bedMATE of the month #29: Paul Somers

Every month we visit a creative and inspiring person. She or he is the
'bedMATE of the month'.

The bedMATE is the most iconic item in our collection. The extra long pillow serves as a
headboard, but also as a cuddle buddy, a friend who provides support.

We crawl into bed with the 'bedMATE of the month'. We take a look at their home and in
their colorful (bed)rooms. In conversation we discover how they experience the SUITE life. What
is going on in their minds? Where do they get their inspiration from? And in what color
are they dreaming?

This month we visited - together with photographer Marie-Louise Hodge - Paul Somers. He lives in Hilversum with his family and loan dog Luna. Paul is bursting with creativity. His ideas, home and energy are the perfect proof of that. Just like his company Somers Somers, where he brings together design, styling, creative productions and interior finds.

Paul loves beauty in everything around him. As a child he often went out with his parents, from nature to antique markets and art auctions, where he learned to look at details and craftsmanship. After studying art and architecture history and a career in the hospitality industry, he has done many different things. After a time in the heart of Amsterdam, he now lives with his family in Hilversum, a perfect base. Traveling is his passion. From scoring special design finds in unexpected places to culinary discoveries and exclusive interior visits, always looking for inspiration.

What is your favorite color combination? And why? All natural gradations of green with blue. The colors of nature.

How would you describe your interior style? Relaxed. Mid century 'lived in' with quiet modern furniture in muted colours often design classics. Love timelessness and contrasts. It may feel modern. White in space age and stainless steel and chrome accents. The art and all the ceramics dress it up and give everything a bit more colour. Some of the art rotates and some is there to stay. Sometimes there is more colour and sometimes less in the accents and that goes in waves. A lot is vintage and you never know exactly what you are going to discover that keeps it fun. During the shoot the house was quite full now a lot is gone again and it is a bit emptier, quieter and a bit more tranquil. The seasons also determine the styling a bit sometimes it is a bit more arty or crafty sometimes a bit tighter

Favorite movie/book/song? Favorite movie: I Am Love Book: All Cy Twombly books make me happy. Italian cookbooks too. Song: Chet Baker does the thing: There will never be another you.

What snack do you always have in the house? Parmesan cheese.

"With Somers Somers I had a great year full of fun collaborations with retailers and brands at home and abroad. Now I focus on creative projects at Jetway Agency in Amsterdam Noord and I source unique vintage pieces on request."

Paul is currently helping friends with the interior design of their Merlette showroom-brandstore in NYC. At the same time he is also working on new interior projects and a possible collaboration with an interior brand.

What's on your interior wishlist? A PK22 chair by Poul Kjaerholm or a coffee table also by Kjaerhom. Good stuff lasts.

Paul wears his father-in-law's loafers, one of his favorite items from his shoe collection.

Paul has more than 25 colored vintage Ralph Lauren shirts. He wore his first shirt during his part-time job in the dishwashing. He has been collecting them for a while now, oversized in all colors.

Paul is a 'work gypsy' and loves to learn and do new things and has a broad range of interests. He worked for Sotheby's, Spaces, Salle Privée, Miso House, Balthazar's Keuken and Somers & Schoute, where he worked with special, talented people and learned about tangible creativity in all its forms: interior, art, fashion, food, design, architecture and branding. Especially the thinking and making process and how stories are told, continues to fascinate him. How people get energy from it and connect with it.

"It's so much fun to create something out of nothing, together and by yourself, and to be a part of it."

Which item in your home says a lot about you? The ceramic cabinet, lots of craft and lots of beauty. It's fun to think about what you're going to cook and always have other items to use to plate when friends come over for dinner. I like to keep it casual, which means that everything is shared and comfort. Beautiful items to cook and eat with, we really like that at home, searched for and bought ourselves and also beautiful heirlooms. Just looking at them makes me happy.

Can you tell us something about your favorite place in the house? The living room always full of sunbeams and lots of books, magazines, newspapers, the plants, things with feeling and ceramics.
The sun really lights up the room. We have a bay window and a 1920s house. It's cozy like this. No place like home.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Architect, antique dealer and chef.