We Dutch people tend to complain about the weather but we have good reason for this: it has been raining non stop and Spring has never been so cold since 1984. Time to escape to sunnier places! For instance to these lovely houses on Spanish island Ibiza. Most of the summer houses featured here on my blog are not for rent. But good news, Can Sola and Casita Luna can be rented! You can find more information and images on my other blog The Travel Files. I started this blog a while ago but due to family circumstances I was not able to update it for a while but I will start blogging on a regular basis again. You can also follow The Travel Files on Facebook and Twitter.

Brût Amsterdam is a great new store in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Brût – French for raw- is the perfect word to describe their collection. Each product has a history, often initially not made to be used in homes. For example, parts of an old machine now function as a table stand. You can visit their bricks and mortar shop in Amsterdam or check out their ‘vintage industrials’ online.

Brût Amsterdam – Witte de Withstraat 126, Amsterdam

Marijke Arkley is an emerging textile designer based in Sydney, Australia. During her study Textile Design Marijke discovered her love for weaving, a love that has only grown since buying her own loom. It’s at her loom, that she brings to life her beautiful and unique pieces. All pieces are individually designed and hand woven by Marijke herself. Her aim with each piece is to bring a contemporary look to an ancient craft. Marijke predominately uses natural fibers to create not only a beautiful look but also a luxurious feel. No two cushions are identical, reflecting the true nature of the handmade and hand woven.

This is the Danish home of architect Kasper Ronn and his wife Julie. The house had been a large barn which they split in two so that Julie’s sister could live next door with her husband. Inside, Kasper and Julie have kept their interior free of clutter yet surprisingly cosy. The raw brick walls have been kept bare and this contrast beautifully with the chandelier in the hallway and the polished concrete floor. Upstairs the rooms are minimal and because of this, the pieces that Kasper and Julie have chosen stand out even more. I love the black pendant lights in the dining room (top image), they are the Topan VP6 from Verner Panton.

(images and information via Style NV)

Today an old favorite! I blogged about this gorgeous home on Formentera two years ago and it has been a favorite of many readers. I just love the use of natural materials. Look at those large wooden doors! Also the wooden kitchen cabinets, the bathroom and the outdoor area are stunning.

Beautiful natural stone tile floors can be found through the entire home.

And of course the bathroom (images above and below) is stunning as well. I love the driftwood mirror, I have a similar one in my home.

(images by Jordi Canosa / styled by Daniela Cavestany)

This lovely home of stylist Anna Church is nestled in a beautiful cove on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island. The home is small so the owners had to be clever with space. The window seat (image below) for example is also a hidden storage space.

(images by K. Emirali, via Home Life)

Villa Mandarina is a beautiful home set along the Costa del Sol, Spain. This house is a dream that come true to Ana T. Béjar. As a result of her work the house has turned into haven of light and peace. The crisp white interiors adds brightness to the space, while the outdoor patio offers stunning sea views.

(images by masfotogenica)

This cosy home in London is decorated with vintage finds such as designer classic furniture pieces and accessories such as the Catherineholm enamelware in the kitchen. The living room (top image) is personalised with matelpiece treasures, including an original pewter pilgrim’s spoon. A wonderfully worn camp bench unearthed at an antique market is used as a coffee table.

(images by Polly Wreford, via Home Life)

This beach cottage near Paternoster on the West Coast of South Africa is built entirely of local stone. The charming house was designed to blend into the surrounding countryside. And the location can’t get any better! The cottage is located on a private nature reserve overlooking an undisturbed beach. A perfect spot for escaping busy city life!

(images by Micky Hoyle, via House & Leasure)

The office from fashion label Free People in Philadelphia is just gorgeous! I remember seeing some photos of their offices a while ago and the first thing I noticed where the chairs upholstered with sari fabric. I could not get this idea out of my head and I was happy to see that Fab is offering butterfly chairs with vintage sari fabric for upholstery (see last image).

These chairs provide an unusual addition to your interior. The fabric features Kantha embroidery, a traditional technique popular in Bengal. Due to the handcrafted nature of the textile, each chair is entirely unique. I want to purchase one of these chairs but I have a hard time choosing which one as they are all so beautiful…

(images from the Free People office via Garance Dore)

White, rattan, wood, combined with neutral tones and perhaps a little bit of grey. To me this combination never gets boring. This natural style is especially perfect in summer time!

(image source: 1. & 7. Jeroen van der Spek for VT Wonen, 2. HK Living, 3. Bodie and Fou / Sukha /Unomatudo / VT Wonen, 4. Verdade de Sabor, 5. Elle Decor South Africa)

I’m loving these stylish leather envelope i-pad sleeves! Hand made by ANVE, a small label whose aim is to make objects that stay with their owners and become more beautiful with life. ANVE: “We draw our inspiration from discovery tours through Lisbon, a beautiful old city full of hidden workshops and warehouses. Our past lives in places like Basel and Vienna have certainly influenced our way to look at things.”

Everything in their shop is handmade with love — either crafted with the help of small local manufacturers or created in their own studio.

This lovely apartment looks spacious but this two room home in Gothenburg, Sweden, measures only 50m2. I love how limited space is used and the decoration is just beautiful. Is this your dream home? Lucky you: it is for sale!

(images Jonas Berg for Stadshem / via Landinskan and Emmas Designblogg)

Today a stylish outfit for a beautiful summer evening!

1. antiqued bronze bar-chain necklace by Pamela Love;
2. leather and earthy beads wrap bracelet;
3. stylish maxi dress with beautiful kimono sleeves;
4. soft jersey hobo bag with fringes;
5. teardrop earrings with glimmering beads;
6. stunning sandals from Rebecca Minkoff.

An old crumbling industrial building has been transformed into a modern and spacious home in Berlin, Germany. The owners had the almost impossible dream of of finding a haven in the middle of the city: a bright and spacious house with a garden for the children play in. Thanks to Miethe + Quehl, the architectural firm that is responsible for the renovation of the factory building, they succeeded in realizing this dream. The owners’ Scandinavian roots are reflected in the interior design. Various Scandinavian design classics can be found in the light and spacious rooms.

(images via Nuevo Estilo)

Some pale pink eye candy. Have a lovely day everyone!

(image source: 1. Stadshem, 2. sunlitwaterscape, 3. Visje bij de thee, 4. Karina Manarin, 5. BoligLiv)

These lovely Ibiza poufs are almost sold out. The last ones are now available with a discount. I could not resist keeping a large pouf and some smaller ones for myself.. These images here are all shot in my home.

(images by the style files)

I am looking for a white armchair for my son’s bedroom that I’m redecorating. I love the Gost armchair (top image) designed by Paola Navone for Gervasoni. It has been on my wish list for a long time. But this chair comes with a price tag (around 2000 EUR). An alternative is the chair featured in the image below, which is the Ektorp chair from IKEA (199 EUR). Not as beautiful but a hell of a lot cheaper..

(image source: 1. Romain Ricard, 2. Frufly)

I was preparing this post and suddenly I remembered that I had already featured this gorgeous summer home in South Africa. But as many of you might not have seen it before (plus I have added new images), here it is again! There might be more duplicate posts after 7 years of (almost) daily blogging… This laid-back wood-clad bungalow on Cape Town’s Bakoven beach oozes seaside style. The lucky owners are Cathy, Mike and their three children. A lover of bargain finds, the resourceful Cathy did the interiors herself. ‘A well-known interior designer once came up from the beach and had a look, and his advice has always stuck with me – he said that the painting was outside the window and that whatever happened inside shouldn’t compete with it,’ she recalls.

(images by Micky Hoyle via House & Leisure)

Some favorite things that I found this week in off white and beige.

(image source: 1. Neutra, 2. Toast, 3. Joe Coca, 4. Totokaello, 5. Maryam Nassir Zadeh, 6. Jasmine Crystal)

This stunning beach house in Punta del Este, Uruguay, is designed by Martín Gómez Arquitectos. It is built with nature in mind. The building itself is simple but it has all to enjoy life to the fullest. I wouldn’t mind spending some time here..

(image source: Martín Gómez Arquitectos, via Desire to Inspire)

A mix of raw and finished materials add textural interest to the interior of this modern home in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In the open-plan dining area (image above) a graphic circle adds drama to the otherwse undecorated plasterboard. Splashed of red and orange give some colors to the sober color scheme. Personally the colors are a bit too dark for me. Living in The Netherlands I know it can rain quite often and days can be dark and short, that’s why I prefer lighter colors which add light to a space. What do you think?

(images by Nathalie Krag, via Homelife)

This eco friendly country home in Uruguay is owned by artist Pablo Reinoso. The decor is left very simple: some Thonet chairs, basic furniture pieces and cotton fabrics from Indian are used to decorated the various rooms. The bathroom features a huge trunk that is embedded in the polished concrete floor and serves as a towel rack. The many outdoor places were designed to enjoy the southern summer. Although this lovely house is simple, it has all one might need!

(images by R.Labougle, via ELLE Decor Spain)

We have been going to Ibiza, Spain, for some years now and I think it is a wonderful holiday destination. Most people think of Ibiza as a party place but this is just a small part of the island. There are gorgeous beaches, lovely little villages and beautiful nature to be discovered.

Also, some stunning houses can be found on the island!

These images are all taken on Ibiza by German photographer Janne Peters. Enjoy!

(all images by Janne Peters)