And no day is the same

2010-01-16T02:37:00.000-08:00

Wanted: Interior Designers

I regularly receive emails from customers asking if we provide interior design services. Well, at the moment we don't as we are busy enough as it is finding exciting new designs and running the businesses.

If you are are an interior designer specialising in stunning, contemporary design , preferably Dutch and living in the UK, email me.

2009-12-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

Last week our new consignment of the marvellous Juju hats arrived.

They look fabulous on walls, adding instant texture and colour to interiors and are very popular with interior designers.

A customer visited our showroom to select a few. After informing us that he was colour-blind, he said he was looking for a blue one.

What kind of blue is that? he asked. Turqoise. Can you describe that colour?

Errrrr. See a very flustered Dean, desperately trying to describe Turquoise.

We really do go the extra mile for our customers.

2009-12-10T02:51:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know it has been months since I blogged, I have been ill with the dreaded Swine flu and I can tell you that that is no fun at all. It takes weeks to recover from and I am still quite tired.

As Christmas is approaching very soon (yes so do get your gifts now, please don't leave it to the last minute) here is a a solution to proudly display all your Christmas cards, the Christmas Card Tree Holder.

Simply hook it over the back of a door et voila you can display all your Christmas cards.

2009-10-23T03:35:00.000-07:00

Oops, seems the Home Duvet is causing an uproar in the States at the moment, AOL has written about the design here

Now we donate 30% of profits to homeless charities and we want to highlight and open up the discussion on homelessness in a frank and open way.

Judging from the comments on Shelterpop, we managed to at least open the discussion.

Last year I actually slept on the street for 1 night as part of the Centrepoint charity fund raising event and it was the most terrifying, tiresome and lonely experience of my life. I have the utmost respect for people who have to sleep on the streets day in day out.

I hope it will at least force people to think how they treat homeless people the next time they pass a person sleeping rough on the street, have a chat and maybe buy them a hot drink or some food.

2009-09-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

I love super clever design that not only looks good but makes your life easier too!

Take the Hook Me Up Laundry bag.

The Hook Me Up is a laundry bag with a multi-functional twist. Because of its construction, you can hang it wherever you like, in your bedroom, bathroom, next to or above your washing machine and dryer. When it's full you can carry the laundry bag, with or without the metal construction, to the washing area.

Or just grab the laundry out of the bag from the top or open the zipper which is attached to the bottom.

2009-09-11T02:55:00.000-07:00

One of our lovely customers, a very talented artist called Jane McCracken sent me an email with her new website address

Jane makes the most amazing biro pen drawings and portraits like the Russian Doll drawing which I found utterly compelling and really moving.

Her new series of work 'Tales from the East', involves strong images floating on stark white paper or images stirred by her photographic stills of films and documentaries then drawn in layers as if the stills are projected on top of one another, creating an ethereal final image.

Jane is looking for at a good gallery in London and Scotland to display her work, you can contact her via her website.

2009-09-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

New this week is this stunning Wine Glass Chandelier .

I love this design with the wine glasses hanging in the metal framework. When the light is on, it spreads a lovely, soft light reflected in every glass.

Perfect above the dining table as a stunning centre piece or in the hallway to make a statement.

2009-08-10T03:56:00.000-07:00

Jazz up your bedroom with this stylish, funky alarm clock .

The Mini Cube Alarm Clock finished in an imitation maple veneer, is a gorgeous alternative to everyday alarm clocks. When it's switched off, the internal battery will still keep the time.

Better still, it has the all important snooze button!

2009-04-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Love love love the brand new Tord Boontje Charming jewellery charms

Simply hang on any gold or silver chain you have lying around or use the cord that come with it. Simplicity itself but oh so beautiful.

2009-04-22T04:07:00.000-07:00

Forever racing against time, I love the new Racing Car & Motorcycle Clock They are so cute and the perfect gift for little and big boys.

The extended red hand features a litle blue racing car racing against time.

2009-04-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

I went to Madame Tussaud London this weekend and to my amazement 6 of our Gypsy Chandeliers were on display.

It looked great, of course I did not have my camera with me : ( So there, Dutch By Design is a tiny bit 'famous' now.

2009-04-13T01:32:00.000-07:00

I adore these prints of bikes from Dripstick . As I am originally from Amsterdam, I really miss cycling everywhere like you can only do in the Netherlands.

Now which prints to chose, that is the big question!

2009-03-31T03:05:00.000-07:00

No, I haven't run away to join the circus!

I have been extremely busy to get our new website up and running so I haven't had the time to write for our blog. Do get and check it out on http://www.dutchbydesign.com

I am currently coveting our Golden Eggs Money Banks. Great as a chocolate free alternative for Easter.

2009-02-18T23:13:00.001-08:00

I am still working on getting our new website (which should have been finished end of September!) up and running as soon as possible. It seems web developers have an entirely new concept of time ie their calendar doesn't match the one everybody else uses, end of rant!

In the meantime, I absolutely LOVE the new Bird in the Bush Cups, they are so cute and adorable!

2008-11-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

Having participated in the Sleep Out in support of Centrepoint last Thursday, which involved sleeping outside on the cobbled streets in the City of London, I now have a better understanding what it exactly means to be without a home.

Sleeping outside on cobbled street with just carton boxes as your mattress is slightly unreal, it is uncomforable, scary and cold. The random sounds and lights and potential danger mean you can't really get into a deep sleep, leaving you ultimately knackered.

Sleeping on the streets must mean you just go on to survive the day, trying to get food, sleep and shelter, you don't get to think of tomorrow, you just to get through today.

So sleep under a cardboard box duvet cover so a homeless person doesn't have to. We donate 30% of gross profits to Centrepoint, the charity for young homeless persons.

2008-11-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

Dutch by Design is a sponsor of Centrepoint, the charity for young homeless people, we donate 30% of gross profits of the Home Duvets sold to Centrepoint.

I am so impressed by the wonderful work they do, not only do they offer a roof over young people's heads, they also offer practical and much needed emotional support.

I am taking part in the Sleep Over charity event tonight which involves sleeping out in the open overnight (there is security etc but it is going to be cold!)

I have packed my thermals, sleeping back and some courage, I will let you know how it went tomorrow morning.

2008-11-11T04:41:00.000-08:00

Divorce and moving house are supposedly the most stressful things in life. Believe me moving office and warehouse and launchingour new Contemporary Lighting & Home Accessories website at the same time are an experience which I do not want to repeat ever again.

We have now finally settled in our fabulous office/showroom in Greenwich, London, our warehouse relocated to Surrey and we are putting the final touches to our new website this week, due to be launched very soon, I promise.

2007-12-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Take the dog for a walk with these fabulous bags. Hand-made from real leather, it is not for the shy among us, as you are bound to be noticed but I think it is a real find.

2007-12-03T01:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, house hunt is over, I finally found where I want to live, it is the Pigeon Point Light Tower!

I just don't know where it is, a minor detail.

I found this photo on Flickr and I think it is absolutely amazing. Apparently once a year at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse they shut down the weak insipid modern (presumably electric) light and switch over the the 5 kerosene lamps and fresnel lens of the original, as it was 135 years ago.

Shame that there are no light towers in the South East of London, I will just go and sulk now.

2007-11-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

I have just fallen in love with this gorgeous African Christmas Tree from my colleagues at Design My World I absolutely love love love it.

Designed by a South African label called Tin Town, I think it is a great alternative to the traditional Pine tree and it won't drop any needles either!

2007-11-22T04:22:00.000-08:00

It is absolutely manic here at Dutch by Design, the Keyhanger Board was featured in the Sunday Times and the telephone has been ringing of the hook ever since. There must be many people there that can't find their keys and are frantically searching or them like myself, according to the mountain of orders that have come in.

We are planning a complete overhaul of our website in 2008, any suggestions/ideas would be more than welcome.

Please email me what you would like to see/expect/demand and I will see what we can implement.

2007-11-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

My favourite colour at the moment for interiors is Red.

According to this source, Red the most emotionally intense color, stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

I sure love this Red Medicine Cabinet for the bathroom.

The Rose Trivet is the perfect accent for kitchen or dining room, it just adds some individual quirkiness that I really like.

2007-11-06T01:56:00.000-08:00

You know you have sold many, many chandeliers when you go house-hunting and find your chandeliers in prospective homes.

This weekend we went to view a house in South East London. We were delighted to see the white chandelier in one of the bedrooms. It looked absolutely fantastic.

The house did not live up to the elegance of the chandelier (oddly there was a bidet but no toilet in the master bathroom ) so the house hunt continues.

If you want to bag a bargain, we have some B-Quality white chandeliers left which are sold for less than half the normal price £35 instead of the usual £85. Please call us on 08708 921 903 and grab a bargain.

2007-11-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

I have just discovered that interior journalist Barbara Chandler http://www.barbarachandler.co.uk/ is a very talented photographer. I have known Barbara for a good few years now so it is nice to see another side of her. I love her handmade cards mounted with a real mounted photograph which are a steal for the price as well.

I love this image, to me it depicts real love and companionship.

And as a mother I can't resist this image, it conveys everything about being a parent.

2007-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

As buyer for Dutch by Design I always strive to source the best, new design from the Netherlands from up-and-coming designers.

The best thing about finding a great new design is the great rush you feel when you find a winning design.

A great example is the Selfshelf

I knew I had found a winner as the Selfshelf was original, functional, witty and poetic.

Another indication was the phone call I received from the stylist of a magazine photo shoot asking if they could send me a cheque for the shelves instead of returning the shelves.

Three years on, the Selfshelves has appeared in magazines, newspapers and on television all over the world and is bound to be a design classic..

2007-10-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

My name is Venka. I live in London where I have the pleasure to be - among many other things - Buyer for the trendy online outlet for Dutch design interior accessories http://www.dutchbydesign.com/ I decided to start blogging for two reasons: I'd like a place to kick around ideas for designs and because I'd like a place to talk about functional design & events in the design community. I'm hoping it will also be a way for some of my friends to keep up with what I'm up to, since I'm very busy all the time and am thus not always so fast with my email correspondence... So here we go...