1.) Can you tell us something about yourself, such as your background, education, interests etc. and about your present work?
I have always had this girl’s dream about becoming a fashion designer. When attending the Arts Academy in Enschede (in the east of the Netherlands) I studied fashion and continued to focus on fashion & strategy during my studies in Arnhem.
After a brief stint as a fashion designer (for what is now Laundry Industry), I started working at BAMBAM, a chain of children’s clothing stores, it’s well-known throughout the Netherlands for innovative and daring stuff for kids. At BAMBAM I was creative director and responsible for overall product design. I also designed products like furniture, bed linen, toys etc.
About four years ago, I started my own brand together with a former colleague Marielle Kreulen. Our label is Mrs.Me, couture for the home.
Every year Mrs.Me launches a new collection of textile for living and dining room as well as the bedroom. We also do customized work for individuals and corporate clients.
I hosted a TV show on design for a couple of years, Loods 7. I still love to do free lance work for magazines and private clients.
2.) If you enter a room what is the first thing you pay attention to?
Atmosphere and spaciousness…
3.) What do you feel is important to show in a room?
Key is to make the design of the room fit seamlessly with the owner’s personal style. I don’t think people should be living in a showroom. A room should feel like a perfectly tailored suit. Authenticity is also essential; therefore I always try and push the boundaries a little bit, perhaps a little more than the owner initially expected or wanted, just to give a fresh perspective, to create a room that inspires and tickles the senses.
4.) Can you tell us something about one of your projects? Why did you choose a certain approach and can you give us tips & tools based on this experience?
For Mrs. Me I design many bedrooms. The bedroom is a space that increasingly receives attention, especially since with the open concept trend many bedrooms are now an integrated part of other rooms in a house or apartment.
The bedroom is no longer behind closed doors; it is visible for all visitors. But also the bedroom is nowadays often used as a quiet place to watch TV, read a book, a place to relax not just to sleep in.
People travel extensively and have become used to crispy white bed lin-ens and luxurious hotel bedrooms, I think the bedroom is becoming more important for creating an atmosphere of luxury and characterizing our homes.
Visually, bed linen has the biggest impact in our bedrooms; moreover, we spent a third of our lives in bed… so I feel it is only natural that we should create a room that is beautiful and has a great quality feel. For us, the starting point is the color white and then we add colors and different designs, as well as plaids and cushions.
The great thing about cushions and plaids is that you can vary indefinitely and create completely different rooms just by rearranging.
If you look at the image above, you can see that with ‘left over’ materials and a bit of imagination you can create a special room with a very distinct feeling; and the best thing is you don’t need deep pockets to do it! |
5.) Can you give us some tips to visibly change a room by only making small alterations?
Make a wide gesture for a dramatic impact.
*by painting or wallpapering one single wall, another color or upholstery, you can create a totally dif-ferent atmosphere. Have a look at these images: same setting but different atmosphere by changing the color.
*Have only one big item or eye catcher instead of lot of small accessories. For example, use one huge monumental lamp or one oversize vase with a big bunch of flowers.
*Leave the floor as free as possible: hang closets or use furniture on legs. Keeping the floor in sight adds to the feeling of spaciousness.
* …And you don’t have to ‘add’ in order to change; taking away may have the same result. Rooms tend to get clogged by what you collect throughout the years. Your home can become a exhibition of rarities and memories in stead of a nice place to live in. Put it in the shed, maybe in 20 years it will be vintage and nice too show again.
6.) What are your favorite products to work with, e.g. paints, wallpaper or textiles and which designers do you admire?
Wallpaper designed by Image Architects Went&Navarro and produced by Betiche. Went&Navarro design has the most beautiful wall covering images, everything will be custom made in terms of design and production. They have done an amazing job for the Mrs.Me catalog.
I also love the furniture by Ruud van Oosterhout for BruutDesign. Tasteful uses of colors and materials, and very distinct forms. I have to admit, I tend to become quite greedy when seeing his new glass series for Leerdam. |
7.) Besides a good couch which furniture piece should not be missing in a living room?
*Good Lightning. This is utmost important for the atmosphere. A good light plan is absolutely necessary.
*Comfort: soft and nice cushions and plaids everywhere to create a cozy spot in each corner.
8.) What do you think will be future trends in interior styling?
*The application of lots of textiles to soften up the home, to serve as a noise damper and to create atmosphere, not only on the floor but also on the wall. Increasingly we will apply new environmental friendly materials, but with a rich look and feel: materials of bamboo, silk, wood etc. Everything will be covered to emphasize the softness or to create an illusion of softness.
*Interior products tend to become bigger, more monumental, as if they are sculptures, almost art.
* Many items will be custom-made or are from limited editions.
* “Clothes” for furniture: loose covers for couches, chairs and beds allowing us to select different styles from time to time. A good example is the Boutique sofa by Moooi.
9.) When visiting a foreign country which accessories do you collect and are there any special local items you look for?
Supermarkets and big market centers are always a source of inspiration fro me. Colors, wrappings, materials, I always come home with local groceries brought from far-flung places.
 |
