wallpaper wildlife by inke heiland

look at these fun animal wallpaper silhouettes from dutch designer inke heiland. she created this clever wildlife series to decorate her son’s room, then decided to expand on the idea and crafted a complete menagerie. the bevy of birds and beasts is made from a variety of vintage wallpaper patterns, and the limited availability of the styles makes each piece very collectible.

if you’re grooving on this idea i am sure you will love inke’s other imaginative series of wallpaper furniture pieces. see them all and purchase your favorites on her website.

via an indian summer

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mara snoeren illustrations: let’s chat!

i have been following the playful artwork of dutch artist mara snoeren on her blog hemelsgroen (which roughly translates into heaven’s green) for quite some time and love them all. every time i see a new colorful piece from her i am grinning from ear to ear - that is how joyful and festive her digital and mixed media creations make me, no matter what the subject. there is a freshness and simplicity in her style that just grabs me. let’s have a chat with mara and find out more!

q: where do you live, and where do you create your art?
a: i live in rotterdam, the netherlands, on a small island in the river maas. i work as a graphic designer in a small company in rotterdam. the pieces on my website i make just for fun in my spare time, though, and i make them at home using any available space.

q: what is your background, and did you study art formally?
a: yes, i studied illustration at the willem de kooning art academy in rotterdam.

q: how are your pieces made? what types of media or techniques do you use?
a: first comes the idea. i always need some sort of assignment to get me going. (this is why i studied design rather than art.) illustration friday is a wonderful initiative that gives out a new topic each week. depending on my interpretation on the subject, i choose my technique. it is usually mixed media as i find this the most natural and playful method for me. i use anything that fits the idea: modelling clay if i need something three dimensional, magazines to cut out for a collage, my camera to take photos, digital brushes or just plain pencils.

q: do you have a favorite piece that you have made? if you do, why is it your favorite?
a: i have several favourites for several different reasons, but not one in particular. some of my favourite stuff:

emergency: i like this because the idea comes out just way i had it in mind.

visitors: this one looks so cheerful!

suit: simple and strong.

q: is your work for sale?
a: ehm, no not really because i make this work just for pleasure. however, i’d be happy to take on assignments. i am always interested in nice projects!

q: what is your inspiration for these lively, positive works? do you have a message you want to send through these pieces?
a: the given topics on illustration friday ARE my inspiration! i let the word sink in and consider all the associations i have with the subject. then i filter out the idea that can be transformed to an illustration. sometimes i stick to my original concept, but it also happens that i change things along the way. i which case it’s the material or technique i work with that inspires me. i don’t have an overall message to send, but if i spread some happiness in the process, that would be perfect.

be sure to check out mara’s blog to see a terrific portfolio of her artwork. maybe one day she will open an online shop and we all will be able to enjoy her art in person everyday!

thank you mara!

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madieke fleuren ceramics

look at these extraordinary ceramics from dutch artist madieke fleuren. madieke’s collection is a reinterpretation of different textures, like leather and yarn, as seen below:

gorgeous. gorgeous. gorgeous!

see more beautiful things and contact madieke on her website.

via bloesem

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aerodynamic senz umbrella defies the wind

i have a friend who likes her dates to be strong and stylish. me, i like my umbrellas that way, and what with all that wind blasting out there, i’m thinking the idea of this senz umbrella is my best move. this red dot award winning design adjusts to face the wind by itself, has an integrated button opener in the handle and can withstand gusts up to 70 mph.

choose from five colors and purchase right here.

via rare bird finds

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vitra bovist floor pillows

oh, dear, more embroidery — i think i have a craft crush! i love the color combinations and imagery (your choice of doves, lacemaker or pottery) printed on these fun hassock pillow ottomans by dutch superdesigner hella jongerius for vitra. it’s made of a vicose/linen blend fabric, and filled with little plastic balls. it claims to be quite supportive because of the way the sides are sewn, so you probably won’t flop down like when you sit in a beanbag. what a great way to add extra seating to your living room and splashes of brightness and pattern too.

that chocolate, khaki and pink combination up there at the top is making me insane. and don’t you love that little handle on the edge, so you can drag it around from room to room with you?

find them at design public, where i could easily spend way too much money.

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bloesem jewelry collection

i’m almost 100% certain that i don’t need to mention that netherlands born (and malaysian based) graphic designer irene hoofs of bloesem blog fame has impeccable taste (impeccable). she consistently showcases the work of very talented artists and crafters from around the world, and has a great eye for style and quality. knowing this, can you imagine what her first jewelry collection might look like? maybe something tactile and textured with simply striking style? well, see for yourself. this is irene’s first jewelry collection for her bloesem etsy shop. it consists of twenty necklaces which incorporate a rose quartz bead, and is called the pink collection.

i think the more subtle the design, the bigger the impact. i also like the natural tones and organic energy of the collection. and i like that necklace number three (last photo) is a nonconformist who doesn’t proudly display the pink stone (which actually represents love and is associated with the heart chakra) like all the others, but still has a unique point of view. there’s always a maverick in the bunch.

and now she’s designing jewelry.

purchase these limited edition pieces on her etsy shop, see her graphic design portfolio on her website, and don’t forget to visit her blog too!

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instant pudding prints

have i seen these prints in the blogosphere already or is it my imagination? either way, they are supercool, from the etsy shop of netherlands artist instant pudding, who stencils these pieces with spraypaint.

cute and affordable!

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