept is really consistent and she is a role model to us. We are also big fans of Beci Orpin’s work, she is so sweet and very talented. We love her patterns and her style is distinct and easily recognisable. Last but not least, we would recommend the all white and minimalistic blog "love-aesthetics". It is full of simple DIYs made with some unexpected materials.

What do you think are the top 5 crafts or trends of 2015?

It’s really difficult to list my top 5, the craft community is just so creative! But, in any case, we found that there was a large range of materials used in DIYs in the last couple of months. We loved all the DIY ideas using marble or gold brass!

DIY Coasters by Heju

Share with us a form of craft you admire and would love to try, but have not.

We would love to attend a pottery class though we haven’t because of a lack of free-time. That’s such a shame! In fact, we have been in love with ceramics since we first discovered Ben Fiess’ work. We are constantly fascinated by the know-how of the ceramists in general and their nimble hands.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

Our favourite material is wood. Even if working with it may seem scary at the beginning, you always feel extra accomplished and satisfied when manage a DIY using wood. It is also a multi-purpose material, you can make small objects as well as large furniture.

Heju's first architecture project.

True! And where do you think is the best place to find craft materials like wood and many others?

In Paris, we often go to le BHV Marais. It’s a department store near the city hall where you can find anything you want. Obviously, we spend a lot of time on the hardware and the craft floors. Besides that, we also love to use Farrow & Ball paints in our DIYs. The colours they offer are pastel and soft, just the way we like them!

Share with us some tips to avoiding crafter's block.

When things don't go the way we’d like to or when we can’t find anymore ideas, we usually take a free day to visit an art exhibition, for example the Le palais de Tokyo, a museum in Paris that we love, or go ride a bike through the streets of Paris. It’s a good way to clear the mind for a bit and think of something else.

And any advice for people doing DIYs for the first time?

We would say that it’s okay to fail sometimes, it happens all the time. To everyone else, you might even be the one they admire the most! Just keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day and perhaps, you’ll achieve something far beyond your expectations instead.

That's definitely something to take away.. Thank you for such an inspiring chat, Hélène and Julien!

All images via Heju.

.. Heju
.. Have you given our latest Bloesem Gazette a read?

A feast for the eyes

Nestled in the beautiful city of Melbourne, Ashley is a self-taught cook of Gather and Feast where she posts a host of simple, low-fuss recipes on her food blog that any of us can follow for some seriously delicious (and seriously Instagram-worthy) dishes that's sure to be a crowd pleaser. A true lover of fresh produce, she definitely doesn't trade freshness for ease - so you can look forward to using natural and wholesome ingredients when you're whipping up a sumptuous spread. While we can only follow her recipes and can't taste her cooking first hand, her feature on our latest Bloesem Gazette Issue 5 sure is a feast for the eyes! Here's the rest of what went down during our little chat together..

Name an ingredient you think is the most versatile and why?

Almonds! I use them to make almond milk, sprinkle roasted almonds over salads and over fruit, in smoothies, as a gluten free flour alternative, sweet, savoury, so many things! 

Wow that sure is a lot of things! What about for someone who is a first time cook, what would you recommend they try making?

A salad, you really can’t go wrong with a salad. Try a simple no-fail recipe that is delicious and will still impress your guests. Place sliced ripe tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil & sea salt onto a serving dish, and serve with fresh crusty bread, SO easy, anyone can do that!

What's a must try local dish in Melbourne?

In Melbourne, it’s all about the cafes and coffee culture. Melbourne is world renowned for having the best coffee and also brunch spots. A few of my favourite spots for coffee and brunch would be Top Paddock, Seven Seeds, Proud Mary, Barry, Kettle Black, Smith St. Alimentary, there really are so many places!

What's your go-to drink then? Is it coffee?

It's actually mineral water with lemon and lime. Simple, but delicious and refreshing. 

Get together with your best friends: where and what do you eat?

If we are at home, we usually cook, my dear friend Marla makes the most amazing roast chicken and vegetables ever. She serves it with sour cream and mango chutney, it really is so good! We also eat out quite often, we have a few favourite places, like pizza from our favourites D.O.C or 400 Gradi, and then there there will usually be ice-cream involved at some point too. 

And for a stay-in day.. What would be your go-to comfort food?

It would have to be a simple pasta dish, fresh pasta, fresh tomatoes, basil and goat's cheese with a generous glug of olive oil and sprinkling of sea salt, SO good.

How do you like your eggs?

Well done or hard boiled. I actually can't eat runny eggs, for me, the texture is just not ok. 

What is your top tip for food styling?

Lighting is key. Less is more.

Totally agree! Any trends do you see in foodie culture right now? 

For me, I have observed quite extreme food trends at the moment, really extreme health culture or the other ‘not so healthy’ extreme of burgers, doughnuts etc. I find it really fascinating.

And lastly.. Tell us your secret indulgences!

Ice-cream. I LOVE artisan ice-cream and authentic gelato. My favourite thing. (Although it’s probably not so secret!)

Does all this talk about food leave you itching to grab a bite too? Before we go off to raid the fridge.. We want to say a big thanks to Ashley again for your contribution!

Photo credits: Gather and Feast

.. Gather and Feast
.. Have you read our latest Bloesem Gazette?

A chat with Coco Lapine

  

Belgian designer, interior stylist, and blogger Sarah is the woman behind Coco Lapine, a little space where she features inspiring interiors from all around the world. And boy, does she have impeccable taste! We took some time off scrolling endlessly on her gorgeous blog and caught up with Sarah for a little chat for our latest Bloesem Gazette. Here's more of what went down.. (Spoiler alert: she talks interior trends for 2016!)

Which is your favourite corner in your home?

I think this would be our dining area. Our apartment is located in an old building with many weird angles, but the dining area worked out quite nicely in a corner. It makes it cosier and I accentuated this little corner with a wall mounted shelf to showcase some accessories.

Nice! What about your living room? What is your most interesting piece of furniture there?

This would be our coffee table in our living room. It used to be my grandmother's and I got it as a present before she passed. I love having something of hers in our home and I find that this piece makes our home more unique and characteristic. We just gave it a new coat of paint to give it a more modern touch, but otherwise it was good as new.

The value of a good vintage item! Any other tips you would like to share for decorating on a budget?

It’s always wise to buy very timeless and neutral furniture and be more bold with the accessories like pillows, vases, throw blankets etc. These smaller items are cheaper and easier to change around but can make a space look so different without having to replace all the furniture. I also like to change around artwork in my home a lot (and design my own, which I sell at cocolapine.bigcartel.com), which has a great effect on the vibe of the room as well.

What is your favourite colour scheme for your home? And why? 

I have been very much into neutral colours and like how different tints of grey look together. Combined with brass, cork, wood tints and some green plants you can create a very interesting space. Lately I have been seeing blue-grey walls in a lot of beautiful interiors as well, which I would love to try out in our place as well.

Then what are some other attributes you would like your dream home to have?

Preferably an old building with high ceilings, with light coming through big windows, lots of clean lines and yet still looks cosy, inviting and comfortable.

 

What is your favourite decor style?

I’m always very inspired by the Scandinavian style and I think my home looks like this as well, however I try to mix it up with some vintage elements to give it some more personality and character. I like the simplicity of Nordic furniture and it’s ability to make a room look light and playful.

Share with us your top 5 favourite furniture brand. 

Muuto, Ferm Living, Carl Hansen and Søn, Gubi and Artek

And your favourite furniture decade?

Definitely mid-century modern, which is really not surprising! I like the clean lines and no-nonsense style of that era.

Nice! Now fast forward to 2016.. What interior trends do you foresee this year?

I saw a lot of colonial-style influences on modern interiors in 2015 and I think this influence will be even stronger this year. I think natural materials like cork and wood will stay in trend as well.

Time for a visit to the lumber yard.. Thanks again Sarah for your contribution to our latest Gazette yet!

Photo Credits: Coco Lapine

.. Coco Lapine
.. Read our latest Bloesem Gazette

Think merry thoughts

 

Glad to be joined by the lovely and joyful ladies of The Merrythought all the way from New York in our latest issue of the Bloesem Gazette in our Craft and Design section.. Their blog is a space for DIYs projects, yummy Instagram-worthy recipes, and their own inspirations, but we say they are pretty inspiring people themselves!

Read on for our little chat - where we remembered favourite projects, talked trends, and shared pro tips we could all take home..

What is you favourite DIY project so far?

One of our favourite projects is our hanging table. We love it because it's simple, natural and still very practical. It also uses wood from a tree that once stood at our family's farm which makes it extra special!

That's really cool! So I guess wood is one of your favourite materials to work with?

Wood and clay. They're raw and simple and the possibilities for projects are endless.

Where's the best place to go to for craft materials then? 

We love to repurpose items when we can, so we often use things we already have or have found at thrift stores or garage sales. We also incorporate nature when we can, so a walk through the woods for scavenged items is a favorite. The stores we visit the most for materials are usually Home Depot, local lumberyards, and Michaels.

Where are some places you go to find DIY inspiration? 

We love to browse Pinterest - it’s a great place for inspiration as well as to see what trends people are currently into.

Any crafters you guys find really inspiring?

We love Fall For DIY, Monsters Circus, Almost Makes Perfect, Homey Oh My, and the Crafted Life!

How do you avoid crafter's block?

Take breaks! And if a project doesn't inspire you, just leave it behind. If you're forcing yourself to do crafts that you don't want to do, you'll end up giving up on the crafts you did want to do as well.

What about avoiding a DIY flop? Any tips?

Do your research and make sure you make accurate measurements. We can't tell you the number of times we go to start a project only to realise we don't have the correct supplies or we cut a bunch of wood and was slightly off in the measurements and we have to go back and recut everything. So take your time. There are a lot of projects that we have tried over the years that have failed but it's just part of the process. Occasionally those failed projects turn into or inspire you to make a completely different project than what you originally had in mind too. So just go for it!

 

Share with us a form of craft you admire and would love to try, but have not.

We would love to learn calligraphy but it's very intimidating and we're not sure we have the patience for it!

Coming to the end of the year.. What do you think are the top 5 DIY/craft trends of 2015?

Plywood, marbling, watercolour, weaving and anything minimal.

Thank you ladies, for your wonderful contribution to our latest Gazette yet!

Photo Credits: The Merrythought

.. The Merrythought
.. Read the latest Bloesem Gazette

A Chat with Caroline Gomez

 

We have been long time fans of Caroline Gomez.. even writing about her work since the beginning of Bloesem! Besides being a designer, photographer, and art director, she also has a collection of home accessories and even authors her own books about travel and lifestyle.. Did you see them on our online store and pop ups?

It's so nice to have her contribute to our latest Bloesem Gazette which features some of our favourite creatives from all over the world. Here's more of what went down during our little chat with the lovely Caroline..

What is your favourite piece of furniture?

Rama chair by OXdenmarq. For me it is a perfect creation.. The right balance between aesthetics and evidence of form.

And the most interesting piece of furniture in your living room? Tell us about it.

My Danish couch dating 50 years back I found in a flea market for a few euros. It is beautiful, I love it.

Nice! We all love a good flea find. Do you have any tips for decorating on a budget?

It takes very little to create change. Use a lot of white in your decor, some well-chosen colours along with sleek and functional furniture that still has a healthy dose of personality.

What is the favourite spot in your home?

I love my bedroom.. to lie down on my bed to read a book or a magazine, to talk or play with my daughter. The light and the colours in my bedroom are very soft. It is a very pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

What about your dream home? What are some of its attributes?

The use of crude materials, a soft atmosphere, large windows, lots of light, and a great view - especially of nature.

What's a good style, or colour scheme for it to take?

Minimalist, because it gives the home space for you to inject some personality, and definitely white! Always a good base to build the rest of your room around.

Share with us your top 5 favourite furniture brands and magazines.

My favourite brands will have to be &Tradition, Menu, Muji, Nikari and OX Denmarq. For magazines - Rum, Milk Decoration, ELLE decoration Norge, Inside out, and Freunde von Freunden.

What trends do you expect this coming 2016?

I think 2016 will bring us even closer to the use of raw materials. Items will also be simplified to be more versatile and to allow more mixed sets.

Thanks again Caroline, for your support all these years!

Photo credits: Caroline Gomez

.. Caroline Gomez
.. Read the latest Bloesem Gazette