In our showroom, there’s still a lot of reclaimed wood, and because of its distinctive character, it looks like there’s even more. Other materials I’m equally fond of tend to get overshadowed by the visual chaos. And the fact that we’re making increasingly unique objects doesn’t really stand out either. Most of our work is commissioned, so the most special pieces aren’t actually in the showroom, though a few are in the workshop nearing completion. So once again, there isn’t that much new to see this year.
For some time now, I’ve been trying not to juggle too many things at once, and it’s starting to work. These days, I actually know at the beginning of the month that I’ll be able to pay everyone’s salary by the end of it. That hasn’t always been the case, and a few years ago that realization suddenly made me quite unhappy. There were also some other, mainly government-related factors that made me grumpy. Now it seems we’re finally running the business like proper entrepreneurs: not spending more than we have.
Fewer projects also mean less adventure. You might think that would be boring, but it’s actually not so bad. Geertje and I went on holiday to Dakar, and from that, an Eindhoven–Dakar adventure has taken shape. During this year’s DDW, we’re not only showing the prototypes, art, and objects we presented earlier this year, but we’re also expecting the first container of serially produced products. I’m writing this after four trips to Dakar and two days before the opening, and the container still hasn’t arrived. It left well on time, but for reasons still unclear, it will be a small and costly miracle if we can unload before Saturday morning. Still, even without the container, everything is fantastic. You can’t miss what you don’t know, and I’m the only one who has some idea of what’s inside. (https://eindhovendakar.com)
As always, alongside the Dakar products, we’ve also created new pieces ourselves, or rather, we’re in the process of creating them. In that sense, nothing has changed: there’s still no such thing as proper planning, and whenever it looks like we might be on schedule, I just add more work and goals. We’re making drawer cabinets — cabinets made entirely out of drawers. The sides, backs, tops, and bottoms are all drawers. The idea came to me because we have so many lying around. They’re turning out more like artworks than cabinets, but that’s probably more of an advantage than a problem these days.
We’re also developing a small lamp for Lotte from Cor Unum. I promised her years ago that I’d make something for her, and a while back I came up with a lamp design. It’s looking quite beautiful, though we have one rather big issue: the round hole the light shines through isn’t actually round yet.
So now we have a container that hasn’t arrived and a round hole that isn’t round. Not exactly reassuring.
Construction-wise, things are much calmer this year than before. A few months ago, I decided not to start working on the Perron in advance and instead build the presentation on a new concrete floor. So once again, it’s the same old mess with some plastic draped over it, though it’s looking better than before. The building work itself is going well. The restaurant, which is supposed to be finished for DDW in one more day, is already fully painted; they’re just finishing up details and a huge mirrored wall. And of course, everything still needs to be set up.
Preparations for hosting the designers exhibiting their work with us have gone smoother than ever. Next to the Perron, we’ve sectioned off an extra area in the workshop, creating more and better presentation space. I actually think this year will be an even bigger celebration than before, not least because Merlijn Amaro and his team are joining us to help out and cook in the Grand Café. You can hardly call it a “Grand Café” anymore after several small-scale renovations, but it’s more beautiful and functional than ever.
Oh, and by the way, if you spot a DDW taxi driving around with a reclaimed-wood “peace” arrow and think it’s pointing the way, that depends entirely on which side you’re looking from.
This year, we’re hosting a special presentation by FREITAG to celebrate 15 years of collaboration. The 200 limited-edition Piet Hein Eek F704 CAKE BAGs will be available in our store during Dutch Design Week 2025. In addition, Job van den Berg will be showcasing his lamps made from recycled materials from FREITAG stores, also at our location during DDW.
In our Wonder Room, we’ll also be showing more African art by Hamidou Soumah, Djibril Sagna, Ikevé Mbaye, Mabeye Ndiaye, and Hans van Bentem.
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