The couple, who share their home with 15-year-old daughter, Maude, and their dog, Minnie, say they were lucky to come across this apartment located in the RAG building, an architectural design collaboration between Dutch furniture designer Piet Hein Eek and architect Iggy Dekkers.

“The apartment is in a redeveloped factory building, formally owned by Philips, the famous electronics company founded in 1891,” Beth explains. “Originally a pump house which supplied all of the other factories in the area with compressed gas, the old yellow brick building has been transformed into 10 homes.” 

Beth says that they were the last occupants to join the building, and they fell in love with the space. But there was just one small issue: Their unit was designed for a couple, not a family of four (their son, Quincy, currently lives and studies in Antwerp, Belgium).

“Before moving in, it was essential for us to rethink the space so that it could accommodate us. The height of the ceilings fortunately made it possible to build a second mezzanine floor,” Beth begins. “The structure, designed by Piet Hein Eek, is completely made from birch plywood and glass, and sits on top of the original iron metalwork in the building. The staircase is as compact as we could possibly make it, so that it doesn’t encroach on the living room space, and underneath there’s an extra much-needed storage cupboard.”

While fashion textile designers now, Beth and Tomi were both trained as illustrators, which Beth says “definitely influences our choices for art on the walls. Although we like abstract art, we love cartoon and realistic depictions of people, animals, and plants. We are definitely both drawn to playful art and design that makes us smile and we love bold color. Our jobs (and Tomi’s family) have taken us to Africa many times, so we’ve collected a lot of objects over the years from different countries on the continent. We really appreciate handmade textiles and painted objects; we love irregularities in things. There are not so many new pieces of furniture in our home, as we prefer vintage pieces with more wear and character.”

Along with their textile design work, Beth and Tomi also run the online and physical business The Scenery Shop, where they’ve curated a “collection of paper goods, fashion and home accessories, featuring the work of international illustrators and textile artisans.”

• AFROART striped cushion on sofa — The Scenery Shop
• AMABRO geometric colored glass vases x 2 with plant cuttings — The Scenery Shop
• AREAWARE geometric table tiles — The Scenery Shop
• BOHEMIA DESIGN walnut wood incense holder — The Scenery Shop
• Our sofa and chair — Vintage
• Wool rug in living room — Morocco
• Living room furniture — Made with vintage fairground signs
• Bookshelf — Vintage

• Large Lucozade poster — Vintage
• Sideboard under stairs — Vintage
• Dining table — IKEA
• Dining chairs — Vintage Eames

• MICKE LINDEBERGH/WRAP round tray — The Scenery Shop
• Red desk chair — IKEA
• Desk and wardrobes upstairs — Old HABITAT UK

• AREAWARE stacking wooden cat — The Scenery Shop
• Wool bed throw — From Morocco
• African wax cushions — Beth made
• Bed — The Natural Bed Company UK
• Bedside tables — Vintage lab stools
• Plant stand — Vintage

• AREAWARE stacking wooden man — The Scenery Shop
• WARREN & LAETITIA colouful 3D printed plant and trinket trays — The Scenery Shop
• WE ARE OUT OF OFFICE wool fruit rug — The Scenery Shop
• Bed — LAGRAMA SPAIN
• Desk chair — Vintage

• FOEKJE FLEUR bubble buddy soap dish and soap — The Scenery Shop
• AMABRO glass storage pots — The Scenery Shop
• STATE THE LABEL chequered Turkish bath towels — The Scenery Shop

Thanks, Beth and Tomi!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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