DICK MULDERS, OWNER DMD AMSTERDAM

With his own interior business DMD AmsterdamDick Mulders creates interiors where boldness, daring and stepping out of the comfort zone are key. The interior designer gives each of his projects a metropolitan touch, but did not start his career within this industry. From the diplomatic service, to the digital world, ending with his destination and passion: interior design. And now also officially one of the 300 MASTER COMPANIES. Who helped Dick on his career journey?Text: Mical Joseph
Image: DMD Amsterdam

What was your very first job?

"I studied International Law in Maastricht. I did my internship at the Dutch embassy in London, because after my studies I wanted to enter the diplomatic service and become an ambassador. During my internship I soon found out that that world was not so dynamic and creative after all. In 2000, after my studies, I decided to work in business development at KPN Mobile. The digital world was just getting off the ground and there was huge scope for entrepreneurship, developing new things and coming up with solutions. The jobs that followed after my KPN time were also mostly in digital media and I even worked as a TV producer for a while."

How did you end up in your current job?

"In 2010, I moved to Shanghai with my partner. For me, that period was a big moment for change. I wanted to follow my heart and finally really do what I aspired to: become an interior designer. In Shanghai and Sydney I completed my Interior Architecture & Design studies. After my studies I worked in Beijing and Hong Kong through the renowned architecture firm OMA. I came in as a business builder and transformed into a designer. My goal was to build my own business in the field I have a huge passion for."

Who was your wheelbarrow?

"To be honest, I don't think I have had one wheelbarrow, but many people gave me a 'piece' that in turn shaped me as a designer. Also, my trips made and experiences in (world) cities and nature have been great wheelbarrows for me. All these factors have created my aesthetic baggage. In addition, the clients who trust me to work together to create something very personal in their own environment are also an important factor.

What is your signature?

"A signature is pretty one-sided. If I only design square modern white bungalows, I cannot design a red bungalow for a client. I design for and with the client, but that doesn't mean I don't have my own ideas and identity. That identity is reflected in my designs. During "Three Days of Design" in Copenhagen, I attended a question-answer session by Bjarke Ingles, a world-renowned architect from BIG. He was asked a similar question. He replied to the question that every design was different, but you can see BIG's identity in every design. If I have to differentiate, all my designs exude a certain luxury and comfort: they are not minimalist, but rather generous. They build on classic patterns: beautifully laid floors, rich wallpaper, chinoiserie, warm colors, and at the same time they are injected with innovation: modern fixtures, reinvented classics and technically advanced materials."

What is the single greatest passion in your profession?

"My great passion is creating a new environment (together with the residents) that matches the clients' wishes. I prefer to apply unusual and new materials, colors and textures while paying extra attention to the clients' wishes. I find the return of daring, daring and stepping out of the comfort zone extremely important. When the residents are happy with this and it naturally suits them, I give my own signature to the house. After all, what could be more fun than starting with an idea from scratch and walking through the resulting project after a while?"

Who else would you like to design for?

"It doesn't matter so much to me for whom, but I would love immensely to work on a house, hotel or vacation property on the African Savanna, the Asian tropics or in the Alps. This seems great to me because the designs in these environments have to adapt to nature, so the challenge is extra great. A uniqueness that nevertheless goes with the culture and location!"

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

"Surely that was the moment where I changed course in my career. I followed my heart and decided to become an interior designer. If you really want something and really go for it, success follows."

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

"When I look back, I would come to certain choices myself earlier and make decisions faster."

Have you been a wheelbarrow for anyone?

"I have a start-up company, but I think I already have enough experience and responsibility to train new talent. Very regularly I therefore take on interns from the Jan des Bouvrie college or other schools around Amsterdam. I try to give these talents real work experience. This because I know it is difficult to access opportunities in the industry and so I am a humble small-scale wheelbarrow for young talent."