Here's how to recognise a real Pastoe
Pastoe is the archetypal Dutch furniture company, founded in 1913 by entrepreneur Frits Loeb. Initially, Pastoe was a furniture shop in Utrecht, but founder Frits Loeb soon decided to produce the chairs for his shop himself. The company went on to become an internationally recognised icon. In the late 1940s, designer Cees Braakman joined Pastoe, a name that is often found on Whoppah. Indeed, second-hand Pastoe furniture and Cees Braakman's creations are highly sought-after!
You recognise a real Pastoe by its restraint: simple lines, no decoration, and build quality that has kept the brand a design classic since the 1940s. That is the short answer, and this guide fills in the details. The two designs to know are the Amsterdammer, the cabinet Aldo van de Nieuwelaar designed in 1978 and shaped like the Amsterdam street post it's named after, and Cees Braakman's Japanese series of cupboards and sideboards in curved plywood with a teak veneer. Pastoe took its cues from Charles and Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto, which is why the pieces sit so easily next to mid-century furniture. On Whoppah it's one of the names I check for first, because sober design ages well and there is nothing to go out of fashion. Read on for the tells.
What does typical Pastoe design look like?
Over the years, Pastoe has been inspired by designers such as Charles & Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto. Sober, practical design is Pastoe's trademark. Right now, design lovers the world over are looking for the finest second-hand Pastoe furniture. After all, it's impossible to imagine our homes without Pastoe creations.
How do you recognise second-hand Pastoe furniture?
You can tell a genuine Pastoe by its design. Pastoe is the symbol of modest, almost sober and practical design. Pastoe's design language is simple: since the 1940s, Pastoe furniture has stood out for its simplicity. Thanks to its simple style and high quality, Pastoe furniture is a design classic.
One of Pastoe's best-known creations is the Amsterdammer. It was designed by Aldo van de Nieuwelaar in 1978. The cabinet is shaped like an Amsterdammertje: the Amsterdam street post. Other famous Pastoe creations are the cupboards and sideboards in the Japanese series, designed by Cees Braakman. In this collection, Pastoe has made extensive use of curved plywood covered with a teak veneer. There's something for everyone!
