When I walk along the streets of my new hometown, I walk with my great grandmother, holding her grandson’s hand, half a century ago.

Going into Amsterdam together was a true delight for both of them – a very special date. It was usually around Christmas time when they would come in on the train from Leiderdorp. My great grandmother, who I called Nanny Bijkerk, would take her grandson to see the Christmas windows at the bijenkorf department store in dam square. Nanny Bijkerk would treat her grandson to lunch in the store restaurant which back then, was an extravagance. Then she would take him to Tuschinski’s to see a film. After the film they would stop at an olieballen stall and indulge in a sugary treat before heading back to Centraal Station and catching the train home.

When I walk along the streets of my new hometown, I walk with my Nanny Bijkerk. I look in the bijenkorf windows and see her reflection. I walk past Tuschinski’s and see her hand in hand with her grandson, walking up the staircase. I indulge in an afternoon treat of olieballen and feel her presence. I look down at my empty hand and see a boy look up at me, wide-eyed and happy. The boy looks just like me.
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(to read part one, please click here.)

I know, jaw dropping right? But wait, there is more…

Welcome to interior designer Odette Welvaars antique boutique, and her daughter, artist Julie Arphi’s atelier…

This special place is tucked in on the prinsengracht, just around the corner from the main antique quarter (the street that leads from the Rijks Museum, as you saw here). Everytime I walk into this antique + atelier I am transported into a wonderland of yesterdays – Odette sources the most incredible antiques around Europe, most coming from Sweden and France, while Julie’s art takes my breath away…

I have fallen head over heels for her wood paintings, and her studio out the back of the storefront is a dream.

I look down and gasp – these stools are so beautiful, I nearly fainted when I first spotted them…

I look up and gasp again – magnificent chandeliers dangle from the skylight…

There is no website for the boutique so you will just have to be satisfied with this little sneak peek for the moment, until your next visit to Amsterdam! By now you must be getting a good idea of why I love my new hometown so much. Amsterdam honey, cheers to our one-year anniversary! xx

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PS. If you’d like more info about Odette or Julie’s work, you can contact Odette on 020-662-4062, or Julie on 020-620 4074. The address is Prinsengracht 827, and the store is open from 11-8pm from tuesday to friday, and then 11-5pm on saturdays.

PPS I’ve had the pleasure of having a sneak peak through Odette’s home above the shop. All I can say is this: gasp!shriek!sigh…it’s incredible. Perhaps I can show you one day.

Last year when I first moved to Amsterdam I was quick to get out and walk the cobblestoned streets, on the look out for boutiques with beautiful homewares. There was one particular boutique that stood out for me on the bustling Prinsengracht, and before long I found myself hooked on stopping by for a peek inside, and more frequently stepping out of the store and strolling back along the Prinsengracht with a smile on my face and a basket full of vintage goodies.

I speak of Juffrouw Splinter Curiosa, smack bang in the heart of the Jordaan area of Amsterdam, and nestled neatly on the edge of the nine streets. Owner Jolijn (pronounced Yo-line) Bosma has an eye for gorgeous furnishings. She sources her wares from all over Europe and has a great selection of vintage tins (I have bought a number of my tea and coffee tins from her store), glassware, silverware, and servingware. Just recently Jolijn expanded her store to include a downstairs showroom which is filled with old school desks, wall maps, painted tables and chairs…

I’m always in here looking for things for upcoming shoots and le petit bateau. Just recently I had the pleasure of borrowing one of Jolijn’s buffet’s for this shoot which I filled with homemade jams and compotes.

Also worth a mention is that Jolijn has just launched her online boutique (I knew you’d be pleased to hear that!), so you can click here to take a closer look at some of the things she has in store. Although her site is in Dutch its super easy to navigate and if you have any questions, just send an email, she’ll be more than happy to help.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek inside one of my favourite stores here in my new home town, as part of of my one-year Amsterdam anniversary. More special Amsterdam-inspired posts coming tomorrow but for now, the clock has struck midnight and that means bedtime for me…bonne nuit mes amis…

I just took this shot a moment ago, on a walk down the prinsengracht. The Rijks Museum in in the background. It is such a beautiful night!

Next Up: an exclusive look inside my favourite shop here in Amsterdam. I almost don’t want to tell you about it – sometimes being a stylist and sharing my shopping secrets is so hard…

a pair of gigantic scissors.