A new view

Our living room has always been a work in progress. Because its one of the rooms that we use the most as a family. 

I wanted to create a living space that is light, spacious, low maintenance and most of all comfortable for all family members.  

So why did I choose this couch? You guys heard me talking about the colour white always brings brighttnes in small spaces. This couch has been a piece I've thought about adding to our living room for a year but after finding out that this Arild couch has been out of collection at Ikea I went looking second hand. So when I saw this jewerly on Dutch 'marktplaats' I couldn't resist it. Now we have this lovely piece in our living room and it has everything I was looking for.
- tip: a dark colour couch on a white wall will stand out and making it seem like the couch is coming to you. So choose a light colour palette that blends in because you need to avoid to much contrast between the walls, floors and furniture. 

So before we go off and celebrate our weekend. I wanted to share our new couch and so our new view!

Second hand couch

Pouf

Neon heart light

Minimalism & motherhood

I find minimalism and motherhood can mix together and I think that a lot of people think they don't, which in my opinion is a misconception. 
Yes, we need to create an environment for our children that is stimulating. But that doesn't mean a kids room has to look a certain way. There doesn't have to be a discussion of what a kids room should be or look like. 
The most simple toys are the ones that bring a lot to Aoki and they are the most rewarding. 
Instead of searching for that one hit wonder song and play it over and over again. But then after a while you just remove it from your list. I want to invest less in trends and focus on what really matters. This also applies to Aoki's toys. Things like wooden blocks, that can be used as a whole town or food, or two hula hoop that end up for two little island on the floor or a wooden apple dollhouse that all of her little friends can visit mister dinosaur but it also can be used as a picnic basket. I know its not getting that x-factor reaction but in my experience its the most longevity as they inspire more imagination but also can be used in ten different ways.
As a dancer I always need to think outside of the box. This also applies in my type of motherhood by keeping it less and better.

A sneak a peak of Aoki room (part 1)

I'm such a perfectionist what comes writing a blog. Because I'm very insecure about my language but I've learned to keep blogging real.
So here is a blogpost about Aoki room part 1. I want to show you guys what we have done so far. 

As you can see at the picture here above this was taken from last year. She just got her new bed and floor. 

In the mean time her little room has changed from all white kids room to a monochrome black and white Aoki's room. This time I've chosen for the colour black. Why? because I find the colour black is chic. And I want to put that chicness into her little room. 

Before picture 

After Picture

Bed Ikea Miffy lamp bol.com accessoires little wannabes mevrouw aardbei 

My personal definition of Minimalism

What is 'minimalism'? After researching and spending many hours on the internet and reading a couple of famous minimalist blogs, I found that every minimalist has his or her own reason and vision of why they are a minimalist.

For me... I am a highly sensitive person. Not only am I an artistic person, but my art is dance. I've danced since I could walk. Also studied dance for six years at an academy and still learning. 
It took me years to come to this conclusion and it took even longer to accept it. Having not to worry about every little thing is very challenging for me. 
My boyfriend on the other hand is great at letting things go. I am also a person that is easily stressed because I overthink and analyze situations or problems in detail. Letting things and problems go is something I should practice on a daily basis. 
So getting to know myself and understand that I am a human being, are all key elements that play an important role in my very own relationship with minimalism. I've found that having fewer things, subsequently fewer things to worry about and manage, brings me to my own peace and most important piece of my family. There is something really liberating about only having what you need and trying to avoid all sorts of unnecessary excess and needing less.

Minimalistic space saving Tree

This year I want something else. 
Looking around for a Christmas Tree that I will probably throw away after one Christmas, doesn't feel right to me. So I wanted something that is simple and doesn't cost more than ten euro's. 

My favourite part is how it doesn't use up all of the space. Which is very important in an small house. 
And Aoki made the decorations herself. 
To make this it only takes a half an hour of your time. While you measure the tree your kid can draw the decoration. 

/1 

You need a washi tape and Christmas light ( found mine at ikea ).

/2

Measure it how big you want the three to be and paste the washi tape on a blank wall.

/3 

Put the Christmas light on and the drawing  and DONE!