How we translated the world of Casper Reinders into a book
Made by MENDO
Casper Reinders, a rare phenomenon. Image by Kwabena Appiah-Nti.
This book is unlike any other. And although there are more publishers saying that, we promise you, there’s absolutely nothing like this. Casper Reinders greatest interiors are collected in our newest book: Rock ‘n’ Roll Interiors.
How many 21st century businessmen without email do you know? And how many successful businessmen without email do you know? Probably a rare phenomenon. Insert, Casper Reinders; definitely a rare phenomenon.
Casper is the (co-)owner and interior stylist of more than ten wonderful places in Amsterdam serving the best drinks, food, and tunes in the city. None of them look alike, but they all have one thing in common: Casper’s way of collecting curiosities, antique, and overall coolness. As if that wasn’t enough, Casper now has his very own MENDO book: Rock ‘N’ Roll Interiors – The Eccentric World of Casper Reinders. A whirlwind of a book which features twelve interiors that reflect the eclectic style of one of Amsterdam’s leading interior designers. Here’s a small introduction.
Libertine Comptoir de Cuisine & Joya
Taxidermy animals, Skulls, Japanese porn, Asian antique.
Taxidermy animals, Skulls, Japanese porn, Asian antique.
“I don’t think you understand me correctly; there is no line. I never work with a plan.” According to Casper, his work literally consists of finding a venue and freestyling along the way. After having several meetings with cappuccinos at Libertine, I can tell you it isn’t. Yes, his work methods are somewhat unusual – For example: he doesn’t use email or a computer, and for someone who owns ten restaurants, he knows remarkably little about food – but still, there is consistency in his work. Every place built by him has a one-of-a-kind signature.
You could describe his work as eclectic, or rock ‘n’ roll (which he doesn’t like), but you can certainly describe it as Casper’s own. Taxidermy animals, skulls, Asian antique, Japanese porn, Russian curiosa, neon, a Skulljan graphic, and a canoe on the ceiling. “I just do what I like, and preferably, something that most people don’t like. If I made something everyone would love, it would feel as if I did a bad job.”
![]([{"width":300,"height":382,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Schermafdruk-2018-11-21-11.56.41-300x0-c-default.png"},{"width":500,"height":637,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Schermafdruk-2018-11-21-11.56.41-500x0-c-default.png"},{"width":700,"height":892,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Schermafdruk-2018-11-21-11.56.41.png"},{"width":900,"height":1146,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Schermafdruk-2018-11-21-11.56.41.png"}])
Bumbu
One of Casper's latest venues: Bumbu
So how would you translate this easy-go-lucky style into a book? Our art-director Joost Albronda explains: “When asked about his style, Casper would respond with something like “I just try something and see if it works” or “I don’t really stick to a formula.” So when we started on this book, we wanted it to reflect the way Casper works. It’s freestyling with a purpose. And that’s exactly what Casper does.”
This results in a book that goes in many directions at once. An a-typical entrepreneur deserves an a-typical book. That’s why there were three of the best photographers of Amsterdam involved to create a book that captures a mood, rather than just interiors. Joost: “Casper uses different interior styles at once, and with the photography of Roel, Kwabena, and Sharon we’ve used the styles of three great Amsterdam photographers to recreate his eclectic style in the book. No chapter is the same, just like none of Casper’s businesses is the same. I think we managed to surprise with every page.”
"We wanted it to reflect the way Casper works. It’s freestyling with a purpose." Joost Albronda
The book is filled with extraordinary things and wit, and functions almost as a journey through all of Casper’s venues. If there is a line to be found in his work, it would be its versatility. Wherever you look, you’ll find something weird or beautiful that inspires or intrigues. This book is a reflection of that feeling. With an unusual style, with surprising as well as confusing images, and a cover design by Casper’s friend and long-time collaborator Skulljan which hints to the classic with a unique contemporary twist.
So “this is not a fucking interior book,” but since we already have a book with a similar title, we chose for Rock ‘n’ Roll Interiors: The Eccentric World of Casper Reinders. He doesn’t like that name. He doesn’t consider himself Rock ‘n’ Roll at all, nor eccentric. That’s probably because in the world of Casper Reinders, everyone’s weird, and he’s the normal one. How that translates into his work, you’ll have to see in the book. Let’s just say that in our opinion, it’s not exactly normal.
‘I collect everything. It’s really just a pile of junk.’
‘I collect everything. It’s really just a pile of junk.’
About the book
Rock ‘n’ Roll Interiors is a book that tells the compelling stories of Casper Reinders: one of the most well-known Dutch entrepreneurs, collectionneurs, and interior designers. Distinctively different from other clubs, bars and restaurants Casper’s interiors are always exotic, Rock ‘n’ Roll, classic, bohemian, unique, rugged, and hedonistic.
Shop
![]([{"width":60,"height":75,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mendo-book-casper-koper-60x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":100,"height":126,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mendo-book-casper-koper-100x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":200,"height":251,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mendo-book-casper-koper-200x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":350,"height":439,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mendo-book-casper-koper-350x0-c-default.jpg"},{"width":500,"height":628,"src":"https:\/\/www.mendo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mendo-book-casper-koper-500x0-c-default.jpg"}])
Continue reading
Work in progress: the Pontsteiger book
A first glimpse at a new book project with local significance
An eye-catching new building rises along the banks of the IJ-river. MENDO is very proud to design and publish a book about it.
#SENDNUDES–An uncensored celebration
Location: Extreme Wow Suite of W Hotel Amsterdam
On Monday night, our latest publication #SENDNUDES got the celebration it deserved: a playful and sexy evening in the Extreme Wow Suite at W Hotel Amsterdam.
The second-best way to experience photography
Amsterdam Exhibitions
Even though we're blessed with a great summer in 2019, Amsterdam's museums prove that it pays to spend some days inside.
Made and published by us
We don't just sell books... we make them too, which you can see in the showcase of our 33 MENDO-made books. Here’s the story of how our MENDO publishing house…
Winners Sleeping In Style Amsterdam announced
Our Sleeping In Style competition has come to an end and we're delighted to announce the 9 fortunate winners.
Interview
To celebrate our upcoming book with The Avocado Show, MENDO had a lunch date with its founder Ron Simpson to “peel” the success of the Avocado Show.
At MENDO, we love to be inspired by everything visual. This time, we've selected 8 images that cast our collective solitude in a beautiful light.
MENDO Bookstand wins European Product Design Award
The MENDO bookstand is now officially amazing, as she's the winner of a European Product Design Award. Become the proud owner of our award winner.
A tough lesson in human compassion
Interview with Jermain Cikic
Interview with Jermain Cikic, former MENDO employee, who created a personal and evocative documentation of a homeless shelter in Amsterdam, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
A-list of Amsterdam hotspots, and many are struggling to survive
Interview
This month, MENDO and gloobles launch a rather delightful city guide, packed with hotspots, most of which you currently cannot visit. We had a chat with gloobles' founder Stephanie van…
Joep Hijwegen exhibition at MENDO
Expo
A selection of Joep Hijwegen’s work is exhibited and for sale at MENDO, Nieuwe Doelenstraat 10 in Amsterdam. Meet Joep at MENDO on Saturday July 10th from 1pm - 4pm.
Picturing the Streets of Amsterdam
Meet the photographers of 'Streets of Amsterdam’
‘Streets of Amsterdam’ editor Joost Bastmeijer introduces four of the book’s contributing photographers.
ARAB – An interview with author Parham Rahimzadeh
MENDO's Gunifort Uwambaga sat down with author Parham Rahimzadeh to discuss his debut book ARAB and the process he undertook to bring it to creation.
Erwin Olaf, April Fool 2020 book launch and Pop-Up Expo at MENDO
12 and 13 December
In December, MENDO, Galerie Ron Mandos and Studio Erwin Olaf present the publication of Erwin Olaf, April Fool 2020. The book will launch on the weekend of 12 and 13…
Surfing is actually done offline
Shaka brah! Every summer eventually comes to an end, even this one. But to extend the summer vibes a little further, here’s a selection of our best surfing titles.
Contributor's favorites
Five Amsterdam Uncovered contributors share their absolute favorite Amsterdam things from the book.
A new chapter: MENDO at De L’Europe Amsterdam
New MENDO store
Mid-March 2020, MENDO will open a store at De L'Europe Amsterdam in the Nieuwe Doelenstraat, offering a whole new design, with a familiar vibe.
Photographer
In our series Shelf Sessions we climb the shelves of MENDO’s friends. In this episode: Pieter Henket, a Dutch photographer in NYC. Check some of the books we spied on…
MENDO’s first fashion book is not a f*cking street style book
A behind the scenes glimpse on making This Is Not A F*cking Street Style Book
Cult photographer Adam Katz Sinding (aka Le 21ème) and MENDO are proud to present Adam's first photography monograph, This Is Not A F*cking Street Style Book. Here's what Joost and…