5 Dutch Design Tips From Designer Marcel Wanders

Minimalists, avert your eyes. Despite the prominence of the subtle, muted design style, the latter half of 2018 has made a clear call for bolder colors, patterns, and textures, paving the way for a maximalism revival.

No one believes this more fervently than Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. His works have been exhibited in museums from New York and San Francisco to London and Amsterdam, and he's fresh off the launch of his latest collection dubbed Globe Trotter. Wanders designed the rule-breaking line for Roche Bobois, a French furniture company known for its high-street designs.

Inspired by the transformative spirit of adventure, Wanders set out to create a collection that evokes the feeling of bringing back treasures and found objects from far-off lands, and it's anything but minimalistic. "It gets exciting. It gets eclectic—like life is," the designer tells MyDomaine. "It's a collection of happy memories," he continues.

We sat down with Wanders to learn more about Dutch design, what influences his work, and how to embrace bold styles at home. Keep reading to hear a few Dutch design tips we gleaned from the creative and take a look at the whimsical, wanderlust-inducing collection.

Embrace the Eclectic

According to Wanders, his collection is far from cohesive. In fact, he's content with the fact that his pieces don't necessarily fit together. "Life doesn't work that way," he explains. Instead, he abides by an "opposites attract" philosophy and embraces a more eclectic interior design aesthetic. It's more about how different styles can work together as opposed to ensuring that everything is the same.

Be Open-Minded

Born in the Netherlands, Wanders attributes his design sensibilities to his homeland's tolerant nature. "We're a very tolerant nation and we're very open-minded when it comes to people with different ideas, and I think that’s a prerequisite for creativity," he says. "If you're not willing to listen to other people, then you're behind," the designer continues. According to him, this mindset is a must when it comes to his ability to design. 

Have a Sense of Humor

The Droog movement of the 1990s is what really put Dutch design on the map, Wanders points out. "[It's] a bit unsophisticated but therefore pure and direct and powerful," he explains. "It doesn't take itself too seriously. There is a sense of humor. It's linguistic. It's fun. It's not very pragmatic," says Wanders. These are the key elements of Dutch design.

Look for Honest Pieces

"Dutch design is very honest and very pure," according to Wanders. The bare, skeletal version of design defines the style and is what set it apart from many other superficial aesthetics in the past, Wanders points out. "It was necessary for design to relocate itself—to see how polished it had become," he continues.

Be Anti-Minimalistic

"The work we do now is very anti-minimalistic," Wanders says. One look at his Globe Trotter collection and that's entirely clear. "Our culture is so minimalistic. It's hard to find someone who still loves making a thing that is really made with soul, made with heart," he explains. So dare to decorate your home with bold colors and designs that tell a story and keep an open-mind when sourcing unique pieces for your home.