Built From the Backlog: A Tool Born of Interior Design Frustration

An interview with Stefan and Henk, founders of Design Bespeak

In a world where the same suppliers get specified again and again, and smaller studios struggle to stay visible, Design Bespeak offers a refreshing alternative — a curated digital showroom built to inspire discovery and simplify creative workflows. We sat down with its co-founders, Stefan and Henk, to unpack how their past frustrations fuelled the platform’s creation, and how they’re quietly transforming the way interior designers and product suppliers connect.

Stefan and Henk, founders of Design Bespeak

You’ve both spent time on opposite ends of the design industry. Where did the idea for Bespeak really begin — was it a slow build or a sharp moment of frustration that sparked it?

Stefan: It wasn’t one single moment. It was a steady accumulation of friction points — especially around finding new products as a designer, and trying to get noticed as a supplier. Eventually, we realised no one was solving this in a way that felt intuitive or inspiring.

Henk: For me, it was definitely a lived experience. Running Liquid Mesh, I saw how hard it was to get in front of the right designers at the right time. And as a designer, you often rely on the same handful of suppliers because it’s quicker — not because they’re the best fit.

So your past businesses, Dessiner and Liquid Mesh, taught you a few hard truths?

Henk: Absolutely. Dessiner showed us just how complex creative workflows really are — and how easy it is for admin and overwhelm to kill creative momentum.

Stefan: Liquid Mesh gave us insight into how suppliers operate. Many don’t have the marketing budgets or infrastructure to reach designers consistently. We kept thinking: what if there was a shared space that worked for both sides?

You’ve called Bespeak a “digital showroom” rather than a marketplace. Why make that distinction?

Stefan: Because it’s not about transactions — it’s about inspiration. Designers aren’t buying products here; they’re discovering them, collecting them into project-based collections, and reaching out when the fit is right. It’s a tool that mirrors the actual creative process.

Henk: And that subtle difference shifts the tone. It becomes less about selling and more about visibility and connection — on both sides.

Was it obvious from the start that the platform should be free to use — even for suppliers?

Henk: Not at all. We considered subscriptions, commissions, all the usual routes. But we kept circling back to the idea that friction kills discovery. So we dropped the gatekeeping and rethought the business model completely.

Stefan: We now take a small facilitation fee when leads convert into real sales — but we wanted to remove barriers upfront. Suppliers don’t pay to be seen. Designers don’t pay to explore.

That’s a bold move. What’s one feature that makes you think, “Yes — this is why we built it”?

Henk: The Collections feature. It’s deceptively simple, but incredibly powerful. Designers can drag products they love into project folders and build moodboards that actually talk to their real-world work.

Stefan: It gives people space to play and plan — without the pressure to purchase or finalise anything too soon.

It’s clear Bespeak is built to inspire. But you’re also running a business. How do you stay creatively energised through all the tech and operations?

Stefan: Honestly? We still talk design all the time. We geek out about new materials, new makers. That keeps us close to the why.

Henk: And we’re always listening — to designers, to suppliers, to our own team. There’s creativity in problem-solving too.

Let’s talk about your two main audiences. First, what’s the biggest win for designers using the platform?

Stefan: Fresh inspiration without the time sink. They get a constantly evolving stream of curated products they might not have discovered otherwise — and it’s all organised in a way that supports their workflow.

And for suppliers? Especially the smaller, more niche makers?

Henk: Visibility. Bespeak puts them in front of the right eyes, without needing a big sales team or an expensive stand at a trade show. It levels the playing field.

Looking ahead, where do you see Bespeak going next?

Stefan: More integration — tools that make the design-to-specify process even smoother. And more voices: we want to spotlight a wider range of makers, styles, and materials.

Henk: The industry is evolving. We want to evolve with it — and help shape the future while we’re at it.