Winifred Wikkeling

We wandered into the wild world of Wanders and we wondered

Wouldn’t it be fun if

in addition to

revisiting some of our loves

Skygarden Lamp by Marcel Wanders

Via  Spotd.it

Or

re-affirming

the

strength

of

beautiful lines

in

black

new antiques armchair by Marcel Wanders

Via Unicahome

we had instead

been taken by surprise

with a close-up of

something decadent, something marvelous, something fantastic

Antelope by Marcel Wanders for Bisazza

Via Bisazza

and we could daydream of taking a ride

different than any we’ve taken before?

It appears the idea of cutting back can be interpreted quite a few different ways, the most amusing of which had to be the concept as it was relayed on the runway by Viktor & Rolf.

Viktor & Rolf

Via Style

We would gladly

settle for just

the top

And give our more serious consideration

to this footwear

or further contemplate

these…

We love an adventure.

We like to discover things.

We wanted to discover Naarden

and het Arsenaal.

We thought the trip to Naarden would be fun. We were told getting there would be easy. We like that 1 metro and 2 bus rides later – one of which had to be hailed from the side of a high way – we were undeterred, still committed to the goal. It was about 20 minutes into our walk when

things

started to

look up a bit.

We were finally approaching

the walled city

of Naarden

a star-shaped vesting

with

a lovely

city hall

and we continued on until we reached the collection of shops

that make up

Het Arsenaal

Moooi at Jan des Bouvries

where we could explore

its unique setting

and around every corner find a surprise,

especially the surprise of a courtyard

where we almost

forgot

we were still in Holland.

Of course we were planning to make a visit. There were some things we wanted to see. But we had not yet decided when. What we had planned, was a trip to the Noorder Markt. What we stumbled upon, was

Thus we took the opportunity

to take a look at this

blow away vase by Front

…to touch its curves,

study its twisted decor

And we thought, the only thing that could be better

would be if we could see

step by step iterations

of blow away Delft Blauw;

a bit like this

dancing vases by Robin van Hontem

we would love it.

Bombastique Lamp Silver

Esther van Emmerik

.

.

Perhaps we would find a guiding light

.

.

Springtide Wall Lamp

.

.

that would reveal this

.

.

Springtide Oval Lamp

.

.

But luckily, we have discovered Esther

.

.

Bombastique Lamp Black

.

.

And the world of Eve Design…

.

Thus instead of going to battle,

we go Bombastique…

Narcissus by VanEsch

Most often a mirror is for gazing, at times for questioning and sometimes for reflecting. After gazing we questioned, what might our Narcissus reflect? Would it be, thank you for this journey, thank you for the obstacles, thank you for your perseverance? Or maybe, thank you for your fearlessness, thank you for your exploration, thank you for your open mind? It might also say, thank you for your intuition, your questioning, your searching. But then we would have to add, thank you for your growth, your dynamic style. Surely we would want it to offer, thank you for surprising, thank you for believing, thank you for receiving. We would hope for enough space to thank you for that laugh – disproportionate and loud – for it was there with us always when we needed it most…

Pixelated Chair By Studio Makkink & Bey

Via Design Boom

Ah…the Dutch. Clever, liberated, progressive, open. Intellectually curious about all cultures, history and creativity. Humanitarians? Yes, Internationale Zamenwerking tells us just how so. As does a very relaxed justice system. It is fitting then that Studio Makkink & Bey would create this project titled ‘A Poor Haute Couture,’ a commentary on consolidation in the luxury market and the left over materials that are normally not of interest in design. We wondered: was it the landscape free of a death penalty that allowed this chair to take shape? Our first glance made us shiver, our second glance made us confused, our third made us blush a little. Though we like this free form design, unplanned and unstructured, we continue to feel a bit of anxiety. Is the overeenkomst with the electric chair apparent to us alone?

Vondel Verses by Anouk Vogel and Johan Selbing

Via Dezeen

Every so often we realize that the child in us holds much sway over our tastes. We never quite got over the elfin world of Galadriel, and the work of Natalie Shau makes us envious. We like the way she stirs sweetness with a little bitter; her light holds the allure of the dark. It reminds us of the lovely leaps of our stomach when as a child we would tread dangerously close to the forbidden. Vondel Verses, the new furniture designed for Amsterdam’s Vondel Park, makes us excited for the forbidden. We like the strength of cast iron benches that suggest a heavy gate. They don’t so much seem intended for sitting as they are protective, keeping us out, holding something back. The daffodil shapes of the lamp posts are noncommittal. At first glimpse, daffodils, but a second look may reveal something other. And the ivy patterns of the kiosks, is there a secret message in those swirls? Though the furniture is intended to be romantic there is a strong hint of mischief. Vondel Verses wants to take us on an adventure. We will gladly come along…

Candelabrum by Joost van Bleiswijk

With a name like Winifred, it should be no surprise that we have an affinity for traditions more of the Victorian kind. What we wouldn’t do for a chamber maid to draw our baths and there were times after a work out, we were left so fatigued and weary, we sincerely felt only a personal dresser could see us through. Thus, we immediately fell for Joost van Bleiswijk’s candelabrum. Though striking and clever in its modern assembly, the candelabrum exudes the slightly dark and mysterious aura of another time. We rather picture it carried by a brooding Mr. Darcy rushing a dark, foreboding hallway, anxious to find his Elizabeth. It’s as if the candelabrum has witnessed and then captured many a deep and dark secret. We feel we could entrust it with ours…