This is behind the wave a
Designer Spotlight Series.
In this exclusive interview, where we pull back the curtain on the creative minds transforming spaces. Ready to dive into the world of design? Join us as we explore the artistry, technique, and vision that goes into every piece, one designer story at a time.
In this edition of Behind the Weave, we sit down with interior designer Bob van Zonneveld, whose work balances refined aesthetics with soulful storytelling. Known for weaving natural materials, timeless textures, and subtle colour harmonies into historical Amsterdam environments, Bob creates spaces that feel both elevated and deeply human.
Grounded in an intuitive design process, his interiors are shaped by emotion, memory, and ritual, echoing our own philosophy of design as a way to slow down and reconnect. Bob’s ability to craft atmospheres that grow and evolve reminds us why we, too, create to unwind.
Which materials, textures or colours do you gravitate towards in an interior?
I’m always drawn to natural warmth: wood, earthy browns, rust-red hues. Textiles like wool and linen, as well as unexpected natural fibres such as cactus or rattan. I love the honesty of natural stone like marble, but I also enjoy the subtle glow of brass. Paper finds its way into lighting designs, adding softness and delicacy.
What does your creative process look like?
I always start with materials. I build an atmosphere with textures and surfaces before I even think about form. It’s a very intuitive process, purely based on feeling. I let the materials sit with me, look at them every day, and keep tweaking until it feels alive and begins to grow.
From there, the design direction starts to crystallise. I narrow it down to one or two strong ideas and then begin to add imagery. Once those concepts are layered together with the floor plans, the design direction feels complete.
What helps you slow down and unwind in a busy world?
Travel. Stepping outside. I spend a lot of weekends in nature, and in that calm, inspiration arrives. Suddenly, the furniture and objects I’ve seen in shops or galleries find their way into projects.
My trip to India in 2024 was transformative, in terms of colour, lifestyle, and even scent. The richness of textures, patterns, and craftsmanship revealed a world where every combination feels possible. If you carry a vision, artisans there will find a way to bring it to life. That sense of freedom reshaped the way I approach design: without boundaries, embracing a maximal interplay of colour, pattern, and natural materials, like a layered blanket of influences wrapped around you. This richness now threads through many of my projects, where antique pieces meet contemporary forms and stories unfold in layers. Collaborating with international clients adds yet another dimension, deepening this dialogue of cultures and ideas.
Do you see interiors as purely aesthetic, or also as emotional and ritual?
It’s both. An interior must be aesthetically pleasing, but it should also be emotional and ritualistic. How you live in your home matters deeply. Comfort is essential. Many of my clients weave personal rituals into their interiors: heirlooms from a grandmother, pieces collected during travels, artworks that carry meaning. An interior should tell the story of who you are.
What is the most meaningful compliment you’ve received about your work?
Gratitude. One client told me I had created a cocoon, a space where their family could grow, evolve, and make memories together. That touched me deeply, because that’s what I aim for: homes designed to be lived in, not just looked at.
Do you have a small ritual or object that helps you unwind?
Incense, a Palo Santo stick burning, the soft glow of candles. Fire feels like life, and scent is a powerful anchor. I unwind by cuddling with my dog, with my partner, by moving my body, walking in nature. I’d like to invite more rituals back into my daily life, making fresh tea, taking a moment to sit outside, consciously creating pauses in the day.
To explore more of Bob’s work, visit bobvanzonneveld.com and follow him on Instagram @bobvanzonneveld for an inside look at his design process, inspirations, and the evolving projects that bring his vision to life.
