INTENSE MAKEOVER

When Koos bought his home 15 years ago, a major renovation followed. But tastes change and only recently he thought it was time for a radical makeover. "At first my interior was a bit colder, now it is warm and cosy," he says.

Koos is an entrepreneur in the software industry and works all over the world. "I also have a property in Spain, but the Netherlands is my home base. I bought this house 15 years ago; it was only five years old at the time. Still, I did all kinds of renovations to it back then. But gradually my taste changed. I travel a lot and often sleep in hotels that are beautifully decorated. I felt that things could be a lot better here too, so at first, I started thinking about a different kitchen. Then it occurred to me that a different floor would be better, that the house needed painting and new lighting. Anyway, it got more and more extensive, and eventually the plans got well out of hand and I decided to take a rigorous approach," he laughs.

Logical set-up

Drastic plans were forged together with Inge and Lars of Byron and Jones Interiors. Koos: "I knew exactly what I wanted, but they were my indispensable sounding board and advised on materials, design, colours and styling. We spent a month drawing and sizing the various rooms based on the furniture we had chosen. The sightlines have completely changed. Walls and beams had to be removed, but the layout is now much more logical. First, you entered the living room where now a hallway has been created. The marble floors have been replaced by a cast floor and the basic colours and materials recur throughout the house. That gives peace of mind. Only my gym and the guest room upstairs have remained the same, everything else has changed."

Fine-tuning

"I am a perfectionist and was on top of things every day during the six months the renovation took. During the building process, things were constantly being adjusted and we fine-tuned. I am convinced that is the only way to get the best results. It was very intensive and stressful; I had to recover for a few months afterward. But it turned out insanely beautiful with all the design furniture by Flexform and Poliform. My house was a bit bleak at first, with more focus on tech and audio. It was nice, but I noticed that I have grown up and can therefore also appreciate other things. This interior is chic, softer and a lot cosier. When I come home now, it calms me down and I get all zen."