Het gezicht achter Studio Sensus
Over Michèlle van Vlerken
What makes a person happy? That's the question I grapple with every day. As an entrepreneur, I know that freedom makes me happy. My children thrive on autonomy, too. But that's not enough. For years, I searched for the answer. I dreamed of vacations and tried to turn my house into a resort. Perhaps, with the right environment, I could also embrace the lifestyle that appeals to me so much: calm, relaxed, authentic, in the moment, enjoying my loved ones, nature, and life itself. Yet, I made several mistakes that prevented me from fully achieving this.
Only years later did I realize I could indeed influence the happiness and well-being of myself and my family. Not by constantly changing or taking frequent vacations, but by very specifically exploring what each of us needs, at the deep levels of consciousness, senses, body, and brain. Because when you look beyond taste, style, and trends, you discover a world of research and insights from various fields that teach us about the relationship between humans and their environment.
Wired differently
My two creative, sensitive boys were the inspiration for founding Studio Sensus. They sometimes need something different than others. Space to unwind, extra exercise, or a clear structure. And I, too, am wired differently in certain ways. When I was young, I didn't fully realize this. I was often overwhelmed by the world and retreated to my own domain: my room. I had adapted it to my own wishes and needs. It was a place where I could be completely myself.
Influence of the environment
Because I'd known intuitively for a long time: your physical environment influences your well-being. In my early years as an interior designer, I navigated that intuition. Yet, something nagged at me: why had my interior design training paid so little attention to the human being? Why was it all about styles, trends, materials, and functions, but not about well-being, safety, sensory processing, homeostasis (balance in your body), connection, and regulation?
Research
That's why I started my own research. I pursued a postgraduate degree in Sensory Information Processing to broaden my horizons. I learned how our brains process sensory information, and how that varies from person to person. That everyone has different thresholds for sensory input. And that some people seek it out, while others avoid it as much as possible.
I also delved into the literature on how our brain works, evolutionary psychology, embodied cognition, theory of constructed emotion, neuro-architecture, biophilic design, environmental philosophy, and the history of architecture and design.
My mission: to approach interior design from a holistic perspective. Not the Pinterest board as the starting point, but the person who will live, work, or learn in the space.
Ibasho method
Slowly but surely, I began to see connections. A model emerged in my mind that accommodated all these different perspectives. Because it's not an either-or, but a both-and. You want a space that meets your needs, but also reflects your personality and taste. One that is mentally and physically safe, but also creates space for connection and wonder.
At the heart of my model is the concept of "ibasho," a Japanese word that means a safe place where you feel accepted and connected, and where you can be your authentic self.
The Ibasho model makes it much easier to design spaces that connect with the people who will live or work in them, at every level. I elaborate on the model in my book , which will be published in 2026. I already apply it in my space design and coaching programs .
Talking pictures and texts
Besides spatial design, I also enjoy other creative work. With my visuals and posters, I want to contribute to a world where everyone can be themselves. That's why I create visuals about inclusion, (neuro)diversity, and self-acceptance. I started doing this for my own children, and now I sell them in my webshop to many schools, coaches, therapists, and families. I also regularly work as a copywriter for government agencies and other organizations.
This is me
As a child, I loved to spend all day drawing, crafting, and reading informative books. That creativity and eagerness to learn has remained, and I've developed and utilized it in many ways throughout my life.
Training courses
In 2022, I completed the full Interior Design program at the Dutch Interior Academy . In 2025, I expanded this with a postgraduate degree in Sensory Information Processing . I was able to immediately apply this knowledge to a large project at a healthcare facility for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) in Moordrecht. There, I not only designed the spaces but am now also overseeing the renovation as project coordinator. I also oversaw the design and coordination of my own home from start to finish.
Previously I studied Dutch Language & Culture (Leiden University), Communication & Multimedia Design (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences) and Dutch as a Second Language (Utrecht University of Applied Sciences).
Entrepreneur
As an independent entrepreneur, I enjoy forging my own path. Over the past few years, I've earned my living as a freelance web designer, Dutch and Civic Integration teacher, copywriter, editor, digital accessibility consultant, product owner, and illustrator. This provides me with a broad foundation that I can put to good use in my daily work as an interior designer.
Family
I live in a 1960s bungalow in Krimpen aan den IJssel with my beloved boys Ezra (11) and Ravi (8), our baby cat Milo (3 months), and my sweetheart Mark. I spend my free time reading (lots of nonfiction), collecting gemstones, minerals, and fossils, watching science fiction series, going to the beach, lectures, and museums.