After the bankruptcy of Rivièra Maison and its relaunch under Dutch Interior, the media attention quieted down around founder Henk Teunissen. Behind the scenes, however, the family was coming to terms with the end of a brand that had defined their lives for 40 years. How are Henk and his children doing now? Would he do it all over again? And despite everything, what does he look back on with pride? In an open and personal interview with Wonen360, Teunissen shares his lessons, memories, and future plans. 
Henk Teunissen, founder of Rivièra Maison, speaks openly about the bankruptcy, the brand's relaunch under Dutch Interior, and what lies ahead for him and his family.
'Things are going well for me and the family, considering the circumstances,' Teunissen begins. 'It has been, and still is, an incredibly difficult time, especially for Bess and Sjors,' he says, referring to his children who also worked in the company. 'They're each processing it in their own way, but I'm confident they'll be fine. Above all, they look back with pride on our journey with Rivièra Maison. The brand has enriched our lives and was a central part of them for decades, in the best possible way. That's what remains most important.'
Building a brand, not selling products
Would he do it all again if he had the chance? Teunissen doesn't hesitate. 'Yes and no. If I could start over, I would still want to build a true brand. I would never want to just sell anonymous products. I've always put the brand and the people, both employees and customers, first. To me, that's what matters most.'
His relationship with Rivièra Maison was more than business. 'I loved our brand like a parent loves their child. That's why losing it was so hard. At home, conversations were always about the success of a product or collection, not just about how much money it made.'
The blood crawls where it can't go
Sitting still is not an option. 'You can't suppress that drive,' says Teunissen. 'Next year, my children are planning to start something new, with me supporting them more from behind the scenes. It's incredibly exciting to brainstorm and work together again.'
Though the new venture is still in its early stages, the vision is clear. 'We believe there's a need for something fresh with a classic heart. We still see a deep love for the Rivièra Maison feeling. The brand name may be gone, but the spirit and passion remain very much alive in our minds and hearts.'
What he misses most
Saying goodbye to Rivièra Maison still stings. 'I miss the colleagues and customers the most. Many still send me kind messages or stop to talk. I also often hear from former employees that they doubt they'll ever find such a great job again.'
It's the little, everyday moments that hit hardest. 'The VIP nights with customers, the Christmas breakfast with the office and logistics teams, walking through the showroom early in the morning, the period just before a new season opens, reviewing new designs with the design team, or enjoying coffee in one of the shops. Those moments really stand out.'
Lessons without blame
Teunissen prefers not to dwell on the causes or assign blame. 'I don't want to go into that. Pointing fingers doesn't help. You just have to put your hand in your pocket and keep moving forward. Above all, I'm proud of the brand we built.'
That said, he has clear lessons to share. 'If I were to start a new company, I'd outsource as much as possible; things others are better at, like logistics and IT. You can't do everything yourself.'
Overwhelming reactions
What touched him most was the outpouring of support. 'The love and emotions from staff, customers, dealers, and suppliers deeply moved me. Even messages from complete strangers surprised me in a wonderful way.'
One Instagram post left a big impression. 'I have less than 4,000 followers, but that post was viewed over 168,000 times. That was really special.'
Christmas spirit returns
Even something as simple as Christmas music became difficult. 'I used to play Christmas songs in the car starting early November. This year, that feeling was gone, until about two weeks ago, I couldn't listen to any Christmas music.'
But now the spirit is coming back. 'After visiting some Christmas shops and garden centers, I got over it. I can finally enjoy It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Michael Bublé again. And soon, I'll celebrate Christmas with the whole family.'
What really matters
Looking ahead, Teunissen is clear about his greatest wish. 'Above all, I want to cherish time with my family and my grandson for as long as possible. The bankruptcy has actually made our family bond stronger. We've grown even closer. In the end, that's what really counts.'
Want to respond via email?
You can reach Henk Teunissen at: [email protected]
