TRIED & TESTED: VOLTA GHENT

Most striking feature:

Their first floor. The area where the bar is located. First of all: my friend loved the chair so much she wouldn’t get out of it anymore. Second of all: we already fantasised of living there. Turn it into a huge loft with windows overlooking the outside forest… The restaurant is a bit boring and stiff. But the wooden wardrobe is outstandingly beautiful. Volta isn’t located in the center of the city, but somewhat outside nearby a park. Oh and don’t you love the funny menu?

Check out: www.volta-gent.be

TRIED & TESTED: A.PUUR.A GHENT

Most striking feature:

Although I don’t have kids I can get all ‘oh’ and ‘ah’ about some kids apparel. Like these Bobo Choses baby star pants. But I also spotted some cool lamps, notebooks, cards, books and other great things to buy for yourself or a friend. And I adored their creative window.

No website, address: Onderbergen 56, Gent, Kammenstraat 89, Antwerp

TRIED & TESTED: WALTER GHENT

Most striking feature:

A relaxing cafe where you get served with a smile. A rare thing in restaurants. The cafe is located nearby all the cool shops in the city. It has a simplistic outlook. Simple chairs, funny icons on the huge windows and a big table full of newspapers and magazines. I tried the leek soup with bread and an apple (funny detail). My friend was thrilled about the chocolate she got with her mint tea. A good spot for a lunch.

Check out: www.cafewalter.be

NEWSFLASH: MAGNOLIA GOES POP UP

Magnolia in Antwerp is just like AF VandeVorst with their Guerilla Aktion Stores going into a pop up business. Not only Antwerp, but also Gent, Brussels and Hasselt can expect a temporarily Magnolia store. Magnolia is all about beauty. They sell special brands which aren’t sold everywhere. Like Laura Mercier and Malin + Goetz.

Check out their site for dates: www.magnoliashop.be

NEW SPOT: AF VANDEVORST POP UP GHENT

3 reasons to go there:

Just read my report of my visit of the store in Knokke and I hope you will find your three reasons (okay one reason: they sell the most beautiful items – and yes, most of them are affordable as well)…

Check out: www.afvandevorst.be

LIKE TO HAVE: CHAIR at HAY

Hay is a Danish design brand and recently they opened a store in Ghent, Belgium. So that’s a reason to go there – especially if you’re redecorating your house. They sell furniture like this beautiful chair, but you can buy cute presents for a couple of euros as well. All with that simple yet beautiful Danish outlook.

Check out: www.hay.dk (store address: Hoogpoort 33)

Photo: store in Copenhagen

NEW SPOT: VERNE DREAMING GHENT

3 reasons to stay at Verne Dreaming:

1. Because this is the ultimate lovenest
2. If you’re a man and don’t know what to give your girlfriend? This is the perfect solution.
3. If you’ve always wanted to go to Shanghai and never get the time or money for it, this is as close you can get in Europe.

Rate: 120 euro a night, check out: www.vernedreaming.be