I spent two whole days at Dutch Design Week 2024 and was only able to scratch the surface - here's what I saw.
If you've ever been to Dutch Design Week, then you know it is absolutely impossible to see everything. The annual design festival in the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven is so big, that you will always - and I mean always - leave with an overwhelming sense of FOMO. Dutch Design Week 2024 was no different. I was there for two whole days and could only scratch the surface. And as much fun as it can be to go there with someone else, I have to be honest and admit that I prefer to go alone so that I can fully explore the parts I like and skip the bits that don't do it for me. Anyway, here's my impression of this year's edition.
First on my list was the Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show - although judging from the projects on display in the first hall, you might be fooled into thinking you were at a film academy graduation show. Screens, screens, screens and no actual design in sight. Very peculiar! Now, this is more like it - especially if you’re into tarot cards (which I’m not). This design by Solveig Weimar is an incredibly cool interactive tarot table that was an instant hit with Dutch Design Week visitors. You can see a video and read more about this exciting graduation project on the designer’s Instagram.Line Murken gratuated with a design for a bathtub that becomes soft and flexible when you fill it with warm water. Makes sense, right? For her graduation project, Lotte Schoots took the traditional technique of faux bois to the next level, masterfully painting knots and grains that are not found in nature.I'm in the process of applying for a mortgage, so I basically cannot spend any money. But if I could, I'd definitely ask Clément Toumire if he could design something for me. Definitely a designer to watch out for! Playful but not childish - that's what I'd call this colorful room divider system by Swantje Schulz.This fantastic chair by Isa Meijer made me think of that blue elephant in Return of the Jedi's Max Rebo band hihi.On to Manifestions, the scrappy design exhibition at the Veemgebouw. First of all...where was that little old man who always works the elevators during Dutch Design Week? If you've been to the Veemgebouw before, you know exactly who I mean! Anyway, loved this new piece by Iekeliene Stange aka Splitter Splatter.Vases do not get any more dramatic than this piece by the very talented Nonna Hoogland. God, I love her work! It is so sad that projects such as Homohooligan by Davy de Lepper are still necessary in 2024 - but here we are (and 'here' is the Klokgebouw, by the way). Wish I could buy one of these scarves - even though I'm not a hooligan. Oh how I wish I could have my boring old office chair reupholstered! This NUDE office chair by Enrichers would make changing the fabric every now and then so much easier! Frankly, I've lost track of the number of projects I've seen over the years that use leftover materials and turn them into something new. But I have to say that You May Also Like by Paula Holzhauser is very tastefully done. Wouldn't mind having these curtains at home! I started day 2 at Pien Heek Eek, where this colorful Fringe Friends project by Maori Kimura made me forget the overwhelming sense of dread I feel whenever I think of Donald Trump winning the US elections. If you think this pendant lamp by Atelier van Asseldonk is impressive, then check out their website - so many fantastic projects to drool over! I like it. I like it a lot. This Off Cuts lamp by Aidan Neuféglise is made from industrial scrap metal. It's in the bag! This cabinet by WhiteNoiseDada is covered in melted plastic bags. You can order THE LOAD right here for €4,500. With his immaculately designed showroom at Pien Hein Eek, designer Teun Zwets really has upped his game. Up until this year, I have to say I was not a particularly big fan of his aesthetic. In fact, I even thought it was a little bit cutesy. This year, however, Teun Zwets' design style has either grown on me or Zwets has grown as a designer. Either way, I loved it! As you can see here, Teun Zwets also makes some mean color combinations. There was even a little bedroom with a single bed designed to perfection in Teun's typical style. My favorite part of Teun Zwets' showroom was this desk set - a serious contender for the new apartment I just bought! Raw Color presented the design process behind the highly successful Tessamans collection they designed for IKEA a while ago. Fascinating stuff! In case you're wondering, the Tessamans collection is virtually sold out. Not really a surprise considering how gorgeous it looks! Over at Kiki & Joost, this Beam Sketch series made by Joost van Bleiswijk really stretches the definition of what 'furniture' can be. Lots of new work in the Kiki & Joost shop! Kiki & Joost painted over this kitchen by Very Simple Kitchen to create something quite unique. It's funky. it's punky - it's Funky Punky! There's a tray for sale at the Kiki & Joost shop if you're looking for something similar but smaller. And then finally I drove out to Sectie C and saw the one of a kind Paul Heijnen studio.Paul Heijnen's Sculpt collection is an unveiling of a new material that he developed all by himself. It's a combination of steam-bent oak, ash, cedar and cherrywood and looks unlike anything else I've ever seen. Here's a look at the back of Paul Heijnen's Sculpt lounge chair. And that's it, folks! Hope you liked it!
