Sources of inspiration: Recharge // Getting back to nature

April has been a good month, travel wise. Just before moving the studio we decided to take a little break and travel. We visit Spain and Italy and came back recharged and full of inspiration.

As a designer I need to create my own bubble in order to make new work. But too much solitude also blocks creativity. Spring time is an amazing time of the year to get out more, see the leaves grow, trees turn green, flowers blossom. Such an inspirational time of the year. As you can imagine lot’s of nature inspired surface patterns will be in the making.

This year I booked two short trips to Spain, Siurana: a lush area, popular for climbing and hiking. I had a little peek into the world of rock climbing there. And I already signed up for a bouldering introduction course back home. Being outside all day, under the trees, watching the landscapes change, the dramatic mountains, the soft warm breeze. Living in a city is pretty challenging sometimes, the chaotic streets, so many people, cars, noise. So a 5 day all day green experience was an amazing way to recharge, absorb some sunlight to return home with some refreshed energy.



After Spain I travelled to the Amalfi coast. Nature has so much to offer. I love the dramatic rocks, the contrasting bright color of the water. The Amalfi coast is truly mesmerizing. But of course traveling to Italy means awesome food! I love being in the woods and enjoy being outside but I do love a little culture too. Italy will always be one of my fave European countries to visit.

Now we’re all back in the studio and also renovating the new studio space where we will be moving into within the next two weeks. Curious about the space and how we are turning it around into a new creative business office? Check @littlesmilemakers stories on Insta to get a little peek into what we are doing.

Sources of inspiration // Top 10 favorite world wide Modern Art Museums & Galleries

As an artist, I can find inspiration in everyday things — but traveling, that's a whole different creative source. Maybe it's the need to feel connected to the bigger picture, or a different culture; or to get more insight into who I am and explore things from another perspective. Maybe it's simply stepping away from my routine and overlooking things from a distance. But one thing is for sure: traveling provides an endless flow of inspiration, and there's an entire world to explore.

How often do you visit a gallery or museum? Holland has some great art galleries and museums and I love to see all these different artists and skills come to life. I often visit the Pulchri Studio close to my home in The Hague where they have new art up on the walls every few weeks. I try to visit museums during my travels. It is lovely to see cultural differences, there is a different way of expression in each part of the world. What museum would you recommend in your country/city? For this post I have selected a top 10 of personal faves. I have seen quite some Modern Art Museums and would like to share those with you. Some awesome gems of The Netherlands and some less obvious choices, places I have seen during my travels. Enjoy!

1 // MAXXI - Rome
Rome is not a typical place to visit if you love modern art. Also modern architecture is not really common in the city, but if you take a train out of the city center you can visit a few very interesting places if you stop at Euclide. The 'bugs' at the musical auditorium for instance are a architectural feast. The arena Palazzetto dello Sport built in 1960 for the summer Olympics is a very interesting piece, could use a fresh layer of paint though. But the real gem for me was discovering the MAXXI. The National Museum of contemporary art and architecture. The building itself is simple beautiful and only open for public for 6 years now. With it's sharp edges and overlaps it's a surprisingly pretty composition in a slightly neglected looking area of the city. The exhibits are surprisingly well set up and diverse. I was very happy to see a some Italian parents brought along their kids to explore this place. There is a nice library dedicated to the building and Roman modern architecture. Check out the website before you go. All exhibits are contemporary. The ones I visit were conceptual, highly political engaged and visually powerful. But of course every artist and every expo will be different. Enter a place like this without expectations and it will surprise you.

2 // Pulchri Studio - The Hague
This Art gallery is a place you can just walk in free of charge. Every few weeks there is something else to discover here. The short term exhibitions are great for a little break during a busy working day and I visit this gallery in the old part of The Hague frequently. You can also enjoy a good lunch in the restaurant area, or sit down and have a coffee.

3 // Brandhorst Museum - Munich
The museum itself is a great piece of architecture that is already worth a little glance. Inside of the museum you can find a collection of modern art with a large representation of work by American artists. My personal favorite is the collection of paintings by Twombly on the first floor. Unfortunately the Museum prohibits photography. Such a shame since I love to capture the amazing visual art to take them home to stash in my box of memories.

4 // Tate Modern - London
On the bankside of the river Thames you can find one of my favorites of all time. The very immense and industrial looking The Tate Modern is a place for modern and contemporary art. If you ever get the chance to fly in to this city do check what is happening here. There have has numerous amazing exhibitions in the part. Malevich, Kandinsky, Hodgkin, Hopper, to name just a few. You can easily spend an entire day at this place.



// Brooklyn Museum - New York
New York has so much to offer for the creative soul. There are many places worth visiting but on my last trip to the Big Apple I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to watch the Ai Weiwei expo in the Brooklyn Museum. I am a big fan of modern art but this museum also shows a little bit about the history of Brooklyn and I was surprised about the variety and quality of art that was shown here. It is a gem and truly worth crossing the river for.

6 // Moderna Museet - Stockholm
Pay attention creative peeps! If you ever visit Stockholm: visit Skeppsholmen. You need to visit this little creative island. I was lucky enough to spend a truly magical summer night here with some live music and street food in the Moderna Museet garden during the Yayoi Kusamas exhibit. Surrounded by Picasso scultures I was enjoying a live performance of one of my fav sing and sing writers José González. You can visit the Moderna Museet but don’t forget to enjoy the outside sculptures by Calder and Jean Tingely and Niki de Saint Phalle. From the island you have a beautiful view over Stockholm. Walk around the island and check out the little harbor on the northern part with old steamships and fishing boats. A great place to enjoy the sunset. From the south side you can take a ferry to the Abba Museum or Nordiska Museet.

7 // Louisiana - Copenhagen
As a graphic designer I adore this amazing Danish museum of modern art. If you ever visit Copenhagen make sure to take the train to this museum. It will take you an hour traveling North but it is a lovely way through a beautiful area of Denmark. The museum is located in the most lush area near the seaside and the sculpture garden has a breathtaking view over the water. But trust me, you don’t need the water, there is so much to see inside alone. With over 3.500 pieces of art, a combination of American, European and Danish art from 1945 till now, there is enough to see to keep you busy for a day without noticing the surroundings. Warhol, Picasso, Kiefer, Kandinsky, they are all there. But if you visit the museum on a summer day, do take a stroll through the park and enjoy sculptures from Calder, Henry Moore and my personal favorite: Miró. A must see, beautiful museum. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

8 // FOAM - Amsterdam
My favorite museum for Photography is located in Amsterdam. I think it is the museum I visit most frequently in Holland. They have temporary exhibits and change their walls every few months. I have seen numerous great photographers here. Helmut Newton’s life work. Annie Leibovitz with her famous portraits. The Kate Moss Show. Vivian Maiers black and white, street photography and this winter there is another big name to add to the list: Weiwei. FOAM is a lovely place to pop in for a quick visit. You’ll be in and out in 2 hours so if you want to see something during you stay in Amsterdam but don’t want to wait in one of those crazy museum lines go visit this little photography gem.

9 // Blain Southern Gallery - Berlin
This contemporary art gallery is located in the old press building and offers a huge canvas to artists. This summer the gallery has an impressive exhibit of Morellet. You can see his paintings and also his later work: neon installations. His work was influenced by artists like Piet Mondriaan and Max Bill. You can see some similarities in the movement and the composition but using materials like neon, concrete, metal, and leaving out color were considered to be quite modern back then and still make his work very unique. What I love about the gallery itself is that it has a huge main area with one high sealing stretching up into the sky. The canvas for the work makes the art even more astonishing.

10 // MoMa - New York
New York, one of the most inspiring art museums are based here. With the Frick Collection, the wonderful Guggenheim with temporary exhibits and of course the Witney. All amazing places to go and check out but my fav: the MoMa will always be one of the greatest places to visit if you are an artist, I think this museum is a must see. Don’t get me wrong, there are other awesome places in New York, I will have to type down a top 10 for New York only some time… The MoMa has some iconic pieces every artists should see i real life. Monet’s Water Lilies for instance. Picasso, Matisse and our very own Piet Mondriaan and Willem de Kooning spreading our strong Dutch Design. The sculpture garden has some wonderful pieces too, don’t skip those. But I particularly like this place, not because of those great names but because there is a mix of so many different techniques, that really trigger my imagination. Why choose paper or why stick with ink? Sculptures, paintings, architecture, graphics. Very inspirational place!

Sources of inspiration: Rome // historical treasures // delicious cuisine // top 5 things to see and visit

Rome, the center of religion, historical gems and adorable vintage cars. I was planning on going to Italy's capital a while ago but never got around to visit up until this week. All our Italian customers are located in the Northern part of the country, the economical heart of Italy. So after a hectic first months in the studio, I decided to book a few days to this glorious place. No networking or trade fair shows, just to get away from it all.

There are so many things I love about Italy. The amazing food, soft red wines, the colorful vintage Fiat cars, the expressive Italian people, the coffee breaks, soft climate, amazing historical structures, the foundation of art, the chaotic traffic. There is no better place to start a new season and celebrate spring than in this city. The trees were blossoming, the wind was warm and gentle. And now I am having a really hard time readjusting to the gray skies of Holland. And yes, working again. But after answering over 50 e-mails and creating some new designs already I would like to take some time to write down my personal top 5. Places to see and things to do while visiting this ancient city. So here we go. And if you are planning a trip yourself feel free to reach out!

Rome is an interesting city. The capital of Italy, it can be overly crowded and noisy. And it is huge! The city is big and public transportation is not very good. Busses get stuck in traffic and because of this cities history, there is an entire city underneath, the city can not construct a proper metro infrastructure. So wear comfortable shoes and plan your day a little. You need to navigate and it will take some time to go from one place to the other. But it is definitely worth going out of the city center too.

Of course I can tell you the main sights that are a must see, the Trevi Fountain, The Vatican, St. Peter's Church. The pantheon, Colosseum and so on. But you can get those places from the Lonely Planet. Visiting these places will take a lot of time. Most of the main tourist sights have hour long queues. After you are done with these, you might want to explore the city behind the postcard. So here is my personal top 5. Things to do and places to see while traveling to Rome.

1 // The food
My friend actually got angry when I said that a mayor reason for me visiting Italy is the food. "We have culture you know!" But I think food is a big part of experiencing a culture. Holland does not have a very quality-first based cuisine. I remember visiting Italy for the first time and eating some spinach ravioli. Oh, what an experience that was. Such a simple recipe but such a delight. And the ice-cream. So rich!

In Rome you can find some very fancy places to eat, but if you would like to taste some typical Roman food, stay away of the trendy interiors and tourist areas. You will find some very fine dishes in typical Italian restaurants, try some different anti-pasti, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, bruschetta and definitely try the typical roman pasta carbonara, after that of course finish your culinary experience with some dolce.

Some places I really liked and managed to grab a bite were Trattoria Pizzeria Vecchia Roma, not too fancy looking but typical Italian family run restaurant. Ai Tre Scalini that has a nice atmosphere, good wine and typical Italian vibe. And Civico 4, a little more fancy but with lovely dishes and great dolce. These places are always busy, try to make reservations or keep in mind that a table can take up to an hour, Italians eat later than you might be used to, back home, you don't have to worry about the kitchen being closed if you go out to eat after 10PM.

But it is not all about food. Of course you have to try the coffee, recharge after walking around the city, enter an out dated looking bar and drink an espresso. Italians consume the largest amount of coffee in the world, and that will get obvious to you while navigating through the city. Every few meters there is a coffee bar. They sure do know how to make a proper coffee. No hipster barista's here, it is all about coffee, they take their job seriously. You won't be drinking an espresso like an Italian espresso anywhere, so if you are a coffee lover, go there!

2 // MAXXI
Rome is not a typical place to visit if you love modern art. Also modern architecture is not really common in the city, but if you take a train out of the city center you can visit a few very interesting places if you stop at Euclide. The 'bugs' at the musical auditorium for instance are a architectural feast. The arena Palazzetto dello Sport built in 1960 for the summer Olympics is a very interesting piece, could use a fresh layer of paint though. But the real gem for me was discovering the MAXXI. The National Museum of contemporary art and architecture. The building itself is simple beautiful and only open for public for 6 years now. With it's sharp edges and overlaps it's a surprisingly pretty composition in a slightly neglected looking area of the city. The exhibits are surprisingly well set up and diverse. I was very happy to see a some Italian parents brought along their kids to explore this place. There is a nice library dedicated to the building and Roman modern architecture. Check out the website before you go. All exhibits are contemporary. The ones I visit were conceptual, highly political engaged and visually powerful. But of course every artist and every expo will be different. Enter a place like this without expectations and it will surprise you.



3 // Romantic sunset over the city
I love to see cities from above. When I travel I always try to visit the highest building or top of a hill to see where I am and how the city is situated and constructed. Rome does not have lot's of modern buildings like many other cities do. There are no flats of skyscrapers. If you do like to watch from a hight you can walk up the Spanish steps. You will walk towards the Trinita dei Monti church (do check the interior) from which you have a great view over the city. If you walk even further up North you can have an even better view of the city and enjoy the city sunset from the Villa Borghese park. The best place for a romantic glance over the city before entering the night.

4 // Trastevere
When you would like to hang our, grab a drink, and not be surrounded by great groups of tourists this is a great neighborhood to spend a night out. This is the place where Roman students hang out at night. They toast and gather outside of bars and restaurants in these beautiful small alleys and cobbled stoned streets. It is a place to enjoy the Roman street vibe and you will feel the pulse of the city. If you look around carefully you can spot some nice street art too or enjoy some live music. This neighborhood is a little rough on the edges but it's honest. Great place to hang out and grab a drink.

5 // Vintage cars
In January i bought my first car. I always drove around in other peeps cars, and used Snappcar before that. But with my terrible joints and this bad winter climate in Holland it was time to get a car to skip the waiting on cold train stations. After test driving and checking out several brands I kept coming back to the cute Fiat500. I found one from the 70's on the internet but thankfully my brain started to work in time and I managed to get a proper updated version I can rely on. I just adore those cute little Fiat cars. These Italian cars are circling around the city like Vespa's. They pop up in from of the Colosseum, circle around the Vatican, they are everywhere. And in so many colors too! While I was in Rome I saw numerous old versions of the 500. It was hard not to stop and make a photo every time I passed one. For vintage car lovers the Southern part of Europe is heaven. Here in Holland we sell our car by the age of three to get a new one. But in Italy they appreciate these little old quirky things. And they are driving around in them until they fall apart. In a city like Rome it doesn't make sense to drive around in anything bigger than the Fiat500 anyway. If you are a vintage car lover, take your time and wait for those things to pass by. They are lovely.

Sources of inspiration: Sri Lanka // Elephant island // Sunshine, palm trees, elephants and smiles // Top 5 travel tips

Sri Lanka. You have stolen my heart. I just got back from a three week trip through this amazing green island. While uploading photo's to my personal Facebook page I cannot seem to get over the fact that once again I have come home with lot's of memories and stories to share. Usually after traveling I will make a top 5 of places to see. But first I will start with some of the stories about the warm and welcoming people I have met.

Sri Lanka has been on my bucket list ever since I traveled to India for the first time. The country always intrigued me. It is a small island south east from India. It adopted some of it's quirkiness and cultural customs but is very different from any other Asian country I experienced so far. The economy is growing rapidly and it is noticeable, the northern part of the country still is recovering from the war and you can still see some damaged homes but the area has been built up again.

I fell in love with it's inhabitants while I was visiting Chilaw. It was a hot and sunny day and me and my travel buddy decided to go and walk through the village and the rice fields. Tourists are not very common in most places except for the area's around the National Parks and beaches that attract surfers from all over the world. We walked for an hour or so and were continuously invited to come have a coconut and look around people's homes. We were taking a break in a families sitting room and chatted with the locals. It strikes me time and time again how welcoming people can be. People can be so open and curious to meet you. It is the best feeling in the world when you come from a place where everyone is in a rush not paying attention to the bigger things in life. A simple smile from a toddler, kids playing in the mud. With so little money they are living such a rich life and don't even know it. All right, before I get all preachy let's talk about all the high lights of the trip. I have seen wild life, gorgeous Buddhist temples, tea plantations and met some amazing individuals. Here is a top 5 of things you should really experience, can't miss! I fell in love with life all over again.

1 // The wild life
Sri Lanka is the island of elephants. You can see them in one of many National Parks or you can visit an elephant orphanage. I am so intrigued by these amazing animals, I remember seeing a wild animal for the first time while traveling through India and I fell in love with those creatures right away. Don't expect to be close to the elephants though, you may be able to find elephant rides but these are not very common, locals hate to see you jump on an elephant for a ride. As do I. Just enjoy them from a distance, take your time to watch the baby elephants at an orphanage and watch how they are getting to know the world, step on their trunks and try to keep balance with crossed legs. They are magestic and funny at the same time.

Sri Lanka has a very divers wild life and you can visit one of the numerous parks to spot not only elephants but also leopards, crocodiles, buffalos, birds and those pretty quirky peacocks... You can go either on or in the water, enjoy sea life, spot whales. There is so much to see! But be conscious, try to share your Jeep with other tourists and think about the environment, go for a sailing boat instead of one that runs on kerosene. Ask before you go. The parks can be very crowded and traffic jams in parks are actually a thing nowadays. Sri Lanka is not very much used to big crowds of tourists yet and has some maturing to do.



2 // The people
This is probably the main reason why I travel. Meeting up with people from different countries, they have different costumes and habits and make you rethink your way of life. They often rely on their families and communities, they think in 'we' instead of 'I'. Nothing is more healing and triggers personal growth more than a different perspective and an open attitude toward the unknown. I fell in love with the people in Sri Lanka right away. They are joyful, welcoming and very curious and eager to know what it is that attracts you to come and visit their country. Feel free to have a tea or a coconut with the locals. They will welcome you in their homes and will be happy to talk about their way of living, their family. From the big city of Colombo to the smallest little villages, people welcome you with a smile and a touch. When a smile approaches you, say yes. Let them take you along on a little peek inside their lives. Personal encounters will touch your heart. It is lovely to experience a country this way. I came home with a little stack of papers containing addresses of the people I have met. I made photo's and captured their way of life. Made selfless with the kids in Colombo, made portraits of a lady and her new born. Such precious moments. Now all I have to do is print them and send them. I cherish those little moments.

3 // The sun
Of course! Nothing is more healing than the sun. Sri Lanka is a tropical island and I had visit the country after the rainy season, everything was so green and lush. The island has some great beaches where you can wander around all by yourself. In the south/west there are lot's of tourist hotels if you need some easy comfort this is the place to be, you can also travel alone and stay away from the crowds easily if you visit the north/eastern parts. Enjoy a coconut, watch the locals play in the water under the hot tropical sun. It is a great getaway during our European winter. Relax, leave all stress behind and recharge in the sun.

4 // The Ayuvedic treatments
Most doctors in Sri Lanka have a degree in both western and ayuvedic medicine. I was talking to a doctor in Sri Lanka while visiting a spice garden and asked him if he knew anyone that suffered from rheumatism. He laughed and after a good minute he said "of course not." The entire Sri Lankan lifestyle and climate is a great place to have a break from my pain. The sun, but also the spices that are part of their every day meals, make me feel so much better. Go to a spice garden and have a chat with a doctor. Not in need of medical treatment? You can take an relaxing ayuvedic massage or detox body treatment depending on what you need. For me it does make a difference.

5 // The temples
There are lot's of places that are worth a visit. Dutch remains our VOC history, Portuguese architecture, but of course Sri Lanka has a lot of genuine heritage of it's own. Amazing temples with crazy high buddha statues located on the most breathtaking places on earth. The Dambulla cave temple, the Temple of Tooth, the detailed and colorful local Hindu Temples, the remains of Anuradhapura, Each and every temple has it's own story. Each and every temple is magical. Do take your time to enjoy as many as possible. Lot's of locals visit temples each day so be respectful and try to blend in. Locals visit temples in white colored clothes. If you want to fit in, dress in white while you visit a temple and cover your knees and shoulders.



I completely fell in love with Sri Lanka and it's people. There are so many things to do and see and taste. I could write a book. I personally felt Sri Lanka was a relaxing and safe place to travel by myself. If you have questions feel free to ask! If you'd like to see more photo's of my trip check out @littlesmilemakers on Instagram too. But this place on your bucket list!

Sources of inspiration: Rotterdam // a day on a bike // Top 10 little gems and modern architecture

In 2014 the city of Rotterdam made the top 10 in the list of 52 Places to go to in 2014 according to the New York Times. And I would have to agree on that one. Rotterdam is a city worth to explore. When I was a student I lived in the old Northern part of this city and in 10 years a lot has changed. I can still miss being there to witness it all.

My first introduction to a creative future was in Rotterdam. A place where I could lose myself, things were happening. When I moved from a typical Dutch city with canals and old architecture to this very modern place for my studies I felt home instantly. Everything was diverse. People, food, architecture, art. It still to this day is one of my favorite cities to find a boost of inspiration. I would just get my bike and camera and my little Bill Cunningham comes out.

Rotterdam has a very complex history. The beautiful old city was bombed in 1940 and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Only a few old buildings were left after the city stopped burning. Imagine the possibilities if you have an entire downtown city as your canvas as an architecture! All though a lot of places had to be built efficiently and cheap to house people as soon as possible, nowadays the city center is a place in which you can see the old and the new, built around water, a new balance. And where ever you go the city never feels like a busy crowded place. The streets are broad and open and there is something to see, something to explore around every corner. They successfully created a city for people, to live in, to be in.

This week I spent Christmas on a bike, cycling through the city. I love photography but never seem to have enough time to actually go out and capture those moments through my Nikon lens anymore. So on a day where everyone would stay in to eat and celebrate I decided to hop on my bike again. I have made a list of interesting places, architecture and historical sights. My personal favorites. If you get the chance to visit this city look beyond the new modern architecture. Get to know the less obvious little gems.



1 // Onderzeebootloods
This submarine pilot is part of the immense port of Rotterdam. This old historical sight is now a place where history and culture come together. In 2010 Museum Boijmans van Beuningen started a collaboration with the city port (RDM) and ever since they have held art exhibits during the summer. In 2013 the port decided to renovate the building and it now is a place where musical and theater performances, fairs and short exhibits are held. You can reach this place over water with the Aqualine ferry that stops under the Erasmus bridge. If you want to see the place, check out what's happening.

2 // De Hef
This industrial bridge, officially named Koningshaven bridge, was built in 1878 and was part of the railway connection to the Southern part of Holland. The construction of the bridge was not a very practical and well thought out one. Since the bridge is a part of the city Port you can imagine there was a lot of water traffic back then. The bridge was not built high enough, modern, bigger ships could not reach the other side without getting stuck so after a serious accident in 1918 the port decided to turn the middle part into a lift (hef). The metal construction over the Maas river still is a reminder of the old city infrastructure and is now part of it's skyline. Every time I pass this bridge it reminds me of how much the city has changed over the years.

3 // Markthal
The new market building is Rotterdams most recently finished architectural highlight. The building has a central hall with a food market, shops, bistro's and restaurants. The Markthal is Holland's first indoor market. I am not a big fan of the hype and this place is a little too trendy for me to actually do my food shopping, all organic, farmer's market style, no plain banana's or Rotterdam spirit here, but well, as an artist myself I do love the architecture and the overwhelmingly gorgeous art on the roof. It sure is worth a little peek.

4 // Streetart
Rotterdam is a city where everything is constantly changing. Housing conditions definitely have improved over the years but there are still some area's in the city that will have to wait their turn. Social projects pop up in problem area's. Little urban gardening, sport initiatives. Small home made markets bring people from other places into a neighborhood they would have never visit. But improvements in a district also means empty homes and squatted houses. A great atmosphere for street art to blossom. Entire apartment blocks get painted in one color, remember the blue houses on Beukelswijk, or Hofboogjes? It doesn't matter what happens to there buildings, until they are just waiting to be torn down they serve as a blanc canvas for street artists. Making the city a colorful open air museum.


(Photo source unknown)

5 // Hotel New York
Back in the day while I was living in Rotterdam, this place was my regular stop for a sunday coffee. Hotel new York was opened in 1993 and in 1996 when the Erasmus Bridge was finally connecting the city center with Wilhelmina Pier it started to be a popular place among the people of Rotterdam. When you visit Rotterdam during summer the walk from the city center to this part of town is definitely worth the effort. But you can also take a water taxi from the other side of the Maas. The Hotel has a great menu and during spring and summer you can have a drink on the terrace and enjoy the river view.

Hotel New York used to house the Holland America Lines headquarters. The near Cruise Terminal is part of that international history. The Cruise Terminal is now a place to celebrate and great NYE parties are held there. A great place to celebrate the new year. From here you have a spectacular view over the city and the Erasmus bridge fire works show. This area of Rotterdam is a mix of modern Architecture and old industrial buildings. From this pier you can watch the sunset and see the city skyline light up. If you are in need of a romantic getaway this is the place.



6 // De Maas
The water is a great part of the city. The water forms a break from busy roads and heavy industry. I love to sit down by the water and feel the breezy during a hot summer day but you can also travel from one neighborhood to another over water by ferry. There are numerous boat restaurants that will give you a tour while you are eating and you can enjoy a quick water taxi ride from the park at the Euromast to Hotel new York. The river and the connection to the rest of the waterways of Europe is why this city is the city it now is. A melting pot of different cultures with a strong steady economy. So go see Rotterdam from the water.

7 // Laurenskerk
This church is the only building dating back to the middle ages and was one of few remains after the bombing of the old city of Rotterdam. Because little was left of the old city this places seems a bit odd, surrounded by new modern architecture and close to the cubic houses. Every old Dutch city structure has a central church with a market surrounded by old canal houses and victorian architecture. In Rotterdam the only piece left of this original old part of town was this church. It now is a great place to enjoy a classical music performance and feel part of what once was.

8 // Maastunnel
This tunnel is the oldest you can find in the country. I love the bike and pedestrian area. The steep stairway to enter the tunnels, the tiles, the signing, the colors and the old urban industrial non-nonsense built but also beautiful exterior. The pedestrian and bike tunnel are similar to the one built in Antwerp in 1933 and both have been built in Art Nouveau style.

It feels a bit futuristic if you enter this tunnel. If you go visit this place on an early sunday morning, good chance you will be the only one there. The Tunnel first opened up for traffic during the second world war. The tunnel connects the Northern part of Rotterdam with the Southern part of the city and was a direct connection to the provinces of Brabant and Zeeland. If you want to visit the Southern part of the city you can enter the tunnel from the Park near the Euromast. I can tell you it feels a bit strange cycling through a massive empty tunnel.



9 // Rotterdam Metro
Some of Rotterdam's Metro Stations are definitely worth checking out. Blaak, Central Station and Wilhelmina Pier for instance. You can bring your bike along too so you can just hop on and hop off and find your way back to the city on your bike. I always love to take public transportation while I am visiting a new city. It is a great way to 'feel' where you are. Watch where the eccentric peeps get off on saturday nights or feel the buzz of the city during rush hours.

10 //Oude Haven
All right, if you are driving around on your bike all day you will probably be quite thirsty. The Oude Haven is an old part of the city center that was still intact after the war. It is a little area where you can find numerous pubs and restaurants. If you are coming from the shopping district it might be quite hard to find. It is located near the cubic houses and it is somewhat hidden. Take the stairs from on your right and suddenly you will see a small harbor with old boats and the 'Witte Huis' monument. Sit down, relax and reflect on a great day in the city.

Of course there is so much more to this city. These are just a few high lights. I can go on and on about this place to if you want to read more about Rotterdam keep following the blog.

Sources of inspiration: Lisboa // City of music and a great creative energy // 5 must-see places for creatives

The city of Lisbon has been on the top of my list to visit for years now but I never got around to do so. I managed to squize in a little trip this November. Where I got to know a little bit about the city, the music, creative spots and I got to meet some lovely people to share some great memories with. When I arrived in my apartment in Rua Augusta, the main shopping street in the old part of town, there was a band playing some amazing jazz right at my front door. A great start for an even better week.

I travel quite a bit for my work but also every spare minute I have I like to discover new things. I love traveling alone when it is just me to worry about. Wandering the streets of a city I don't know gives me a sense of freedom. Everything is new and this is a way for me to open up and get inspired. Feel. Taste. Letting go of my routine. Lot's of designs I have made in the past are little memories from my travels. Peacocks from India, water tanks from new York City, Toucan birds from Costa Rica, the world is such an amazing place with such great diversity. I can not wait to book my next trip. But first it is time to reflect. Take a moment to appreciate what I have seen the past week.

Here you can find a little top 5 of places I think a creative mind would appreciate while visiting Lisbon. Hopefully it will be a little list of inspiration. I sure loved what I have seen.



1 // Streetart
From the old city center, downtown, you can walk up the hill to the St. George's castle. On the Rua Madalena you can find the first stairway. But you will have to search for it a bit, you will pass it easily without noticing it is there. You can also take the famous tram 28 that will bring you up this glorious sight but I recommend a little walk through the steep stairways that go all the way up to the ancient castle. The stairways are all covered in street art and traditional Portuguese tiles. You can see street art with typical Lisboa themes, fado singers and musicians but also fantasy characters and beautiful abstract and figurative art pieces by local artists. The stairways are little streets itself where people leave there front doors open to chat with their neighbors and you can have a little peek inside their daily lives. If you are a fan of modern art you can visit the Berardo Collection in Belém but there is also a lot to discover in the city itself. Walk around and discover all it has to offer.

2 // Romantic city view
I love traveling alone but some things are just a little more awesome when you can share it with a special someone. You can visit St. George's castle for a great view of the city but a little more down hill you can also enjoy the view from the Chapitô y Restô terrace with a little wine, Port of course, and watch the sunset from up hill. A great place for a romantic rendezvous. If you are not up to climbing the hill enjoy a little stroll near the river downtown and have a drink in Bairro Alto to set the mood.

3 // Belém
Enjoy the amazing old architecture that is part of Unesco's Heritage list. Visit the Torre de Belém on the river banks and take a walk through the park. This is a great area to visit on rainy days too. Belém has a few museums like the Museu Berardo in which you can easily spend an entire afternoon looking at amazing art. From Pollock to Picasso, a great collection of fine art. But take a look around and check out the rest of the museums too. There is so much to do and see. Don't forget to take a little stroll through the narrow streets and take a look inside the handicraft shops. Hungry? This is the place to eat Portugal's famous pastries: Pastel de Belém. Don't order just one, you will regret it later. This little custard pastry will be the foodie highlight of your trip.



4 // LX Factory Alcântara
This is where my studio will move to in the future. Well, probably not but I can see myself working from this creative little melting pot under the shadow of De Ponte 25 de Abril, the suspension bridge that connects Lisbon to Almada. LX factory used to be an old industrial place and every little shop, restaurant and creative studio that is now located here will remind you of it's history. Nowadays it is a place where young professionals settle. During the night the place transforms into a trendy hang out. There is a restaurant near the bookshop in which you can dine next to heavy machinery. It tends to get a bit too trendy though. You can also have a quick lunch in the old cantina which is furnished with second hand items. The place might be a bit overpriced for Lisbon standards but the experience itself, exploring these grounds, is worth the extra money.

5 // All night Fado
Lison has a great musical scene. Street musicians playing on every corner and play every type of music you can imagine. You can go to a classical concert or dance in a night club. But if you visit Lisbon, a night of Fado is a night to remember. I was taken to Tasca do Xico by a dear friend, a little bar that was packed with people. But there was no music. After a few minutes they closed the main door (you are not allowed to interrupt fado!) and a 91 year old man stood up and started to sing. It turned out to be a magical night with great wine, great music and great memories.

Of course there is way more to Lisbon than just this Top 5. The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is still on my to do list. I would love to see the Jeronimos Monastery, Madre de Deus Convent and São Roque Church. But I will have to go and do that on my next trip. This city has so much more to discover. I got trapped in the creative energy and I never plan my day by day activities. I travel without any expectations and things just cross your path when you're open to them.

A little note on the side: In Lisbon I stayed with Sara, an amazing host. She has a great, sunny apartment in the city center. You can book one of her rooms via airBNB. Check her profile here.

Sources of inspiration: Cactus heaven // Botanical inspiration in Gran Canaria

The change of seasons can be a great inspiration. I love fall weather and see the leaves change color. In Holland you can see the joy of all seasons but when I travel I enjoy the difference in vegetation too. Colors of plants, shapes and leaves, they can be very different from the plants growing in this part of the world.

Last week I came back from a week of traveling on the Canary Islands where I went to see a botanical garden which was created in 1952 by the Swedish Eric Sventenius. His goal was to protect all species of plants from extinction that were growing on this island. Now this great garden has become a great lush place of green. A lush heaven on this dry island of Gran Canaria. When you walk into the garden the first thing you see is a forest of small palm trees that reminded me of juicy pineapples. When you walk further you can see a small pond surrounded by amazing colorful flowers and close to that same pond there is a huge bush of cactus plants that is totally breath taking. This garden is a great mixture of plants and it will take up your entire afternoon to take it all in.



I have this weird thing for cacti and have used this raw dry vegetation as inspiration for my 'raw nature collection' last year. For this collection I have created ink sketches of small insects and desert plants which are available on home deco items, wall art prints, throw pillows and phone accessories and stationary. During this trip I arranged a photo shoot in the garden for one of my Dutch clients. We made a series of portraits with abstract plants and popping colors in the background. It was not hard to make some great shots.

The garden is located in a valley and goes all the way up against a steep hill. The view on top of the garden is gorgeous. If you ever get the chance to travel to Spain, do visit the Canary Islands. You can find this botanical garden, Jardin Canario Viera y Clavijo on the island of Gran Canaria.

Are you already looking for some seasonal presents? Looking for fun Raw Nature christmas gifts? Take a look into the Society6 shop for home decor items and fun art prints with cacti theme or creepy insects pattern. These designs are also available on fabric and wallpaper via Spoonflower. Have fun!