Words by Emma Vloeimans
About six years ago, Nicole Dohmen decided to change her life for good. It was about time to start doing what she’s always been great at: interior design. After countlessly redecorating the homes of friends, she started her own business. Not much later, in 2020, the Amsterdam-based interior designer met Danie as she walked into her store in Amsterdam South. Danie felt immediately attracted to the originality of the shop, which led to their initial collaboration. “We clicked,” Nicole recalls, “and Danie asked me to help her redesign her ByDanie vintage store on Cornelis Schuytstraat.”
Nicole’s work is characterised by her ability to make intuitive and bold decisions. She loves to think outside the box and creates designs that aren’t always perfectly matched but remain exciting through small frictions – a raw edgy, so to speak. “Danie has an incredible sense of style, a distinct taste and opinion, and she works very intuitively. We both love sharper contrasts and dare to mix more than the average designers, making it edgier and more exciting,” Nicole explains. This approach ensures that the spaces she designs are never predictable or boring.
Redesigning the AFW Suite
When looking for an interior designer to revamp the Amsterdam Fashion Week suite in Hotel De L’Europe, Danie didn’t have to think twice; Nicole was on speed dial. “She wanted to elevate the suite and give it more punch, make it more current,” Nicole explains of Danie’s vision. “The design needed to be flexible enough to accommodate the changing themes of the fashion designers who would collaborate with Amsterdam Fashion Week every four months.” Danie gave Nicole a creative carte blanche for the project, allowing her to express her signature style fully. “How I redecorated the AFW suite is full to my taste. When working with private clients, that isn’t always possible. So, it was an exciting project to work on.”
Nicole’s approach to interior design is careful and thoughtful. She always starts by analysing the existing layout and colour palette. “We had a very short time to execute it,” she explains, “so I looked at existing items in our shop and office and what the space needed to make it more exciting.” She combined mid-century design with modern colours and incorporated as many vintage items as possible. The living room retained its terracotta colour, easily combined with other shades. “The curtains were replaced with a chicer version, with thick fringes in ice blue,” Nicole notes, “to create a calm base that allows each future fashion designer to work with it.”
Surprise, surprise
Nicole often uses contrasts in her designs to create surprising effects. “I added ice blue as a contrast because otherwise the living room would become too ‘warm’ in colour palette,” she says. One of her favourite additions was a Cassina Soriana sofa, which she bought vintage and reupholstered in a striped velvet fabric by Kelly Wearstler. “This colour combination gives an instant 70s feel but much more of the present day,” Nicole explains.
Additionally, the interior designer emphasises the importance of incorporating art and personal objects into her interiors. “I added a lot of loose lamps that create extra atmosphere,” she says. Artworks by Jan Kuhlemeier, Eline Baas, and Janice Jill, as well as the framed Saint Laurent scarves from the 70s, enrich the space. “The displayed artworks have a sense of originality and quirkiness in common. And because of their imperfection, they fit so well in any space.” The interior designer chose an exciting soft lemon-yellow colour for the bedroom, combined with beautiful moiré curtains by Dedar. “The headboards were replaced with a graphic print by Pierre Frey in moss green with ecru,” she adds, and the lampshades were uniquely customised with painted versions by Annemei Poppe. Luke Edward Hall created the hand-painted print for the stool at the makeup table.
Close to nature
When selecting objects for her projects, Nicole loves natural and unique items. “In terms of styling, I’m always drawn to natural objects because their specific shapes, are original, and often vintage,” she explains. For the AFW De L’Europe suite, she used a large crystal cluster and an egg-shaped aragonite stone. These items are not only aesthetically pleasing but also carry symbolic meaning. “I love it when objects aren’t just ‘objects’ but have a meaning, make you feel good, or remind you of a beautiful moment,” she adds.
By constantly drawing inspiration from art, magazines, and wide-ranging interests, Nicole fuels her inspiration. “I’m thinking about interiors 24/7,” she says. With her sharp eye for detail and her collections of photos, clippings, and fabric samples, each project she undertakes remains unique and personal. “Every project is different because each project is often a newer version of what I’ve created so far,” she explains. Her creative process is never ‘copy-paste’; she always tailors her designs to her client’s specific wishes, playing with new colour combinations and materials to give each project its character. “Through the years, I’ve learned to trust the process. And so far, it has always worked out well.”
Visit the AFW suite at Hotel De L’Europe during Amsterdam Fashion Week.
About the AFW suite
When staying in the Amsterdam Fashion Week suite, you enter a world of fashion and imagination. Curated by Danie Bles and Nicole Dohmen, lovers of fashion and couture will experience a truly unique stay in this beautiful waterfront suite. To introduce guests to the craftsmanship of local fashion brands, the Amsterdam Fashion Week Suite hosts quarterly takeovers. This entails making alterations or additions to the suite, offering additional services, and arranging special events to genuinely immerse guests in the essence of their world of craftsmanship. Everything you see in the suite is for sale. So, if you are interested in that particular couch, lamp, or irresistible coat, just reach out, and it might be yours soon.
