HENK at home with Stephanie Broek

In the 'HENK at home' series, we visit people who inspire us to give you a glimpse into their daily lives at home. This time, we visit Stephanie Broek, who, together with her partner Younes Ouazzani, has just moved into a nineteenth-century apartment in Amsterdam's De Pijp neighborhood.

Stephanie Broek and her partner Younes Ouazzani's new Amsterdam apartment boasts a lot of character due to authentic elements such as a high ceiling with ornaments and a black marble fireplace. An eye-catcher in their classic-minimalist interior is the Layer Sofa in a stylish, chocolate-brown shade. We spoke with the couple about what drives and inspires them in their interior choices.
 

How do you like your choice of the Layer Sofa in Facet 18?

Stephanie: "We are very happy with it. You can do anything with this sofa, which is great. When it first arrived, we spent a lot of time puzzling over it and figuring out the best arrangement. The nice thing is that you can change it at any moment. We are also very pleased with the chocolate brown color; for us, it's especially important that the color isn't too light so we don't paranoidly walk around the sofa for fear that someone will spill red wine or fruit juice."

Younes: "And it's also very comfortable. I like a robust, sturdy sofa that you don't sink into. The Layer Sofa has exactly that right balance."

What do you look for when making choices for your interior?

Stephanie: "We find it incredibly important that a piece of furniture is versatile and timeless. But that doesn't mean a product should be boring; it really has to do something for you. If you make long-term choices, meaning for items that you'll still find beautiful years later, you are immediately more sustainable."

What other conscious choices have you made in your interior?

Stephanie: "We had an old wooden floor installed in our home. It's unbelievable that people remove such beautiful floors from their homes for new ones. I actually find the imperfect and used look very beautiful. It immediately gives a lot more character to your home."

What inspires you?

Stephanie: "We are very fond of vintage design by designers like Arne Jacobsen, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand, but also Italian mid-century designs. We often go to Paris or Copenhagen to look for special items at one of the many vintage design markets. Travel always inspires us. In Copenhagen, Atelier September is very nice. I can't quite put my finger on what's so great about that restaurant, but I particularly enjoy the casual, lively atmosphere there."

Younes: "Le Pigalle in Paris is also a beautifully designed hotel; everything there is right without being over-designed. There are beautiful designs, but it doesn't feel like a museum. But Japan, where we were for my thirtieth birthday, was also an enormously inspiring trip. The sobriety there, with so much love and attention for everything at the same time, is very pleasant. Minimalism combined with warm elements, like stone with wood."  

Inspired by Stephanie Broek's interior and her favorite spot in the house? Create a stylish seating area with the Layer Sofa, which, thanks to its individual elements, can be assembled entirely to your liking. In this HENK at home, the Layer Sofa is shown in Facet fabric and color 18.