A new chapter begins

I must admit, I’ve been quiet over the past month. I missed the August newsletter, but I’m back! In July, I shared the origin story of Ela Blooms with you. Now it’s time to look toward the future. But first: a brief recap of August.

August: a month of farewells and gratitude

August was full of emotions and goodbyes. I said farewell to colleagues, friends, and family. Actually, it felt more like a “see you soon” than a goodbye, as we will keep returning to the Netherlands. I felt immense gratitude—for the connections made, for the people who helped me along the way. It’s this rich experience that gives me the confidence to start over in France.

The warm days of August were spent at a slower pace. I focused on harvesting seeds and tending the garden without the pressure of a full harvest. Of course, I couldn’t resist completely: a small, very personal collection of flowers is drying in the shed. Still, it was refreshing to watch the garden bloom and fade naturally, with stems bending under their own weight, and to realize that the end of one cycle opens space for something new: saving seeds for the next garden, for a new beginning.

This summer has been about clearing, giving away, and making room. We only kept the essentials to move light and fresh to France. It’s not about having less space—soon we will actually have much more—but about making conscious room now.

September: a new phase

At the end of August, the next chapter began: our first workweek in France. On August 26th, we loaded the car with all our tools and drove to our new house. The memory of how it looked in April had become vague. What would await us after three months of heatwaves? A dried-up pond? A parched landscape?

Upon arrival, we breathed a sigh of relief. The pond still had water, the river trickled, and the house looked as we remembered: weathered brown shutters, an elegant shape from another era, something stately from the past. We rediscovered the trees—plums, hibiscus, three massive walnut trees, and an abundance of peaches, apples, and pears. All old, overgrown with ivy, yet full of life.

Silhouette of two pine cones resting on a wooden surface at sunset, with a blurred natural background and soft lighting reflecting on the lake.

A week of work and new energy

The first week flew by. Driven by the energy of a new beginning, we restored some dignity to the house. We cleared the front garden and entrance, repainted the shutters and outdoor wood to protect them for winter, and started restoring the old hardwood floors inside. We worked from early morning until late evening, sometimes without a proper lunch break. Days of the week blurred as we worked with the rhythm of the project. Only after nine days did we slow down to take in the results.

The to-do list remains long and many questions are still unanswered, but that’s okay. One of the reasons for moving here was precisely to take time for such a renovation.

We consciously chose not to take the quick route. We want to experience the house first, live in it, and make thoughtful decisions about any changes. In a pile of old files, we even found the original hand-drawn blueprints from 1971—a house still almost 100% faithful to the architect’s design. A well-thought-out home, functional and flowing, even if it doesn’t meet all modern standards. Everything works, giving confidence to approach renovations slowly and carefully.

A view of a residential house with a brown roof, front door, and overgrown garden, framed by trees and shrubs, seen through a wooden gate.

A pathway leading to a house with blue shutters and a person standing at the entrance, surrounded by greenery and garden lights.

September ritual

Take a walk and slow down. Slow down enough to start noticing new things around you. The wind on your face. A branch slowly changing color. An insect buzzing by. Pause to observe carefully. Bend down to inspect a detail by the path. Try to recognize something unusual—a new information.

Reading tip

For all creatives concerned about the rise of AI: listen to this episode of the Creative Pep Talk, Episode 519 – Access Imagination and Intuition that AI can’t Touch with Angus Fletcher. I highly recommend his book as well. It really gave me the liscence to use my creativity even more. We are capable of so much more than AI, and we have unique value to bring to the world.

A close-up of a bumblebee on a round blue flower, surrounded by lush green foliage.

Practical update

In September, I’m taking a short break from markets and activities to focus fully on the house and garden in France. In November, I plan to be more visible again with new floral creations for the festive season. In the next newsletter, I will share exact dates, so be sure to check your inbox!

The Bloom Continues

September feels like the true start of this new chapter. A house full of stories, a garden full of potential, and a future to shape slowly. Thank you for following this adventure. Together, we bloom. ✨