AT HOME_ urban roof terrace

April 25, 2022

The first space I wanted to get started on when we bought our house, was our roof terrace. After spending a year in lock-down with little to no outdoor space, we couldn’t wait to transform this trapezoid terrace into a cosy outdoor space. Since we didn’t own any outdoor furniture yet and I desperately wanted to start decorating and furnishing our house, this clean slate seemed the most logical option to focus my energy on.

In the three months between buying our house and receiving the keys, I started making mood-boards, comparing prices, trying out chairs and sofa’s and researching plants, hoping to enjoy our new and long-awaited outdoor space as soon as possible. The goal: turn this urban terrace into a green oasis where we could lounge, enjoy meals and have friends over from (not so) early in the morning until late at night. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the Ever Given fiasco and last year’s rush on outdoor furniture, many items were sold out and delivery was often delayed. Sadly our terrace was only fully furnished in October (let this be a reminder for you to order your outdoor furniture now!), so my plan didn’t really work out… However I’m still very happy I decided to be patient and stick to my first choices, and with sun gracing our terrace from morning until evening, we have definitely caught up on “terrace time” during the sunny weeks we’ve already had this year! Now, let’s have a look shall we?

AT HOME_ we bought a house!

April 11, 2022

This past year has been quite the roller coaster, for multiple reasons, but one thing definitely sticks out: we bought a house! Ever since a certain health crisis kept all of us closer at home, my boyfriend and I started longing for a bigger home with a proper outdoor space, more daylight, a work space for each of us (my boyfriend is the music producer behind Boogie Belgique and was in desperate need of a home studio) and something we could call our own.

After one year of casually looking at listings in our hometown Antwerp, we bumped into this house from 1870, filled with authentic details, daylight, a roof terrace and more space than we could have possibly dreamed of. It’s been almost a year since we’ve moved in (and if you follow me on Instagram you’ve surely seen me decorate each room), but somehow this big decision hadn’t made it to the blog yet. So today, I present you a throwback to our empty home, and a close up of all the little details we fell in love with. Now that everything is looking more and more finished (don’t be mistaken, there’s still plenty to do!), I can’t wait to give you a detailed tour of each room. But first things first: let’s have a look at what we’re working with!

EXPLORED_ Villa Necchi Campiglio

February 14, 2022

When my boyfriend and I decided to spend a week in Milan, the first thing that came to my mind was: “we must visit Villa Necchi!” On a rainy day in July 2019, we made our way to the iconic villa which you can only visit with a guided tour. Lucky for us, we were the only visitors that morning and received a private tour, where we discovered everything there is to know about the villa’s rich history.

Villa Necchi Campligio, Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milan, Italy - website - instagram

WORK_ family home by Somerset

February 7, 2022

A while ago I photographed the beautiful home of Antwerp based interior architect Geraldine Somers. Under the moniker “Somerset”, Geraldine creates minimal interiors and interior objects. I’ve shared a few fragments on Instagram already, but felt that this minimal yet warm family home deserved a blog post as well! Despite its minimal color palet, Geraldine’s home is rich in materials and textures. From the Muller Van Severen for Valerie Objects wall lamp to the Louis Poulsen hanging lamp, from the wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen & son to the minimal 3D art by Edith Beurskens , every items is chosen with care. Even the salt and pepper shakers are carefully selected. The finishing touch is provided by Somerset’s original designs: the kitchen table, side table and night lights. The latter are available at Studio Ozart, a design collective run by Geraldine with three other female designers.

For more interior inspiration have a look here, for more of my work click through to my portfolio.

AT HOME_ living room update n° 3

February 8, 2021

It’s been a year and a half since my latest living room update and a lot has changed since then! A few months after my last update, my boyfriend moved in with me and while he didn’t bring a lot of furniture (that’s an understatement), we were in desperate need of some more storage space. Staying home for the past year made us very aware of other aspects we wanted to change. A dividing curtain between the sofa and our “hallway” is still on my wishlist (but probably won’t happen as we’re hoping to buy a house soon), but other than that this room feels pretty finished to me! Curious for the result? Read along!

FRAGMENTS_ Gallaratese

December 9, 2020

In the summer of 2019, the boyfriend and I traveled to Italy by train for two weeks of pasta, sun, friends and… architecture! I may not work as an architect anymore, my love for architecture never faded. Luckily my boyfriend is always down to discover another magnificent building! In Milan we visited some of the classics (more on that later!), but the one that made the biggest impression was a bit of the beaten track. (Half an hour outside of Milan by public transport to be exact!) The Gallaratese Quarter was designed in 1967 by Aldo Rossi and Carlo Aymonino, as an answer to the housing shortage after the Second World War. It’s a huge complex, including open-air decks, interconnecting bridges and an amphitheater, all in an exquisite color pallet of browns, reds, yellow and blues. With surprises after every corner and countless interesting views (and square meters!) it’s so easy to get lost in, and a must-visit for anyone with a heart for architecture. Even though you get only one hour to discover the premises (the guard at the entrance will ask your ID in exchange), it shouldn’t be a surprise that I easily filled up my camera’s memory card.

Oh, if you love these images as much as I do – I’ve added some of them to my print shop! Don’t hesitate to contact me if you can’t find the photo you’re looking for, I’ll gladly upload it for you!

Gallaratese Quartier, Via Francesco Cilea, 106, 20151 Milano, Italy

COLLECTION_ Let’s play house

November 9, 2020

Toys and kids rooms are often missing from house tours, but lifestyle journalist and young mother Joni Vandewalle was determined to prove they deserve the spotlight too. She collected twenty playful interiors from all over the world in the book Let’s play house. In these homes clutter creates atmosphere, toys and design are interchangeable and creative storage solutions are key. The book Let’s play house is a must have for parents and parents-to-be and a very early Christmas gift idea from me to you!

It’s no secret I love a good interior book, so you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to contribute to one! Joni and I met when I asked her to be part of my Insights series. Back then, she was living in a rental apartment around the corner of the home she was renovating. We chatted about her love for vintage, color and flowers and we’ve been collaborating regularly ever since. Our most exciting collaboration is definitely this book, for which I shot all of the Belgian homes!

AT HOME_ dining room update with Master Meubel

June 28, 2020

My obsession with interior design and architecture started when I just learned how to read and discovered my parents’ collection of interior magazines. At the time, they were decorating their newly built home and took my little sister and me to quite a few interior design stores. While some kids undoubtedly might have found this boring, I absolutely loved it. I still vividly remember when they took us to Master Meubel, where I was almost star-struck upon seeing all these designs I knew from the magazines in real life, not to mention how impressed I was with the stunning modernist architecture. You can imagine my delight when they contacted me to collaborate!

WORK_ family home by Erica Jacobs

February 18, 2020

WORK_ Erica Jacobs shot by Hannelore Veelaert - aupaysdesmerveillesblog

Leuven based architect Erica Jacobs asked me to a photograph a few of her projects, all of which were a joy to shoot. I’ve shared a few fragments on Instagram already, but felt that these lovely interiors deserved a blog post as well! The first project I wanted to share here, is this renovation of a family home. The bathroom is probably my favorite room in the house (and I know you loved it too!) thanks to its play on transparency and combination of materials. The rest of the house however, with its custom-made furniture, steel window and brick wall, are pretty impressive too. The styling in collaboration with Plek shop (a must visit when your in Leuven!) formed the finishing touch to this stunning interior. I hope you like the result as much as I do!

For more interior inspiration have a look here, for more of my work click through to my portfolio.

COLLECTION_ DIY’s for the holidays

December 13, 2019

With the holidays approaching rapidly, a little Christmas inspiration is in order! As some of you may know, I’m always spending the holidays in Portugal, which means that a Christmas tree seems like too much of a hassle. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t like to get my home into the holidays spirit! In this blogpost I’ve collected all kinds of inspiration, from gift wrapping ideas to alternative Christmas trees and from DIY ornaments to festive decoration ideas. Have fun and if you do try one of these, don’t hesitate to send me the result in a DM! I’d love to see what you come up with…

Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping a gift in a reusable material, such as a linnen napkin, or leftover cloth which can be used again and again. It’s a no waste approach to gift wrapping that looks good and feels good too! Learn how to do it here.
Can’t find the kind of ornaments that you’re looking for? Then why not make them yourself! Molly from Almost Makes Perfect explains how to make these hand ornaments yourself here.
This yarn and eucalyptus wall hanging by Poppytalks looks (and smells!) especially great during the holiday season, but you can definitely keep it around a lot longer. Discover the DIY here.
Not quite ready to dress your home in green and red? Try this subtle dry flower wreath by Paper & Stitch here.
If you’re in it for the ornaments but not quite for the tree, this image by Sostrene Grene is a good solution. A bare walls and some washi tape is all you need.
Ana Morais elegantly combined dry flowers, brown craft paper (the most sustainable option when it comes to gift wrapping paper!) and furoshiki to wrap her gifts. For more images of her excellent gift wrapping skills, look here and don’t forget to swipe.
This wall hanging is the solution for those who don’t have enough space for an actual tree. Find the DIY by Almost makes Perfect here.
Abi from These Four Walls combined paper decoration and a foraged brand for a minimal and elegant christmas arrangement. Have a better look here.
Zwoste used pine as tassles in this cream catcher, making it the perfect addition to a boho home for a subtle nod to the holiday spirit. Read more here.

COLLECTION_ gifts from Belgium

December 10, 2019

While we’re spending money on Christmas presents for our loved ones, we might as well make sure they’re not the only one benefiting from our gifts, right? My first choice always goes to local, sustainable, second hand, made by a small business or an experience instead of something materialistic. To help you a little on your hunt for the perfect gift, I’ve kept every budget in mind and collected nine ideas that are designed and/or made in Belgium or are Belgian initiatives. Need more inspiration? Make sure to dive into my archives. Happy shopping!

1. The elegant, timeless and practical Mariko handbag by Lies Mertens, made out of bio leather and built to last. Get it here. For a more affordable design, discover the wallets (one of which is named after me!) in her Antwerp boutique.
2. Corian disk earrings by Anna Rosa Moschouti, made out of surplus materials from kitchen and bathrooms. Buy them here.
3. Silkscreen print based on Michael Graves’ resort in El Gouna, handmade by Astrid Nieuwborg. Order it here.
4. Stained glass mirror by GLASenGLAS, available in different sizes and colors. Find it here.
5. Terra table lamp, originally a handmade gift from Antwerp based Lauren Van Driessche to her partner, now (thanks to Serax) available for us as well here.
6. test hereThese These vintage vases are just one of the many treasures sold by Orence store. Second hand is the most sustainable option and budget friendly as well! Find them here.
7. The museum pas, which gives you one year of free access to more than 150 Belgian museums. Bonus points if you give a pair to a couple, or give yourself one as well: one year of cultural dates guaranteed! If you order now, you can get a limited edition that features De ijsvogels by Emile Claus. Discover it here.
8. Mambo baskets is a Belgian based company that sells baskets made in Kenya, by women who are now able to send their children to school and pay their medical bills. Get them here.
9. A flower subscription is a gift that keeps on giving. For Antwerp locals, I recommend Wilder, a flower subscription that follows the seasons, bringing you long lasting dried flower bouquets during winter. Read more here.

COLLECTION_ interior & architecture books

December 1, 2019

The end of the year is approaching and thus it’s about time I shared some gift ideas with you. Up first, nine books that will make your fellow (interior) architecture lovers swoon. From monographs on renowned architects to collections of inspiring interiors, there’s something for everyone with a heart for design in here.

“Ricardo Bofill, visions of architecture”, a monograph on the iconic Spanish architect known for surreal and poetic spaces and one of my personal favorites! Buy it here.
“Think Radical Vintage” is another book in the inspiring “Think…” series, this time featuring interiors that combine vintage design in the most interesting ways. Get it here. (By the way, you can already get a sneak peek of that cover interior on the blog!)
“Vincent Van Duysen, works 2009-2018” is already the second book of one of Belgium’s most renowned architects. With pictures by Hélène Binet, one my favorite photographers, this one is an absolute gem. Order it here.
“Vincenzo de Cotiis, works” features the Milanese architect and artist who is always exploring the ambient tension between crumbling antiquity and futuristic minimalism. Find it here.
Gio Ponti is considered as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and a great source of inspiration for Vincenzo de Cotiis, so his monograph “Gio Ponti, archi-designer” had to be included on the list. From architecture and furniture to installations for private homes or public buildings, this book is brimming with inspiration. Click it home here.
In “Axel Vervoordt, interieurportretten”, you’ll find 17 projects by the Belgian art collector and interior designer. FYI: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are already fans… Buy it here.
“Wild at heart” is the second hook of the duo behind Coffeeklatch, this time focusing on beautiful homes that are shared with pets. For sale here.
Vincenzo de Cotiis’s other architectural hero couldn’t be excluded from this list either. “Carlo Scarpa, architecture and design”, covers all 58 of his structures. Get your hands on it here.
Norm architects and Kinfolk joined forces for “The touch: spaces designed for the senses”. The book features beautiful homes, hotels, museums, and retail stores from contemporary designers by Ilse Crawford and Bijoy Jain to classic cases by Arne Jacobsen. Discover it here.

EXPLORED_ Maison Jackie

November 16, 2019

Gather a few talented women, each with their own super power, give them a building to use as a blank canvas and what do you get? A whole lot of female energy and a wonderful place called Maison Jackie. Founder Jackie Bohème, née Ellen Wauters, has a heart for real estate, an eye for beauty, a soft spot for understated luxury and a drive that gets things done. During her morning scroll through our country’s real estates websites (a habit she kept from her former career as a real estate agent), she instantly fell in love with this former convent and knew she just had to have it. She gathered a few talented woman around her, from the architects of Studio Sober, the sisters and contractors Adriaensens, textile designer Nathalie Van Der Massen, kitchen designers Ask og Eng, steel welder and designer Esther De Vos, carpet designer Tata Tapis, ceramist Alex Gabriels, and let them work their magic. Fast forward a few months and Maison Jackie opened its doors for the public. The house in Niel will serve as Jackie Bohème’s office and the showroom for Atelier Jackie, a lifestyle collection with pillows, scarves and kimono’s which will launch in the near future (you’ll find a sneak peek below). Maison Jackie is too good not to share though, so you’ll be able to rent the house for photo shoots, boutique events and vernissages, or short (or longer) stays to escape the city. One thing is for sure, no matter how long you’ll be staying, Maison Jackie will feel like your home away from home.

Maison Jackie - Dorpstraat 36, 2845 Niel - website - instagram

COLLECTION_ ikea ivar hacks

October 27, 2019

Because you all seemed to love last week’s post about my new bedroom interior and the accompanying Ikea Ivar hack, I’ve collected eight more ways to customize the popular storage system. The options to adapt the Ivar cabinets to your wishes appear to be endless: you can hang them or add legs to them, paint them in a contrasting color or give them the same tint as the walls, dress up the doors and add door knobs or leave them plain and let one element shine or combine as many elements as you like. See, I told you options were endless! I’ve collected a few examples, some super simple, some a little more challenging, that I hope will inspire you to make the Ikea Ivar cabinets your own!

AT HOME_ my bedroom with ikea ivar hack

October 20, 2019

When I wrote about my bedroom before, I already hinted at the big changes coming up in my home, and it’s time I showed you the result! If you follow me on Instagram you probably already picked up on the fact that my boyfriend moved in over the summer. While he didn’t bring a lot of furniture with him, he did need a proper workspace (we both work from home) and thus we quickly decided to swap the bedroom and the home office. The result? A much more spacious atelier for the both of us (which I’ll show you later), and a very cosy bedroom, which (thanks to its cute balcony and green view) often feels like it’s somewhere in Paris rather than Antwerp. Click read more to read about our decoration process and to discover our Ikea Ivar hack!

FRAGMENTS_ Collectible 2019

October 12, 2019

A few months ago I visited Collectible, the Brussels fair dedicated to design that balances on the fine line between art and design. It’s safe to say, Collectible feels more like an expo than an actual fair. The pieces displayed vary greatly, from reissues of old classics by Pierre Paulin, to the intricate fabrics by Nathalie Van der Massen or the pillar inspired chair by Destroyers/Builders (who was named Designer of the year just this week). One thing they do have in common, these design are here to stay, no matter how long it’s been since the fair took place. Needless to say, March 6-8 2020 is already marked “Collectible” in my calendar!

EXPLORED_ La Muralla Roja

October 4, 2019

Some things on your bucket list disappoint when you can finally cross them off, others are exactly what you hoped they would be. Then there are those that leave you speechless and let you return home with hundreds of photos to edit… La Muralla Roja, or “the red wall”, is definitely in the last category. The housing complex in Calpe was designed by Ricardo Bofill at the end of the sixties and is an abundance of pink, red, purple and blue, poured into geometric shapes and complimented by luscious green here and there. With its countless bridges, staircases and vistas (inspired by traditional casbah architecture), wandering through La Muralla Roja is a true adventure. Not only does there always seem to be a new staircase or view to discover, the building seems to change with the sun and the clouds, surprising you time in time again. Complete with a rooftop swimming pool, solarium, sauna and rooftop terraces, Bofill‘s design was well ahead of its time and a dream come true for any fan of architecture with a dash of pink!

If the picture overload in this blogpost convinces you to pack your bags and travel to the Costa Blanca yourself, please note that you’re only allowed to enter the site of La Muralla Roja when you’re staying there. Several apartments in the building are for rent through airbnb, I’ve included the one we stayed at below. Its interior is not as jaw-dropping as the building itself, but it has everything you need. Even though you will undoubtedly run into other tourists exploring the building, it’s a quiet place to stay and if you’re lucky (as we were) you have the rooftop pool all to yourself!

La Muralla Roja, Partida Manzanera 3, 03710 Calpe, Alicante - airbnb (click here for a discount if you're a first time user) - Ricardo Bofill

WORK_ timeless bungalow by Eddy Francois

September 22, 2019

Ever since I turned photographing interiors from a hobby into a career, this blog has been a bit neglected… but that doesn’t mean I’m not still very fond of my own little internet corner! So, to breathe new life into this blog of mine, I wanted to share one of my favorite interiors shoots of the past few months. At first sight, it’s hard to pinpoint when this house was built, as this single story house designed by late architect Eddy Francois feels timeless while also referencing those typical bungalows from the seventies. With its green surroundings, interesting mix of materials and textures and owners Alexandra and Peter’s impeccable selection of furniture, this home is high up on my list of dream houses. If you’re curious to find out more about the house and its owners, have a look at the original feature here (only in Dutch). For related interior inspiration have a look here and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for regular updates!

WHERE TO GO IN LISBON

October 23, 2013

After living in this city for five months and countless city trips to Portugal’s capital ever since, I had to compile all my favorite hangouts in one handy city guide. So, if you’re wondering how a semi-local twenty-something spends her time in Lisbon, this is it!

At the end of this post you can find a google map with all my tips, that you can open on your smart phone while you’re traveling. On that map, you’ll find even more tips that I’ve collected from my most trustworthy sources, and intend to try out myself in the future. Have fun!

Last update: December 2018

1 2 3 4 … 76 next