The studio

Bricks Studio.

Bricks Studio, interior by Bricks Studio

James van der Velden

Born in England in 1984 and raised in the Netherlands, James van der Velden grew up with a sculptor mother, surrounded by art, materials and the process of making. After studying in London, he worked for Kelly Hoppen before returning to the Netherlands to join Piet Boon.

In 2010, he founded Bricks Studio. The name reflects his approach: bringing individual elements together to create something with its own identity. Since then, the studio’s work has grown to encompass private homes, hotels, restaurants and retail spaces, with clients including citizenM, Thom Sweeney, Café Caron and Restaurant Terpentijn.

A collector by instinct, James is drawn to objects with character: an antique chair, a well-worn table, an unexpected piece of art. Finding them is part of the pleasure; discovering where they belong is part of his work. His own homes, including a series of converted Amsterdam garages, have provided a place to explore these combinations and live with the results.

Timeless eclecticism

James’s interiors bring together furniture from different periods, natural materials, art and collected objects. Antique pieces sit comfortably alongside contemporary design, connected by colour, texture, proportion and an intuitive sense of what works.

Each project begins with the people who will use it and the character of the space itself. The result should feel personal and comfortable, with room for everyday life and for new things to be added over time. These are interiors designed to grow richer with use.

How we work

  1. Introduction and sketch. With someone from Bricks, on site or online, about the building, the people and how the space will be used. Then a sketch design with atmosphere, layout and first materials.
  2. Design and drawings. Final design with materials, colours, lighting and bespoke work, developed into drawings.
  3. Build and styling. During construction we stay involved for all design questions; we do not manage the build itself. Styling comes last: furniture, art, textiles, objects.

Published in

The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle Decoration, Residence, Amsterdam Now, Talkiesman.