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

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.

The Toronto Files - Part III

Work is always with me when I am travelling. My head stores impessions and is ever busy with ideas ready to burst into new creations once back home. Toronto is a vast city with many things to explore and full of inspiration. I especially get tremendous energy from encounters with kindred spirits. Last Friday I visited Kosoy & Bouchard and met with bubbly artist Michelle Kosoy. Michelle creates exquisite ceramic pressware. She didn't want to be in the picture but here is a peak at the studio-showroom that she shares with her husband, glass artist Pierre Bouchard. If you are in Toronto make sure you visit their studio and don't miss CocoaLatte a few doors down. They serve excellent coffee!
I apologize that there are no close up pictures of the products. I am posting from my sister's spare laptop that doesn't allow me to crop pictures nor haven't I figured out how to make screenshots. How I miss my Mac, next investment will be an Macbook for sure!
Wishing you all a great inspiring week and I will post some more about Toronto over the next days. 

Note: In Toronto both Michelle's ceramic pressware and my pillow designs are sold at interior design store Hollace Cluny!

Six to Bliss and Give Away @ The Decorista

Ashlina The Decorista

Ohhhhh I am running embarresingly behind (again), but all for a good cause as I spend some down time with my kids at the beach this weekend.  Beautiful inspiring blogger sister Ashlina of The Decorista did a wonderful posting on me (already on Friday!) in her Six to Bliss series. In conjunction with this posting we took the opportunity to emphasis my role as a Decorista sponsor by including a give away of boxed note cards Blossom and Okura (with Japanese recipes) AND one of my limited edition pillows! So if you haven't done so rush over to The Decorista to make a chance! And if you don't win all procucts can be ordered from my webstore. Thank you Ashlina for your enthousiasm and daily dose of inspiration!

NOTE: FOR ORDERS AND DELIVERY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES GO TO INTERDECORATIONS!

Only a Glimpse

 "Owl 76" throw in yellow (detail)

 "Owl 76" pillow on the weaving machine

Bless the Dutch Textile Museum

"OWL 76" pillow in blue

I know I have made you curious and the full presentation for the Woonbeurs (Dutch "Maison et Objet") is not ready yet but here is just a glimpse of one of the products that will be on display. In the picture details from my "OWL 76" throw & pillow collection which I have created in co-operation with the Dutch Textile Museum.
I work in an old fashioned way. Graphic design is like algebra to me so I draw or paint all my designs first. My throw is inspired by a 70's owl necklace I bought a few years ago in a small vintage shop around the corner of my appartment. I loved its shape so much that I decided to reinvent it. The throw is woven by the Dutch Textile Museum and consists of 80% mohair and 20% cotton. It is warm and soft and my kids keep fighting over it when they cuddle up under it on the sofa!
The design is very different from my handpainted prints but my booth at the fair will have a bold mix of colours, patterns and styles showing that the not so obvious can work. Have a great weekend!

A Peak at New Work

Creating some new designs for silk pillows with a more graphic look. All my designs are created by hand. I am hopeless when it comes to all these fashionable computer programs like Illustrator. So everything I create is painted or drawn first. This little bird is part of my new pillow range. I will receive the first proofprints of the fabrics in two weeks time. So excited, can't wait to look and feel!

In Bloom is blooming!

Got the new issue of More Than Classic in today, a popular Dutch interior design glossy. I feel thrilled that they featured the green silk pillow of my "In Bloom" collection amongst beautiful brands such as Designers Guild and Dior.

Tales from the Webstore

I have a headache today. Not because of last night's lovely Tuscany red, but since yesterday my webstore is finally on line. Dealing with technical stuff always gives me a headache. It is just not my cup of tea. The store is still in a very modest form with just a few of my products such as silk pillows and greeting card boxes. Have a look at webstore.mariskameijers.com and let me know what you think!

Sales efforts

There are days that one just has to tend to sales. Creating is one thing, being admired absolutely wonderful, but hey......Here is a picture of my marketing campaign for my designer pillows, courtesy of one of my French corporate clients Sofitel Accor.

New Collection

My new pillows have arrived today!! Warm yellow, mint green, rich, bold, little gems on your sofa.