1.) Could you tell us a little bit about your background and interests and…. of course your present involvement with interior design and styling?

My name is Rinse Blasé and I’m an interior architect. Already since my youth I have been pre-occupied with interior decoration. I always wanted to create a theme for my room. I remember vividly that for days on end I could be busy hanging surf and skating posters in my attic room. Only later the creative side emerged; originally I had plans to become a carpenter, later a constructor and eventually a interior decorator. After five years of AKI (art school) and my diploma as id I got a job with studio Linse where I’ve worked for five years. A couple of years ago I started my own studio, Buro Blasé and I’m a teacher at the Artemis Styling academy in Amsterdam.

2.) When you enter a room what is the first thing you pay attention to and do you focus on any particular item in the room?

Where I can get out! What people tend to forget is that the layout is the most important part and not the decoration. The layout must be proper and evident.

3.) What do you think is important to show in a room?

{Alfredo Haberli for Classicon}

The room and space as it is. Actually I believe that all corners of a room must remain in view and not hidden by closets or other furniture. Next to that a number of good pieces of furniture that can complete the room such as from Moooi, Classicon, Hey, Vitra and B&B Italia. They have pieces that really draw attention!

4.) Can you tell us about one of your recent projects and why you loved doing this project so much? Why did you choose a particular approach and style for this project and what can we learn from this?

[all images are from Buro Blase]

Project: Penthouse in Amsterdam with a light and open atmosphere. By keeping the spaces as white as possible you admit light to enter and you create an architectonical feeling. But keep in mind to apply a warm nuance of white otherwise the space will be too clean and sterile.

The purpose of this project is to transfer a standard apartment on the fifth floor into a penthouse. For this purpose we removed all sidewalls, changed the window frames, installed a customized kitchen and replaced all lightning fixtures in the ceilings. Often architects tend to place a light fixture right above the dining table or other standard places, by changing these the room becomes more personal and unique.

5.) Can you give us any advice about how small adjustments to a room can have a great impact and visibly improve the look and feel of a room?

[image from Moooi]

When I would have to renovate a room with limited means I wouldn’t do this by chancing some smaller accessories but by grand gesture like a big vase or piece of art, sculpture. But in fact, it’s not necessary to buy something new for changing the look of your room. I always decorate my rooms in such a way that I can alter the arrangement practically daily. This gives you a fresh and renewed perspective of the room.

6.) Which materials do you love to work with most, e.g. paint, wallpaper, textile, and which designers and manufacturers are among your favorites?

I always try to use products with character, of which there are no duplicates. Such as Mrs.Me, droog design and Arco. Although their styles are very different they are all unique and easy to combine with one another. Favorite products that I gladly show in a room are those from Marc Newson, Tom Dixon, Joe Colombo, Richard Hutten and Alfredo Haberli.

7.) Besides a good couch or chair, which other items should be in any living room, or perhaps we should leave the couch and chair out?

[image above, BDDW]

Space to walk! There is no better feeling than to walk about in the place you live. But in terms of products my choice would be a reading table where you can work, relax and eat.

8.) What do you think will be the new trend in interior design for 2008 and beyond?

In fact I believe, there will be not one but various trends, like in music or fashion. Different styles and influences. What I do hope (and also expect) is the return of the minimalist interior. The overkill in baroque prints on furniture and wallpaper really is too much for me.

9.) To what extent is your work influenced by trips abroad and experiencing other cultures? When you are visiting a foreign country are there any special items you look for to bring back home?

I’m not the prototype of a souvenir shopper, but I still like to add a design product made by a still unknown designer in the specific country to my collection.

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