For my 32nd birthday, my ultra romantic, thoughtful and endearingly supportive Dutch husband gave me a writing desk. This aspiring writer and lifestyle blogger finally has her own desk to scribble down her thoughts and type away her musing about living a Dutched reality and motherhood.
It really is a lovely writing desk. It’s definite eye-candy for people who can appreciate mid-century design furniture, clean lines and quality craftsmanship.
But it’s not just any writing desk. And for those who know my Dutch husband, he’s not one to simply follow current trends.
The writing desk was designed by non-other than my husband’s grandfather Cees Braakman.
Designing furniture had been a family affair for two generations. Dirk Lubertus Braakman, Opa’s Cees’ father, was a manager and head draftsman at UMS-Pastoe. Following in his father’s footsteps, Opa (Grandfather) Cees joined his father when he was only 17 years old.
After recognizing the younger Braakman’s potential, the owner of UMS Pastoe sent Opa Cees in 1947 to the United States to learn about American design and the basics of furniture production. During his visit to twelve different US furniture companies, Opa Cees fell in love with the work of Charles & Ray Eames at the Herman Miller Company. Upon returning to the Netherlands, Braakman introduced the innovative bent plywood techniques to Pastoe. As the head designer for Pastoe from 1945 to 1978, Opa Cees helped revolutionize the development of the first modern furniture line in the Netherlands.
According to my husband’s foggy childhood recollection, Opa Cees was simply a furniture designer who lived in Oog in Al, a historically working class neighborhood of Utrecht, and he loved to go sailing. If we were to learn something from Opa Cees, it would be to simply find something that we’re passionate about, learn from the masters and carve out our own name.
And what better way to pursue my own writing ambitions than by a desk designed by Opa Cees. I’m so glad I didn’t believe anyone when they teased me about marrying the wrong Dutch guy.
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