city’s most colorful shopping street.
Minutes later I was strolling down the Rozengracht, a wide
avenue located in the Jordaan district, an area that is well-known for its art galleries, diverse shops, boutiques, and fine
eateries. My first stop was Kitsch Kitchen, a veritable feast
of colorful homeware and cookware. Their in-store mural is a
must-see for color inspiration! You can’t miss the store–it has
a pink shop front, just one of the many colorful facades that
charmed me during my visit. You’ll find a vibrant mix of brights
for the kitchen and beyond, from neon-striped wicker baskets
to paint-dipped pots, and polka-dot-printed vinyl materials
available in an array of colors. This is the ideal place to pick up a
fun yet practical memento from your trip.
A short walk up the Rozengracht and I arrived at Nordic New,
a very different color offering. Struck by the sophisticated gray
exterior and blue window display, I ventured inside. The store
specializes in modern Scandinavian furniture accessories and
knick-knacks made mainly by Northern European designers.
I found chic cabinets from Asplund accessories, lighting by
Tom Dixon, and tableware from Iittala, all offering shoppers the
chance to add color to their homes in traditional Scandi style.
The diverse offering makes Nordic New a worthwhile stop on
your itinerary for gaining stylish ideas and introducing color into
your own space.
I was keen to search out a third option in the area, and I hit
the jackpot when I happened upon Raw Materials on the other
side of the street. Raw Materials is like an Aladdin’s cave for
any vintage maven. Expect to find rustic industrial homewares,
vintage signs and packaging, and weathered textures aplenty.
I really liked their A-Z of worn letters; they are a great way to
bring typographic and colorful elements into the same scheme.
I felt at home the moment I arrived
in Amsterdam. The vibrant city
is a juxtaposition of bustling,
frenetic streets (or straatjes, as
they are referred to locally) against
peaceful canal-side walkways.
After an afternoon shopping in the main design district, I was
feeling invigorated and inspired by the welcoming and creative
locals. Amsterdam is a great city to visit with loose plans; enjoy
taking the time to aimlessly stroll the tree-lined canal banks,
popping in and out of small, independent boutiques as you do.
The city embraces color and new stores are opening all the
time. A case in point was discovering the newly opened Mariska
Meijers Amsterdam–they recently opened their premier
location on the Singel Canal. Located just between Jordaan’s
9 Straatjes ( 9 Streets) and the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market),
the creative aesthetic of artist and designer Mariska Meijers is a
perfect fit for the area, as it matches the eclectic attitude of the
9 Streets and the colorful floral theme of the market. Be sure
to stop by and shop Mariska’s original designs across a mix of
home accessories and furniture, all complimented by an ever-evolving collection of art, antiques, and vintage furniture.
Before my visit I’d not considered Amsterdam to be my first
port of call for color inspiration. However, as I arrived back in
London and battled my way across town on the Tube, I closed
my eyes and escaped to my new color love: Amsterdam.
