Instagram story viewer> @livingupriver> Posts

Barbara de Vries’ book: Living Upriver

@livingupriver

210

posts

7.4K

followers

4737

following

Design is Everything is Design
@barbaradevriesgordon

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

I didn’t know if I would pull it off, but I’ve wanted a traditional Dutch Bedstee, bedstay, all my life. So last month I went to a barn outside Amsterdam that has thousands of antique and vintage doors. I chose six old doors, took pix of others, went home to my loft on the Zaan river, measured and drew up a design. Fully intimidated by myself, I first rented a van, bought three beautiful, heavy old doors, two cupboard doors and two folding shutters. Drove home. The big doors were too heavy to move by myself so I backed up the van and dragged them into the abandoned warehouse behind our building. I measured the lumber I needed for the supporting structure, went to Gamma and bought what I thought I needed. On Saturday Joe and Leila came to help build the skeleton. After this, I was on my own. Two weeks later, and so many visits to Gamma that they cheered me on, the thing was done! Here you are. Process and final result. Well, not quite. I haven’t slept there yet. Will have to wait till I’m back late this summer and get a mattress!

Thank you @joe.eshuis and @leilag0rdon

#sleepingupriver
#bedstee
#bedstay
#cupboardbed
#traditionaldutch taken in Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, Holland by @livingupriver

96

40

3 months ago

The snow gone, new life is budding underneath the debris of winter, the seeds, the pods, the roots, the dry leaves that gave protection from the cold, new life celebrated with Easter. I do love the patterns and textures before the green…

Pix @barbaradevriesgordon taken in Milford, Pennsylvania by @livingupriver

30

4

4 months ago

Saying goodbye to a winter of many fires in our hearth, photo 2. The first fire of the season, sometime in September, is always cozy, its smell foreshadowing shorter days with more indoor time by the fireplace. Come April 1st we’re sick of bringing in logs, emptying ashes, and yearn for longer days and with open doors and the smell of the sun’s heat in the garden. Hear a swan song to the hearths of last winter, many pix from my books, some foraged photos. Enjoy!

1 @studiolowsheen @axelvervoordt
2 my house by @freeland.photos @catskills_living
3 @homestedt for Living Upriver
4 cover of Living Upriver @rizzolibooks
5 @mpaulfoto @axelvervoordt
6 @theoutsideinstitute for Livi Upriver
7 @ronsharkey for Living Upriver
8 @studioboot for Coming Home
9 @mildredslane for Living Upriver
10 @thewoodlandcarver

🔥☀️ by @livingupriver

80

4

4 months ago

Living Upriver Home
Linen pillows
$80 each 🩶
DM for more info. by @livingupriver

32

4

5 months ago

Meanwhile, at our studio…
1. Living Upriver Home
2. By @leilag0rdon
3. Living Upriver light
4. Living Upriver Home
5. Living Upriver maker
6. Living Upriver sketches and inspo
7. Living Upriver Light
8. Living Upriver make over
9. Living Upriver the book
10. By @leilag0rdon
11. Living Upriver, soon Spring
12. Living Upriver, friends @bbotting @theoutsideinstitute by @livingupriver

72

6

5 months ago

I collect bird’s nests
In autumn, as leaves drop to the ground
There are many to be found

I’m captured by the architecture
How design varies from bird to bird
Weaving with thick grass, thin branches

Decorating with a tuft of my dog’s downy fur
A touch of lichen or red berry for color
Clay plastered like the hut of an early settler

My favorite find is a tiny nest
A careful weave of streaked horse hair
Plus one defiant strand of turquoise plastic

Enjoy!

Images 2,4 @whatbettefound
Image 8 @theoutsideinstitute
Image 6 sketch by @kskye_art
1, 5-7,9,10 my collection
3 by @kikiandjoost from Coming Home by @livingupriver

48

4

5 months ago

The teapottest seventies teapot. Heavy, original ceramic hand thrown, glorious glaze, perfect condition. Living Upriver find. Signed and dated. Might sell… DM for details if interested.

#seventiesdesign
#vintageteapot
#livingupriver
#ceramics
#handmadeteapot by @livingupriver

28

1

5 months ago

by @livingupriver

3

5

5 months ago

Kitchen views from my books Living Upriver and Coming Home and inspirations board… enjoy!

1. Unknown via @astylistguide
2. Coming Home @helmabongenaar ,kitchen
3. Living Upriver @mildredslane , kitchen
4. Quiet Minimal.com
5. Living Upriver @nadiayaron
6. Living Upriver @bovinafermentory
7. Living Upriver @maplelawn1843
8. Living Upriver @dianetownsend7
9. Living Upriver @maplelawn1843
10. Coming Home @helmabongenaar by @livingupriver

126

9

5 months ago

Light is everything. Following Vermeer, light casting through a window inspires beautiful pictures. When I shot my Dutch interiors book, Coming Home (Rizzoli USA, 2021) I understood the value of light in the low lands, where there is so much sky. I gathered some favorites here, some my own pix from living Upriver and Coming Home, some foraged. Enjoy!

1. @theworldofinteriors @ricardolabougle
2. Living Upriver, Barbara de Vries
3. @thequarters_jugiong
4. Coming Home, Barbara de Vries
5. Coming Home, Barbara de Vries
6. @roman_and_williams_ Montauk
7. Coming Home, Barbara de Vries
8. @dekorasyon_duygusal
9. Coming Home, @helmabongenaar Barbara de Vries
10. @thelocalproject by @livingupriver

99

6

5 months ago

The Lidewij glass. Handmade in Morocco I’ve had wine, water and whiskey from these in Essaouira, Paris, Normandy, Amsterdam, New York and Pennsylvania. It’s Living Upriver’s absolute favorite drinking vessel. And, the rim ensures it doesn’t slip from your hand, so you can fall asleep without spilling a drop!

I’ve brought some back from my travels, pre-tariffs, to share them @ $60.00 for a box of six.

DM for details 💚 by @livingupriver

29

8

6 months ago

For Living Upriver I photographed many homes and some ended up being cut. One was a Swedish style home (first image) near Germantown, with hand painted walls and furniture. I recently dug it out as inspiration for a new project, now part of my mood board:

1. Swedish home, photo Barbara de Vries
2. Trompe D’oeil staircase, unknown
3. Faded mural, unknown
4. Mural @uxua @lidewijedelkoort
5. Mural from @islandfollies, photo Barbara de Vries
6. Hand painted cabinet @uxua @lidewijedelkoort
7. Faded floral panel, unknown
8. Swedish home, photo Barbara de Vries
9. Baroque mural, unknown
10. Trompe d’oeil on steps, @islandfollies by @livingupriver

42

5

6 months ago