The Tiny Roaster

On wednesdays when I am not at Bloesem I try to spend some time exploring parts of Singapore I have not seen. One wednesday, a friend invited us to the The Tiny Roaster, a little cafe his sister had just opened. The loveliest little coffee studio it was to spend an afternoon in.  They offer artisan hand brews, as well as roasted coffee beans, for you to get your caffeine kick at home.

Located in Clementi, Singapore, it is tucked away between some of the blocks of houses but it is definitely worth visiting. Have a look at the photos yourself! You just know they put their heart and soul into everything, from the coffee to the decor. (I was told the beautiful door handle was made by the dad of the owner. ) Xo, Zara.

.. The Tiny Roaster

The Kitchen Table

Let us take you on a tour of The Kitchen Table - bakery by day, restaurant by night - with pictures courtesy of Trisha Toh and The Kitchen Table's website. Though it would be ideal to visit the place ourselves, and of course we would if we found ourselves in the Kuala Lumpur area anytime soon, but for now these photographs are more than enough to wet our appetite both for food and this beautiful interior!

Their large tables allow for communal eating, such a departure from the restaurants we are used to but it also means a whole new experience of eating and interacting with others.

During the day, their backery favourites include soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns. Yum! But as dinner time draws near, the table is set and diners enjoy their popular dishes such as buckwheat fried chicken and red snapper ceviche.

Image credits: Location photography by Trisha Toh, Food photography by Adrian Yap

.. The Kitchen Table

Mondays Off

Haji Lane in Singapore has changed massively since the last time I visited and a few weeks back Irene told me about a great shop she had visited there, so of course I had to take my wednesday off and go see it for myself. Well, she was right! Mondays Off is definitely one of my favorites on the street. Leyna, chief dreamer at Mondays Off, actually popped by Bloesem awhile back and it was so great seeing her again.

The store is beautiful both inside and out, don't you agree? That is one beautiful store display!

  

You can find a quirky mix of home and garden merchandize, as well as tons of cute things that make great gifts. The store is so colorful and full of items that you just want to take a closer look at, so i suggest you make a complete round before you decide which items are going home with you.

One of my favorite things that Leyna said while I was there was that, to her, the store is home. And I feel exactly the same way about Bloesem.

So the next time you find yourself with some time off, or around Haji Lane, make sure to visit Mondays Off at 76 Haji Lane, Singapore. I'm sure you won't regret it.

.. Mondays Off 
.. Catch Mondays Off on Facebook

Out of the blue

For those of us who do not live in the Netherlands (currently in my case), we can only enjoy the beauty of the Out of the Blue concept store through this pictures. If a pictures speaks a thousand words, then I'm betting all those words are positive and showering the store with compliments.

Together Marijn Damen & Renee Arns, the founders of the store, work closely with the labels they carry, because they believe having a close and honest connection with both their labels and clients is the foundation of a solid co-operation. Which also means a better shopping and working experience for everyone involved! I know how much bad service can ruin a great shopping experience, so this is great to hear.

With the industrial quality of the space, the wood furniture works perfectly! Giving the shop a perfect amount of cosiness for a customer to feel right at home. Doesn't the wood table and the candle stand remind you slightly of christmas and family dinners?

On top of discovering this beautiful store, I had a wonderful surprise when i was looking through their list of designers on the website and saw Esther van der Sluis-Otten!
I know from our time living in Amsterdam and I did not even know about her delightful ceramic creations! I am so proud of her and overwhelmed by her gorgeous designs.

Another familiar piece I noticed was the Bubble vase on the table by Jorine oosterhoff who we met along with her husband, the duo also known as Buro jet in the thrid picture.

 

.. Out of the Blue concept store 

.. Esther van der Sluis

 

 

Tas-ka in The Hague

Not sure if you need an introduction ... but will give you a quick one ... Tas-ka is a Dutch design company by Jantien Baas en Hester Worst ...  Tas-ka is the Czech word for handbag and designing handbags is were it began for these two friends ... a breakthrough came with a gorgeous collection fabrics manufactured for their own label. The fabrics are used in children, fashion and home accessories.

A couple of years ago they also opened a brick and mortar shop in the Hague were you can find products from other Dutch designers. I love their style and they way they used simple materials like concrete and chipwood but making the shop truly special .. what do you think?

Oh don't cry if you can't visit .. the ladies have an online shop too!  

(ps. an interview with the ladies from Tas-ka on BKids right here)

 

.. Tas-ka

Hay opens in Amsterdam

{photo credit: Souraya at Binti Home}

It really is  a small world ... while having lunch with a new friend yesterday here in Singapore I learned about the new HAY shop in Amsterdam. My friend happens to be very good friends with the owners of Friday Next, also in Amsterdam. You might think what does Friday Next have to do with HAY ... well, they are the founders of the gorgeous and huge HAY shop too. 

Quite impressive what these two creative moms, Esther Blaffert and Paulien de Vries, have accomplished already ... and such an important impact they have on the interior design scene in the Netherlands. 

A lovely lady who used to work at Friday Next has been blogging for Bloesem before and I thought she might be able to help ... and yes indeed Souraya from Binti home ... was lucky to step inside the new HAY just before the crowds arrived and took some awesome images for us ... Enjoy!

 

Thanks Souraya for sharing your images with us. And if you ever need some interior design styling or photography help or avice just send Souraya an email, you will be in very good hands. You can find her online portfolio right here. 

Address: 
HAY on Amsterdam
Spuistraat 281 and 
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 326, Amsterdam

.. Binti Home
.. Friday Next
.. HAY