A dialogue between spaces and materials

The importance of dialogue – not just between people but also between the materials used in an architectural project – is one of the guiding principles behind interior designer Rob Zeelen’s home-studio in the Netherlands. Located in the centre of Venlo, a town of 100,000 inhabitants on the banks of the River Maas close to the German border, the property combines two large spaces conceived as independent entities. While they both have their own character, rhythm and function, they are unified by a meticulous approach to materials.

The project consists of a spacious apartment finished with premium materials, featuring a striking vertical glass shaft that houses a Tuscan cork oak as a “living sculpture” and a workspace designed to foster concentration and creativity. The Dutch interior designer, who also authored the project, describes the two spaces as being “essential and timeless” in style.

The key to the project? “Using a minimal range of materials and connecting the various areas through the selected finishes,” Zeelen explains. For instance, Italian-made porcelain stoneware proved decisive to the final result. Two collections were used: the Lagos limestone-inspired collection from Ceramiche Coem (used here in the “Stripes” version with linear relief), and the Frammenta collection from Ceramica Fioranese, which references Ceppo di Grè, a stone widely used in traditional Milanese architecture. With its characteristic irregular pattern of fine and large pebble inclusions, this collection creates a high-impact, distinctive look that brings depth and personality to the space.

“We used Lagos Stripes tiles on the walls to add character to the first-floor gallery, where we also designed a concealed door and created a connection to the kitchen. The same tiles were used in other areas as well,” explains Rob Zeelen. “For the internal terrace, we chose the Frammenta collection from Fioranese, visually connecting this wall to those in the bedroom and the master bathroom.”

The project provides a clear demonstration of how a well-chosen material can serve as a perfect unifying element between different spaces.