Pia Jane Bijkerk has been a stylist her whole life—it just took her a little while to realize it.
As a young girl growing up in Australia, she spent days rearranging her bedroom, shaping entire tableware sets out of backyard clay, and clicking away at the world with a secondhand camera she got as an 8th birthday present. In 1998 she graduated college with a degree in photography and film and opened a boutique filled with global treasures—from organic sheets and soaps, to beautifully crafted teak furniture from Indonesia. She sold the shop in 2003 and spent some time contemplating her life’s true calling. Film? Photography? More retail? Until one fateful day, while enjoying a picnic by the ocean, her friend turned to her and said, “You should be a stylist.” To which Pia replied: “What’s that?”
The rest, as they say, is history. Using her unparalleled eye for innovative design, art and all things handmade, Pia quickly made a name for herself, styling internationally for everyone from Vogue Entertaining + Travel and Real Simple to Saatchi and Saatchi, Tommy Hilfiger and Philips. Today, the internationally acclaimed stylist and photographer continues to use her home as her workshop and her travels as inspiration. She delights in stepping off the beaten path and discovering the unexpected for her clients and herself.
Pia currently divides her time working and living between Sydney, Paris and a houseboat in Amsterdam. This is her blog.
Interviews about Pia can be found at…
Design*Sponge: here and here.
hey pia,
nice to hear from you. nice to browse over your site.
tell me something… have you ever worked with artichokes?
if no, would yu like to one day?
i’m living in Torino so i am not too far from you if you are in either Paris and the Dam. so it’d be nice to hook up some time.
sounds like you are well.
on ya.
brocoli beat, thats a great name for a hip vegetarian cafe.
see ya soon.
love michael Schiavello
December 17th, 2007 | #
do you have a secret eye on me…I just photographed the most BEAUTIFUL little series of shots on artichokes, I am rather in love with the vegetable these days.
Thanks for your crack up of a comment Michael, I’d love to catch up with you and hang out at Broccoli Beats! Tell me where and when and I’m there!
December 17th, 2007 | #
Pia, I’m afraid I may have to press legal charges against you. I’m not entirely certain of how it would play out but there must be some type of crime associated with stealing someone’s life!
Your blog is beautiful, inspiring, dreamy, and delicious. I feel like I’ve just been on vacation…swinging in a hammock, breeze adrift, french accordion playing softly in the background, deep cup of tea, and dreams of how to make the world a bit more beautiful…ahhhhhhhhh
I will most assuredly be back!
Happiest New Year!
January 6th, 2008 | #
Hey P
Long time no see. This whole blog thing is a little out of my leauge. Im not sure I understand it but as usual you have done it to perfection. Hope to see you when you are next breezing through Oz.
Luv J xxx
January 24th, 2008 | #
Hi Pia, I didn’t see your email. Sure, use the illustration any time you want
Enjoy your weekend!
February 3rd, 2008 | #
Everytime i need a bit of inspiration all i need to do is go online and visit you. Glad i know you. Just dont know how you do it sometimes
February 22nd, 2008 | #
What an amazing stimulating site. Gorgeous. Love it!!!
Gwen in New Brunswick Canada
March 5th, 2008 | #
Hi, Pia.
I found your website through the site I check everyday called Bloesem. I like the atmosphere you make, which makes me relaxed.
can I have a question for you? Where did you get the cushion(cover) in the picture posted March 3rd, 2008? yellow and gray colored one.
thanks
Maiko
March 13th, 2008 | #
what an incredibly beautiful site you have.
thanks for the posts!
amy
March 21st, 2008 | #
So inspiring!!!
April 27th, 2008 | #
an absolutely wonderfully feel-good blog. just love it! thanks for sharing! — maura
June 25th, 2008 | #
i don’t know if you’ll get this comment pia…i’ve never posted before but just saw that you lived in West Chester! me too- born and raised (tho living in philly now)…it makes me happy to see the WC on your list of glamorous home cities. so when were you here?
July 26th, 2008 | #
are you located in paris? your blog is beautiful, so glad i came across it! hope you’re well.
August 4th, 2008 | #
I just came across your blog and love it! Especially the little hearts. Will you publish more pics soon?
August 10th, 2008 | #
I just found your blog, it’s my favourite favourite…it’s enchanting!! Thank you so much you have inspired hope in my day!!
September 29th, 2008 | #
Thank you Pia, your blog and talent is amazing and I am so glad I found you:)
So many wonderful beautiful places to visit in your blog.
xxLeigh
November 23rd, 2008 | #
Pia,
I just wanted to thank you for all the love that you so obviously put into your blog.
I found you it couple of months ago and now I am completely addicted to it.
And it is awesome that because you are probably 7 hours ahead (I live in New Mexico, USA) I can wake up to a new posting waiting for me every day.
I wish you a wonderful hot Christmas.
I’m from Brazil and grew up with hot Christmases too but I’m not going down there this year. I’m actually jealous…
Have a beautiful new year!!!!!
December 22nd, 2008 | #
I love reading this. So beautiful. Refreshing. Inpsiring.
Robin
January 12th, 2009 | #
Hi Pia, I was wondering – could you tell me what type of camera you use? I’m so inspired by your pictures.
January 15th, 2009 | #
Hey thanks for the plug and link to my flickr account. Its had tons of views over the last few days. Your link made my photo come up 4th on a search for Australia Day on Google!
Any tips on Food Photography would be welcome.
Cheers from South Australia
John
January 26th, 2009 | #
Hi Pia,
I stumbled upon your blog by clicking on a link from somewhere else(?) Wow. My mum and I used to be customers at D.Y. We still have lots of the beautiful things we bought from you. What an amazing life you have, and such a beautiful blog. I don’t know how people find the time to blog. I’ll be popping back often to spend more time here. My husband and I have started our own business and we’ve just started at Etsy. Just wanted to say hi!
January 31st, 2009 | #
Found your blog while searching for photos from the “Natural Fashion” book. We seem to be kindred spirits…I am a clothing and handbag designer from Santa Fe,N.M. If you get a chance check out my website. I also have a shop on etsy gremillionleather.etsy.com
Best Regards,
Tiffany
April 10th, 2009 | #
Congratulations on your fabulous book. what an achievement. Well done for all your hard work. look forward to reading more about your adventures of design etc
May 7th, 2009 | #
Where have I been all this time? I only found your blog now! I’m glad I did…only a bit late. I was in Paris last week and wish I have seen your Paris Made By Hand! Anyway, I’m in Morocco now, and even if wifi is super slow, I will be following you!
May 9th, 2009 | #
i discovered your name and your blog when Decor8’s Holly Becker talked about your book. I am happy I followed the link and found your blog.
May 9th, 2009 | #
Dear Pia,
. I am so happy I found your site. You are amazingly inspiring and very cutely talented.
I love your blog, I found it through another blog I read about Paris – I adore Paris and probably have a french soul
I am an Egyptian lady, I live and work in Dubai. I have an artistic side that loves photography and fine handmade pieces of art and reading your blog connects me to the things I like. I am visiting Paris in June and will certainly buy your book Paris Made By Hand. Thank you for the beautiful blog.
May 21st, 2009 | #