We were super happy with this blogpost by 'Huize Chaos', one of the first happy users of our Patera Magnus.

Since we make each Patera Magnus by hand (quite an extensive proces), and the high demand means we're still producing orders from last year, the Patera Magnus in use is still quite a rare sight.
(We're working on it!!)
 
In this Dutch blogpost, user Marieska describes how she uses the special fruit bowl and how it indeed helps her to eat more fruit and vegetables while less food ends up in the bin. 

Read the full Dutch post <here>, and read all about our Patera Magnus and the Poma/Olera series <here>.

All photographs in this post by Huize Chaos

Interested in learning more about starting a sustainable design business? Join us in the Creascope 'Sustainability in Practice' seminar this Friday to learn all about it.

The sessions include presentations by a.o. Carissa ten Tije (Studio CTT), Daryna Antonenko, co-founder of Re:ban (click),  Dasha Tsapenko (via Jan van Eyck) and (drumroll) Jana Flohr of House of Thol.
It's quite a mix of brands and designers, each working on sustainable and/or circular design in their own way. 

I'll be directing my talk towards our aim to create an independent sustainable brand focussed on designing durable products to make your everyday greener and easier.
​
Expect to hear more about our crowdfunding campaigns, the puzzle to make products that are sustainable as well as affordable and durable, and the entrepreneurial challenges we've faced thus far. 

Spend your Friday learning about running a sustainable design business, all from the comfort of your own home (you won't even have to wear smart pants).

Best part: it's totally free! 
So register now, and i'll be looking forward to 'seeing' you this Friday.

Note: the conference is in English and is set in Ukraine, so the hours are Kyiv time (or EET <click>) in other words: one hour ahead of Amsterdam (CET) and two hours ahead of London (GMT). 

Sustainability in Practice // DAY 2
Friday January 29th
10:30 - 15:30 EET (House of Thol 14:00-14:45)
by Creascope, Kyiv

Made possible by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development & EU for Business  

<Free registration here>

A while ago we were super hopeful that the world would be open for business again around the end of winter.

Alas, the new varieties of Covid are interfering, and thrown back into uncertainty, the ShowUP spring edition has been cancelled.

Seems like sadly we'll have to wait a bit longer before getting to show our latest projects to an audience.

Still, i'm fully convinced that by spring, we will be on the road of recovery and have a few new shows on the calendar.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

I don't know about you, but i've seldomly been looking forward to the sunshine of spring more than this year.
Although we still have a few months to go before the bright green starts to pop, tulip season has in fact already started.
Time to bring a hint of freshness into the home!

Luckily, tulips are sold at both supermarkets and convenience stores as well as flower shops, so even in a partial lockdown, you should be able to get your hands on them.
That said, the taller stemmed French tulips you see on this photograph are usually found in more luxurious flower shops.

Being Dutch, it is about time to learn more about our national flower and how to properly care for them. Read on to find out what i learned.

though we very much hijacked the tulip as our Dutch national flower, the bulbs originate from Central Asia. 
The word 'Tulip' is said to be derived from the word 'Turban', (because of the similarities in shape), and it wasn't until the 16th Century that the Ottoman empire brought the flower to the attention of the West. 

The Europeans, with the rich Dutch in particular, were so smitten with the novelty flower, a Tulip Mania ensued, with prices for tulips in the Netherlands going through the roof (a bulb going for a house) before dramatically collapsing.
​
After a short crisis, the prizes stabalized again, and the Dutch have remained the leading producer of commercial tulip plants ever since, creating an abundance of colors and varieties and producing over 2 billion flowers and bulbs annually.

Since the mania in the Dutch 'golden age' (debate is on about whether we should still call it that, as the riches of the Dutch empire were won mostly from slavery, exploitation and claimed foreign land)....
Anyway, since the Dutch 'Golden Age' master painters often depicted tulips in their works and the tulip trade was here to stay, the tulip became our nation's symbol.​

Since 2019 we even have a stylised orange tulip in our official country logo (click).

Tulips were so valuable back in the day, enormous stacked tulip vases were designed specifically to showcase each individual expensive flower.  ​ ​​​

The tulip is a genus of the Lilly family and is taxonomically divided into 4 subgenera: Clusianae, Orithyia, Tulipa and Eriostemones (more here), with by far most cultivars in the Tulipa group.

However, modern day practicality kicked in, and a new division of 15 groups, based on flower type, size and blooming period was made (see them all here).

The red/white striped petals seen on the botanical drawing here, are the result of a virus 'breaking' the tulip.
​
These were the most sought after flowers during the Tulip Mania, and one bulb of the depicted 'Semper Augustus' could cost as much as a house.

​Sadly, the beautiful virus impacts the tulip negatively, and each next generation of bulbs becomes weaker and weaker, until eventually too weak to bloom. As a result, many of the old 'broken' breeds have gone extinct, as did the valuable Semper Augustus. 

Although a few breeds survived, like 'Zomerschoon' (Summer's Beauty') and the golden/brown Absalom, 'broken' flowers are considered a threat to gardens and industry nowadays, and the Dutch government has banned the sale of infected bulbs. 

Instead, breeders have succeeded in creating extravagant striped, flamed, variegated (multi-colored) and even fringed tulips, like a.o. Rembrandt Tulips (a nod to Tulip Mania), the large Parrot tulips and the Creme Upstar Tulip in beautiful powdery pink and creme. (see more varieties here).

Tulips are a great addition to any garden, and super easy to plant.
That is: if you remember to plant the bulbs at the appropriate time...
Most bulbs should be planted from September to December, and will start to bloom in early spring to give your garden that pop of color.
Here's a guide about do's and don'ts when planting tulip bulbs.

If you don't have a garden, or -like me- forgot to plant your bulbs (again), you can still enjoy the tulip as a cut flower.
​
In the Netherlands, tulip season is festively launched around the middle of January each year.
Since tulips are grown locally and on open ground, they are considered one of the most sustainable cut flowers in the Netherlands and are available from October to May. (more about that on Milieucentraal)

A while ago, we created the 'Rookie's guide to Flower Care' as an easy tutorial to keep cut flowers fresh for longer (read the full guide here).

Tulips can have a vase-life of up to 10 days when cared for properly, and although tulip care is quite similar to most flowers, there are a few things specific to tulips that you should take into account to keep your flowers fresh for longer.

3. Remove any leaves lower on the tulip stems (leave no foliage under water) and diagonally cut about a centimeter off the bottom of the stem with a sharp knife before placing in the water. (read more about the why and the how of the angular cut here)

4. Arrange your tulips spaciously in the vase, making sure the stems are not squashed together. 
If you like, you can use a Flower Constellation to arrange your tulips in a playful and spacious way, like i do on the photograph. Make sure to choose the right hole for each stem, and be careful not to damage them.

Finally: I like to keep my tulips in the vase as long as i can: until they start losing their large petals. However, take note: similar to lilly's, tulip pistils can hold quite a lot of pollen, and these can leave stains on a surface!

Like many flowers, tulips are actually edible.
I wouldn't advice taking a bite out of your store-bought bouquet, as they might be treated with something to keep them looking fresh (you never know). Tulips from your own garden however, can successfully be used in a salad, with dip, or as a stylish edible amuse-holder.

Best thing to eat are the petals, which apparently come in all kinds of flavours depending on the color. Generally they supposed to taste a little like sweet lettuce (source), and you should pick them fresh, as they grow bitter over time.
The Guardian wrote an article about which flowers to grow for your dishes, <read it here>.

As the Dutch found out in WWII, tulip bulbs can be eaten too.
But beware: you have to take out the bitter core, as it is poisonous. 
Also, it's notoriously nasty-tasting, and many people forced to eat them during the hunger-winter of 44/45, vowed to never eat them again.

Ever since tulips were introduced to the Dutch, the flower has played a part in our history: from the high and subsequent low of tulip mania, to the desperation of surviving by eating tulip bulbs during WWII, the colorful flower was there through the good, the bad ánd the ugly.
Dutch floriculture export is thriving, and we mainly have the tulip to thank for that.

After researching the flower, i would have loved to be able to recognize at least a few different tulip breeds by eye.
Alas, there are just too many cultivars, and new breeds pop up every season.

It was fun to find out about Semper Augustus, the viral infection causing the beautiful coloration on its petals, and the absurd value of a mere bulb.

I'm looking forward to gardens everywhere waking up to spring, and tulips slowly reveiling their splendour and bright color.
But before they do, i'm reviving my own sunny feeling indoors with a bouquet of color.
Going out to get a bouquet for yourself? Don't forget about your neighbourhood florist! 

Happy spring-feeling everyone!

The In the Clouds series started out as a research project about decorating porcelain during the casting process, as opposed to adding an extra layer by hand in between firings.

Contemporary possibilities of computer aided design and 3d-printing played a major role in the design of the intricate decoration imprinted in the porcelain In The Clouds cups.

The graphic image on the In The Clouds cups is derived from the skyscapes that are often an inconspicuous part of the decoration on both Dutch Delftware as well as Asian Porcelain.
Silhouettes of birds and planes flying in between the clouds, add a contemporary twist to the classic theme.

We are cleaning up our warehouse to make space for new projects and are getting rid of the current In the Clouds stock.
So, while supplies last, score yourself a lovingly handmade porcelain piece for a great price!

Part of the series are small and larger cups, a medium and large bowl, and matching lids/saucers in four sizes.
​Each piece comes in several shades of colored porcelain: white, blue and green. ​​

​Please note: since each batch of porcelain is colored separately, hues differ from piece to piece, and as all pieces are handmade, they rarely are perfectly circular.

<Read all about in the Clouds> // <Check out the online Sale>

At the House of Thol headquarters, we're starting the New Year with a productivity challenge: How to get things done with two wild childs in the house in need of love, attention and home schooling?

In order to keep our sanity, we're down to rigorously prioritizing our workflow.
Luckily, i designed a Weekplanner a while ago that can be super helpful in this situation, especially because of its prioritized to-do section.

Can use a little help in your everyday productivity in these juggling times? <download the planner here>

Happy 2021 everyone!

I think we can all agree, 2020 wasn't a great year.

For House of Thol it all started out sunny enough: with a well received presentation at Passagen Cologne (<click>); The launch of our Wren & Kiwi Bamboo series for Ay Illuminate in Paris (<see all here>); being portrayed on video for ABN AMRO (<result here>); a once again great Object Rotterdam (<more here>); with us shortlisted for the MKB Export Award (<woohoo!>); and getting ready to participate at Masterly Milano during the Salone Del Mobile in Spring.

The year seemed to find its groove back for us by the end of spring.
​
Kicked off with virtually receiving the MKB Export Award from Minister Kaag in a video-call (<read all about it here>); which got us in the newspaper (<see here>); an overwhelming interest in our new Patera Magnus bowls (<after this publication>); the taping of an episode about Artists and Corona in our community (<watch show here>); the placement of a new Evolution bathtub (<one of these>); our first printed catalogue (<more here>); and our participation in ShowUP at the Brabanthallen (<click>).
​
But the good times didn't last: the second wave hit as we were disassembling our fair-stand in Den Bosch in late September, and we were back in uncertainty about what the rest of the year would bring and if any of the all-important fall fairs would be able to take place (Nope.).
We're back in the harshest lockdown we've had, with the hospitals drowning in patients and a drap Holiday season.

This didn't turn out to be the year it promised to be in those happy months in the 'Before'.

It feels like we've been trying to squeeze in working hours ever since the first lock-down, with never quite enough time to finish any to-do list or produce enough terra-cotta bowls (<click>).

Yet in the midst of an extremely stressful year, we've very much been the lucky ones: thus far we have remained healthy, as have our loved ones. 
​We are fortunate to live and work in green and spacious surroundings that we don't necessarily need to leave, and have kids who are young enough to adapt to a changing situation.

With the new year around the corner, we're about to update the shipping costs calculator in our webshop.
We've already listed all the new shipping rates on the page FAQ | Shipping, so feel free to check them out there (<click>).

As always, the shipping company slightly upped the prices, to cover for higher costs. Most notably, all parcels shipped to the UK are now listed as a world-shipment, and are subject to a surcharge per Kilogram.

This lock-down will be tough for many shops, but especially for the independent concept stores.
They rely on the Holiday period for much of their yearly revenue and are exactly the shops who often source a large portion of their collection directly from designers and makers.

If we were to lose those outlets, it is not only a shame for customers and city centres, but also for many independent Dutch Designers and small brands.

​The situation is forcing us to order our Holiday gifts online. A landscape that has been largely taken over by a few inescapable huge players.
Instead of turning to one of those large warehouse-webshops, check out if your local concept store offers the opportunity to shop online.

Not all shops had a chance to invest in an online platform, so we went ahead and looked into the businesses on our store-locator to see how you can still support these entrepreneurs.
​Not on this list? Get in touch, we're happy to add you!

Leeuwarden
De Pluymgraaff
No webshop, but possibilities if you get in touch <more here>

Leeuwarden
Fries Museum
<Webshop> but with very limited collection

Arnhem
Bos en Heij Store
<Click for webshop> (sustainable delivery within Arnhem)

Arnhem
First Eet
Open for take-away <Click for webshop> (food & non-food)

Nijmegen
Make my Day
<Click for webshop> (sustainable delivery with bike-courier)

Maastricht
Wonderwoud
<Click for webshop> (giftcards only, for now)

Roermond
Hej Store & More
Get in touch! Local delivery <Read more here>

Berkel-Enschot
Miss Flowers by Han
order via e-mail or telephone, local delivery <read more here>

Den Bosch
OAK
<webshop> free local delivery & pick-up possibilities

Eindhoven
Kazerne
<click for webshop> (limited collection)

Amsterdam
.Wen
get in touch for personal gift service <read more here>

Amsterdam
Het Faire Oosten
<click for webshop> (bike delivery within Amsterdam)

Amsterdam
VU Boekhandel
<visit webshop> VU branded products + books only, for now

Haarlem
Klavertje Vijf
<visit webshop> Flowers only, for now

Haarlem
Dennis Flowers
<visit webshop> Flowers only, for now

Haarlem
Pluk 'n Bloom
<visit webshop> Flowers only, for now

Hilversum
Hessing Flowers
<visit webshop> flowers only

Utrecht
Daens Greenhouse
nothing yet - but get in touch and who knows... <visit website>

Middelburg
Plantaardig Middelburg
Get in touch via Instagram or e-mail <read more here>

Delft
Groene Vingers
<visit webshop> (gift cards only, for now)

Delft
Kek Delft
Open for take-away (food & coffee only) <read more here>

Den Haag
Edwin Pelser
<visit webshop> (personal delivery in 070 & 020)

Dordrecht
Villa Augustus
Open for take-away <visit website>

Can't get your online shopping done at one of the stores? Please turn to the independent designers and makers who can also use your support. Check out their work at the <'Get it at the Creatives' Gift Guide>.

Note: obviously the mail delivery system is completely overloaded at this point, so if you order anything online, do it sooner, rather than later. ​

What is that saying? 'The night is always darkest before the dawn?'
Well, although the vaccination programmes are about to start (or even have started, in the UK), with the dark months of winter ahead of us, the Covid situation will probably get worse before it gets better.

I'm sooooo done with this! I guess everybody is, by now.
That's why we've decided to gloss over the depressing coming months, and focus on what will happen when we're about to enter a new spring: ShowUP!

Originally planned in February, the ShowUP organization decided to better be safe than sorry and moved the trade show to March 14-15.
With the vaccination programme in the Netherlands in full swing by then, we're confident the trade show will take place and we're looking forward to meeting many of you there.

Would be great to see you in Vijfhuizen when the spring is getting ready to bloom!

Not so sure the mail(wo)man will reach you in time this Holiday season?
We've recently updated our Store Locator so you can see if there's a store near you with our designs in their collection.

Most of the stores carrying our designs are green and/or have a special eclectic curated collection of products of all kinds of independent brands and designers. 
They're definitely worth your visit! 

Since we don't have in insight into each shops' day-to-day inventory, you might want to check with the store before heading over, if you're looking for a specific item. ​

Missing a store near you? Let us know, and we'll see what we can do!
(or let the store know about us... ;-))

<Click here to visit the Store Locator>

Did you know the people behing Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie also started a branch of gardening stores a while ago?

Terrain has garden centers across the US with a curated assortment of plants for all seasons, as well as inspired items for the home and garden.
Situated in luxurious indoor-outdoor environments, the on-site nurseries are each flanked by a cafe and garden terrace, providing the ideal environment to host events and workshops.
Aside from their larger centres, Terrain also has in-store locations at several Anthropologie shops.

We're quite proud that Terrain recently added Waterworks to their collection.
A new batch is about to be shipped overseas, so all US-based readers: order your Waterworks-set now!

<Click to order Waterworks on Terrain> / <Find Terrain locations here>

Nothing lights up the darkness quite as joyfully as an abundance of (LED) string lights.
So bring on the Holiday cheer!
​
Although we might not be able to physically make it to the ones we love this year, luckily we can still let them know we're thinking about them by sending them a thoughtful gift.

In the current circumstances it's probably not a great idea to go out on the streets for a shopping spree.
​However, it is a great time to shop online! 

Before you conveniently order at one of those online warehouses with billionaire bosses, think about all the creative entrepreneurs out there busting their behinds to create beautiful new things every day. 

​How about gifting your loved one something truly unique, bought from the actual person who created that product?

​Most designers and makers have a webshop nowadays, and because exhibitions were cancelled, they can really use your business.

Here is a selection of wonderful independent designers based in the Netherlands.
Each of the products leaving the studio's and workshops of these creatives is designed and made with love, care and personal attention.
Which is just what you want for a gift.

Scroll down for super special gifts available online and click to visit the respective webshops.
We use a lot of images and less text, more information can always be found by clicking the link!

Please note: No affiliate deals here, simply supporting our creative colleagues.

Full disclosure: We do profit from sales placed at the House of Thol webshop, because, well.. that's us. 

So go ahead and create a smile on the face of the one you're sending your gift to, as well as on the face of the person who created it!
Spread the Dutch Design Love!!

Missing a creative entrepreneur and this person has a webshop?
Let us know and we'll look int adding her/him to the guide!

<Click here to visit the House of Thol webshop> (don't forget, we offer free gift wrapping this season!) ;-D

The Bee Happy Flower cards are now available in both postcard (A6) as well as notecard (A7) size!
Because sometimes, smaller is better.

The notecards are perfect for a few sweet lines to a loved one, either to accompany a present or to send via snail-mail.
Their smaller size make the notecards stand out, and the matching kraftpaper C7 envelopes are the sweetest thing ever.

similar to the larger sized postcards, the notecards are printed on recycled paper containing wildflower seeds.
We went for a new paper variety that has a mix with silene, chamomille, gillyflower, clover and clarkia (EU seeds only).

How 's that for a green and special Holiday card?
The cards cost €2,-, (or €2,50 with the envelope) and are available in the webshop now!

GL8 is a local TV station catering to Heumen, Mook & Middelaar, together home to about 25.000 people (+ the House of Thol Headquarters).
The municipality of Heumen (Overasselt, Nederasselt, Malden & Heumen) is located in the Dutch province of Gelderland (G), whereas neighbouring Mook & Middelaar (Mook. Molenhoek, Middelaar & Plasmolen) is part of the province of Limburg (L), 8 villages in total on the border of Gelderland and Limburg: GL8.  

Taped in only a few hours, the full episode is almost 25 (!) minutes long. 
Got half an hour to spare? <click here> to see the full video.
​
For those of us with a little less ability to focus on something that long, i cut out a few snippets of the interview, each addressing a different topic.
There's still loads to see in the video that didn't make it to these cuts. So if you like to know more about the way we work, definitely check out the full episode when you have a chance.

About House of Thol

About Wren & Kiwi

About the Flower Constellations

About Waterworks

About winning the MKB Export Award

About ReCabinet

About the Poma/Olera series

About corona

Last year we launched the Wren & Kiwi Bamboo with Ay Illuminate during M&O. (remember?)
We were in Cologne at the time, and didn't get to attend the launch.
Sadly, the second time Ay Illuminate planned to showcase the Bamboo series in a professional setting was the Maison & Objet fair this September. Which, of course, was cancelled due to Covid. 

To give the new collection the attention it deserves, Ay Illuminate commissioned designer Mark Eden Schooley to take a whole lot of lamps and a camera to an abandoned building, and shoot away. Resulting (amongst others) in the pictures you see here.

We updated our project page for the Wren & Kiwi with these and other new photographs so go ahead and check it out!
They lightshades are available directly via us, by the way.

We're well aware we won't be visiting a lot of birthday parties anytime soon (don't get me started on the Holidays...).

Did you know that if you order a gift at the House of Thol webshop, we can giftwrap it for you and send it directly to your friends' doorstep?
Simply change the shipping address at check-out.
We'll also make sure to make it look like a present, so without the packing slip, for example.

We'll even add a personal hand-written note!
Let us know what should be on there in the comment section and i'll try to write it down as neatly as i can (keep it short 'n sweet please).

We normally use a regular Flower Constellations card for our message, but if you add a Bee Happy flower card to the gift, we're happy to write your wishes on that card. 
Make sure to let us know though, otherwise we'll consider the Bee Happy flower card a gift for your friend to send later and won't write on it. 

Didn't leave a message?
Unless you specifically ask us not to, we will let your friend know on behalf of whom we're sending this gift.