Summer holidays have started in the Netherlands. Calendars are clearing and routines are slowing down. While others take a break, I am still working behind the scenes. My new trend book for Spring Summer 2027 is nearly finished. It is filled with new colour cards, materials, design directions and themes. Some of the tones from Avant Opale, last year's theme, continue to flow gently through.

Yesterday, July 5th, was my birthday. No cake, no guests. This year, I spent the day with my daughter on a trip to the Marker Wadden, because I love water, the Dutch Wadden Islands, nature and photography.

Upon entering the inner courtyard of Palazzo Litta during Milan Design Week 2025, my gaze was immediately drawn to an expansive surface of terracotta-coloured, sand-like material. An earthy ground layer that covered the square in a single, unbroken gesture. Above it hung a large banner, printed in both English and Korean: “Nobody owns the land / 땅은 누구의 소유도 아니다.” A powerful opening to an exhibition where materiality, trace, and connectedness took centre stage. No loud spectacle, no design as performance. Instead, a quiet installation where clay, memory, and the act of making played the leading roles.

Photo by Khai Islam

Milan Design Week 2025. Just 9 days before departure, my Airbnb host lets me know that the apartment I booked is no longer available due to renovations.“You could cancel it yourself — that way you won’t have to pay cancellation fees.”Excuse me... me?

I have spent three months working full-time on ATHOME.AWX2627. The last six weeks, even seven days a week. Creating these style guides and trend books is always a huge task.

Next stop: Ambiente and Christmasworld ✨ in Frankfurt, from February 7th to 11th! I’m looking forward to see how my clients have translated the TH trends for autumn/winter/Christmas 2025/2026. This year, I’m traveling solo, which means I also have time to make new connections and exchange ideas. Will you be there too? Let’s meet up for a coffee ☕️ and a chat... send me a message to set up an appointment. 🤗

It’s cold outside. As I work on my TH interior style book for autumn, winter, and Christmas 2026/2027, I’m wearing goat wool socks to keep my feet warm. On my right hand, I’m wearing a fingerless glove —not like Madonna wore as a fashion statement in the eighties, but because my desk feels so cold while I move my Wacom pen across my tablet. These days, the thermostat is set 1.5 degrees lower than it was a few years ago—a conscious choice in these times.