la gardenista

Sundaymorning in the fairy-tale garden of my friend Lammie. She knows like no other how to create a unique personal garden and the joy that it brings each season. A gardenista with great style!

As you walk through her garden, you will find surprising corners everywhere and in the middle of the garden there's a small greenhouse, hidden behind a rose bush.

This garden... (sigh) all the greens, so many colors, the different plants, trees, vegetables and flowers.

atlas

A day trip to the mountains. Even before we leave Marrakech, we already can see the snowy Atlas peaks crystal clear afar. The road trip itself is already a treat. On the way we took a little break to visit the local market at the river Ourika. After a short bumpy ride we arrive at today's 'cool crochet hangout' with spectacular snow and sun view. But first a delicious lunch on the terrace overlooking the red valley.

After lunch we moved to a perfect spot by the pond, dressed in bikini, to start with the project of the day; a 'traditional' crochet cover for a suitcase size stool. A lot of chatter, lazing in the sun, tea and fun with crisp clear Atlas view!

roadtrip portugal - casa mãe

Casa Mãe - Lagos

The second stop of our roadtrip was in Lagos. We stayed 3 days at hotel Casa Mãe, a very special place by the city walls of Lagos.

Last year we found the Casa Mãe magazine in a bookshop in Lisbon. At that time they were still building the hotel. In this magazine there are interviews with all the designers, craftsman, chefs, gardeners. We already knew we would like to visit Casa Mãe one day...

Casa Mãe is much more than a hotel. It opened in October 2016. Casa Mãe is about colloborations with Portuguese designers. Overlooking the old historic city and the sea, Casa Mae comprises three very different houses combining old and new, traditions and modern design.

They have managed to preserve the traditional skills and techniques, experimenting with new ideas and designs. For example the handwoven rugs by GUR you can find everywhere in the building. The hotel also has it's own organic vegetable garden and out of town farm.

Perfect base to explore the well-kept secrets of the wild part of the Western Algarve.

@villa_augustus

Welcome to the Instagram account of Villa Augustus in Dordrecht.

I've been working at Villa Augustus since the opening in June 2007 and I've made many, many pictures on my workplace in all those years.

You can find them on my blogposts about Villa Augustus and later on my own @woodwoolstool instamgram account.

I photographed especially during my flower days, but also took photo's of the gardens, the interior, the hotel etcetera, because I really love my place where I work, it's such a special and inspiring place.

Sometimes I thought, hmmm... can I post another #atwork photo on my instagram? (haha)

Some months ago my manager Andrea asked me, if I would be interested to keep up the instagram account for Villa Augustus.

Yes great! Very nice! Awesome!

So since April 6, I am responsible for the official @villa_augustus instagram account, photography and management.

Photography in my workplace with unlimited possibilities to shoot and from now on I can 'legally' post workspace pictures, every day...

It would be nice if you take a look on @villa_augustus and maybe follow the account.
(or come to visit and see how beautiful it is in real life)

bab ourika

Getting to the Ourika river from the city takes about an hour by taxi.
From there to exquisite Kasbah Bab Ourika, through Berber villages and along bumby mountain roads is a spellbinding journey.
The road ends on the top of the hill with an amazing view on the Ourika valley at the foot of the High Atlas mountains.
Behind the high fortress wall, you find paradise.
An amazing hotel and restaurant around two courtyards. On the tables you will find fresh flowers from the garden.
The terraces offer great views of the valley and the snow-capped mountains.
When you walk to the end of the garden, you end up in the vegetable garden, it's stunning!
Every time I visit this place, I feel so happy. This time it was even more special, because I brought my family and friends.

We had a wonderful day.