Behind the Dreams: Meet Ruth van Overbeek of Kaamer Design.

As the Mornington Peninsula continues its second lockdown, it is more important than ever that we maintain the sense of connection our local community is famous for! This is where 'Behind the Dreams' comes in. We'll be meeting our vibrant, local building and design industry professionals for 10 fun, quick-fire questions.

 Ruth van Overbeek - Director of Kaamer Design, in Mount Eliza, Victoria.

Tell us about you! What brought you to the Mornington Peninsula?

Ruth: After graduating from the prestigious Sint Lukas School of Arts in Brussels, I've spent eight years working in sales and merchandising for Calvin Klein in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg where my eye for minimalist detail was tested and my collection of modern furniture developed. When living in Belgium I met my Mount Eliza-bred husband and fell in love. Work commitments made us, as a family, move to Ljubljana, Slovenia in the 90s. Slovenia was re-emerging as a leader in sustainable living. We moved to Australia in 2007 with our 2 boys, Max and Alex.

How do you like to live?

Ruth: I like to live a simple life with my beautiful family. I feel loved and enjoy looking after my loved ones. Travel, having fun and close friendships are very dear to me. There is always time for a chat and a glass of Champagne.

What’s the highlight of your working week?

Ruth: Site visits are always exciting...seeing your vision coming to life is very fulfilling.

Describe your business in 20 words 😉, no more!

Ruth: I launched Kaamer Design in 2011. I offer my clients fresh ideas and fearless design, my work is at the forefront of a new sensibility in Australian design that artfully merges the demands of contemporary living with the timeless sensibility of European design.

What do you do on a Saturday?

Ruth: Weekends are for relaxing and enjoying quality time with my family, read books and look into interior magazines, play games and watch movies. When the sun is out, you will definitely see us walking our Pug Coco.

What’s your favourite house or garden trend at the moment?

Ruth: Modernist design that includes open-plan living, informal dining and a bespoke kitchen in colour! And the classicism of yesterday and the avant-garde of today's choices in marble, available in deep reds, greens and soft pink hues. I love Marble and it's natural elegance and top level sophistication.

Your proudest business moment?

Ruth: An award-wining kitchen featured in Architectural Digest, and be a finalist at Polytec Design awards 2019 for custom Furniture.

What do you secretly wish clients knew?

Ruth: That we, as Designers, have a good understanding of colour and that they would trust us more to be more adventurous.

If you were a house… which one would you be? And why?

I've got a soft spot for MCM houses. Mid-century modern architecture is best characterised by flat or raked roof lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, easy interior flow and great indoor-outdoor connections - many of the qualities in a home that we now recognise as quintessentially Australian. From its steel and glass structure to the brick work and timber panelling, it's modernism at it's best.

Thank you Ruth for sharing a bit about yourself with our Building Dreams community!

If you would like to learn more about Kaamer Design, visit www.kaamer.com Or follow on instagram: @kaamerdesign