Into the Dutch Light

There is just something special about the light in Holland. 

No wonder it has been painted so many times by the Dutch masters!

Amsterdam

A canal in Utrecht

A beautiful canal in Amsterdam

A recent foggy day in the Netherlands

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Monochrome in the Canal House

With a palette of gray, purple and copper, the Canal House hotel opened recently as Amsterdam's latest boutique hotel. It is located in the Nine Streets District, one of the top shopping areas in Amsterdam with many independent shops and designer stores.

The hotel is set in three restored 17th century merchant's houses on the Keizersgracht. It was able to retain many original features and even displays the previous owner's unusual collection of local artifacts.

The guest rooms are charges according to their size and view and all feature an open-plan bathroom.

Original Dutch paintings are displayed, along with silk wallpapers and lush velvets- all in the monochromatic palette.

Serene and lovely, wouldn't you say?

Visit here to see more of the Canal House.

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A Dutch Royal Unveiling

For all of you lovers of gilding and gold leaf, the Dutch Royal Palace (opened in 1655 as the Town Hall) in Amsterdam will soon be unveiling the royal restoration of its marble and stone facade. Here are a few photos of the restoration in progress of the tympanum, the triangular shaped section at the center top. 

The Before

 The Royal Palace in the heart of Amsterdam

 Wow! What a difference!

 The gilded garland...

needed to be cleaned, restored...

and gilded in the studio. (I always like to look around the studio- pretty neat!)

The marble being cleaned...

 and restored, here with a new nose.

 

Notice the prep work- the item to be gilded first receives either gesso and yellow (or red) bole or yellow paint, to give the gold leaf more depth when it is applied.

If you ever have the chance to visit the Netherlands, mid-April is the perfect time to see the breathtaking tulip and hyacinth fields. Simply amazing, even from your airplane seat!

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Wow!

Is this not fabulous?

Photo by Christian Sarramon