Client Spotlight: Viero’s work with Henry Van Der Vijver

Viero's work with Henry Van Der Vijver
999 647 Daniel Fountain
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The lifeblood of any successful business is good quality clients. Viero UK is fortunate to have many.

During our time in the industry, we have partnered with some of the most fantastic creatives in the world of surface designs. To celebrate our collaborative approach to business, we have launched a new feature to introduce our loyal clients and to explain how our work intertwines.

To kick it off, we spoke to Henry Van Der Vijver who is renowned within the industry for his quality work and great experience in the surface finish industry…

Viero: Tell us a bit more about your business…
Henry Van Der Vijver
: I’m the managing director of HVART Ltd, a specialist decorator and master craftsman with 30 years’ experience in the trade. I have a classic grounding and training in decorative finishes, so as a surface designer my finishes last. I now run a small friendly team of London-based artisans and we only use the best products that give our designs longevity. We work closely with London’s design and architecture studios to create bespoke finishes for their projects. People know where to find me and know that my name equals quality. I have great clients, a super team and I like to trade with a smile.

V: What projects are you working on at the moment?
HVDV:
We have just been working a new project in the clubhouse of one of the world’s most famous golf courses. We completed the main project back in 2002 and were invited back to create more designs as the initial project work still looks like the day we finished them. We have an ongoing commission at the back of Oxford Street where we’re hand painting fireplaces in a penthouse to look like the client’s favourite marble. We like to travel too and will soon be going back to a project in Montenegro to paint another exciting ceiling mural. And back in London, we’re performing lacquer wall finishes for a new trendy hotel project in central London as well as commissions for ride crews for Cunard’s cruise liners.

V: How did you first start working with Viero UK?
HVDV:
I first met Viero UK at a Decorex exhibition. I liked the look of the products and thought that the director Chris was incredibly charming. There used to be a word called chivalry which is nowadays lost, but Chris is very chivalrous and is a true gentleman. We hit it off straight away and have been working together ever since. We work on the kind of projects of which Viero products suit beautifully. There is some super new looks that have been created with these products like the bathroom suites we finished in Hydro and the lovely soft grain of the Marmorin, so HVART and Viero make for a great pairing.

V: What do you like about working with Viero UK?
HVDV:
The products are very malleable and user-friendly. I like the availability, the fact that the team will deliver it wherever I need it to go and I think it’s branded beautifully. Chris and team are always on hand to answer any questions, so all round it’s a great product from a smashing team.

V: What does the future hold? How are you working to stay ahead of the game?
HVDV:
Our industry is greatly driven by fashion, although I’m grounded in the classics. I can walk into most interiors and identify the date by the surface finishes. It’s all about re-inventing. A very famous artist friend of mine once said to me: “It’s all been done before Henry, buts it’s all about how we will do it today.” If you’re constantly talking to all of your peers and keeping an eye on social media, you can stay fresh in the game. I’ve never seen such a fabulous tool as Instagram for our trade and we are so lucky nowadays to have such wonderful reference tools like this and Pinterest.

www.viero.co.uk
enquiries@viero.co.uk
0870 609 2827

Daniel Fountain / 13.03.2017

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.