Amsterdam + Highlights From My Next Book
Hello everyone! I’ve been missing in action, I know, but I had such a great week and wanted to share some highlights with you in case you will be visiting Amsterdam soon. I am working with Debi Treloar on my next book, so we have been in The Hague and Amsterdam the past few days on shoots and have had a great time. A snowstorm left me stranded in a town called Haarlem tonight but I found a HEMA around the corner from my hotel so I’m all smiles because I can hit it tomorrow before heading back home to Germany. :) There is a silver lining inside of every cloud so they say, right?
Never tire of the homes along the canals…
A little highlight from my next book…
Spotted my current obsession in Sukha.
Loved everything in this shop called Restored. I highly suggest shopping here!
Our shoots have been so much fun and I’m really loving all of the photos we’re producing together for the new book. While in Amsterdam I also got to spend a day with my friend, stylist extraordinaire, Stephanie Rammeloo and we she took me to some great shops (listed at the bottom) and to an amazing community dining experience that I absolutely loved at an Italian deli and kitchen called il Mattarello owned by an amazing guy and his wife and business partner. He cooked for us and then sat down and ate at our table. The entire experience was so inspirational. I got to meet a TV presenter from the Netherlands who also is a journalist writing about food, Stephanie’s business partner and friend, and a bunch of other very nice people that I would have never met if I didn’t try out this dining experience. If you are ever in Amsterdam you have to sign up for one of their private dinners – it’s the best thing! The address is on the bottom of this post.
Debi at work on our book… She’s brilliant and a joy to work with. I’m so honored to be working with her again, we’ll go to Paris next and then London and the countryside there, followed by NYC in March and then she’ll come over to Germany to shoot my house for the book as well. How neat is that!? I’m pretty excited about it.
AMSTERDAM SUGGESTIONS from this trip from me to you:
eat:
- Il Mattarello, Dinner “Theme” Nights, info [at] mattarello [dot] nl, Westerstraat 77, 1015LW Amsterdam
- Bar Moustache, amazing food and always call for a reservation, the steak was amazing, Utrechtsestraat 141, 1017 VM Amsterdam
shop:
- Athenaeum Boekhandel, Awesome international magazine shop where I got the latest copies of UPPERCASE magazine, Flow and Donna Hay. Spui 14-16, 1012XA Amsterdam
- Options! is an amazing store, especially if you love a Danish-meets-Dutch-marries-Japanese experience. I couldn’t leave this place without dropping some cash. I was particularly inspired by their pastels combined with neon colors with splashes of metallic bronze. It was a gorgeous color palette that I can’t stop thinking about. Damrak 49, 1012 Amsterdam.
- Restored is another great store you can’t miss. Loaded with local and international independently designed and handmade merchandise. I loved the jewelry there from jonghlabel, copper lighting by David Derksen, necklaces from Fleur Goedendorp, necklaces and bags from Halona, Maartje Van den Noort fabric pendants and quilts and Mae Engelgeer blankets in bold neons. Haarlemmerdijk 39, 1013 KA Amsterdam.
- Sukha – What a great “green” shop! I loved this place, I didn’t want to leave. It’s retail heaven with lots of fashion and things for the home combined. What a gorgeously curated shop! It’s near Restored so you can visit them both easily. Haarlemmerstraat 110, 1013 EW Amsterdam.
At the magazine kiosk grab these Dutch magazines:
- Flow - Creative, craft, lovely.
- vtwonen – Gorgeous interiors and trends, best mag ever.
- 101 Woonideeen (I’m in this month’s issue!). – DIY and decorating
- Delicious – Gorgeous foodie mag.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back for a full week of blogging beginning on Monday. Loads of love to you! xo
(images: holly becker for decor8)
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February 3rd, 2012 at 11:01pm
Yeah you’ve seen some of the best places in the Haarlemmerstraat.
Sukha is amazing isn’t it. They have the best windows too. Last time we visited Amsterdam we had lunch at their neighbours in that small & narrow restaurant Mondo Mediterraneo.(Loved the fresh food and kitchen right in de middle) Enjoy!
Ingrid Jansen´s last [type] ..dress code
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:05pm
Thanks for sharing – heading to A’dam in just four short weeks so your timing is perfect! Will definitely plan to swing by some of the shops you mentioned (hoping it’ll be a little less arctic during my trip ;)
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:12pm
Thanks for all the recommendations! The pictures are beautiful!
Ría´s last [type] ..Victorio y Lucchino, MBFW Madrid
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:57pm
The street Sukha is won price for best street in the Netherlands this week.. I am hanging out in that area almost every Saturday as it is one of my favorites Really enjoy to see what your highlights were and I should try out Il matterello once ;) sounds like fun!
Enjoy the rest of your trip and I hope you will have a train soon.. its terrible how half of Holland is blocked after 10 centimeters of snow!
x desiree
desiree – vosgesparis´s last [type] ..Behind the scenes with Paulina Arcklin {And a brand new website to inspire you}
February 4th, 2012 at 1:07am
So exciting!! You hit some really great spots. Can’t wait for your next book!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Karena´s last [type] ..Love Feast 2012 and Giveaway
February 4th, 2012 at 1:40am
Lovely pics. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
Tina Ramchandani´s last [type] ..A Wall of Tea Cups {plus} links of the week
February 4th, 2012 at 3:19am
The picture with te vase of roses – simple beauty. Will your book be available in Australia?
Ann´s last [type] ..All you can eat
February 4th, 2012 at 3:47am
gosh that makes me want to go to Amsterdam right this minute – its top of the ‘Places to Go’ list now!! Thank you for all the beautiful photos and tips
February 4th, 2012 at 8:11am
I did not know you were doing another book. exciting.
leaca´s last [type] ..he thinks….
February 4th, 2012 at 8:34am
Oh thank you so much – I’m planning to visit Amsterdam in September and look forward to go to all those wonderful places you showed us. Happy Weekend! Sabine
Sabine´s last [type] ..Pink gegen Grau
February 4th, 2012 at 12:58pm
So nice to see you are working on another book, how exciting for you!
Monica Lee´s last [type] ..Almost there! A few interviews have been conducted….
February 4th, 2012 at 2:15pm
So curious about your next book!
By the way, will you still be in Haarlem tomorrow? Let me know if you’d like to meet up & have a chat!
February 4th, 2012 at 4:16pm
oh gosh holly, all of these images are a dream!! xo
February 4th, 2012 at 4:46pm
Excited about your next book!
Lizzie´s last [type] ..Katies Rose Cottage
February 4th, 2012 at 5:51pm
Holly – thanks so much for including the web link to HEMA – I’d never heard of it before, but their web site is so fascinating – love how all the animation works in it – so inventive!!! I’m going to include it in my blog that has nothing to do with design, but I like cool things! I’m coming up on my first anniversary of my blog, thanks all to you and Leslie!!! Thanks for sharing great info of Amsterdam! Kristin
kristin johnsen´s last [type] ..Getting lost in the zen-ness of drawing
February 4th, 2012 at 6:46pm
Very exciting and promising, Holly!
Igor´s last [type] ..Ideas For A Happy Weekend
February 4th, 2012 at 6:54pm
I absolutely love this collection of photos from your travels! As an owner of your first book, I cannot wait to see what you have in store or us next. Thank you for sharing!
Holly (The Apiarist)´s last [type] ..Raspberry Cordial
February 4th, 2012 at 8:28pm
Went to Amsterdam as a child and really enjoyed it but never would have thought there’s be such a wealth of lovely places to explore! Will definitely be putting it on the to do list again after seeing all your gorgeous pics!
Ciara´s last [type] ..Creative Ceremony Backdrops…Hot Trend for 2012
February 4th, 2012 at 9:59pm
beautiful photos, love them
Zane´s last [type] ..Don’t think, just let it out
February 4th, 2012 at 10:29pm
Oh Amsterdam…very jealous and looking forward to your next book…
February 5th, 2012 at 4:53am
Great pics! Good luck with your book.
February 5th, 2012 at 6:27am
Love Amsterdam…want to go when its not Queen’s Day though. Last time I went, made the mistake of doing that and I can just say what an eye opener. LOL
christine´s last [type] ..Scentsy UK – Spring | Summer Catalogue 2012 *teaser*
February 5th, 2012 at 10:29am
Lovely sharing Holly, I will definitely visit those places when I ever traveled to Amsterdam. Also have a great weekend.
Fenny setiawan´s last [type] ..Happy Weekend
February 5th, 2012 at 4:13pm
Ohh, wow, I like the shops you mentioned. I actually never been to ‘Options!’ and I’m looking forward to go! And I’d love to visit the restaurants/bars!!
Louise´s last [type] ..Sister Winter
February 5th, 2012 at 4:42pm
hema looks like it would be worth being stranded for.
happy Sunday!
February 5th, 2012 at 5:42pm
Sukha, Restored, Hema, Options etc… Gotta love ‘em :) Looks like you’re having a great time. Good luck with your new book!
Nathalie´s last [type] ..Macarons opbergdoosjes
February 5th, 2012 at 8:11pm
Hi Holly, so nice to see my home city Amsterdam through your eyes! Lovely spots you found, I will add them to my list of favorites and must-sees when I go back in Spring. And yes, Haarlem is not a bad place to strand! Hope you are happily home again now though…
Love
Maaike
February 5th, 2012 at 10:25pm
Delurking to say there’s nothing wrong with Haarlem! It’s my hometown and it’s becoming more sassy every year (been away for more than 20 years so a visit is a bit of homecoming and exploring at the same time haha)
February 6th, 2012 at 1:40am
LOVE Amsterdam
Cannot wait for your next book to come out !Will definitely promote it on my blog :)
Enjoy this amazing city
xoxox
February 6th, 2012 at 11:59am
congrats on the new book!!! i’m so excited for you. it will definitely be on my wishlist. love your current book soooooooooooooooooo much! good luck with everything. you don’t need an assistant, do you?!?! ;-)
Helene´s last [type] ..{because i love to…}
February 6th, 2012 at 1:41pm
looking forward to your next book, first was already amazing!
MoodKids – Maike´s last [type] ..DIY – Just wanna say I love You
February 6th, 2012 at 3:09pm
Good luck on your book!
February 6th, 2012 at 3:20pm
Hi, what a lovely set of pictures and thanks for the info, really love Amsterdam – have a great day!
Daniel´s last [type] ..Scandinavian Four-Room Apartment
February 7th, 2012 at 11:10am
I love the picture of the little vase of flowers with the wallpaper in the background. Do you know what that wallpaper is? Will have to get your book when it comes out.
February 8th, 2012 at 11:22pm
Haarlemmerstraat is a great little street! You picked the right place to go for sure. I love Sukha too, I bought a giant chunky knit beanbag there a few months back. And VTWonen, I read even if I barely understand it. Gorgeous, and good for practicing my Dutch!
Deepa´s last [type] ..First snow
February 9th, 2012 at 3:32am
Looking forward to the new book! Hurray!! I also love that you included shops & places to see in Amsterdam -no plans to go right now, but I will tuck into a file for future! :)
Bonnie McCarthy´s last [type] ..Simple Giving: Flower Arranging with Tape!