Realization: Designing interiors is something you do together.

Interior design is not a one-way process. Clients and interior architects get to know one another and work together. These Dutch clients, who live more than an hour away from Master Meubel, did not know where to begin when redesigning their living room. That is where Master came in.

The living room presented our interior architect Karlien with several challenges. “The fireplace is directly opposite the cabinet housing the television, which stands in front of the window overlooking the terrace. As a result, there are two opposing focal points. The living room is mainly used in winter, when the fireplace is lit, so both functions needed to receive equal attention. The clients wanted a new, cosier interior but struggled to find the right solution themselves.”

A lighter, more airy space

Although the clients had not explicitly requested them, a new rug and shelving unit were also added to the living room. “We always consider a space as a whole,” Karlien explains. “That is why we placed a new JoV rug beneath the dining table. It is much lighter than the previous one, allowing the table to stand out more beautifully and making the entire space feel brighter. It brings a sense of calm to the living room, while its high, irregular pile keeps it from looking dull. A rug like this should not be too small either, as that would disrupt the proportions and make the furniture look disconnected from the seating area.”

Cassina’s Infinito shelving unit has a light, open structure while still adding greater presence to the room. “The clients own many beautiful works of art and souvenirs from their travels, all of which deserve to be displayed. They were immediately taken with the shelving unit when I suggested it. As it was not on display in our showroom, they wanted to see it in person first. They booked a weekend in Milan and visited Cassina’s magnificent showroom on Via Durini. The shelving unit received their approval and now takes pride of place in their living room.”

From shock to satisfaction

The redesign combined new purchases with furniture the clients were keen to keep. “The two Mart chaise longues by B&B Italia had already developed a beautiful patina and now stand out even more. Combining existing pieces within a completely new interior concept is not always easy, but in this case it worked out very well.”

Once our work is complete, the clients can enjoy their new interior. Although… “Initially, the contrast between the before and after was quite a shock, and the clients were not entirely convinced by the choices we had made. There was a slight sense of panic,” Karlien says with a laugh. “This happens more often than you might think. Moving from an interior you have been accustomed to for years to a completely new setting naturally requires some adjustment and time to get used to. A few days later, the client called to say that they were delighted with the result and had already received many compliments from friends and family. In other words: mission accomplished!”

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