Thinking of Holland 

The above quote from a well-known poem of Hendrik Marsman is the name of a brand-new shop in Amsterdam. Dorret Griffioen, the owner of the shop, had simply had it with all the junk that ordinary souvenir shops were selling. She believed that Holland, with all its internationally acclaimed designers and tourists alike, deserved so much better.

Thinking of Holland

The Passengers Terminal on Piet Heinkade 23, where all big cruise boats harbor, suited her strategy. In a posh interior, designed by Thomas Cruijsen, you’ll find several items that’ll remind you of Holland. Though not especially conceived as souvenirs, these high quality objects often have a twist and provoke memories of the Low Countries. Unfortunately 'Zealand sweetheart' doesn’t belong to the shop but you’ll definitely find related jewelry or motives from her attire.

Droog

Thinking of Dutch Design, I immediately think of Droog. A design label and platform for designers. Droog meaning dry, a reproach we Dutch are repeatedly blamed for, produces unpretentious, funny but functional objects.

Droog

In a historical building in the Staalstraat, Droog established its flag store and a gallery where young designers exhibit their creations. Here you can wander around, marveling a table, a kitchen or enter the lovely garden. For me, it feels more like visiting the new apartment of a friend than dwelling in a design shop. I always sneak in to see if they still have the big hare in their collection. It’s such a pity that my floor isn’t roomy enough to have such an opulent doormat.

One advantage of having children is that you come to know everyone regardless of class or profession. My daughter played in kindergarten with the son of the director of Mediamatic an (e)cultural institution operating in the field of new media, art and society. Right now the threat of a substantial cut in state grants forces Mediamatic to fight back with highly ludicrous activities in the city. Measures such as handing over their library to the public and several other protests recall the spirit of the activism of art movements like Cobra or the Situationist International.

Like a Comme des Garçons guerrilla store, their office hopped from one over the top location to the next. Having just left POST CS (the building where Club 11 used to be) they have now opened their doors in the former headquarters of the ABN bank.

This summer Mediamatic curated an exhibition IKIKIK=MEMEME with designer Andrea Crews, who is known for similar events in Palais de Tokyo (Paris) and Madrid.

During this interactive show on fashion and self representation on the internet, with what they call a big component of DIY=do-it-yourself, you can perform on several levels: you can join upcycle yourself workshops, professional catwalk workshops, buy retro basic clothes for 5 euro a kilo and sew them straight away into streetwear, participate in photoshoots to name but a few of them.

A huge pile of clothes in the middle of the ground floor of this old bank building dominates the space, flanked by sewing machines, a bar with a garden view and a catwalk. For those who are not ultimately creative themselves you can buy some piece of clothes and let Mediamatic takeover the complete the makeover.

Mediamatic Bank; Vijzelstraat 68

Exhibition 18 July-14 September 2008

As a result of the omnipresence of the water, Amsterdam is even more beautiful seen from a water perspective. Recently somebody mentioned me that Daan and Jasmijn Stoelinga were hiring out a tiny motorboat for Boat&Breakfast purposes.

Sheltered by Daan’s house boat, the little white boat lays for anchor on the Amstel, the river that gave the city its name. In fact, at this top location, with the town hall and Opera (Stopera) in your backyard and the Waterlooplein at a stone’s throw away, you are right in the middle of the cultural heart of the city and from your private terrace you have a view over the most beautiful part of the river.

Puccini

Just across the bridge, the place to drink your morning coffee is Puccini on Staalstraat 17.

Personally I can hardly imagine anything more romantic: just me and my love in a tiny boat on the big river. Not owning a boat myself, I always enjoy the opportunity to accompany friends on a boat trip. Feeling the wind, sensing freedom, everything on the water becomes pure leisure. We often take a picnic with us, but normally we are too captivated by the water to climb ashore. For myself, the water is to filthy to feel tempted to swim, but lots of people go for a dive in the Ij channel or another muddy canal.

Grimburgwal

Before going home we make a little farewell tour, always passing my most beloved canal Grimburgwal, still unspoiled by city life. At night, when the streets are softly illuminated, it’s hard to choose which way to walk because touched by the light everything develops a certain splendor.

Café de Engelbewaarder

You can have your slaapmutsje, the famous last drink, in Café de Engelbewaarder on Kloveniersburgwal 59. Although with your cheeks rosy from the wind and sunshine, almost any café would do to prolong this relaxed mood.
 

Traveling with your sweetheart can become quite a challenge in a city full of wonderful shops and nice boutiques. In the neighborhood called De Negen Straatjes (Nine Little Streets), a much beloved shopping area in the centre of Amsterdam, you’ll find no mainstream stores but all highly individual shops. To prevent a quarrel that would spoil the trip, go for JoJo on Huidenstraat 23 right in the middle of De Negen Straatjes.

JoJo

My darling once went there and bought (without me) a cashmere coat that made him look middle aged. Since they don’t allow returns, we had a high amount of credit to spend and soon became regulars. Eventually he bought a gorgeous suit there and of course we got married.

JoJo

For anyone who is always looking for a Canali shirt or a suit from Zegna but unable to afford it, you’ll find it at JOJO for a bargain if you are lucky enough. In addition to selling exclusive Italian brands, there are English shoes and hats, vintage shirts, silk or cashmere socks and different kinds of scarves - all  the bits and pieces of a gentleman’s wardrobe are part of their stock.

Laura Dols

Of course you should peep into Laura Dols on Wolvenstraat 7 because it’s always fun to dress up like a movie star, and don’t bother if you’ve forgotten your toothbrush - De Witte Tandenwinkel on Runstraat 5 will fullfill your kinkiest wishes concerning dental hygiene. For me, ever since Freelance left the city, Antonia By Yvette (Gasthuismolensteeg 16-18) is the best place for shoes. They sell for instance Sonia Rykiel, Spanish designers and have their own in-house label.

For a while everybody had been talking about this place. So one Friday night I set out with a friend to scrutinize this new hotspot in Amsterdam. Without a reservation we had to wait for about an hour, so when we finally got our table I couldn’t help being a little bit tipsy. Café-restaurant Open (Westerdoksplein 20) is built above a monumental railway bridge. All sides are constructed out of windows and in beautiful weather it becomes quite literally open with a broad view over the water.

As we climbed the stairs to enter, lots of stylish people were gathered around the barwhere it was still possible to smoke (I went there before the 1. of July). The atmosphere was expectant and cheerful. Despite its architectural  boundaries, the interior turned out to be spacious and modern. The light tables and floors with green, red and golden accents composed a magnificent setting. Unfortunately, I didn’t get permission to take pictures from the inside. Of course I can respect that but the way they explained this with a certain arrogance stayed in the back of my mind.

As I am vegetarian and supposed to live on vegetables, the main course didn’t please me; I missed carbohydrates somehow. In my desperation, I had to order French fries additionally, very welcome to my non-veggie friend as well. Even the kitchen is totally open here, and when I wasn’t too involved in conversation I would look for what I would be eating next.

I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed about this place. Although the location is quite unique, I believe they missed the point. Open felt like a beautiful girl who casts a spell as long as she keeps her mouth.. Or is it just me not being open enough?