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A hint of spring on a bleak day // All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer

14/1/2021

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All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Flower Constellation by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker photography
image by Masha Bakker Photography

Yearning for color

I don't know about you, but i've seldomly been looking forward to the sunshine of spring more than this year.
Although we still have a few months to go before the bright green starts to pop, tulip season has in fact already started.
Time to bring a hint of freshness into the home!

Luckily, tulips are sold at both supermarkets and convenience stores as well as flower shops, so even in a partial lockdown, you should be able to get your hands on them.
That said, the taller stemmed French tulips you see on this photograph are usually found in more luxurious flower shops.

Being Dutch, it is about time to learn more about our national flower and how to properly care for them. Read on to find out what i learned.

From Central Asia mountains to Dutch Mania

though we very much hijacked the tulip as our Dutch national flower, the bulbs originate from Central Asia. 
The word 'Tulip' is said to be derived from the word 'Turban', (because of the similarities in shape), and it wasn't until the 16th Century that the Ottoman empire brought the flower to the attention of the West. 

The Europeans, with the rich Dutch in particular, were so smitten with the novelty flower, a Tulip Mania ensued, with prices for tulips in the Netherlands going through the roof (a bulb going for a house) before dramatically collapsing.
​
After a short crisis, the prizes stabalized again, and the Dutch have remained the leading producer of commercial tulip plants ever since, creating an abundance of colors and varieties and producing over 2 billion flowers and bulbs annually.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Tulip field // Public Domain image via Pixabay
Dutch tulip field, image via Pixabay
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // stillife with flowers by Hans Bollongier, 1926 / via Rijksstudio
Stilleven met bloemen, Hans Bollongier, 1639

A national symbol

Since the mania in the Dutch 'golden age' (debate is on about whether we should still call it that, as the riches of the Dutch empire were won mostly from slavery, exploitation and claimed foreign land)....
Anyway, since the Dutch 'Golden Age' master painters often depicted tulips in their works and the tulip trade was here to stay, the tulip became our nation's symbol.​

Since 2019 we even have a stylised orange tulip in our official country logo (click).

Tulips were so valuable back in the day, enormous stacked tulip vases were designed specifically to showcase each individual expensive flower.  ​ ​​​
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer / Tulip vases via The Hague Art Museum
Tulip Vases - via The Hague art museum

Tulip taxonomy & a beautiful virus

The tulip is a genus of the Lilly family and is taxonomically divided into 4 subgenera: Clusianae, Orithyia, Tulipa and Eriostemones (more here), with by far most cultivars in the Tulipa group.

However, modern day practicality kicked in, and a new division of 15 groups, based on flower type, size and blooming period was made (see them all here).

The red/white striped petals seen on the botanical drawing here, are the result of a virus 'breaking' the tulip.
​
These were the most sought after flowers during the Tulip Mania, and one bulb of the depicted 'Semper Augustus' could cost as much as a house.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Two tulips by Jacob Marrel / Via Rijksstudio
Two Tulips (Semper Augustus), Jacob Marrel, ca 1640
​Sadly, the beautiful virus impacts the tulip negatively, and each next generation of bulbs becomes weaker and weaker, until eventually too weak to bloom. As a result, many of the old 'broken' breeds have gone extinct, as did the valuable Semper Augustus. 

Although a few breeds survived, like 'Zomerschoon' (Summer's Beauty') and the golden/brown Absalom, 'broken' flowers are considered a threat to gardens and industry nowadays, and the Dutch government has banned the sale of infected bulbs. 

Instead, breeders have succeeded in creating extravagant striped, flamed, variegated (multi-colored) and even fringed tulips, like a.o. Rembrandt Tulips (a nod to Tulip Mania), the large Parrot tulips and the Creme Upstar Tulip in beautiful powdery pink and creme. (see more varieties here).
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer / the seven stages of tulip growth via Tulips.com
Via Tulips.com

 bulb-planting & the green flower

Tulips are a great addition to any garden, and super easy to plant.
That is: if you remember to plant the bulbs at the appropriate time...
Most bulbs should be planted from September to December, and will start to bloom in early spring to give your garden that pop of color.
Here's a guide about do's and don'ts when planting tulip bulbs.

If you don't have a garden, or -like me- forgot to plant your bulbs (again), you can still enjoy the tulip as a cut flower.
​
In the Netherlands, tulip season is festively launched around the middle of January each year.
Since tulips are grown locally and on open ground, they are considered one of the most sustainable cut flowers in the Netherlands and are available from October to May. (more about that on Milieucentraal)

7 steps to keep your tulips fresh for longer

A while ago, we created the 'Rookie's guide to Flower Care' as an easy tutorial to keep cut flowers fresh for longer (read the full guide here).

Tulips can have a vase-life of up to 10 days when cared for properly, and although tulip care is quite similar to most flowers, there are a few things specific to tulips that you should take into account to keep your flowers fresh for longer.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // A rookie's guide to flower care by House of Thol
1. Start with picking the right tulips: choose the ones with tall, strong stems and buds that are still closed and mostly green.
Make sure to handle the flowers carefully when bringing them home, as stems and leaves are easily snapped.
Ideally place them in a vase immediately.
If you can't, keep the tulips in their sleeve and place the stems in cold water until you're ready to arrange them.
2. Choose a vase as tall as at least half the length of the flowers to prevent stooping. Clean the vase thoroughly and prepare with cold water with mixed in flower food. 
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // arranging flowers at Object Rotterdam 2019 / photograph by Roza Schous
photograph by Roza Schous
3. Remove any leaves lower on the tulip stems (leave no foliage under water) and diagonally cut about a centimeter off the bottom of the stem with a sharp knife before placing in the water. (read more about the why and the how of the angular cut here)
4. Arrange your tulips spaciously in the vase, making sure the stems are not squashed together. 
If you like, you can use a Flower Constellation to arrange your tulips in a playful and spacious way, like i do on the photograph. Make sure to choose the right hole for each stem, and be careful not to damage them.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Flower Constellation by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker photography
image by Masha Bakker Photography
5. Here's the thing you should be aware of: unlike other cut flowers, tulips tend to keep growing while in the vase.
Since they grow towards the sun, you should check the vase daily and rotate the vase to keep the stems growing straight.
6. Keep an eye on the water level. As they grow, tulips use a lot of water, meaning you should top it up daily.
Ideally refresh the vase every 3-4 days. 
7. Place the vase on a cool spot out of direct sunlight or drafts and keep away from the (ethylene emitting) fruitbowl.
​If you like, you can move your flowers to a cooler spot overnight, keeping them crisp for longer.
Bonus: I have yet to try this, but apparently you can revive droopy tulips by poking a small hole at the top of the stem, right under the flower head. This releases trapped air and can revive the water flow.
One more thing: Don't mix tulips with daffodils or hyacinths. 
Although you'd think they would compliment eachother in a spring-themed arrangement, flowers like daffodils exude a gel-like substance that can clog up the tulip stems, obstructing the waterflow
Finally: I like to keep my tulips in the vase as long as i can: until they start losing their large petals. However, take note: similar to lilly's, tulip pistils can hold quite a lot of pollen, and these can leave stains on a surface!

Edible beauty

Like many flowers, tulips are actually edible.
I wouldn't advice taking a bite out of your store-bought bouquet, as they might be treated with something to keep them looking fresh (you never know). Tulips from your own garden however, can successfully be used in a salad, with dip, or as a stylish edible amuse-holder.

Best thing to eat are the petals, which apparently come in all kinds of flavours depending on the color. Generally they supposed to taste a little like sweet lettuce (source), and you should pick them fresh, as they grow bitter over time.
The Guardian wrote an article about which flowers to grow for your dishes, <read it here>.

As the Dutch found out in WWII, tulip bulbs can be eaten too.
But beware: you have to take out the bitter core, as it is poisonous. 
Also, it's notoriously nasty-tasting, and many people forced to eat them during the hunger-winter of 44/45, vowed to never eat them again.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Edible tulip salas by Bon Appetit via The Guardian
image by Bon Appetit via The Guardian
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer / image by Wolfgang Brauner via Pixabay
image by Wolfgang Brauner via Pixabay

Résumé

Ever since tulips were introduced to the Dutch, the flower has played a part in our history: from the high and subsequent low of tulip mania, to the desperation of surviving by eating tulip bulbs during WWII, the colorful flower was there through the good, the bad ánd the ugly.
Dutch floriculture export is thriving, and we mainly have the tulip to thank for that.

After researching the flower, i would have loved to be able to recognize at least a few different tulip breeds by eye.
Alas, there are just too many cultivars, and new breeds pop up every season.

It was fun to find out about Semper Augustus, the viral infection causing the beautiful coloration on its petals, and the absurd value of a mere bulb.

I'm looking forward to gardens everywhere waking up to spring, and tulips slowly reveiling their splendour and bright color.
But before they do, i'm reviving my own sunny feeling indoors with a bouquet of color.
Going out to get a bouquet for yourself? Don't forget about your neighbourhood florist! 

Happy spring-feeling everyone!
Sources: Wikipedia, Rijksstudio, Government of the Netherlands, Amsterdamtulipmuseumonline, Gardentabs, Tulips.com, Milieucentraal, University of Vermont, Maria's Farm Country Kitchen, the Guardian
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Smaller is better: Bee Happy cards available in notecard size

19/11/2020

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Bee Happy Notecards by House of Thol

Sending the seeds of love

The Bee Happy Flower cards are now available in both postcard (A6) as well as notecard (A7) size!
Because sometimes, smaller is better.

The notecards are perfect for a few sweet lines to a loved one, either to accompany a present or to send via snail-mail.
Their smaller size make the notecards stand out, and the matching kraftpaper C7 envelopes are the sweetest thing ever.

similar to the larger sized postcards, the notecards are printed on recycled paper containing wildflower seeds.
We went for a new paper variety that has a mix with silene, chamomille, gillyflower, clover and clarkia (EU seeds only).

How 's that for a green and special Holiday card?
The cards cost €2,-, (or €2,50 with the envelope) and are available in the webshop now!
Order Bee Happy notecards now
More about Bee Happy Flower Cards
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The three-week golden flower: Chrysanthemum

20/10/2020

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The Three-week golden Flower: Chrysanthemum history, types and care // blogpost by House of Thol
Three-week old yellow chrysanthemum

The last one standing

Truth be told, i used to consider the Chrysanthemum somewhat of an old fashioned flower. I don't know what that notion was based on, but the flower never really appealed to me.
That started to change when i accidentally mistook one for a Dahlia when i was at the florist a few weeks ago (not that uncommon, apparently).
Another large bright yellow flower head ended up going home with me. 
And lo and behold: three weeks later, it's still standing!
Add that to it being the official fall flower, and i decided to dive a little deeper into the Chrysanthemums origins, meaning and care advice.

(Not so) golden flower

The name 'Chrysanthemum' is a combination of the ancient Greek words 'Chrysos' (χρυσός), which means 'gold' and 'anthemom' (ἄνθεμον), which translates to 'flower'. ​So literally 'Golden Flower'.
Although the original flower might have had a warm yellowish (golden) color, it now comes in a huge range of varieties and shades.

The gentleman of autumn

The Chrysanthemum is a herb, and cultivation has been recorded in ancient China as far back as the 15th century BC.
The Chrysanthemum, or 'Pinyin' (菊花) was grown for the healing qualities of all parts of the plant, from the roots to the young sprouts, the petals and the leaves (more about the healing qualities of Chrysanthemum <here>).
It became part of the 'four gentlemen', representing the four seasons: blossoming plum for winter, orchid for spring, bamboo for summer, and the chrysanthemum for autumn.
​Hundreds of poems are written about the flower and on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month each year, the Chrysanthemum plays a big part in the Chinese double ninth festival.

Flower of the Emperor

Around 800 AD the Japanese discovered the Chrysanthemum and fell so in love with the flower, their emperor decided to use it for his imperial seal. The chrysanthemum remains the symbol of the emperor to this day and the Imperial Order of the Chrysanthemum is the highest Order of Chivalry.
​National Chrysanthemum Day is celebrated in Japan on September 9th each year.
Woodblock print by Keika Hasegawa - part of 'One hundred Chrysanthemums' project || The Three-week golden Flower: Chrysanthemum history, types and care // blogpost by House of Thol
Woodblock print by Keika Hasegawa
The Three-week golden Flower: Chrysanthemum history, types and care // blogpost by House of Thol
Chrysanthemum LeMans 4

Countless cultivars

Although 500 Chrysanthemum cultivars were recorded in Asia as early as 1630, it took until 1753 for the chrysanthemum to be introduced to the Western world by renowned Swedish botanist Karl Linnaeus, who gave the flower its western name.
There are now more than 20.000 different Chrysanthemum cultivars ranging from small multi-headed daisies to large kings head blooms that the ancient growers probably wouldn't recognize.

A strong symbol

In some European countries (France and Belgium for example)  chrysanthemum have been used as funeral flowers for years, symbolizing a respect for the death. 
At the same time the colorful flowers are considered positive and cheerful in the US (except in New Orleans).
In Victorian floriography (the language of flowers) the red chrysanthemum stood for love, whereas the yellow chrysanthemum symbolized a love taken-for-granted and the white variety is used to communicate truth, loyalty and honesty.

bouquet fillers and showstoppers

Looking into the many available cultivars made me realize why i wasn't really into Chrysanthemum. The multi-headed small-bloomed variety that is often used as a bouquet filler is not a love of mine.

I am however a fan of the larger single-headed cultivars. And there are plenty to choose from! Focusing on the cultivars with one flower-head only, there are 6 main categories: Pompon, Double, Incurve, Mop Head, Single and Spider. 
I prefer the types where the full inner floret is hidden by petals, and especially the ones that are made of two colors.
For some online inspiration, i found this list of gorgeous cultivars at Love 'n fresh flowers.​

Less is more

We often used to see Chrysanthemums packed close together into an air-less bouquet, which i think is just a shame of the beautiful heads.
Botanical science agrees with me here: As with many cut flowers, the Chrysanthemum will stay fresh much longer when their stems get room to breathe.
With flowers this large and expressive there's really no need to cram a lot of them together anyway. A few will do just nicely. 

So... once you found yourself some nice blooms, here's what you do:
The Three-week golden Flower: Chrysanthemum history, types and care // blogpost by House of Thol
Chrysanthemum bouquet set in a Flower Constellation

Chrysanthemum care

1. Use a clean vase with clean water and flower food
2. Take off (at least) the foliage below the water line (i usually only leave a leaf or two).
3. Cut about 2 inches off each stem in a 45 degree angle and place directly into the water (use a Flower Constellation if you like).
4. Ideally place the vase in a cool spot out of direct sunlight and sheltered from drafts.
5. Refresh the water every few days, slightly cutting the stem each time you do. Make sure to remove any wilting flowers.
With proper care chrysanthemum flowers can have a vase-life of up to 21 days.
NB Chrysanthemum are not super sensitive to ethylene, but as with all cut flowers, keeping them away from ripening fruits will help them stay fresh for longer.

A little bonus: chrysanthemum petals are edible, so after enjoying them in a vase, the chrysanthemum flowers could be dried to make a tea to help with all kinds of ailments (more on how to make it <here>). That said, i wouldn't advice using a florist-bought chrysanthemum to brew tea from, you never no what might have been used to get rid of pests.
The Three-week golden Flower: Chrysanthemum history, types and care // blogpost by House of Thol

How sustainable are chrysanthemum?

Chrysanthemum can be bought year-round, but are in season in September, October and November, so best get them then.

In the Netherlands, the flowers are usually grown in glass houses, and more and more sustainable practices are surrounding the cultivation.
Many growers have turned to using insects instead of pesticides, and ever more businesses use LED lighting in combination with self-generated green energy.   

It is also quite possible to grow Chrysanthemum in your own garden.
They come in both perennial as well as annual varieties and, as mentioned above, a galore of shapes, colors and sizes.
That said: the varieties that are most sold in garden centres are usually that of the smaller bushy multi-headed kinds.
The longer stemmed one-headed chrysanthemum sold as cut-flowers at florists can be slightly more tricky to grow.

It being such a tough flower means a bouquet can be enjoyed for up to three weeks, making chrysanthemum both a great sustainable and economical choice.

Added bonus: if you were to use the petals in some kind of tea, it would be an even more low-waste deal.
Sources: Wikipedia, Mooiwatbloemendoen, Mums.org, flowersbyflourish, lovenfreshflowers, trianglenursery, Teaintheancientworld, 
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The Flower Constellations are turning Two Today!

27/8/2020

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Can't believe it's been two years!

While working on the preparations for ShowUP Today, I stumbled upon a few old photographs and a blog-post from two years ago.
Turns out we officially launched the Flower Constellations on August 27th 2018. That's two years ago to the day!
Happy Birthday Flower Constellations!

On one hand the launch seems like Yesterday, while on the other i can hardly remember when we didn't have the Flower Constellations in our collection!
(Kind of like with kids, but without the actual humans growing)
(Come to think of it: hopefully without the terrible two's)

Over the last two years, the Flower Constellations brought us so much: not only a product to share with people all over the world, it also contributed to us winning the MKB Export Award last year and more recently to Thomas being able to quit his 1,5 day side-hussle as a teacher at the Willem de Kooning Academy and having both of us working (more than) full-time for House of Thol.⁣

Therefore we'd like to thank each and everyone of you who helped sharing the story of our Flower Constellations. ⁣
Together we can spread the love for easy green living.⁣
Thank you guys! On to the next crazy times!

Spread the love

To celebrate the Flower Constellations' birthday with you and help you spread the love, we've created a special discount code making it possible to order two Flower Constellations for €35,-: Keep one and gift one!

To get the discount, order your two Flower Constellations at shophouseofthol.nl and make sure to enter code '2for35' in the box on the bottom left at check-out.
Happy giving! 
buy Flower Constellations now
Flower Constellations by House of Thol // photograph by Masha Bakker photography
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The Seeds of Love: Mothers' day is around the corner!

1/5/2020

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Seeds of Love - wildflower seed label with every order // House of Thol

A little extra love to grow

Not being able to visit your mum or grandmother this Mothers' Day is something you're very much allowed to be sad about.
Although an actual real-life hug might not be a possibility right now, you can make your love tangible with a sweet gift via mail.

And of course we're happy to help!
Surprise your mother with a green gift by House of Thol and we'll send it to you (or her) with an extra dose of love.

We're adding a 'Seeds of Love' label to every online order this week. 
The label contains a seed packet with enough seeds for about a square meter of wildflowers, and has a little room on the back for a sweet personal message.
With the spring in full swing and may showers every other day, now is a perfect time to sow wildflower seeds!

-Mix with an equal part light sand, sow widely
-Lightly cover to make sure all seeds are in direct contact with the soil
-Keep seeds and sprouts moist: water daily. 
Time to bloom: 40-60 days
*Suitable for different soil types

​The wildflower seeds in the pack come from a biological mix containing ​Lupine, Sunflower, Borage, Phacelia, Buckwheat, Cornflower, California Poppy, Snakewort Flower, Tall Melilot, Dragonhead, Corn Marigold, Large Poppy, Alfalfa, Mustard Seed, Yellow Mustard, Coriander, Missy-in-the-green, Marigold, Mallow, Dill, Serradella, French Clover, Cosmea and Black Mustard  

Time to sow

wildflowers in the garden, summer of 2019 / House of Thol

Something to look forward to

Who knows, by the time the flowers are ready to bloom, we might be able to hug each other again.

Need more than one 'Seeds of Love'-label?
They will also be available via our webshop for €2,50 per label.

<Visit the webshop now>
Wildflower seed mix close up / House of Thol
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'A Star-sign bouquet' - Anthurium.info on the Flower Constellations

18/2/2020

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Picture

4 languages of Anthurium galore

Anthurium are lovely flowering plants with an exotic origin that are grown in all types and varieties in greenhouses across the Netherlands.
The plant is a great air purifier, with long lasting flowers coming in a large variety of shapes and colors.

Anthurium.info was created to showcase the many beautiful Anthurium species cultivated by Dutch breeders.
The website doesn't only offer information about all kinds of Anthurium in 4 (FOUR) languages, it also aims to inspire with original content about anything that has to do with caring for and styling with Anthurium.
Read about the sustainability of Anthuriums, how to best care for the plants or learn how to create an Anthurium Kokedama. 
​A visit to Anthurium.info is definitely worth your time!

The Flower Constellations in English, Dutch, German & French
We're super happy floral designer Bob wrote a lovely piece about our Flower Constellations and how to use them.
Check it out here in <English> / <Dutch> / <German> / <French>
Anthurium info about the Flower Constellations | design by House of Thol - photograph by Masha Bakker
english
Anthurium info about the Flower Constellations | design by House of Thol - photograph by Masha Bakker
Nederlands
Anthurium info about the Flower Constellations | design by House of Thol - photograph by Masha Bakker
Deutsch
Anthurium info about the Flower Constellations | design by House of Thol - photograph by Masha Bakker
Francais
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Bee Happy Flower Cards now available in a gift-set!

10/12/2019

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Bee Happy gift-set: post cards you can sow / design & photograph by House of Thol

Just in time for the Holidays

Postcards are always a fun gift, and cards that can grow into flowers even more so. 
That's why we created the 'Don't worry Bee happy' gift set containing 6 Flower Cards and three envelopes in a nice box with growing paper wrapper.

Compose the set exactly as you like it: choose the 6 cards you like best, or go for one of the mixes we thought up.
You can even choose to add more envelopes or buy the set without envelopes and save a euro.

The set goes for €15,- including 3 envelopes.
NB If you were to buy the 6 cards and envelopes separately that would add to €19,50, so this might just be a great gift for yourself as well :-).

<Get the Bee Happy gift set here>
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Holiday Armadillo and Festive Giraffe - fresh growing cards for the season!

19/11/2019

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Holiday growing cards by House of Thol / photograph by House of Thol

Deck the halls

In the Netherlands we're as a nation postponing the Christmas cheer until after December 5th, when our own Saint Nicholas heads back to his palace in Spain.
But boy, then it does start in earnest. The Weekend following Sinterklaas' departure, it's absolute mayhem in every garden centre selling Christmas trees. 

Personally i love the Holidays not so much because of the religious significance, but rather because people all over the world go through lenghts to spend time with the people they love.
No matter what (if any) religious meaning you attach to this time of year, the way this season helps get people together is a reason to celebrate on its own.

Sending a little Holiday wildflower love

And it's not just about seeing everyone you love in person, this season is also about sending your best wishes to friends and family.
​How about sending them some flowers as well? Not actual flowers of course, they'd wilt in the mail, but wildflower seeds caught in a Holiday card.
​
​Especially for these festive times we designed 4 new Holiday Growing Cards.
​The cards have been printed on Growing paper: 240gr recycled paper that contains wildflower seeds.
 To germinate the seeds, lay the paper in moist soil, place in a sunny spot, cover with a thin layer of earth and keep moist. 
Depending on the kind of seed in the paper, you'll see the first tiny green leaves pop out of the earth after about ten days.
​
Order now and we'll send along a matching Bee Happy envelope for free!

<See all growing cards>
Holiday Armadillo growing card by House of Thol / photograph by House of Thol
Holiday Armadillo
<order here>
Palmtree & Presents growing card by House of Thol / photograph by House of Thol
Festive Giraffe growing card by House of Thol / photograph by House of Thol
Festive Giraffe 
<order here>
Winter Bear growing card by House of Thol / photograph by House of Thol
Palmtree & presents
<order here>
Winter Bear
<order here>
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We're in the Grote Nederlandse Kunst Kalender!

12/11/2019

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3 kilo's of Dutch Art

We're in the 'Grote Nederlandse Kunstkalender'! - publication by Trichis, photograph by House of Thol
The 'Grote Nederlandse Kunstkalender' or 'Big Dutch Art Calender' is a beast of a calendar: weighing more than three (3!) Kilograms, the calender features a new piece of Dutch Art every day of the year.

A mix of fine arts, photography, illustration, product design, architecture and graphic design, the selection consists of work by upcoming talents as well as from big names in the Dutch world of art and design.

​We're super proud and happy to be featured in next years' edition.
And not just featured... the Dutch Master-inspired photograph of our Flower Constellations we made with Masha Bakker is on the front page!
​
It took me quite some time flipping pages to find 'our' day: Monday November 23rd 2020.
So save that date as House of Thol day next year!
Or better yet, get the calender!

One for your wishlist

While going through the pages, i spotted so many gogeous works of art that we can look forward to next year.

Need a little December inspiration? I can highly reccommend adding the 'Grote Nederlandse Kunstkalender' to your wishlist.
Or go ahead and get the calender for your significant other so you can enjoy a full year of Dutch Art together. 

The Grote Nederlandse Kunstkalender can be bought for €34,95 (ex. shipping) via Trichis.

//Read more about the calender here//
We're in the 'Grote Nederlandse Kunstkalender'! - publication by Trichis, photograph by House of Thol
We're in the 'Grote Nederlandse Kunstkalender'! - publication by Trichis, photograph by House of Thol
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The bath and the blooms... Masterly The Hague is a wrap!

26/9/2019

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Four days in The Hague

The bathtub @ Masterly The Hague - photograph by Chasing Pastels
photograph by Chasing Pastels
Last weekend we spent 4 days in sunny The Hague at chique art/design festival 'Masterly The Hague' - Not only was the festival taking place in a beautiful setting, we were blessed with great weather and many enthusiastic and lovely visitors!

We were super happy with the great presentation of our work: the bathtub being flanked by this gorgeous 1930ties silk Kimono that was on loan from the Gemeentemuseum The Hague, and the over all high quality athmosphere at Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder.
Also not too bad to share a room with skillfull glass artist Geir Nustad and be a temporary direct neighbor of Orange or Red, Bibi Smit and Thed Konings.

And, lest i forget: we worked together with Ceramist Henriette Meijer to create a stylish floral setting at the entrance of Museum Bredius.

Since we were pretty much talking all the time, we didn't get to take that many photographs. 
Luckily plenty of others did!
Here's a few of the pictures we found online. All images link back to the photographer or account we found them.

Thank you Nicole Uniquole and the Masterly The Hague organisation for a lovely festival!  
Evolution bathtub @ Masterly The Hague - picture by Nicole Uniquole
Nicole Uniquole
Flower Constellations @ Bredius - photograph by Marieke880
Marieke 880
Evolution bathtub @ Masterly The Hague - photograph by Insideful_Interieurontwerp
Insideful Interieurontwerp
Evolution bathtub @ Masterly The Hague - photograph by Emilie ten Donkelaar
Emilie ten Donkelaar
Evolution Bathtub @ Masterly The Hague - photograph by House of Thol
House of Thol
Flower Constellations @ Masterly The Hague - photograph by House of Thol
House of Thol
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Perfect pictures by Masha Bakker Photography

28/8/2019

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Ophiuchus - Flower Constellation XL | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Ophiuchus - Flower Constellation XL | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Ophiuchus - Flower Constellation XL | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography

Masha's photography

Whenever we need photographs of our designs, we turn to one very talented lady: Masha Bakker Matijevic of Masha Bakker Photography.

I've known Masha since high school, yet that's not the main reason why we love working with her: with her keen eye for lighting and composition, she always delivers gorgeous and timeless pictures that are ready to share.

Our last photoshoot was last spring and i wanted to take a moment to share the lovely series she shot of our Flower Constellations as well as the Ophiuchus & Helios constellation.

Interested in using these photographs in a publication? Everything and more can be found in high resolution in our image bank. Get in touch for a log-in!

Please note: We're happy for you to share our work and photographs, however, please mention the source and photographer.
Leo Flower Constellation | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Ophiuchus - Flower Constellation XL | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Leo Flower Constellation | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Ophiuchus - Flower Constellation XL | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Helios: Constellation for growth | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Helios: Constellation for growth | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Helios: Constellation for growth | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
Helios: Constellation for growth | Design by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker Photography
= All photographs in this post by Masha Bakker Photography =
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The Cosmos season - flowers of the fairy

21/8/2019

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The fairy flower

Cosmos is one of the first species of flowers i started to recognize. I think the waver-thin petals and bright green ragged leaves give them a fairy-like ethereal beauty.

​Luckily there were Cosmos seeds in the mix we used for our 100 square meter wildflower meadow, and now the Phacelia have had their season, the Cosmea are flaunting their powdery paper flowers in the sun.
The Cosmea (Wild Cosmos), we have in our meadow will keep on giving, as the plant is selfsowing. We have about 10-15 bushes flowering right now, and hope for more in years to come.

The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other little critters and plants can grow as tall as 1,5 meter (60 inches). 

​Cosmos is a pretty resilient plant that will cope well with dryer, sandy soil like we have here.
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​Cosmos in your garden and vase

Cosmos flowers that are cut when first showing their petals will last in a vase for up to a week.
Avoid cutting the flowers in the heat of mid-day, and keep the vase out of direct sunlight to keep your flowers fresh.

plantcare

Tall growth in combination with thin stems means the Cosmos can use a little support and are ideally placed in a spot where there's little or no wind.

To keep the plant flowering and bushy, Cosmos should be deadheaded every now and then. 
​The cosmos will grow back if you cut it hard, so don't be too subtle.
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Note: if you want to have the plant develop seeds, leave a few of the dead flowers, as that is where the seedmaking happens.

I always like to leave a few flowers for the bees anyway, so hopefully we'll be enjoying even more Cosmos in our meadow next year!
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With the 'Cancer' Flower Constellation, we only needed a few flowers to make this Cosmic arrangement
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Start spreading the news: Flower Constellations now available in the USA

13/8/2019

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photograph by The Unknown Photographer - via Pexels

Get the Flower Constellations at Uncommon Goods!

We're super excited that only one year after we launched them, the Flower Constellations are now available in the United States of America!!! Yeah!!

Uncommon Goods, webshop for unique gifts, home decor and more, picked up on our design a while ago, and after we sent over a few samples, the sales team gave their go and we shipped the first batch to the US right before our summer break.

So for all of you lovely people living in the US who can use a stylish tool for stellar flower arrangements or are looking for a flowery gift for a loved one , head over to UncommonGoods.com and order Flower Constellations now!

Not living in the US?
Our products are now being sold in 13 different countries around the world, so with a bit of luck there might be a store near you!
Check out our Store Locator for more information.
Flower Constellations now available at Uncommon Goods - design by House of Thol // photograph by Uncommon Goods
Flower Constellations now available at Uncommon Goods - design by House of Thol // photograph by Uncommon Goods
Flower Constellations now available at Uncommon Goods - design by House of Thol // photograph by Uncommon Goods
photographs via Uncommon Goods
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Back from the Black (forest)

13/8/2019

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The green black forest

Although our summer break was cut short because of the opportunity of a sudden assignment that we didn't want to miss (more about that later, i promise!), we still had two long weeks to unwind and relax.

Our last-minute planning brought us to the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) in Germany, a mere 5,5 hour drive from the headquarters.
We packed up the car to the max, bought the boys headphones for the ride and left on an afternoon in sweltering heat.

When we left, The Netherlands was still enjoying/suffering temperatures of up to 40°C (104°F) which is extremely hot for our nearly scandinavian country, and we were happy to stay away from the southern European heat and go for a more lush environment to enjoy our time off.
Also, we were happy we didn't have to drive too far in a non-airconditioned car. 
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We landed on a wonderful campground right next to a stream and a little waterfall. and together with the boys spent hours on well-made playgrounds and adventure trails such as the Black Forest Treetop walk (with a large slide going down) and a Barefoot path where we got to got to walk over pieces of broken glass (still pretty sharp).
We clambered accross Germanies' largest waterfall and walked a 60 meters high suspension bridge that slightly swayed in the wind.

Of course we had to play a round of adventure golf (guess who struck a hole-in-one) and we somehow visited two places where people were extremely serious about model-trains as well as to a museum of clocks, vintage cars and vintage vending machines (because what else in Germany on a rainy day).
We spotted squirrels in the wild, fed ducks, almost caught a trout, looked for salamanders, learned to recognize nutcracker birds and were knocked over by over-excited goats.
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We skipped the Bratwurst, but did enjoy the Brezels and other bread-related goodness, went out for flammkuchen and drank beers that came in glasses the size of my head (often, we just shared).

The big days of Black Forest tourism might have been a while ago, with the current trend of summers becoming hotter and more people looking for car-friendly destinations nearby i wouldn't be surprised if the Schwarzwald will make a revival the coming years. 
I hope it does!
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Old master paintings & Dutch Design: Masterly Den Haag

27/6/2019

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Masterly Den Haaag: 19-22 September 2019 | Amalia van Solms by Jan v Ravesteyn & Flower Constellation Ophiuchus by House of Thol / photographed by Masha Bakker Photography

Dutch design vs Dutch Masters

This September will mark the second edition of Masterly Den Haag.
Masterly started out as a festival celebrating Dutch high craft in Amsterdam, and over the past years became a Dutch staple of the Fuori Salone programme during the furniture fair in Milan in April.

Nicole Uniquole, the initiator and driving force behind Masterly, has a love for things that are well made: both now and in history.
Situating contemporary Dutch Design in a classical environment creates an interesting tension between the 'now' and the 'then'.  The beautiful locations she uses as a backdrop are always worth your visit.

Our muse: Amalia van Solms - painting by Jan van Ravesteyn

We're super happy to be part of the Masterly Festival this year, and proud to be coupled with the painting Jan van Ravesteyn made of Amalia van Somst.
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Amalia came to Den Haag as a refugee at 17 and went on to marry Stadtholder Frederik Hendrik, thus becoming the original matriarch of our Dutch Royal family of Orange.
​In her married life, lady van Solms worked towards elevating the position of her husband and family.
​She showcased her collection of paintings and porcelain in refurbished or newly built grand houses and palaces with lush gardens.
In 1641, Amalia married her son Willem II to young Mary Henrietta Stuart, Princess Royal, making grandson Willem (William) III a true prince of Orange who would become monarch of England, Scotland and Wales in later life (but not without a battle).  

As lovers of Flowers, we're drawn to the beautifull embroidery lady van Solms is depicted wearing: showcasing the long love the Dutch Royal family has for flowers. 
A perfect match with our Flower Constellations!
Did you know descendant and namesake Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, has a tulip named after her?
Masterly Den Haag | 19-22 September 2019

Masterly Den Haag  | 19/09-22/09 | Lange Vijverberg 

Annual festival of Old Master Paintings & Dutch Design

19-22 September 2019
Frisian Court in the Museum Quarter
Lange Vijverberg 14-15-16

Open daily 11:00 - 18:00

<Get tickets now>​
Masterly may still be a few months off, preparations are in full swing.
Keep your eyes open while in Den Haag, you might come across the special Masterly tram riding around!

Want to read more about the festival and which other designers and artists are participating?
Check out the Masterly Den Haag website and get your tickets online while you're at it so you won't have to wait in line when the time comes.
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"The perfect gift"- No Ordinary Tales about our Flower Constellations

21/6/2019

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No Ordinary Tales about the Flower Constellations | photograph by No Ordinary Tales

A tale of two sisters

Sisters Astrid and Linda, both creative minds, have put their love for all things beautiful and special to digital paper with their blog 'No Ordinary Tales'. 
On it, they share DIY's, recipes and all creative things they come up with. Once every while, they share the work of a fellow creative entrepreneur or creative hotspots to visit.
No Ordinary Tales about the Flower Constellations | photograph by No Ordinary Tales

Worth a visit!

We're super excited Linda and Astrid wrote a lovely piece about our Flower Constellations last week. Thank you so much for sharing!
You can read the full post here.
It's in Dutch, but even if you don't speak the language, their photographs are worth your click!
No Ordinary Tales about the Flower Constellations | photograph by No Ordinary Tales
All photographs by No Ordinary Tales
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A little something extra for all dads

12/6/2019

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For dads who love to let things grow

Father's Day is around the corner! 
And although it might seem all fathers need new Americana accessories for their BBQ, we know for a fact many dads love to let things grow.
That's why we busted our behinds to get the Helios out there in time: the new durable tool to help you grow your pits, bulbs and cuttings on water.
Read all about our Helios Constellation here.
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Is your dad more of a houseplant fan?
Why not gift him a Waterworks-set to help keep his indoor greenery happy and healthy.

But that's not actually what this post is about: As a little something extra, we added a few new Father/Family-themed Growing Cards to our collection.

With these cards, you're not only sending your dad a sweet message, you'll also give him something to grow.

The cards have been printed on Growing paper that contains wildflower seeds.
To germinate the seeds, lay the paper in moist soil, place in a sunny spot, cover with a thin layer of earth and keep moist. 
Depending on the kind of seed in the paper, you'll see the first tiny green leaves pop out of the earth after about ten days.

Get a free card with your order!

With your order in our webshop, you can add a Fathersday card for free!

Here's what you do: choose the House of Thol product and Fathersday card you'd like to order, and fill out discountcode: 'Vaderdag19' at check-out.
The €3,- for the card will be deducted from the total automagically.

Please note: take delivery times into account when placing your order.
Want to save time and have your present sent directly to your fathers' address?
We can do that! Simply fill out the correct address at check out.

We can even write your Fathersday-card for you.
​Let us know what should be on the card (max 5 lines) and we'll make sure to write down your message as neatly as we can.
Make your dad happy
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It's here! Welcome Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus

14/5/2019

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Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography

Stylish arrangements in larger vases

Stylishly arranging flowers in a large vase can be challenging. You need a lot of flowers to fill up the neck, and it requires a skilled and artful hand to set the stems just right.
The Flower Constellations we developed so far, are too small for those vases, which is why we got a lot of requests for a larger version. We hear you!

Spanning a maximum diameter of 16 cm (6.3") the Ophiuchus Constellation is a perfect fit for larger vases, for example those for field fresh flowers or those vases that Dutch Designer made for that Swedish furniture company.

The Ophiuchus Constellation is not only larger when it comes to diameter, it also has wider holes, suitable for thicker stemmed flowers and small branches.

The thirteenth star sign ​

​Ophiuchus or 'Snakebearer' is called the thirteenth star sign, because, just as the 12 signs of the Zodiac, it crosses the sun's path (Ecliptica).
The official period of Ophiuchus would be between November 30th and December 18th.
Because we cut the Zodiac year in 12 equal parts, Ophiuchus didn't make it as one of the signs on the Zodiac.
We did not forget about this star sign and by making it a Flower Constellation, we're giving it a place on our flowery ecliptica.

Just as its smaller Flower Constellation relatives, the Ophiuchus Constellation is made of durable brass,. 
Its size is a step up from the larger Zodiac Constellations and fits vases with diameters ranging from 12,5 to 16 cm (4.9"-6.3"). 
Order Ophiuchus now!
Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography
Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography
Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography

We're nearly there!
​​Will you help us get Ophiuchus out there?

Crowdfunding 2.0

We went ahead and ordered a small stock of brass Ophiuchus Constellations. This means that when you order an Ophiuchus, there's no waiting involved: We'll ship immediately and you can start arranging flowers right away. 

The only difference to the final product is the package it comes in.
This time we're not actually crowdfunding for the product itself, but for its casing. In order to be able to sell the Ophiuchus Constellation in stores, we need proper and beautiful packaging, and that's what we're saving up for with this 'pre-sale'.

With your support we're confident we can get Ophiuchus ready for stores around the world this fall. ​
Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography

What you can do

Order Ophiuchus now! 

You'll be the very first receiving our XL Flower Constellation, and with that our eternal gratitute for your help getting the Ophiuchus ready for a successful international launch.
And that's not all! To celebrate the launch of this new Flower Constellation XL, we have a very special deal: instead of the regular €29,95, we're launching the Ophiuchus on our webshop for €25,-!

Plus, because we love wildflowers and happy bees, we'll also add a package of Bee Happy Wildflowerseeds to your order free of charge (EU only).
Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography

Other things that would make us very happy

Not ready to order but excited to help? Great!
It would be of enormous value for us if you could help us get our new Ophiuchus Constellation known to the world: Spread the word! 

Tell your friends and family: finally a solution to use large vases (for example those from that fresh flower service) to set up luxurious arrangements without spending a small fortune at the florists'.
Together with Masha Bakker Photography  we took gorgeous photographs of the Ophiuchus, and with the correct credits (@mashabakkerphotography @houseofthol) and a hashtag (#ophiuchus #flowerconstellations) we'd love it if you share them on social media. 

Got other great ideas about how you can help? Looking to collaborate?
Get in touch! We'd love to chat.
Flower Constellation XL: Ophiuchus / Design by House of Thol / Image by Masha Bakker Photography
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Hey Mama! - This years' Mothersday special

6/5/2019

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For mothers who love to let flowers bloom

Mothersday is around the corner! 
​Does your mother like flowers?
​Gift her a Flower Constellation this weekend so she can create stunning floral masterpieces every time while saving on flowers.

Because we are huge fans of mothers in general, (and ours in particular), we designed special Mother-celebrating Bee Happy Growing cards for Mothersday.

With these cards, you're not only sending your mom a sweet message, you're also giving her a delayed bouquet of flowers. ​
The cards have been printed on Growing paper: 240gr recycled paper that contains wildflower seeds.
 
To germinate the seeds, lay the paper in moist soil, place in a sunny spot, cover with a thin layer of earth and keep moist. 
Depending on the kind of seed in the paper, you'll see the first tiny green leaves pop out of the earth after about ten days.

With your order of a Flower Constellation or Waterworks-set in our webshop, you can add a Mothersday card for free!

Which one is your favorite?
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Here's how it works

Here's what you do: choose the Flower Constellation (or Waterworks-set and Mothersday card you'd like to order, and fill out discountcode: 'Moederdag19' at check-out.
The €3,- for the card will be deducted from the total automagically.

Please note: take delivery times into account when placing your order.
Want to dave time and have your present sent directly to your mothers' address?
We can do that! Simply fill out the correct address at check out.

We can even write your mothersday-card for you. Let us know what should be on the card (max 5 lines) and we'll make sure to write down your message as neatly as we can.
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Make your mom happy!
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Four days of gardening inspiration: we're ready for Tuin Idee!

19/2/2019

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House of Thol @ TuinIdee 2019 - photograph by Masha Bakker photography

TuinIdee Brabanthallen Den Bosch
21-24 February 2019

Just a quick reminder that we'll be in Den Bosch these coming days.

We're not only bringing our Flower Constellations and Waterworks-sets, we'll also be trying out our very own line of plantable postcards and giftlabels as well as new seed-package labels.
I've had a lot of fun designing these, so i hope they'll be well-received. Fingers' crossed!

And that's not even all of it: Visitors to the fair will get a very first sneak peak pf the new Flower Constellations Helios (for pits and bulbs) and Ophiuchus (for larger vases and bigger stems)

Looking forward to seeing you there!