all images featured in this post are courtesy of Amy Merrick.

I wanted to write this post in time for Thanksgiving since that is when I first met sweet Amy last year. Shall we pretend I did  actually manage to write this in time for the occasion? okay yes, well then this is what I wanted to say:

“This time last year, I received an email from Brooklyn-dweller Amy Merrick, informing me of her upcoming trip to Amsterdam and how she’d like to meet up if I had the time. I’d admired Amy’s work, blog, and ‘living in’ posts (where she puts together a collection of homewares and furniture inspired by the sets of favourite movies) on design*sponge for some time, and was rapt to know that I’d have the opportunity to meet her in person. Amy was traveling with her dear sister Micha and they happened to be in Amsterdam on Thanksgiving day. So I decided to surprise them and book a table at the only place in the city that serves a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner – lovefood. Perhaps it was going to be more of a treat for French Boy and I as the last time I’d had a real Thanksgiving meal was 15 years prior when I lived in Pennsylvania, while French Boy had never had a Thanksgiving feast. French Boy, my dear friend Heidi and myself rode our bikes to the restaurant on the prinsengracht to meet the girls. It was a gorgeous, crisp Amsterdam evening, and we rode side by side, chatting and catching up on the week’s happenings.

In we all went, took our seats, and didn’t stop chatting for the whole evening, dining on turkey, homemade cranberry sauce and all the Thanksgiving trimmings that could fit on the table. It was such a memorable evening, I was captivated by Amy’s stories of recent travels and life in New York, and hearing about Micha and Amy’s childhood memories and ambitions. I’m so thankful for that evening, it meant a lot to me to enjoy that special meal with such beautiful people.

In the conversation, Amy mentioned her transition into a solo career in floral design.  She had ideas to start a website and work from her Brooklyn apartment. In August of this year, I was delighted to find out she’d done just that, and has created such a delightful online showcase of her work as a prop stylist and floral designer, take a look at some of her work in the following images…

Stunning, non?  Take a moment to read her post on how it all came about, and how she was inspired by her visit to Amsterdam. And while you’re visiting her blog, an apple a day, take a moment to read her most recent post about her visit to Florida with Micha, which tells of how their parents met (it’s the ultimate “Most Romantic Meeting Story of All Time”)…

Amy is not only a beautiful genuine soul, but incredibly talented as you can see. I’m excited to continue to follow her journey to see what she creates in the years to come, and how her creations will evolve over time.

“Happy Thanksgiving mes amis.”

So that is my very belated thanksgiving post featuring dear Amy. I figure, better to give thanks late than never, right?

xx

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+All images courtesy of Amy Merrick.
+To peruse Amy’s new website, click here.
+To read her blog “An Apple a Day”, click here.
+And to view her awesome ‘living in’ posts on design*sponge, click here.

“I have designed the restaurant in reverse. I’ve started at the end and worked back. My dream has always been to build a restaurant that creates no waste and now I believe I can achieve it!” – Joost Bakker

Last Friday, Romain & I had the pleasure of enjoying breakfast + a catch up with my dear friend Jenni at Joost Bakker’s GREENHOUSE. I’ve been a fan of Joost’s work since learning about him a few years back, and was so excited to hear via gourmet traveller that his latest venture was right here in Sydney. Over the years, Joost has been commissioned to design furniture, spaces, and vertical gardens in his signature style that brings together nature and industry. His focus on sustainability in all his projects is what drew me to his work, and it was such a treat to finally experience one of his creations in the flesh…

For me, stepping inside GREENHOUSE was like stepping into the heart of Amsterdam – from the use of space, colour, decor, and inventiveness  – there is a wonderful air of the unconstrained, which is the very characteristic that I love most about Amsterdam.

While enjoying a doughnut and cuppa, I was fortunate to meet Georgina, one of the talented designers on the team. She spoke about the design and  creation of the restaurant, and how they’d love to find a permanent place for it in Sydney (yes, please!). Thanks to the lovely Georgina, I also got a chance to meet Joost on the rooftop garden + bar…

The GREENHOUSE philosophy is about “lifestyle and the many choices that can be made; from material choices to fashion, food and ultimately waste.” This is evident through the space – everything has been made from recycled materials, including the bathroom doors and jar covered lights…

GREENHOUSE is only open for another couple of weeks, so if you live in Sydney, I highly recommend you go and check it out while you can. Sitting on Campbells Cove, just opposite the Opera House on the other side of the quay, it’s well worth it just to drink in the view on the rooftop terrace, surrounded by strawberries and herbs of all varieties…

Congrats to Joost and his incredible team, here’s hoping for a permanent GREENHOUSE in Sydney!

xx

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photos by Pia Jane Bijkerk & Jenni Booth.

Anthology, issue no. 2, “where the Past Meets the Present”

Conversation, with Leslie Oschmann from Swarm…

…Conversation, page 2…

A few months ago I had the good fortune of being asked to photograph my dear friend Leslie’s home in Amsterdam for the newest issue of Anthology. For those who don’t know, Anthology is the new kid on the block in the shelter and lifestyle print magazine world. The first issue launched at the end of last year with a whopping online ovation, and a great marketing campaign announcing that ‘print is not dead’…

the cover for the first issue of Anthology, “The Slow Life”

The other day, I received a copy each of the first two issues and I’m rapt to report that this magazine deserves all the applause it has received since its inception.  Founded by Meg Mateo Ilasco (author of the wonderful Craft, Inc & Crafting a Meaningful Home books) and the ever-lovely Anh-Minh Le, Anthology cleverly fills the gap that has been so needed in this market – a lifestyle mag about real people in real homes, sharing their lives and inspiration in an open,  pared back, intelligent, and untainted-by-heavy-advertising way. The layouts are beautiful, crisp and simple, the paper quality and texture is lovely, the “shopkeeper’s picks” are thoughtful & unique, and the home stories are modern, content-rich & refreshing. There are some really interesting ‘in every issue’ pieces, like the ‘making the magazine’ spread which, in issue no. 2 features illustrations depicting quirky behind the scenes tidbits  (story locations, sightings during the production, ‘drinks consumed on set’).  Also in issue no. 2, “Where the Past meets the Present”, there is a knock out visual travelogue by Jen Siska who uses both high and low-fi cameras to showcase Palm Springs. The results are stunning…

a sneak peek at jen siska’s palm springs visual travelogue

A big congratulations to Meg and Anh-Minh for creating a beautiful publication. It’s an honour to be a contributor, here’s cheers to print being alive and kicking!

xx

PS yes that was my first exclamation mark in weeks. (!!)
PPS preview both issues online right here. You can order Anthology online, and for a worldwide stockists list, click here.

this gorgeous little guy stole our hearts during our visit to bon ton last year – we would always find him in the funniest places around the resort.
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I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed my last post with all the photos, thanks for so many fab comments. It truly is a magical place, I can’t wait to go back.

As promised, here are all the wonderful details to the LASSie (aka Langkawi Animal Shelter & Sanctuary Foundation) creative retail project I mentioned. I’m so excited to be able to share this with you…

So, the team at LASSie have decided to put together a special brand of creative wares in collaboration with designers, artists and supporters from around the world.

Each product will be attributed to the person who designed and made it,  for example: LASSie by Carolyn, or LASSie by Sophie, or LASSie by Jose, or LASSie by Pia… and so on… That means each designer will receive recognition for their contribution. The aim is to assemble up to 100 exclusive items which will be sold through all LASSie boutiques in Penang & Langkawi, in Malaysia. These products will also be available for purchase at cost price by all shelters/ SPCAs in Malaysia  &  sold through their own shops. There will be curated exhibitions organised featuring the artists impressions of dogs,  cats & animal welfare through out the year with various art galleries. And there is also talk of an online boutique to be launched so the items can be purchased worldwide.

The products can be absolutely anything – so whether you are a jeweler, woodworker, ceramicist, photographer, painter, textile designer, fashion designer, soft toy creator – whatever your passion, you can use it to make something wonderful. And it doesn’t have to be animal-themed  – just beautiful, original, inspiring.

There will be a design committee who will be carefully considering all product entries, with chosen products being selected and ordered by late march for delivery of end of June 2011.

Please note: all products suggested will be considered but not all will be chosen for the final LASSie range.

beautiful paintings for LASSie by a local artist

Register your interest by emailing the LASSie foundation with your product suggestions, sketches and price by February 28th, 2011. The design committee will consider all products and respond by email by 15^th March 2011.

It’s such a fabulous opportunity to design something exclusive for a great cause.  Time to get our collective creative thinking caps on… any ideas? the inspiration is endless…

xx

For more information on the LASSie creative retail project, please click here.

Do you remember our lovely (blog)house guest zoë? You may recall she was the lucky one who went to the opening of the anthropologie store in London (Regent St) last year, and reported her experience right here for us with an exclusive post including photos of the store displays…

one of zoë’s fab photos taken inside anthropologie

You may also recall that zoë made a big decision last year to leave Amsterdam, bound for British Shores. Her new place of residence is beautiful Bath, and although I have yet to visit her there I’ve been keeping up to date with her adventures via email and skype.

The other day, zoë casually mentioned that she has been helping out at a little craft workshop in town called The Makery (pictured above).  I said “oh, is that the fab place that susannah took that gorgeous polaroid of a little while ago and shared it on sfgirlbybay?” And she said, “that’s the one!” And I said, “oh oh! Next time you’re there, would you mind taking some photos and writing a little something about it for the (blog)house?” and she said, “no worries mate!”. Of course she didn’t say those exact words at the end, that’s just me being carefree with my poetic license. again.

So here in this post are some of the great pics zoë took at her recent visit to The Makery, and here is what she has to say about it. Take is away, zoë …

“Run by husband and wife team Kate and Nigel, The Makery is a creative workshop space housed in a lovely old shop in Bath. It’s a magical place – people’s faces light up when they walk in the door, and no one frowns, unless it’s in concentration! There’s inspiration to be found at every turn – old tee shirts become cuddle monsters, socks become little piggies, or funky pocket rabbits, pretty fabric remnants find new life as children’s outfits made from vintage patterns. There are jars of buttons, piles of ribbons, rolls of lace and glitz galore just waiting to embellish someone’s project.

“There are frilly knickers to be made, and furniture to revamp, and natural beauty products to be concocted. Even practical skills are packaged in fun – Basic Sewing starts with strips of cheerful bunting, or reversible tote bags, and moves on to curtains, cushions or patchwork as you master the techniques. Materials are re-used, recycled or revamped wherever possible, and the atmosphere is always relaxed, fun and welcoming. During the school holidays the kid’s club is full of fun and giggles, and twice a week the space is given over to the Makery Cafe – an “open door” session where you can get advice on those half-finished projects, make use of the machines and tools, or just enjoy a natter over tea and coffee and delicious cake.”

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Thank you dear zoë – perfect reporting, as usual. I’d love to see more places like The Makery and Papered Parlour, wouldn’t you? If you know of more places like these in your local areas, perhaps you can let us know in a comment below.

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Beside the handmade goodness of the whole place, I love the little garden The Makery have out the back, with all the special touches like the sweet make-shift strawberry patch on this old chair…

And check out the view over the wooden fence…

Ah Bath, it’s a beautiful place. And if The Makery and the landscape of Bath hasn’t charmed you enough, perhaps Rufus has your number…

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All photographs in this post by zoë yule.