Remy Meijers is a Dutch interior architect and founder of Remy Meijers Interior Design, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. A graduate of the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU), he established his studio in 1995 and has since developed a body of work defined by clarity, restraint, and refined material coherence. His portfolio includes a range of residential and commercial projects, from canal houses and villas to hotels and offices, each reflecting a balanced integration of architecture and interior design.
What inspires you?
I seek calm and simplicity in everything I do. I can only function when there’s order in my mind. It creates space to be creative. Travel also inspires me deeply. I need constant stimulation, but I can only process and transform those impressions when I return to a place of stillness.
What inspired you to become a designer?
The desire to create beautiful things. As a child, I was both tidy and creative. Somehow, I’ve managed to merge those traits in my work as an interior architect. I always knew this was what I wanted to do. I dedicated everything to making it happen, even though I had no role models or a creative family to lean on.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
Minimal, stripped of noise. Yet warm, livable, and rich in detail and materiality. I value clarity and structure. Spaces should feel ordered and intuitive.
What is your favorite project?
My project in Utrecht is one of my favorites. It’s conceptually strong and goes beyond aesthetics. The building is a national monument, which naturally guides the design direction. Adding something meaningful while respecting the existing architecture was an incredible challenge and a joy.
What is your favorite detail?
The moments where old and new meet. For example, the original ornament is paired with new marble in the bathroom. It’s not something I could have planned, but it works beautifully together.
Do you have a favorite material?
Natural stone. It’s always unique and evokes emotion. Each project calls for a different type — sometimes green marble, sometimes travertine — but it always finds its way into my work.
What is your process for starting a new project?
I begin by deeply understanding the client and the location. I immerse myself completely. Then I focus on getting the layout right. It must reflect the lifestyle of the residents. Only after that do I move into the detailed design phase.
How do you fuel your creativity?
By traveling. I love the energy of big cities like London and New York, but I also crave nature. That contrast is essential for me. I’m passionate about surfing, so I recently took a solo trip for a week, and that solitude sparked a wave of new ideas.
What inspired A Modern Tale in Utrecht?
The heavy, monumental architecture with lots of oak needed a lighter counterpart. That’s why I introduced a kind of grey box into the space. It creates a compelling dialogue between old and new in the Modern Tale in Utrecht.
How did the materiality shape A Modern Tale in Utrecht?
The existing structure was the foundation. I then added light grey poured floors, marble, and steel elements. A palette of shades of grey.
What advice would you give to young architects?
Define your own path and find your signature. There’s so much Instagram architecture out there, it’s interchangeable. Discover your unique voice and hold onto it. Be radical about it. Work with a plan. Know where you want to be in ten years and map out the steps to get there.
