When did your passion for interior design actually arise?

This was instilled in me from birth! We're a family business and have been around for over 90 years. My mother always took me to the store in her stroller, and as I got older, I was often busy cutting out fabrics and creating mood boards. From the age of 15, I started helping out in the store and worked behind the counter at Trendhopper. Then I studied fashion at the TMO (Technical Training for Fashion). I found this very interesting, because fashion and home furnishings are so closely linked.

That's definitely relatable! At The Gift Label, we also keep an eye on all fashion trends to come up with fun prints and themes for our products. Just like home decor trends, this is always top of mind. Speaking of which, do you live with someone?

Yes, I live with my boyfriend in Driebergen. We decorated our apartment together. We have a long living room, so we chose a round dining table. It's so cozy because you're always unconsciously looking at each other. We love having friends and family over, so that space is very important to us. The style is inspired by a modern and sleek version of VT Wonen.

Where else do you get your inspiration? And do you have any good tips for us?

I'm in charge of purchasing for Eijerkamp, ​​so my job often takes me abroad. Places I regularly visit include Copenhagen, Paris, and Cologne. Last week I was in Shanghai and Singapore. We're seeing the Asian interior design world become increasingly closer, especially through social media. I also see a lot of trends popping up online on Instagram. So you really don't always have to go to a trade show to get inspired anymore. A combination of offline and online platforms works well. I think Italianbark.com and Yellowtrace.com are great websites with good trend reports and mood boards. We're also working with Flexa to use the new year's colors in our stores. With VT Wonen, we're creating fun, unique style studios that are currently setting trends. We're looking at influences from fashion, but colors and trends in food are also becoming increasingly important.

Wow, you're definitely not sitting still! What do you enjoy most about your work, and what are your dreams for the future?

Every day, I work to find the most beautiful items and fabrics for our customers. This is how we create a wonderful home and make people happy. But it goes much further than just "making" a home beautiful. We're constantly innovating, for example, in the area of ​​sustainability. I believe the philosophy behind the products we use is important, so we can keep the world a better place. For example, the store now has rugs made from recycled plastic and many other sustainable furniture items. We're also seeing suppliers increasingly focusing on things like recycled packaging. All of this makes working at Eijerkamp very special. I'm very happy here and I love that it's still a family business; for example, I work with my two nieces. It's so much fun! We all have our own little island. I'm involved in composing, or bringing together different styles and furniture. One of my nieces is the Business Manager and focuses on the company's processes. The other is responsible for both online and offline marketing. We complement each other well!

A real family person, that's what we like! A cozy season is coming up again, and we'll be heading back inside for cozy dinners at home. What do you like best about fall, or are you more of a summer person?

I always look forward to fall because you can make the house cozy. It's a very cozy time! October, in particular, has so many fun trends for the coming season; I can totally get into them. And unlike in previous years, Christmas is becoming a bigger deal this winter. Every season has something fun, because you can always get creative with new items!

It's constantly changing! We're also experiencing this when designing our new product labels. A key element of this is, of course, the color palette. What's your favorite fall color this year?

I love a warm, rusty, copper brown! It's a very rich color that looks beautiful on various materials, like velvet, but also with a sheen.

A warm color! Are you actually a homebody?

I'm actually always on the go and busy, but once I'm home, I really want it to be cozy. That's why it's tidy, so I can find peace and quiet.

Yes, a comfortable home where you feel at home is very important. It's nice to change things up a bit every now and then, but we don't want to keep buying new furniture. What small accessories can you use to make your home cozy for fall?

We're currently seeing a trend with dried flowers, which adds warmth indoors. This also allows you to give an existing vase a completely different look. We're also seeing a lot of terracotta pots, bowls, and coasters. These make it easy to spruce up existing furniture with a small accent. Furthermore, you can make your home even cozier with beautiful ceramic pots and velvet cushions. And we're seeing a recurring style called Wabi Sabi Marie Kondo. It originates from Japan and focuses on organizing and tidying your home by keeping only the things that bring JOY to your life. You can give the remaining items to someone else who will be happier with them than you. Perfect for a "new home" in a new season!

Do you think scented candles and home sprays can contribute significantly to that cozy atmosphere in your home?

Yes, our senses determine the atmosphere in a home. A scent can evoke memories or create a calm and cozy feeling. Here in the store, we also work a lot with the touch, sight, and smell of products to create an experience. And now that the weather is getting darker, candles can also provide a warm glow.

Awesome! Thank you so much for all these great tips! We'll definitely use them. As you know, we have a new collection at The Gift Label. How would you describe it?

I really like how you're tapping into the seasonal trends. The style is elegant, chic, and perfect for modern women. I see you're focusing on the use of materials, which you can apply to your interiors. It's fashionable and home-inspired, like the reed diffuser, for example! I also find the texts on the labels very catchy! Each one makes a super unique gift, which is perfect for the gift-giving season, of course. I also saw new items, like the lip balm, which makes a lovely little gift. I also think the Baby Line is so sweet and fun! And oh yeah, thanks for thinking of our men with the men's body wash ;-)

Haha, you're welcome! Do you have a favorite product from The Gift Label?

I've bought your products several times already, and of course, we created a beautiful limited edition together. They look absolutely stunning in my home! From the new collection, I'm most a fan of the products with the pink marble look and the Merci labels. My absolute favorite!

We're secretly fans too! And we're also thrilled with our newest product: a delicious tube of hand cream you can take with you on the road. Are you going on vacation this fall, besides work? And what's your favorite destination when it comes to interior design inspiration?

October is our busiest month at Eijerkamp, ​​so I'm not on vacation then. I'm happily working at the office, in the store with various events, or at the home fairs. If I'm traveling somewhere for inspiration, I currently prefer Scandinavia. Their style is progressive and focuses on detail. It's a perfect fit for our Dutch market. Later this year, I'm going to Mexico to unwind. Looking forward to it!