I've added two new places to my must-see list for when I visit the Netherlands thanks to Sonja Velda Photography. Discovered recently via Pinterest, the interior and lifestyle photographer has captured both of these unique spaces beautifully. The first is Portrait, a concept store in Haarlem. Founded by three creatives, Karen, Daisy and Rogier it is a place where you can work, brainstorm, shop and drink good coffee. The shop offers a combination of fashion, home accessories and beauty products, with a focus on Scandinavian brands. Described as a breeding ground where local entrepreneurship and fashion come together, it caters specifically to self-employed, providing a place to work and network. Sounds perfect to me!
The building, which was once a stable and can be hired outside of opening hours for other creative initiatives, has largely been left in its original state. I love the concrete, exposed bricks and stained glass windows. A mix of new and vintage furniture further adds to its character and rustic charm.
COTTONCAKE is both a fashion store and cafe, located in Amsterdam. It also acts as a platform for local artists, holding regular exhibitions. White, bright and inviting, I would love to visit for a spot of shopping, followed by lunch and organic coffee. Once again there's a beautiful mix of old and new, with white-painted bricks and vintage pieces.
In addition to her Pinterest page, see more of Sonja's beautiful work here.
