The rollercoaster ride of interior designer Hans Kuijten

DOOR: QUALIS

TEKST: JEROEN WOLBERS

FOTO’S: PETER BAAS, ARJAN DE LANGE

From the stage design of Tomorrowland and ‘Groots met een zachte G’ (a popular Dutch music event) to the interior of the Legends Lounge in the PSV stadium, Hans Kuijten brings his experience from the events and hospitality industry to the residential housing segment, designing exclusive interiors that combine a feeling of coming home with a touch of discovery. “I love details that make all the difference.”

“I used to look up to the most famous Dutch interior designers. I have several of their books on my bookshelf. Now, during joint trips abroad, we sit at the same table and talk about the same challenges we face. Yes, then you do feel proud of what you've achieved.” The interview is halfway through when Hans Kuijten (50) sheds some of his modesty. Within the world of interior design, he belongs to the big players. But when it comes to interpersonal contact, he prefers to keep things small-scale and informal. Small team, personal contact. That kind of work. “I talk to you the same way I talk to my client or someone in the pub.”

Fröbelen van decortjes

The person in the café probably doesn't realize that they may have already seen some of Kuijten's work. He designed the stage sets for Guus Meeuwis's "Groots met een zachte G" concerts, and Marco Borsato performed on stages he designed. Or consider the sets for Disney, Cirque du Soleil, and the popular dance event Tomorrowland; Kuijten played a significant role in their creation with his sketches. "As a child, I was already busy drawing, crafting, and making miniature sets and interiors. I built entire attractions from places like the Efteling theme park using cardboard, wood, glue, and paint," he explains his passion. "Drawing itself, creating on paper, is everything to me. In fact, nothing has changed in that way of thinking and working. Only the level of execution has become more detailed and professional."

Brok in de keel

Speaking of amusement parks, Kuijten's career has been quite a rollercoaster ride. Starting as a designer at an advertising agency, he moved into the events industry before focusing on interior design for exclusive hotels, lobbies, and restaurants worldwide. These hotels proved to be a source of inspiration for private clients who also wanted to enjoy wellness and luxury at home. Nowadays, Kuijten primarily designs exclusive interiors for the residential market. He doesn't do this alone, as he has a dedicated team of specialists who handle projects from design to execution. His driving force? Combining a feeling of coming home with a touch of discovery. "The surprise and the experience for the visitor or user are what all three types of accommodations have in common. So those steps are actually quite logical. What we do is create experiences. Because there's nothing better than seeing your own sketches come to life. And when my clients look at the finished product with a lump in their throat, then my goal has been more than achieved."

Combinatie van uitersten

We experience that sense of homeliness in a modern guise ourselves when we enter the meeting room of his studio in Nuenen, a town just outside Eindhoven. We take a seat in a chair made of sturdy, rough leather covered with a velvety, velour-like fabric in a grey-brown shade. In the adjacent office space, an impressive wall unit stands out. Dark woodwork with a robust, clean-lined structure. Inside, a luxurious beige wallpaper covers the back wall, adorned with three-dimensional fabric details. "I really enjoy these kinds of unusual material combinations, but also seductive shapes and striking colors. I love combining these two extremes," he explains his style. Kuijten primarily works with natural earth tones and materials. "Although an occasional quirky, colorful detail does add a surprising element. My goal is that a space should always feel cozy and familiar, like a warm blanket."

Pure ambacht

Kuijten describes himself as an atmosphere designer. For him, it's important that everything fits into the overall picture. To avoid falling into digitally pre-made templates, he still begins his design process traditionally with pen and paper. "I notice that many people are still enthusiastic about this artisanal process. It's also my trademark, my signature. It's precisely by adding that personal touch that I can make my designs distinctive. With these detailed drawings, clients can already experience the furnished space very concretely." The Nuenen resident is primarily inspired by the world around him. "My girlfriend sometimes says: 'You're switched on 24 hours a day.' If I hear that a new hotel has opened in Amsterdam, I go there as soon as possible. I also watch a lot of documentaries. Recently, one about building a skyscraper. I often see things in them that I can use in my own creations. Furthermore, I get a lot of inspiration from my clients, often entrepreneurs, who share their passion and energy with me."

Legends Lounge

When asked about the projects he is most proud of, Kuijten mentions, among others, the makeover of the Legends Lounge in the PSV stadium. A place where some of the Netherlands' most prominent figures from top sports, business, media, politics, and the entertainment industry combine haute cuisine with a football match. "The atmosphere here exudes pure elegance, and I wanted to make it even more sparkling," he explains his vision. With a touch of creativity and an eye for perfection, Kuijten transformed the space into a chic setting, but without being over the top. A new bar, an open kitchen, stylish chairs, and a well-thought-out lighting plan were the ingredients of his masterpiece. "Instead of the prescribed black and gold colors, I opted for sand color, burgundy, old rose, dark copper, and coffee cream. These colors seamlessly matched the surroundings and give the space an enchanting look that contributes to the overall experience for the visitor. It's really cool," he says with a twinkle in his eye. Kuijten's passion lies primarily in interior design, and the fire for the entertainment world is slowly fading. He's fine with that. "That also has to do with getting older. I started at the entertainment company ID&T when I was just 20 years old. Now the younger generation is taking over there, and I think that's great. I simply notice that I have more future and inspiration in the world I'm currently active in. I can and want to continue doing this until I'm eighty, provided I'm still creative then."