Craftsmanship and timeless design are at the core of everything we do. Riley has been with Format since the very beginning. In this conversation, he shares his journey from intern to lead craftsman, explains how he balances aesthetics with functionality, and highlights the projects he’s most proud of.

Riley's path to craftsmanship wasn’t straightforward. “Initially, I wanted to become an electrician, but I realized I wanted to create something tangible — something I could show to the world. That’s when I decided to pursue furniture-making, and it turned out to be the perfect fit.”

During his studies in furniture making and interior construction, Riley interned twice with Floor, first at Floor’s original workshop and later when Floor and Jikke founded Format. “When I finished my studies, I suggested joining Format. At the time, the company was still in its early stages, so I started as a freelancer. As Format grew, I officially joined the team.”

“Our process is meticulous,” Riley says. “It starts with Jikke, who gathers the client’s initial ideas and mood boards. From there, Gabrielle, our interior designer, drafts the design. These drawings then go to Floor for final adjustments before being shared with the client for approval. After revisions and client feedback, the technical drawings are finalized.”

“By the time we’re on-site installing, everything has to be perfect—there’s no room for errors then. We double-check throughout to minimize errors. At the installation stage, I’m the main point of contact for the client, ensuring they’re informed and satisfied.”

“Challenges are part of the job. Sometimes there’s a hiccup during the technical drawing phase or with measurements. While we might need to make adjustments, we never compromise on design. Material choice is another factor. Working with solid wood, for example, means accounting for its natural changes over time. Using high-quality, often costly materials demands precision and care.”

Some projects stand out for Riley. “One of my favorites was a project we did in Amsterdam for Graeme and Miguel, where we created a ribbed oak island with no corners and an entire wall clad in oak. It was flawlessly executed.” He’s equally proud of a recent project in Naarden “When we get to design an entire house or a large living space, that’s when the project really feels like Format.”

Another project Riley higlights is the apartment of Pascal and Conja. “We designed a continuous windowsill that ran around the entire apartment. It was both a unique challenge and a joy to build.”