Happy New Year! Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2024

New Year's Eve is just around the corner. Wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year. May your 2024 be filled with Happiness, Love, Joy, Peace, a good Health & Prosperity. Hope I can share with you in 2024 some inspiring blogs again.♥ Irene Pouw, Interior- and Fashionblogger NL

Bijna Oudejaarsavond! Wens u en uw geliefden de beste wensen voor 2024. Dat 2024 gevuld mag zijn met Geluk, Liefde, Vreugde, Vrede, een goede Gezondheid en Voorspoed. Ik hoop in 2024 weer diverse inspirerende blogs met u te kunnen delen.
♥ Irene Pouw, Interior- and Fashionblogger NL

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Chique tableware from the collection of Hermitage

Would like to share with you today this chique tableware from the collection of Hermitage. So elegant & refined. Be Inspired .......This is a repost of my blogpost of 10-03-2014.

Thank you for reading this blogpost. 

Source: Hermitageshop.org.

Design: Exclusive Staircases by Van Bruchem Staircases NL

While surfing on internet today I saw these fantastic and exclusive staircases from the company Van Bruchem Staircases NL. What a Beauty in design, Quality and Craftsmanship! Would like to share these inspiring staircase designs with you. Be Surprised ....... This is a repost of my blogpost of 11-01-2018. 

More about the company

Van Bruchem Staircases has been established in 1888. Their mission is to offer exclusive  high-end and tailor made staircases combined with the best service you can expect. Van Bruchem ensures exceptional tailor made staircases, using the best materials to satisfy your expectations. 125 years of true craftsmanship .........

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Sources: Van Bruchem Staircases and Facebook
Note: these photos have been placed with approval of Van Bruchem Staircases.
Photography: Lodewijk Loor

Impressive Architecture: The Ray & Maria Stata Center by Frank Gehry

I guess you've noticed already that, besides interior and design, I love architecture too. Today I spotted this eye-catching building, the Ray and Maria Stata Center at the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in Boston (USA). A modern and seemingly chaotic building with twisting and curving facades. The colorful but controversial complex was created in 2004 by the Pritzker prize winning architect Frank O. Gehry. Interesting building to see. This is a repost of my blogpost of 22-10-2020. Be Inspired ....

More about MIT, Boston

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the world's leading universities in engineering and science. The institute was chartered in Boston in 1861 and moved to its current site along the Charles River Basin in 1916. The campus is 168 acres or almost 70 hectare large and contains a large number of architecturally interesting buildings. Over the years, some of the world's best-known architects have contributed buildings across the site, ranging in styles including neoclassical, modernist, brutalist and deconstructivist.

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Sources: Dezeen and A View On Cities (01), A View On Cities (02) and Wikipedia

Ph. Natahan Rupert (Flickr)

Renovation: The Top 10 Best Selling Valspar Paint Colors

While surfing on internet this morning I saw this interesting article from Architectural Digest about the Top 10 Best Selling Valspar Paint Colors. Love the soft, elegant and neutral chosen colors. Would choose them for my own house or would advice them too for a client. Even used years later they are still beautiful to see because of their timeless color.

The colors are: 2006-10B Gallery Grey, 2007-9C Woodland Stone, 3005-10B Gardenia, 3003-10B Hopsack, 4003-1B Filtered Shade, 4005-1B Gravity, 6004-1B Soulful Grey, 6005-1B Villa Grey, 7002-6 Du Jour and 7002-12 Quail Egg.

The over 200-year-old American company’s most popular paint colors prove that neutrals are hotter than ever. I wrote more blogs about PAINT COLORS This is a repost of my blogpost of 13-01-2022. Be Inspired .......

4005-1B Gravity, Courtesy of Valspar

Gravity

Gravity is a cool gray that’s right on trend — in fact, it was one of the company’s colors of the year for 2016. Valspar suggests using it in a palette with blue-grays and navy.

2006-10B Gallery Grey, Courtesy of Valspar

Gallery Grey

If you’re looking for a warmer gray, Gallery Grey could be your perfect shade. The paint looks great with chocolate tones, sandy pinks and pale blues.

2007-9C Woodland Stone, Courtesy of Valspar

Woodland Stone

Woodland Stone, an orange neutral, has a rustic beauty that would complement natural materials such as linen textiles and sisal rugs.

3003-10B Hopsack, Courtesy of Valspar

Hopsack

Hopsack is a versatile neutral with warm yellow undertones.

3005-10B Gardenia, Courtesy of Valspar

Gardenia

If you want to create a cozy family room or refined dining room, give Gardenia a try.

4003-1B Filtered Shade, Courtesy of Valspar

Filtered Shade

Filtered Shade is another of Valspar’s most popular warm whites.

6004-1B Soulful Grey, Courtesy of Valspar

Soulful Grey

Soulful Grey is perfect for living rooms, bedrooms and even nurseries. It also is the perfect partner to Du Jour.

6005-1B Villa Grey, Courtesy of Valspar

Villa Grey

Villa Grey complements shades like minty greens, soft lilacs and leathery browns.

7002-6 Du Jour, Courtesy of Valspar

Du Jour

Du Jour is a warm white that works well in any room and pairs well with other neutrals, pastels or even brighter colors.

7002-12 Quail Egg, Courtesy of Valspar

Quail Egg

Quail Egg is a warm white that would look beautiful in a kitchen or bath.

Thank you for reading this blogpost.

Sources: Architectural Digest and Valspar

Art: The Winter by Vladimir-Kireev, 2014

Take a look at this beautiful, refined and serene painting 'The Winter' by Russian artist Vladimir-Kireev, 2014. This is a repost of my blogpost of 25-01-2018. Be Inspired ......

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Sources: Deviant Art and Artlib.ru

Wishing You A Wonderful Holiday Season & A Fabulous New Year!

I would like to take the opportunity to wish my readers a wonderful Holiday Season and a fabulous New Year! Thank you for taking the time to read my blogs. Really appreciated. Hope I can also give you in 2024 inspiration. Happy Holidays to you all!
Greetings from Irene Pouw, Blogger

Wens mijn lezers fijne, gezellige en kleurrijke Kerstdagen toe en een gezond en sprankelend 2024! Ik hoop u ook in 2024 weer de nodige inspiratie te kunnen geven.
Hartelijke groet, Irene Pouw, Blogger

Thank you for reading this blogpost.

Do you need more Inspiration? See also my PINTEREST moodboards

Be Inspired: Lovely Christmas dinnerware 'Winter Greetings'

While surfing this morning on internet I saw this beautiful and refined Christmas dinnerware from Lenox with lovely little birds. I guess your Christmas table will look amazing with these 'Winter Greetings' dinner plates. The dishes are artwork and provide the magic to Christmas and New Years. Wishing you Happy Holidays!

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Ph. via Macy's

COLOR INSPIRATION - MACARON HUES (80)

As interiorblogger I am always looking for interesting color palettes which I can use for decorating rooms and to inspire my weblog readers. Below you will find the color palette 'Macaron Hues'. Be inspired by this lovely color palette ....... I wrote MORE BLOGS about color palettes. 

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Source: Design Seeds
For more photos, see also my Pinterest moodboard "Color Palettes"

Photographer brings Russian fairy tales to life in artistic portraits (02)

Today I spotted some fabulous fashion photos from Russian photographer Margarita Kareva. Love her creative way of showing beauty. This is blog 02. I will post 3 blogs from her inspiring work .....

Margarita brings the beautiful mystery of Russian fairy tales to life through her fantastical portraits. Employing elaborate costumes and surreal props, each image is a peek into a mysterious, magical world. Kareva calls these vignettes Plein Air, as they take place among the gorgeous outdoor landscape with models who exude elegance - even when confronted with wild animals.

If you had told Kareva that five years ago she’d be a photographer, she wouldn’t have believed you. But, she picked up a camera back then and hasn’t stopped since. “I often say thanks to the universe for giving me a passion for my life,” she wrote. Her path to photography was a natural extension of her interests when she was younger. “I loved to read since childhood,” she explained, “and perhaps my love of reading has made me a dreamer and a person living in their fantasies.” It’s not something she takes for granted. “I’m glad that I had a way to play out my fantasies with the camera. It is very important for every person - to have their own way of expression.”

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Sources: Kareva School, Bored Panda, 500px and My Modern Met
All images via Margarita Kareva. 

Bathrooms: Stunning bathroom design by Taylor Howes Designs Ltd.

Would like to share with you this beautiful bathroom design by Taylor Howes Designs Ltd. Isn't it a Beauty? This blogpost is a repost of my blog of 08-01-2017. Be Inspired .........

Thank you for reading this blogpost.
Sources: House and Garden and Taylor Howes Designs

Gorgeous S/S 2024 RTW collection from fashion designer Zuhair Murad, Part 2

Would like to share with you today the gorgeous S/S 2024 RTW collection from fashion designer Zuhair Murad. His designs are so feminine, sensual with a touch of glamour. It's always a joy to see more of his new collections. I will post the coming period several blogs from this collection. At the end of this blog I also added the You Tube movie where all the gowns are showed. Be Inspired ....... Earlier I wrote more blogs about this fantastic designer, SEE HERE 

More about the designer
Zuhair Murad  is a Beirut-based Lebanese fashion designer. He is considered to be one of the most talented designers of the 21st century. Zuhair Murad was born and raised in Baalbek, Lebanon in 1971. His passion for fashion was visible from an early age. When he was 14, Zuhair won a TV contest with three outfits which defined his personal and particular style. That childhood passion led him to study at a design school in Paris and in 1997 he opened his very first atelier in Beirut. In 1999, Murad celebrated his international debut at the Alta Roma Fashion Week, following an invitation from the Camera Nazionale della Moda and three years later he presented his couture collection for the 1st time during Haute Couture Week in Paris.

Zuhair Murad, fashion designer. Source: A&E World

Chosen by L’agenzia per la Moda to appear at the official opening of the 2001 festival in Rome, Murad quickly became known as one of the best designers in Italy. This was the beginning of a new era for him. In 2005, he debuted the first Zuhair Murad RTW collection, a more simple – yet still aesthetically glamorous – contemporary line designed to meet the expanding needs of his clients. Two years later inaugurates his Parisian “Maison de Couture” in the heart of the Triangle d’Or on “François 1er” Street.

The international media has declared him as ‘the star rocketing designer’ and ‘one of the most promising young designers for the new era’ due to his unique style and creativity which ensure his ongoing successful career.

Since 2009 an enormous amount of celebrities likes to shine at important events with his unique pieces. His ability to turn every woman who wears his amazing pieces into a goddess make some believe that he stole Cinderella’s fairy grandmother’s stick and everything he designed was created with pure magic. His unique creations that define oriental essence and beauty have made their way towards all the major podiums, boutiques and personalities.

What initially began as a young boy’s hobby with little sketches and pictures painted on paper and canvas has now grown into a fashion empire with strong regional recognition and a growing global reputation.

‘I started from scratch and worked my way up’, says Murad who’s adventurous and aspiring nature have lead him to where he is today. Zuhair Murad is the perfect example of how ambition, perseverance and creativity can lead to an eclectic runway of life.

‘It’s about sensuality and femininity, along with a touch of glamour.’

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Sources: ZUHAIR MURAD, Fashion Elite and A&E World
Photos: courtesy of Zuhair Murad

Runway: Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2023

 Would like to share with you today some highlights of the Saint Laurent Pre-Fall collection for 2023. Be Inspired .......

Thank you for reading this blogpost.
Source: VOGUE
Photos: courtesy of Saint Laurent