The Jane Antwerp was the first project of its kind we ever did, and in many ways, the deepest and most complex design experience we've had with a restaurant. At the time, I had little understanding and experience as a guest at fine dining restaurants, and Nick Bril and Sergio Herman were guiding and schooling me through it. I received the best education I could ask for in that regard, and I've made great friendships and found mentorship in many ways.

The interiors of The Jane, designed by Piet Boon

The restaurant itself was (and still is) a curating marvel. It was full of creations from people from around the world - from light fixtures and stained glass windows to sofas and ceramic plates, all the way to a pair of steak knives (made by us) wrapped in a leather bundle (designed and made by my then studio partners - Andrey Grishko and Shay Nifusi). The investment of time and funds into building deep relationships, based on a tool that's used for a fraction of the meal, has taught me a lot about how I want to build my business and what kind of person I wish to become.

The making of the Steak knives for The Jane Antwerp

The knives themselves were not as refined as the ones we make today, but they had charm. They were large and tactile, made of warm materials such as brass, wood, and leather, and were unlike any other knife you had ever seen in a restaurant, up until then. Looking back, I can appreciate it much more, but at the time, I had little point of reference. We make better knives today, but it's very hard to recreate that magic, and we chase it with every new project.