Eelke Jan Bles

Where are you from?
I was born in Fryslan, the Netherlands and now live in Spitalfields, London.

How did you end up in London?
After training at the Dutch Academy of Photography, I worked for 7 years as a professional photographer, before deciding to study Urban Geography at the University of Amsterdam. I have always been entrepreneurial and set up Solid Floor Amsterdam in 1994 whilst still studying. A student exchange programme took me to London and the U.C.L. Bartlett School for Architecture and Planning. I decided to stay and make London my home and in 1997 I opened the first Solid Floor showroom in Clerkenwell.

Solid Floor in one sentence?
Solid Floor specialises in high quality flooring and its success is driven by our passion for design and craft.

What other interests do you have?
I have always had a keen eye for product design and I source items all over the world; for myself, the showrooms and our clients. In my East End work shop I also create furniture and lighting, which evolved into the making of abstract timber base reliefs reflecting my interest in fine art. I am a dedicated art collector and in 2007 I set up contemporary art gallery KESTER+BLES www.kesterbles.com, promoting emerging international artists.

What are you working on now?
My latest creative projects revolve around interior design and property development in the UK, The Netherlands and France. My own home has featured in several international design publications and I am collaborating with top designers and craftsmen to deliver complete interior design solutions for like-minded clients.