Store Tales: Almost there!

Whaaa what was I thinking. Setting up shop in the historic city centre of Amsterdam. I received the key a few weeks back and slowly the place is starting to look like the real thing. I am learning new things everyday. I am enjoying (almost) every single minute, but I am totally exhausted in the evenings. Having a shop is such a different energy. One of the things I love most is the interaction and the feedback from my "end" customers. What is beyond all my expectations is that so far about 80% of my clients are from abroad. From Sao Paolo to Sydney from Stockholm to Tokyo....
This Wednesday May 2 on my 50th!!! ;}}}} birthday my Flagship will open officially. A new shopping destination for lovers of quirky, original home accessories, art & gifts. Most of it is my own designs, but teamed with vintage finds, photography by US artist Elizabeth Kleinveld and lamps from Paris by Mathieu Challieres with more to follow soon....(including a first peek at a Dunes and Duchess lampbase (made in in the USA) complimented with my lampshade in silk Micro Ikat (made in Amsterdam))
 

Setting up Shop at Singel 434 Amsterdam!

Singel 434 (front)

 artist impression (Mariska Meijers)

The last few months have been consumed by fulfilling another important part of my dream: finding the perfect spot for a store. The studio/showroom I occupied over the last 2 years was getting too small and my house was starting to look like a warehouse. But more importantly I kept getting this uncontrolable urge to have a window to the world. I was out on the hunt almost everyday on my bike or surfing the net, viewing properties.
Amsterdam has such a rich history. The Dutch Golden age was a time of ultimate prosperity, the Dutch East India Trading Company was one of the largest world powers. At this time gorgeous buildings were put up along the canals, the architecture lining the Herengracht and Singel were especially ornate.

Today most of these 17th century canal houses are still in tact and in one of these buildings I found my store!


I found some pictures of Singel 434 in the city's archives showing how the property and its surroundings have evolved. It still feels surreal that I am now occupying the ground floor of this 17th century monument overlooking the canal. I moved my paintings, pillow and tray designs, eclectic collection of furniture and accessories only last Thursday and we are really working hard to getting the space to work. It is becoming my second living room, a gigantic mood board and perfect setting to display my art and designs. A place to create new work and hopefully a new destination for those who love to be inspired.

Singel 434 in 1911

Singel 434 (in the'50s)

Singel 434 in the 1960s