Illustrator Zoë More O'Ferrall

Creative people are one of the sources of inspiration I love (their work and their homes). I do not consider myself too creative as I am not executing a creative job per se - I am not a designer, an architect, a potter, a textile designer, an illustrator. Those creative minds inspire me to seek more creativity in my daily life and try to see things from a different perspective.

One of those creative minds I had the honor to meet shortly during our Bloggers Tour in London last March. Zoë More O'Ferrall is a London based commercial illustrator and has a very distinct, quirky style that makes me smile in an instant. When I heard that our friends from at{mine} teamed up with her for the Bloggers Tour London, I was excited to say at least. When I heard that she is going to illustrate our tour, I was very excited.

Zoë has worked for major names like the Vogue, The Times, Mr Porter, New York Times Magazine, Harrods and many more. Now imagine how humble I felt that she also set her pen onto paper to illustrate my face among others!? Ha, I love the outcome! I think we all look very cool as illustrations (I felt the urge to shave afterwards obviously LOL)  and the map perfectly captures our busy but super exciting London Design Bloggers Tour.

See more of Zoë's work HERE.

Image and illustration via Zoë More O'Ferrall

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Liberty's Secret Garden

If I asked you to name one London department store that is the most awesome, most traditional and iconic, most refined and pretty luxurious, I bet many of you would name the one and only Liberty in London on Regent Street. This London landmark will make anyone's knees weak and you will have the hardest time ever leaving the store empty-handed. During our recent Design Bloggers Tour in London we had the fab opportunity to team up with the London based interiors community at{mine} (still in private beta phase) who invited us to visit one of their beta members, Liberty London.

We were welcomed in the design premises around the corner from the store where we met a real design celebrity - the iconic Head of Design Emma Mawston and her team. Anyone of you who is really into textile design will now make big eyes! Yes, it is a rare and privileged opportunity to get a presentation of Liberty's latest textile and wallpaper collection named 'Secret Garden'.

Inspired by the book of the same title by Frances Hodgson Burnett, these fabrics and wallpapers come in lush and leafy designs evoking secret gardens full of colourful blooms, rich foliage and exuberant opulence. We were amazed to see all of these designs being hand-drawn before they eventually find their way onto rich and sumptuous fabrics and wallpaper. Suddenly you realize how much inspiration and work is woven into each and every piece of this collection.

As an Urban Jungle Blogger I had quickly found my favorite prints - the Wallace Secret Garden Linen in Green Gauze and the Orchard Wallace Secret Garden wallpaper. Now I only need a big apartment with a room for all my plants and one wall would definitely be covered in this fantastic wallpaper. Up to then I'll keep on dreaming of my secret garden.

Photography by Susanna Vento, last image by Linda Elmin

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From Place To Space: Volkshotel In Amsterdam

It's been a few weeks by now that I went to Amsterdam for the 'Design Bloggers Tour', but for me it feels like ages. However, I wanted to share with you the fab hotel I was staying at in Amsterdam: the Volkshotel. A cool, urban hotel with a strong Urban Jungle Bloggers vibe. But judge for yourself!

The Volkshotel feels like an open place that welcomes all passers-by with its open door policy. The entry area is a vibrant café, reading nook, piano corner and coworking space in one. A real jungle of plants, vintage ceramics, flowers, vintage furniture and relaxed staff are there to make you feel very welcome and comfortable from the very first minute. 

The rooms are simple and reminded me of a cool, urban student's dormitory, but of course cleaner and a tad cooler. However, the hotel also features nine special rooms designed by various interior designers, architects and other creative minds. Another highlight is the hotel's spa area on top of the building with fantastic Amsterdam city views while you are sitting in a open air jacuzzi. Not bad, right? 

The hotel's last floor is reserved for a great restaurant featuring Dutch and international cuisine and a good breakfast buffet - again, the feeling is very convivial and easy-going, like eating with friends and family. 

Last but not least the hotel is located next to a metro station so it's pretty easy to reach every corner of Amsterdam from there. So, now you know where you should stay for your next Amsterdam trip, right? 

Happy new week, friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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