How To Inject Energy And Dynamism Into Your Space With Studio Femm

Amsterdam-based design studio femm is inherently fascinated by the immediate beauty and power of intense colour. Founder Femke Hofhuis discusses capturing the most vibrant vibes and spreading positivity

Do you know that feeling when the sun shines and it instantly makes you happy? That’s the emotion I aim to evoke with my work. I try to stay grounded when creating so I can infuse each piece with a unique vibrancy. I’m very energising, but I can also be very calm. This blend of dynamism is what you feel when you see one of my pieces. It reflects my personality, bringing both energy and serenity into a space with its vivid use of colour. It resonates with people who are on the same wavelength or who want to feel that same energy.

I believe that’s the power of art, design and objects – they speak without words. They can bring an emotion to the surface that you might not have been aware of. Sometimes, it doesn’t need an explanation because it’s understood on a deeper level. Creating a ‘wow’ effect in the viewer is the most beautiful thing because it means the piece evokes a feeling they’ve never experienced before.

With the right piece in the right place, you can definitely create a specific atmosphere. Imagine lighting up a dark and forgotten corner with a round yellow and golden wall object that has light behind it and looks like the sun; it will instantly bring joy. That’s why I enjoy creating custom-made pieces for projects like hotels and residential spaces. With my experience as a stylist, I can immediately sense what a place needs to elevate the entire space. When designing, I play with warm and cool colours, soft and hard materials, matte and glossy finishes – I mix and match until the right atmosphere is captured.

At the moment, I’m working on pieces for my solo exhibition at The Zaha Hadid Hotel, ME Dubai, starting third October this year. I visited the location twice to feel the energy and get inspired. It’s such a special place that I wanted to dedicate an entirely new collection to it. Because there’s a large atrium where the light changes every minute of the day, I decided to work with materials that reflect light, such as aluminium, brass and copper.

What I often see is that art and objects are considered the finishing touch, thought about only in the final stage. They should have a prominent place in the design plan from the beginning because they give a space so much personality. If you build your space around prominent centrepieces, they will set the right ambience.

“The power of art, design and objects– they speak without words”

Femke Hofhuis

For more information visit: femm.amsterdam

Images Courtesy of: Femm

From Harper’s Bazaar Interiors’ Summer 2024 issue