3 Things that made my Wednesday

GENEROUS HAPPY CLIENTS

I received this beautiful blue & white teapot from a very generous and happy client. Great subject to paint and I am using it in my Studio now. It is a perfect match with my blue Ikat trays (available amongst others through my webstore, for retailers check here).

MY NOTEBOOKS ARRIVED!!!
Excited to finally receive my first note and address books from my publisher. They came out beautifully. Two designs, available in size A6 and A5.  Hardcover, bound, 144 pages (left blank, right ruled), contrasting green elastic closure and matching green lining inside. They also have a rear inner pocket like Moleskine does (available amongst others through my webstore, for retailers check here).

PAINTING
Just spend a whole day in the Studio painting. FINALLY after all the travel, tradefairs and other stuff, stuff and more stuff......

Dark but Happy Monday!

 

Monday morning, outside it is a bit gloomy, inside I am enjoying my (new) dark walls (above just a sneak peek, soon more about revamping my house on the blog). Have to say I have had the most fantastic, relaxing weekend since ages. Friday I had the honour attending the 5th Stars, Food & Art event at Sofitel The Grand in Amsterdam. A culinary feast/charity event organized by my friend Lise Goeman Borgesius of Clafoutis. 6 chefs, in total 13 Michelin Stars, including Sergio Herman, Jean-Andre Charial, Erik van Loo, Giovanni D'Amato, Lucas Rive and Emmanuel Renaut. Yes I confess I am a food groupie!

Have a beautiful week everyone!

 Cake of Piece, Sergio Herman***

 More deliciousness...

  Proud of Lise!

 Having a groupie moment flanked by 4 Michelin stars Lucas Rive** 

and Eric van Loo**

Sporting Arts - The London 2012 Olympic Posters Unveiled

Sports and arts unite as the 2012 Olympic posters were unveiled at the Tate. An impressive group of British artists, including Tracy Emin, Bridget Riley and Rachel Whitebread are responsible for the designs. To see all go to BBC News.
Which one is your favourite? I find it hard to choose!

The picture below was my painting for the Dutch Ladies Olympic Hockey team which was also used for cards handed out by the team in Beijing in 2008 where they won Gold.The painting was auctioned for the charity "Spieren voor Spieren".

Highpoint Market, Meeting Maxwell Gillingham and beyond

 With Maxwell Gillingham after his "Rocket Fuel" 

 breakfast talk

Our showroom at Suites at Market Square, Highpoint

I have really toured the world this year. Debuting my designs in Paris, New York and Highpoint, the last two with my wonderful US distributor Interdecorations.
I came back from Highpoint last Saturday, tired but thrilled with all the positive responses. I have been trying to take some time off this week, spending time with my kids, Halloween, taking siestas, had my hair coloured, browsed for vintage books and in between just a little bit of work.

During Highpoint we have been totally consumed, mainly spending time in our showroom, talking to designers, boutique and department stores. The best experience outside the showroom was a short escape to hear Maxwell Gillingham founder of Apartment Therapy speak. OK one can build a perfectly popular and engaging site/platform but that doesn't always mean the person behind it reflects this as well. But after hearing Gillingham speak there is only one conclusion: Gillingham = Apartment Therapy (with the support of his fantastic team of course).
Gillingham is a natural speaker, he is genuine, entertaining and really knows how to open people's eyes and mind. Every word he says has value I especially loved "Your home is a path, not a place".
Gillingham's road has not been an easy one and with his "twisty and turny" but extremely inspiring journey he infuses confidence in others to follow their passion (and it made me extra proud of my AT showcase nomination in which I landed 7th).
So thank you Maxwell for your "Rocket Fuel" talk but also sponsors Withit (Women's Leadership Development Network) and IHFC for organizing this fantastic #Hpmkt event.

And what is up next for me? Working on new designs to show in Paris and New York in January 2012. My collection is growing slowly but steadily and so is our client base. One can not conquer the world overnight although my impatient character wishes otherwise of course. Building a brand takes time, never losing confidence in yourself is vital, my road is "twisty and turny" and I hope that you are willing to bear with me during my bumpy despite my little disappearing acts. I am not making promises but I will do my best to suprise you with more frequent postings in the coming months!

Have an inspiring and passionate weekend! xox

On my bookshelves soon: The World of Muriel Brandolini

Colourful stylish Muriel Brandolini

The World of Muriel Brandolini

pillow avaliable through Barneys NY

The one good thing about heading with extreme speed to Christmas is that my wish list will soon be fulfilled!
One of THE items on my list is The World of Muriel Brandolini, a book which I came across through a tweet by Barneys NY). I have been a long time admirer of Brandolini's work. What immediately attracted me were her Asian infused interiors, but always perfectly mixed with contemporary art and antiques. She is a true master when it comes to mixing different styles and fearless when it comes to using colour (although the cover of her book would like you to believe differently).  I love the way her work has evolved over the years and now finally there is a beautiful book covering her fabulous projects!

Besides being an interior designer Brandolini has also designed her own fabric line and only recently created a beautiful range of limited edition pillows and small furniture exclusively available at Barneys NY.

New Press: Blue Bird Pillow as "Cover Girl"!!

Blue Bird pillow on the cover 

Interior Designer Eveline Schmitz and Painted Ikat pillows

Blue Bird pillow in the left hand corner

Eveline Schmitz' stunning design work

 White Allium and Painted Ikat pillows in the Atelier

Eveline's stylish living room with spectacular views over

Amsterdam's harbour

One of my first ever clients Dutch interior designer and shop owner Eveline Schmitz has wonderful 14 page article in Dutch glossy RESIDENCE. The feature was styled and photographed by talented couple Sunna & Marc van Praag.
I simply love Eveline's style, her sense of mixing colours, patterns and textures. Her store is incredibly warm and inviting and I am always proud to see my pillow designs mixed with Manual Canovas, Pierre Frey, Etro and many other beautiful brands. I can't thank Eveline enough for supporting my work. I don't think I have had my pillow designs shown 7 times in one feature which also means a big thank you to RESIDENCE and Sunna and Marc van Praag! :).
The November issue is by the way filled with lots of other goodies and inspiration such as features on maison de luxe Pierre Frey,  Neisha Crosland and a beautiful NY appartment decorated by talented designer Iain Halliday.

Steve Jobs "Stay Hungry Stay Foolish!"

I started my day a bit depressed. Too many things not going according to plan. Running behind facts, feeling a bit lost..... am I foolish wanting to follow my dream? And then I find out that an amazing man has died. I have listen to his 2005 Stanford address many times and it keeps touching me and above all motivating me to continue to follow my passion!

"...and most important of all have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. every thing else is secondary..." Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

PLS VOTE FOR ME: APARTMENT THERAPY'S DESIGN SHOW CASE 2011

Yes a very short post only to say that it is past my bed time but I have just found out that I have been selected by Apartment Therapy for their Design Showcase 2011. Totally over excited as you can imagine so please vote for me over here and spread the word! Thanking you all for your support!!

Goodnight xox

About Paris, new designs and meeting Jonathan Adler!

 

introducing a new tray design at the Maison: Electric Ikat

(taken from one of my handpainted designs)

Red Flamingo and Abstract neon trays

micro ikat (silk) pillow and abstract neon

(linen) pillow teamed with abstract neon tray

and tray table

ever expanding collection!

 With design icon Jonathan Adler

 Chloe (right) my queen of sales @ work

 new arrival: Electric Ikat birchwood tray table 

made in Scandinavia 

Hall5A-D104 upon arrival

 greeting card design on new arrival:

Micro Ikat (in Purple) pillow

 with Trine Jensen and Kari Janne Standal of 

Norwegian magazine Rom123

After the New York show Maison et Objet in Paris was another roller coaster ride. It started with carefully packing the complete content of our booth in my vintage Mercedes G only to find out that my car was very vintage indeed! Ready to roll I noticed something leaking. Bad news.... after a call to my super friendly garage we were able to switch cars having to leave a few bits and bobs behind as it was a smaller :}}. We arrived safely in Paris with a few hours less to build up the booth. HALL 5A - D104. I felt lMinnie Mouse in this vast hall with mainly big players like Andrew Martin, Jonathan Adler and Eichholtz.  But....we had an amazing response to my designs from both retailers as well as press and are really excited of all the things to come over the next few months both in terms of adding new retail partners and product features in international press publications. The cherry on the cake was Jonathan Adler coming into my booth, picking up my tray designs and saying "your stuff is beautiful!"
Paris was great and we will be back in January. This week we are preparing for the Dutch "Maison": De Woonbeurs in Amsterdam starting Saturday 24 September.
Interested to purchase my designs check our list of retail partners here or go to my webstore. If you wish to become a retail partner or if you are an interior designer interested in incorporating my designs in your projects mail to info@mariskameijers.com.
For the US please contact eva@interdecorations.com.
BON WEEK-END!

Meet me in Paris at the Maison et Objet! ...and new press from Norway

Packing for Paris today. Last week has been hectic preparing for my debut at the Maison. Nervous, excited......
Hope I will have time to blog from Paris but it might have to wait until after the show. Wish me luck and if you are there do visit me at my booth in Hall 5A - D104, same location as Jonathan Adler and Andrew Martin :).

And thank you ROM123 (Norway) for featuring my Blue Bird pillow design in your magazine and I am excited meeting you in person at the Maison.

New York NYIGF Diaries (part 3 finally!)

Proudly debuting The Painted Peacock silk scarve

All smiles with the team of HGTV magazine

Painted Ikat linen  pillow on vintage chair

Hamptontoes' Lisa Ehrlich

The Decorista and Luxury Monograms's Melanie Duncan

With Parker Bowie of ELLEdecor

Timeout with Eva Uribe Roepers and Bobby Berk

You must be thinking WHAT HAPPENED! No posting and pictures of the booth at the NYIGF. Complete radio silence. Did something go wrong.....No we just did it. Our first paticipation at the NYIGF! It went really well but everything just happened so fast and there was so much follow up and work that there was no time to blog about it. We had great response from retailers, interior designers and (social) media. Guess who came in to our booth: ELLEdecor, Coastal Living, House Beautiful, Women's Day, HGTVmagazine, Hamptontoes, Diane James, The Buzz Blog, The Decorista, Neimann Marcus/Horchow, interior designer Meg Braff (who will be opening an exciting store soon!), Celerie Kemble's team, HD Buttercup, HB Home, Style Beat blog and many more! Thank you all for your enthousiasm and we will be back in January. Otherwise meet us in Paris at the Maison et Objet, Hall 5A booth D104 (9 to 13 September, Woonbeurs (RAI Amsterdam, 24 Sept- 2 October ) or Highpoint, Suites at Market Square (22 to 27 October).
Interested in my art and designs? For the US contact Eva Uribe Roepers of Interdecorations or send an email to info@mariskameijers.com