Cees Braakman and Pastoe: icons of Dutch design
Introduction
After the war years, Europe changed rapidly. Cities recovered, families sought their place in a new, more modern world, and the home increasingly became a mirror of progress and optimism. The heavy furniture of pre-war times gave way to light lines, new materials and designs that were not only beautiful, but also practical and affordable.
Just at that time, a designer stood up in Utrecht who knew how to capture these new ideals of living perfectly: Cees Braakman. As head designer at Pastoe, he translated the needs of a growing middle class into furniture that was stylish and modern, but at the same time accessible. His creations, from the iconic Pastoe Birch series sideboards to the beloved Pastoe Japanese series cabinets and the flexible Made to Measure line, still breathe the promise of a time when design was no longer just for the elite, but became a part of everyday life.
Today, Pastoe cabinets, sideboards, chairs, tables, desks and armchairs have become icons of mid-century design. They find their place in modern interiors from Amsterdam to Paris, and from New York to Los Angeles. And yet the core remains the same: simplicity, craftsmanship and affordability. That is exactly what makes Cees Braakman and Pastoe so special.
Cees Braakman's beginnings at Pastoe
When you delve into the history of Pastoe furniture, you quickly come across a young, driven designer: Cees Braakman.
Following in the footsteps of his father, who also worked at Pastoe, he had an early opportunity to make his mark on the collection. An important turn came when he traveled to the United States in 1947 to study the progressive furniture industry there. He met innovative ideas from designers such as Charles and Ray Eames and was introduced to new techniques such as plywood bending.
With that inspiration, he returned to Utrecht, where he started work as the chief designer. Braakman wanted to make furniture that not only looked modern, but also connected with the everyday life of ordinary families. Light, airy and functional - those were the principles.
It was the start of a period when Pastoe, with Braakman at the helm, would become one of the most important players in European mid-century design.
Innovations and designs that made him famous
The Birch Series
Cees Braakman's first real breakthrough came in the early 1950s with the Birch series. For the first time, Pastoe offered a complete line of furniture that was sleek and modern and could be mass-produced. The light birch wood was a perfect match for the optimistic atmosphere of post-war reconstruction. The Pastoe sideboards from this series in particular became icons.
The Japanese series
Yet it was primarily the Japanese series - a name that has stuck in the vernacular - that definitively established its name. Where the Birch series still breathed the cheerful atmosphere of reconstruction, the Japanese series brought sobriety, minimalism and refinement. A Pastoe cabinet from this series is still considered one of the most sought-after pieces.
Customer stories and examples
For example, a customer from Amsterdam tells us that her Birch series Pastoe sideboard provides the perfect base for a carefully curated collection of ceramics and art books. Instead, another customer from Antwerp chose a Pastoe Japanese series cabinet as a showpiece in her living room: "It almost feels like an architectural element - as if the cabinet is not just a piece of furniture, but a part of the space."
Accessibility: design for ordinary people
One of the most telling examples of Braakman's vision was the Made to Measure series. Customers could put together their own cabinet, tailored to space and needs. Height, width, layout - everything could vary. It offered the freedom of customization, but within a series system that remained affordable.
The strength of Pastoe cabinets and sideboards lies in the fact that they move with the times and the wishes of their users. What was intended then to provide space for the modern family still proves surprisingly flexible today - whether it is in a canal house, a country house or a modern apartment.
Advantages and disadvantages of his approach
Advantages
Accessibility: design accessible to the middle class.
Timelessness: furniture that lasts for generations.
Practical and functional: never just aesthetics, but also ease of use.
Cons
Less exclusive than some international contemporaries.
Veneer and plywood sometimes more susceptible to damage than solid wood.
Yet these disadvantages hardly outweigh the advantages. They are part of the story and even enhance the charm of his furniture.
Alternatives and influences
During the same period, greats like Arne Jacobsen, Gio Ponti and Charles & Ray Eames designed their icons. Braakman was inspired by them, but chose his own path: simplicity, down-to-earthness and functionality.
His way of thinking - practical, modular and accessible - laid the foundation for Pastoe's DNA. Later designers such as Aldo van den Nieuwelaar and Maarten Van Severen also built on this.
FAQ
How do I recognize an original Cees Braakman or Pastoe furniture?
Note details such as curved legs, tessellation or special hinges. Often there is a Pastoe stamp or sticker.
Are Pastoe cabinets and sideboards by Cees Braakman a good investment?
Yes. Not only because the value of original pieces steadily increases over the years, but mostly because they retain their appeal.
What makes a Pastoe cabinet vintage so desirable?
A Pastoe cabinet vintage combines history, craftsmanship and timeless design.
How do I maintain furniture made of veneers like Braakman's?
We always recommend Meubeline by HG to maintain the natural shine and nourish the wood.
Are Pastoe chairs, desks and armchairs by Cees Braakman still available?
Yes, although they are rarer than Pastoe cabinets and sideboards.
Conclusion
When you look back on Cees Braakman's work, you see more than just furniture. You see a designer who understood that beauty did not have to be elitist, but was allowed to be part of everyday life. With his Pastoe sideboards, cabinets, chairs, desks and armchairs, he set a new standard: furniture that was functional, but also full of character and timeless.
For lovers of mid-century design, his furniture is not only an investment in an interior piece, but also in a story. A story that begins in 1950s Utrecht, but extends into today's living rooms - from Amsterdam to Milan, from Paris to Los Angeles.
Curious about original designs by Cees Braakman? On our special page you will find a carefully selected collection of Pastoe furniture - from sideboards and cabinets to tables and chairs.
👉 Discover Cees Braakman furniture
