But I said YES. I said Yes to the opportunity, the challenge and the unknown. My contact at Casa Decor said: you won’t regret it, it’s a hughe opportunity.

I knew Casa Decor because I studied, well still study, interior design at Insenia Design School in Madrid. An online Master in which I have finished the 1st block of three. For me it was an oppurtunity to improve my Spanish, learn Spanish with an object I am really interested in for whole my life. As a former hotel, spa and cooking studio owner. I knew interiors have to stand out to attract your customers. On this online Interior Master I first heard about Casa Decor.

We don’t have the concept in the Netherlands and they can explain it, but actually understanding the concept happens when you’re part of it.
Every year Casa Decor finds a new prestigious building in a Madrid. In this building brands, products, artists and interior designers work and connect together to make an inspirational interior design. You’ll find new ideas, another way of applying materials and so on.
So we had a connection market where you show your products. Many designers were interested in my ceramics. And my contact person helped me with the process and every time she said; you did really a great job. But I had no reference, so didn’t had a clue. I found out about that later.

Me and a friend brought all our ceramics in a minivan to Madrid. It was a crazy where construction workers, tiling, running around with cabinets and 2 chicas walking up and down the stairs searching for their rooms with boxes full of ceramics.
We installed a few totems, but most of the rooms we had to leave our products with the best instructions.

You can’t imagine what can happen in a week from then. The building was finished, all furniture on the right spots, moved again, cleaned and even the professional photo shoots were made. The grand opening for the press was a week later. And we were there again. And I started to understand the concept. It’s about networking, meeting people, compliment each other, meetings about interior design and so much more. I really recommend to visit it. The building by it self is outstanding.
It’s a in a remarkable 19th-century palace located in Madrid’s historic Barrio de las Letras.
The building was originally constructed between 1892 and 1895 as a noble residence for the Marquis of Los Vélez. Over time, the palace has lived many lives — from aristocratic home to convent and school — while preserving its elegant architectural character, including marble floors, stained glass windows and a monumental staircase. The historical context of the building you can find in the different interior concepts.

So, am I glad I said YES to this invitation? Yes. And we’ll see what it brings in the future.

Het bericht Studio Wild Orange at Casa Decor verscheen eerst op Studio Wild Orange.

Totems or vertical sculptures could easily become the next interior trend. At least if it were up to me. I simply love them. These architectural ceramic sculptures instantly give body to a space.

These stacked ceramic forms or sculptural objects can strengthen an interior enormously. They draw attention, add height to a room and bring an artistic vibe.
My totems are inspired by the stones I always stack on the beach, an activity somewhere between balance, shapes, concentration and, above all, the empty spaces. And of course a little competition element: how high can it go before it falls?

In my ceramic totems I stack geometric and organic shapes, searching for balance and unity.

Totems have actually been part of human life for centuries. As ritual or memorial objects. Or in landscapes where you find them as small stone stacks. Especially in mountainous areas, where they are used to mark paths.
These stone stacks are remnants of communication between people in nature. They represent strength, balance, stability and the journey of life.

In short, a totem is not just a sculpture or an interior object, but a versatile symbol.
But how do you choose the right height for a totem?

If you choose a totem that is too small, it disappears into the space. Too large, and it can feel heavy or dominant.
The totems of Studio Wild Orange are made to measure. When I once placed a 200 cm ceramic totem in my living room for a photoshoot, I discovered that it was simply too large for the space.
The object itself was beautiful, but in the room it felt too tall. The vertical line drew too much attention upward and the space became restless. The proportions with the furniture and the ceiling were no longer in balance.
Since then, I always look at the relationship between the object, the space and the furniture.
Below are a few simple guidelines.

Totem in the living room
The living room often contains many pieces of furniture: sofas, tables, cabinets. Because of this, an extremely tall totem does not always work well here.
Ideal height:
90 – 140 cm for a standard ceiling
140 – 170 cm for a more spacious living room
A totem of 200 cm can quickly feel too dominant in an average living room.

Totem in a hallway or entrance
Height actually works very well here.
A hallway usually has fewer pieces of furniture, more vertical space and functions as a first impression of the home.
Ideal height:
150 – 200 cm
A tall totem can almost function as a welcoming sculpture.
If your hallway has ceilings higher than about 3 meters, the totem could even be taller.

Totem in a corner of a large space
In a large living room or open space, a totem can add beautiful verticality.
Ideal height:
170 – 200 cm
Especially when placed next to a wall, in a niche or near a large window.

Spaces with high ceilings
If your ceilings are 3 meters or higher, the proportions change completely.
A totem of 180 – 220 cm can work beautifully because the space absorbs the height.
In a standard living room with ceilings of 240–260 cm, this height often feels out of proportion.

So always keep one thing in mind: proportion.
The perfect height of a totem depends on three things:
• ceiling height
• scale of the furniture
• how much visual calm the space has
A totem should feel like a sculpture that supports the space, not like a tower that demands all the attention.

A tip from the maker
Are you unsure about the height of a sculptural object?
Place a piece of painter’s tape on the wall marking the height of the totem.
This immediately shows whether the scale feels right in the space. And you can always ask me. And I help you to choose your totem.

Interior tip
We make our vertical sculpture in commission. Think about 2 totems made of smaller pieces next to each other with a variation in height. 
We can make them in different colours, shapes etc. 

See our Totems

Het bericht You want a totem in your interior, but what height? verscheen eerst op Studio Wild Orange.

I have been to Marrakesh before, from Spain it is easy to go on the ferry, drive trough this amazing country and buy and bring home what ever you like. So I was already a bit prepared for the overwhelming sense of colours, patterns, art, handcraft, odours, fabrics and sound. 

Last week I was on an interior inspiration trip. I need a little bit of travel to stay tuned and inspired. I love to see other craftsman dedicated to their art. All this input I carry with me, I don’t have to photograph everything. All impressions get into my memory and I know one day it will get out. 

I love to share what me inspired this trip. 

1. El Fenn. This hotel is amazing. The bold colours combined with tadelakt, velvet, hand-woven fabrics, metal, ceramic lamps, mid-century furniture, zelliges, metal bassins on a travertine base. And the rooftop all in red will surprise you. Who will pick red to do a whole space? It’s great with the red and white striped fabric, the red and white striped lamps in a huge amount, the green zelliges tables, pink and red cushions and above all the red ceramic plates in different sizes and patterns. Visit the El Fenn shop. They have things specially made for them.
2. Go to the Medina. And I know it is hard to not end up with a rug. But keep in mind where you want to put it. Don’t believe the vendor because you buy it too quick and too small. For a more modern style of rugs you have to go to the industrial area. Furthermore you can find in the medina herbs, brass lamps, ceramics, clothing, furniture and so much more. And yes, you have to negotiate about prices. For linen visit V. Barkowski. For a lot of furniture and hidden treasures visit Blaoui. 
3. Jnane Rumi is the latest hot spot outside Marrakesh from an interior and art kind of perspective. All rooms and spaces are well designed. An eclectic style of Moroccan handcrafted combined with art, antiques and colours.
4. For clothing I am a fan of Hainut, a handmade clothing shop. If something doesn’t fit, they tailor it for you and deliver it to your hotel. The shop across the street The Different is a great conceptstore. You will find in the Medina. 
5. For lunch and dinner there are so many places. But from an interior kind of perspective I can point out a few I have visited myself. Make reservations because it can be really busy in Marrakesh. Momo is the pastel restaurant on the square, great food as well. Le comptoir has an interesting Moroccan interior, good food and a show. You can visit Jardin du Lotus for the interior, the food is on a second plan. La Maison Arabe is a restaurant around a swimming pool: great food, good service and everyone takes the same instagram selfie what is a kind of funny. 
6. Sidi Ghanen is the industrial area where designers and craftspeople have their ateliers and vendor spaces. I was so suprised when I saw in a cushion atelier/shop, the same fabrics I use: a mix of African and Ikat fabrics. So I was not the only one seeing this unique vibe. Lrnce a Belgian artist with fabrics and ceramics. 
7. The secret garden. I thought it was too busy with people, but that’s me. I don’t like crowds, lines etc. The garden is beautiful and if you want a copy of the book of Bill Willis, it is the only place where it is for sale in the giftshop of the Yves Saint Laurent museum.  

Het bericht Designernotes #2 An interior inspiration trip to Marrakesh verscheen eerst op Studio Wild Orange.