Sabtu, 30 Juni 2012

Waiting...

It's Saturday, which means that the bf returns from his NYC trip today! I know I'm used to long distance, but since he was in another country this week, not being able to text or talk has been lonely!
Here is how I've been spending my Saturday anxiously awaiting his arrival:
1) Wore my fun tribal/ikat shorts out and about
2) Painted my nails in OPI's "My Chihuahua Bites"
3) Finished my Domino book that my guy got me for my birthday..
right in time because I received this Design Sponge book in the mail from
my lovely and thoughtful friend Breana. Thank you so much Bre for all of your support and love!
4) Finally found some acrylic trays. So happy.
^ Bre and I at graduation.
Hope you all are having a great weekend! I'll be posting again tomorrow in honour of  Canada Day!
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The art of storage

 

I just love the way Axel Vervoordt is storing furniture and decorative items.

 Kanaal, a former distillery complex at Wijnegem (near Antwerp) that the Axel Vervoordt company purchased in 2000, is the perfect location to store lots of antique furniture.

It is always so inspiring walking around the warehouses of Kanaal. Visiting Belgium, you really should visit this gorgeous site!

The way Axel Vervoordt is displaying his collection of antiques, turns every single piece into ‘a piece of art’ !

8Axel Vervoordt Photo credit Joël Laiter

 

7Axel Vervoordt Photo credit Joël Laiter

 

4Axel Vervoordt Photo credit Jan Verlinde

 

5Axel Vervoordt  Photo credit Jan Verlinde

 

1Axel Vervoordt  Photo credit Vincent Leroux

 

3Axel Vervoordt  Photo credit Jan Verlinde

 

2Axel Vervoordt  Photo credit Vincent Leroux

 

10Axel Vervoordt  Photo credit Guillaume De Laubier

 

6Axel Vervoordt  Photo credit Joël Laiter

 

What do you think about Axel’s smart way of storing furniture and decorative items?

 

For more information about Kanaal, click here. For opening hours, click here.

To know more about the Axel Vervoordt Company, click here.

www.axel-vervoordt.com

 

xx

Greet

 

I am so sorry for not knowing the names of the magazines where I found these images. The images, published in earlier issues of magazines, I filed long time ago and I only took note of the name of the photographer.

Jumat, 29 Juni 2012

Learning How to Blog

via
I've been blogging for a few months now, and it's taken me awhile to really figure out exactly what I want to convey through my blog and how to do that. I took a major step by investing in a new blog design that would make the impression I want to make. The biggest lesson I've learned is that blogging is a huge time commitment (more than I had bargained for or anticipated), but definitely worth it.
I've still got ALOT of learning to do, which is why I was so excited to discover that Alt is offering us their online blogging classes  for free with Bing! #thanksbing
 There are so many amazing classes to choose from. The times helped me narrow it down a little bit..I don't get off work until 3 pm (so I have to pass up some great ones about inspiration board design and graphic design...maybe next time). But, I would love to take "Growing Readership" and "Getting Started with Advertising for Bloggers". "Blogging 101: The Basics for Getting a Head Start" would be a great alternative!

It's the Summer of Doing with Bing! Spread the word to get in on this amazing deal HERE. Woo! Have a great weekend everyone :)
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House beaute

does it again....



creamy and rough....chain and shaggy...everything amazing


chalkboard under the bar, great idea...seen it before but I still love it
dig the fridge


The bench cushion, I am currently doing this same style in a clients house...greatness


camel chair with white deets on the back cushion....bitchin

normally I like a little more color in my decor..but this house, I could love

Favourite Furniture Fridays: My Best Friend Craig

Hi Everyone!  I'm Charmaine from My Best Friend Craig.  I'm so happy to be here at Tiffany Leigh Interior Design to share to you my favorite piece of furniture.

When we moved to our first house 3 years ago, we didn't own much furniture.  I am a bargain shopper and I love all things vintage.  I would shop on craigslist (hence my blog name), thrift shops and antique malls most of the time.  But I am also a big fan of mixing old and new.  High and low.  So when it came to the sofa,  I knew I had to buy an investment piece.

I fell in love the minute I saw this...
a charcoal gray tufted sofa.  


I actually love it so much that we were fortunate to get a second one as a house warming present from my parents...
I love the modern lines and they are so comfy too!  These are definite keepers!

Thanks Tiffany for having me over today!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Charmaine is such a wonderful blogger and blog friend, you all must go check her out. She has so many gorgeous pieces, I don't know how she narrowed it down (like check out those X-benches and marble coffee table). This sofa is classified as a tuxedo sofa because the height of the arms is the same height as the back! A tuxedo sofa is on my MUST HAVE list for my future house.
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Kamis, 28 Juni 2012

Weigh in on: Art on the Floor

This shh cray...or is it? Today I'd like you readers to weigh in on a question I've been pondering lately: Does art on the floor look chic, or simply unfinished? Part of me says hang those babies! And the other part thinks that when it's done right it looks totally cool. I'd be a bit nervous of knocking it over though (I'm quite clumsy). As you can see, I'm torn...so you vote! Yes or No?
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^ The pallet ties it all in in this dreamy, girly space.
via
 ^ The fashion inspired elements of these prints and the colouring compliment the dining room's chic style perfectly. Would the walls looks too blank if the writing wasn't there?
unknown source?
^I think that this one looks good because of the leaning art on the higher level. It looks balanced and purposeful, as opposed to "I'm too lazy to hang this right now".

So...did you decide? xo
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A Huge Thank You To Nancy Meyers !

 

What do Belgian Pearls, Habitually Chic and Remodelista have in common?!

They are Nancy Meyers’ daily reads!

Yes indeed, THE Nancy Meyers, the writer/director of films like Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday and Father of the Bride.

Of course we do know Nancy here in Belgium, and love all of her gorgeous films!

A few days ago I received emails from readers telling me that Nancy had named my blog in a short interview in the latest issue of Elle Decor, titled ‘12 things she can’t live without’. Can you imagine how thrilled I was to hear that?! Was this correct?? Where could I see this interview as there are no copies of the issue to find in Belgium?

When finally I discovered the interview on Heather’s blogpost this week (see Habitually Chic blog), I realized this was true! I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!

Next to Habitually Chic and Remodelista, Belgian Pearls was named as one of Nancy’s favorite Home Decor Blogs.

Home Decor blogs

 

Elle Decor july - august 2012 coverElle Decor cover July-August issue 2012

 

Interview with Nancy MeyersNancy Meyers 12 Things She Can’t Live Without

 

Thank you so much Nancy! I feel so very honored !

I do hope you will still love reading Belgian Pearls in future!

xx

Greet

open water

All I can say is....

sometimes you need to breathe deep and pretend you are surrounded by beautiful (not that deep)
 blue open water....





what a week...and its only thursday

Rabu, 27 Juni 2012

Wednesday's Doodle

Last week I showed you a sketch of this piece, and today I bring you the finished copy (and a guide to getting the look yourself!).
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Hope you enjoy my lovelies! We are half way to Friday (and half way until my bf gets home from New York, I miss him!) Also, thank you so much to all of my followers for helping me reach 100! I will be hosting a fun giveaway to show my appreciation...so stay tuned!  xo
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Catesby’s : the story of an English merchant’s house

 

‘Catesby’s’ is the name of an interior design store sheltered in a Georgian house at Catesby Court on the North Norfolk coast in the UK.

Because the Georgian style is my favorite English architectural and interior design style, the story about this house caught my interest!

So before I tell you more about the housed in interior design store, I need to tell you something more about this gorgeous residence.

Catesbys_Story_1

Parts of the house date back to the 16th century, but it owes its current appearance to the 17th century (when Wells-next-the-Sea, in the county of Norfolk had a thriving port trading with the Hanseatic League of countries), when a wealthy merchant transformed it into the house we see today.  He was clearly inspired by European architecture, installing tall Belgian-style windows that flood the rooms with light.

Catesbys_Story_2

The façade of the house has Belgian-style windows as you can see on a lot of old houses walking down the streets in Bruges or Antwerp.

48_57The courtyard of the house.

And guess what caught my job-related interest?!

Of course, the panelling! Almost every room of the house has its original Georgian panelling!

21_182

And all of this brought us to the current destination of this beautiful house!

Catesby’s is a collection of beautiful, useful and original items for the home and garden. Sourced from around the world, discoveries include elegant tableware, timeless furnishings, rare decorative objects and a charming range of everyday necessities.

Catesby’s was established in 2011 by Neil Honor and Jonathon Pegg.

Following a successful career in public relations, Neil took the plunge and set up a shop selling everything he loved, and nothing he didn’t, from panelled rooms in Catesby Court, their Georgian home.

Inspired by his time spent living and working in Paris, he drew upon the muted colours and elegant forms of classic French design and architecture to create a distinctive look that is at once timeless and of the moment.

Jonathon, meanwhile, took charge of The Courtyard, serving deliciously traditional refreshments throughout the summer, in an elegant Mediterranean setting. 

Together, they work tirelessly to track down the beautiful, the useful and the original, wherever it might be found.

 

A house with original panelled rooms, a dreamy setting for all of the Catesby’s vintage and antique pieces.

26_145Muted colours and soft tones.

 

27_134Beautiful Georgian panelling with arched doorway.

 

30_124Another one of the many panelled rooms in the house.

 

35_100Notice the patina of the ancient boarded floor.

 

42_72All the original elements of the house are preserved!

 

41_74Aren’t the old floor tiles just incredible beautiful!

 

29_120Hallway with checkerboard floor tiles.

 

49_54Panelled staircase in neutral tones.

 

63_33 (1)Again a gorgeous panelled room.

 

74_18How charming is this well-worn staircase!!!

 

37_87Awesome! What else can I say?!

 

75_15Notice that built-in cabinet here!

 

57_42One of the charming English bedrooms.

 

32_114Attic bedroom.

 

Catesby’s is a collection of beautiful, useful and original items for the home and garden, including elegant tableware, timeless furnishings, rare decorative objects and a charming range of everyday necessities.

The Catesby’s shop opened in April 2011.

I posted some pictures of the room – that once was a dusty, dark room! - now turned on to the beautiful Catesby’s shop.

03_224

Neil says : ‘We have been hugely influenced by the Belgian style and like to mix English, Belgian and French influences to create a timeless look.’

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06_231

Neutral tones and natural materials abound, making it easy to choose pieces that work well together, and will instantly feel at home in any setting.

orig3

From all over Europe Neil sourced a collection of beautiful, usefull and original items for the home and garden.

The whole past year Neil and Jonathan spent time meeting and listening to their customers. They learned about what their clients loved and finally they felt ready to launch the Catesby’s online store.

The Catesby’s online store opened June 3rd, only 3 weeks ago !

Alongside the full range of items offered in the online store, there’s an ever-changing selection of vintage and antique pieces, gathered on travels throughout Europe and beyond.

And wherever you live, Catesby’s is offering you the possibility to order your favorite item online.

12_268Beautiful setting of some of the offered items,to discover at the Catesby’s online shop. If you love the obelisk table lamp, click here, if you love the African head, click here.

 

artist_folding_table_2_largeBeautiful China tableware (here) on a stylish artist folding table (here).

 

metal-chair2_largeTo know more about the industrial chair, click here.

 

fob_watch_mirror_1_largeOne of my favorite items, this classic fob watch mirror (here).

 

14_248Garden items at the courtyard.

 

2012-06-26_150802To discover the full range of items of Catesby’s online shop , click HERE.

 

The courtyard, that was once an overgrown and unloved yard, is now become the perfect place to relax and enjoy a reviving morning coffee, delicious light lunch or sumptuous afternoon tea.

teagarden1

From May until October, Jonathan is serving deliciously traditional refreshments at The Tea Garden.

20_184

I'm a big fan of people as Neil and Jonathan, who took up the challenge to restore a house with so much respect for the past and who made a huge effort to realize their dream of sheltering an interior design store in a gorgeous historical residence.

Congratulations to Neil and Jonathan! They succeeded in continuing the work of the former owner, and made of this ancient merchant’s house an original trading place.

I wish them both lots of success with the Catesby’s shop and online store! On my next trip to the UK, I would love to bring them a visit.

 

Shop

2012-06-27_091052

http://www.catesbys.co.uk

Staithe Street (opposite The Maltings),
Wells-next-the-Sea,
Norfolk
NR23 1AQ

UK

 

xx

Greet

 

All images posted with permission of Neil Honor and Jonathan Pegg, owners of Catesby’s.