Dick Mulders of DMD: "Luxury with guts!

Experience 17th-century architecture with the present. Designer and founder of DMD Amsterdam Dick Mulders knows how to bring this well together in a unique project he and his team managed to realize on Amsterdam's Prinsengracht. At the same time, DMD brings the 21st century into the building, bringing modern and monumental with the DMD signature insanely to the fore.Text: Mical Joseph
Image: DMD Amsterdam

Where did you get the inspiration for the project on Prinsengracht?

"The house dates back to the 17th century and since then has all had different uses in the past, such as a workshop, a shipping company, a carriage house and a restaurant. The previous destinations already gave enough reason for my inspiration. Of course, at DMD we also listen carefully to the client's wishes, which led to two themes: privacy and hospitality. The front house faces outward and the back house offers more peace and privacy. However, the patio surrounds the back house, so every room has daylight in this area. In short: the house itself and the wishes of this client gave me a framework for this design."

The client obviously has certain wishes within the process. Was there a lot of input or were you free in this?

"The client wanted to be very welcoming, liked living on a canal, but also wanted to ensure a certain privacy. We opened up the house, so to speak, and turned the front room into a beautiful dining room. It almost gives a restaurant-like vibe. The more you walk to the back, the more privacy you have. In the back house are the bedrooms, walk-in closet, bathroom, office, library and piano room."

How are ^17th century influences incorporated into the project?

"We wanted to make the classical elements visible as much as possible. This was done by including the 18th-century marble paneling (from another property), making the 17th-century mud brick on the facade visible again and refurbishing the ceiling beams. So we looked for classic elements and made them part of the design."

How to combine modern and monumental in interior design?

"The kitchen and dining room are great examples of this: the wainscoting and ceiling beams combined with the indigo blue sleek modern kitchen with clean lines, show a perfect combination between modern meets monumental. ÓÓ also chose a glass tulip vase based on the original Delft blue porcelain vase, a beautiful carpet by Moooi with a 17th-century print and on the wall hangs modern art by Damien Hirst and Ronald Westerhuis."

Which designer items are the real eye-catchers?

"We designed a floating staircase of blue-hot rolled steel, the wall-filling bookcase in the library and the acid-coated brass wall in the office space. In addition to our own designs, eye-catchers, such as the chandelier by designer JSPR and a free-standing basket made of enamel, are certainly not to be missed."

What absolutely must not be missing from the interior in 2022?

"In interior design, it is important to surround yourself in an environment with high-quality materials, timeless style choices, authentic details and art."

What is the typical DMD signature in the house?

"It is important to surround yourself with comfort and luxury. Our designs are personal and tailor-made. Luxury with guts!"

Why did the client choose you?

"DMD enjoys helping the client arrive at the best design for the new home, restaurant or new hotel. Our designers put the client's passion on paper and on that basis we start with the interior design. We look at an appropriate collection in terms of fabrics, the furniture, the art. Each project is customized from concept to completion. DMD does not do what the client says, but listens to the client. I think that sets us apart. "DMDAmsterdam