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What's going on with House of Thol

saving food from the bin - check out this lovely post about the Patera Magnus

27/1/2021

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Patera Magnus - een bijzondere fruitschaal | blogpost by Huize Chaos // Design by House of Thol, photography by Huize Chaos

Patera Magnus - a special fruit bowl

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
Patera Magnus - een bijzondere fruitschaal | blogpost by Huize Chaos // Design by House of Thol, photography by Huize Chaos
Patera Magnus - een bijzondere fruitschaal | blogpost by Huize Chaos // Design by House of Thol, photography by Huize Chaos
Patera Magnus - een bijzondere fruitschaal | blogpost by Huize Chaos // Design by House of Thol, photography by Huize Chaos
Patera Magnus - een bijzondere fruitschaal | blogpost by Huize Chaos // Design by House of Thol, photography by Huize Chaos
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Sustainability in practice - join the Creascope zoom conference

27/1/2021

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Jana Flohr / House of Thol | photograph by Gaav Content

Live from Ukraine / Overasselt

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. 

How to be part of this

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>
Flower Constellations fully funded | Design by House of Thol / photograph by Masha Bakker photography
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Sad news: ShowUP spring 2021 cancelled :-(

14/1/2021

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Sad reality

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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!
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A hint of spring on a bleak day // All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer

14/1/2021

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All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Flower Constellation by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker photography
image by Masha Bakker Photography

Yearning for color

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.

From Central Asia mountains to Dutch Mania

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.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Tulip field // Public Domain image via Pixabay
Dutch tulip field, image via Pixabay

All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // stillife with flowers by Hans Bollongier, 1926 / via Rijksstudio
Stilleven met bloemen, Hans Bollongier, 1639

A national symbol

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.  ​ ​​​
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer / Tulip vases via The Hague Art Museum
Tulip Vases - via The Hague art museum

Tulip taxonomy & a beautiful virus

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.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Two tulips by Jacob Marrel / Via Rijksstudio
Two Tulips (Semper Augustus), Jacob Marrel, ca 1640
​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).

All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer / the seven stages of tulip growth via Tulips.com
Via Tulips.com

 bulb-planting & the green flower

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)

7 steps to keep your tulips fresh for longer

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.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // A rookie's guide to flower care by House of Thol

1. Start with picking the right tulips: choose the ones with tall, strong stems and buds that are still closed and mostly green.
Make sure to handle the flowers carefully when bringing them home, as stems and leaves are easily snapped.
Ideally place them in a vase immediately.
If you can't, keep the tulips in their sleeve and place the stems in cold water until you're ready to arrange them.
2. Choose a vase as tall as at least half the length of the flowers to prevent stooping. Clean the vase thoroughly and prepare with cold water with mixed in flower food. 
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // arranging flowers at Object Rotterdam 2019 / photograph by Roza Schous
photograph by Roza Schous
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.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Flower Constellation by House of Thol | photograph by Masha Bakker photography
image by Masha Bakker Photography
5. Here's the thing you should be aware of: unlike other cut flowers, tulips tend to keep growing while in the vase.
Since they grow towards the sun, you should check the vase daily and rotate the vase to keep the stems growing straight.
6. Keep an eye on the water level. As they grow, tulips use a lot of water, meaning you should top it up daily.
Ideally refresh the vase every 3-4 days. 
7. Place the vase on a cool spot out of direct sunlight or drafts and keep away from the (ethylene emitting) fruitbowl.
​If you like, you can move your flowers to a cooler spot overnight, keeping them crisp for longer.
Bonus: I have yet to try this, but apparently you can revive droopy tulips by poking a small hole at the top of the stem, right under the flower head. This releases trapped air and can revive the water flow.
One more thing: Don't mix tulips with daffodils or hyacinths. 
Although you'd think they would compliment eachother in a spring-themed arrangement, flowers like daffodils exude a gel-like substance that can clog up the tulip stems, obstructing the waterflow
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!

Edible beauty

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.
All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer // Edible tulip salas by Bon Appetit via The Guardian
image by Bon Appetit via The Guardian

All about tulips and keeping them fresh for longer / image by Wolfgang Brauner via Pixabay
image by Wolfgang Brauner via Pixabay

Résumé

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!

Sources: Wikipedia, Rijksstudio, Government of the Netherlands, Amsterdamtulipmuseumonline, Gardentabs, Tulips.com, Milieucentraal, University of Vermont, Maria's Farm Country Kitchen, the Guardian
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Making room for new projects: In the Clouds SALE!

13/1/2021

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In the Clouds handmade porcelain tableware // design by House of Thol // photograph by Masha Bakker photography
In the Clouds handmade porcelain tableware // design by House of Thol // photograph by Masha Bakker photography

Birds & Planes

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.


Making room

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>
In the Clouds handmade porcelain tableware // design by House of Thol // photograph by Masha Bakker photography
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Free Printable Project planner for a fresh start of 2021

4/1/2021

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A productivity-challenged start of the year

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!
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Good riddance 2020 - a short overview before moving on to the fresh year

30/12/2020

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Wren & Kiwi Bamboo by House of Thol for Ay Illuminate | photograph by Mark Eden Schooley

The year it could have been

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.

And then...

Well, we all know what happened next: Covid hit.
We found ourselves more or less confined to the headquarters, with hardly any time to get things done due to two wild childs running around the house deserving love, attention and homeschooling.

Catching a break in the sunshine

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.
Videocalling with Minister Kaag: House of Thol winning the MKB Export Award / photograph by Wilfrie Linssen
Thomas casting clay / Patera Magnus production

Neverending to-do lists & the lucky ones

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.

Moving on: a new spring is coming

All in all, this is not a year for overviews, and we're not going to prolong this any further.

This was it: 2020
​
We've made it through.
Let's focus on 2021, the year that may start with a freezing winter, but will bring a new spring soon and plenty of hope to offer.

Stay healthy everyone.
See you soon in the sunshine of 2021! ​​​
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New shipping rates from January 1st 2021

28/12/2020

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A new year, new shipping rates...

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.
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#savetheshops

15/12/2020

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'This Sucks' Bee Happy Notecard (A7) - design & photography by House of Thol

Gritting our teeth

The inevitable has happened: we're into a new lock-down.
And this one is a lot stricter than anticipated: not only the shops, museums and restaurants are closed, from Tomorrow on, all schools will close until January 19th.

It's a sad situation, but there's really nothing else we could do at this point.
I guess we have to suck it up and stay the F home for the next 5 weeks.

​I'm not looking forward to again having to juggle the workload while keeping the children entertained and trying to remain sane in the process.
But we'll be alright.
​Although things will take more time than planned and there will undoubtedly be frustration about not ever finishing any to-do-list, we'll grit our teeth and keep working on it.

So many people are in a much tougher situation than we are.
All the frontline workers for starters, who just can't get a break from this; the men and women in vital professions putting themselves at risk to keep society going; but also the restaurant owners who pretty much lost the whole year; and the shops forced to close their doors while being fully stocked for the Holidays. 

#saveyourlocalshop

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!

Your local shop online

Flevoland

Dronten
Thuis Eten & Wonen
<click for webshop>
Thuis Eten & Wonen / visit webshop

Friesland

Leeuwarden
De Pluymgraaff
No webshop, but possibilities if you get in touch <more here>
Leeuwarden
Fries Museum
<Webshop> but with very limited collection

Gelderland

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)
Elst
Het Kadopakket
<Click for webshop>
Nijmegen
Bleshyou
<Click for webshop>
Make My Day - Link to webshop
Nijmegen
Make my Day
<Click for webshop> (sustainable delivery with bike-courier)

Limburg

Maastricht
Wonderwoud
<Click for webshop> (giftcards only, for now)
Roermond
Hej Store & More
Get in touch! Local delivery <Read more here>

Noord-Brabant

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)
OAK Den Bosch  - visit webshop

Noord-Holland

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
Kunstcentrum Haarlem
<visit webshop> 
Haarlem
My Deer Art Shop
<visit webshop>
Haarlem
Pluk 'n Bloom
<visit webshop> Flowers only, for now
Hilversum
Boekhandel Voorhoeve
<visit webshop>
Hilversum
Hessing Flowers
<visit webshop> flowers only

Utrecht

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

Zeeland

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

Zuid-Holland

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>
STEK de Stadstuinwinkel - get in touch for the possibilities
Rotterdam
Stek de stadstuinwinkel
nothing yet - but get in touch and who knows... <visit website>

Get it at the Creatives gift guide - by House of Thol

Get it at the Creatives

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. ​
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See you in Vijfhuizen: ShowUP 2021 moved to March 14&15

9/12/2020

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A new spring in Vijfhuizen

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!
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Store locator update: Buy House of Thol designs here

1/12/2020

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Don't trust the mail? Here's where you can buy House of Thol products in person

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>
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Waterworks, Stars & Stripes: available at Terrain now!

30/11/2020

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Get Waterworks in the US @ Terrain!

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>
Terrain / Anthropologie - via Forbes article
via Forbes
Waterworks @ Terrain // screenshot of the website
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Get it at the creatives / a gift guide - 2020 edition

24/11/2020

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Get it at the creatives / Dutch Design gift guide 2020 by House of Thol

Get your gifts from someone who put love, care and attention into creating them

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!

A list of Dutch creative entrepreneurs to get your gift from - In no particular order

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. 
To designers: want to be added or like your input changed? Get in touch! ​

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Waterworks

House of Thol

Well, you might know House of Thol, as you're on our website.
Our aim is to always create beautiful durable products that make green living easier. W
e put in a lot of effort into producing affordable and functional products that are fun to gift.
The collection includes a.o. a natural watering system, flower arranging tools, a propagation disk and postcards you can sow.
As a special, we offer free wrapping this Holiday season! 

prices range from €2,- to €27,50
<visit the House of Thol webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Flower Constellations

Studio Lenneke Wispelwey

Lenneke Wispelwey is true master in ceramics. She is best known for het 'Fragile opulence' collection, an interesting and large family of dishes and interior accessories known for geometric shapes in most products, powdery colours and the contrast between bisque and glazed porcelain.

Lenneke makes everything by hand in her studio in Arnhem and always strives for perection.
​

Prices starting from €15,-
<Visit Lenneke Wispelweys' webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Lenneke Wispelwey
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Lenneke Wispelwey

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Mo Man Tai

Mo Man Tai

Studio mo man tai by Ulrike Jurklies and Paul Bas is is located in Eindhoven. 
In addition to design services as graphic and product design, studio mo man tai is also a strategic design studio. 

The colorful mo man tai collection ranges from recycled key chains (€9,50) to gradient candles (15,50/set of 6), beautiful diy paper flowers (€9,90) and much much more.

<Visit mo man tai webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Mo Man Tai

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Hella
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Hella

Hella

Hella Duijs is best known for her colorful collection of porcelain vases named after women she knows.
She also makes a contemporary piggy bank, a porcelain bell jar, and candle holders.
Everything is made by hand in her studio at the Honig Factory in Nijmegen.

Prices starting from €19,-
<Visit Hella webshop>

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Botanopia

Botanopia

Botanopia designs products out of a live for all growing things.
Founded by creative entrepreneur pur sang Lise Lefebvre, the brand had grown into an international go to for botanical accessories.


Plant accessories from €6,80, porcelain germination plates €14,90.
NB- minimum purchase of €14,80 is required.
​
<Visit Botanopia website>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Botanopia

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: David Derksen
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: David Derksen

David Derksen

The natural sciences and specifically the characteristics of materials are David Derksen’s main sources of inspiration. 
The behaviour of materials and their processing and construction methods are the main focus of his work. In his designs he tries to express the beauty of materials and the way objects are made.
​
Prices from €35,-
<See all work at Davidderksen.com>

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Kars+Boom

Studio Kars + Boom

Studio Kars + Boom translates stories into infographics, animations, map design, (city) landscapes, illustrations and other printed matter, designing from concept to creation.

Their collection is all about print and graphic illustrations and ranges from postcards to puzzles and large prints.
​
Prices starting from €3,50
<Check out the Kars + Boom webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Kars+Boom

Roos Soetekouw

Roos Soetekouw loves nature and its unusual shapes and colours. Her works show an explosion of discoveries.
Each design is a result of a personal journey, a discovery in form, color, weaving technique and material.
Her research is mostly expressed in textile designs or interior accessories.

Prices starting from €21,95 (tea towels)
<See all collections at the webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Roos Soetekouw
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Roos Soetekouw

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Ineke van der Werff

Studio Ineke van der Werff

Studio Ineke van der Werff designs and produces fine porcelain since 2012.

With an experimental approach, Ineke creates plates, bowls, cups and vases that are each uniquely glazed. The techniques she developed, make sure that no piece is the same.
All unique individuals, just like us.


Prices starting from €20,-
<See all at Ineke van der Werff website>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Ineke van der Werff

Family W

Family W is a new Dutch label founded by two brothers In 2017.
The label focusses on well made furniture that loves to grow old.
The heirlooms of the future.

Starting from €89,-
<Read all about it here>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Family W
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Family W

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Orange or Red
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Orange or Red

Orange or Red

​Orange or Red is fabulously simple: you'll warm to our knitted throws, disappear into our soft cushions, stay comfortably upright on our stools and shoulder our bags with pleasure. 
Made from all natural materials. Beautiful to look at and wonderful to feel.
Simple.

​
Starting at €19,90
<Visit the Orange or Red webshop>

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Harm & Elke

Studio Harm & Elke

Studio Harm & Elke creates colorful porcelain products for the interior.

Everything is handmade at their studio in Eindhoven, and their collection ranges from vases and tableware to candle holders and clocks.
​

Starting at €11,95
<Visit the Studio Harm & Elke webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Harm & Elke

Studio Thier & Van Daalen

Iris van Daalen & Ruben Thier share their fascination for light, reflection, geometric and organic shapes, together with the transience of nature.
​
​Over and over, they see it as a challenge to get hold of these phenomena and to abstract and translate them into sustainable designs.


Starting at €15,-
<Visit Thier & van Daalen webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Thier & Van Dalen
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Thier & Van Dalen

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Lorier

Studio Lorier

Industrial designer Sander Lorier (1988) is fascinated by cleverly designed products that are simple to use and add extra functionality.

Sander handcrafts all his designs in the Netherlands, using materials such as ceramics, wood, and copper.

Prices starting at €6,-
<Visit Studio Lorier webshop> 
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Lorier

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Foekje Fleur
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Foekje Fleur

Foekje Fleur

After graduating in both Design and Fine Arts, Foekje Fleur found her way by making objects that are functional and yet, give space for thought.
Her attractive and colorful designs seem playful at first sight but are in fact inspired by serious topics like environmental pollution.

Design products starting from €16,90
<Read all about it here>

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Maarten Babtist

Maarten Babtist

Designer Maarten Baptist has an affinity with food and coffee. He creates both delicate tabletop products and an extensive range of furniture.
Maarten develops icons for day-to-day activities, each with an elegant sense of presence.

Cutlery starting from €6,50, glassware from €9,95
<Click to visit webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Maarten Babtist

Renske Versluijs

Dutch designer Renske Versluijs launched her own label in 2010. She has a natural love for materials, colour and patterns.

The collection is designed in bold shapes, complimented with distinct colours and elegant hand drawn patterns.


design products starting at €15,-
<Visit webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Mickey Philips
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Mickey Philips

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Mickey Philips
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Mickey Philips

Studio Mickey Philips

Mickey’s work is a playful balance between meaningful design and usable art.
​It is characterized by the use of distinctive materials, shapes and colors, however there is always more to discover in her designs. She has an eye for detail and the usability of a product.


​prices starting from €49,-
<Visit webshop>

Studio Carmela Bogman

Studio Carmela Bogman wants to make you aware of the natural beauty that surrounds you. With simple and friendly design that embraces nature and all of her beauty. Extensive research about history, surrounding or future use lead to products with a well thought story.

Bird desserts starting from €7,95
<See more here>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Carmela Bogman
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Carmela Bogman

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Vij5

Vij5

Although Arjan and Anieke of Vij5 were trained as an architect and a designer, they're now mainly focussing on publishing products with other designers.

​We know how hard they work and they've built up quite a collection over the past years, so definitely check it out!

​
​prices starting from €15,-
<Visit webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Vij5

All things we like

All Things We Like brings you playful design that has a positive impact on your mood but minimal impact on the environment. 

Janneke, who runs the brand, loves to create beautiful and functional designs for your everyday life and home. With a collection ranging from jewelry to poster design, there's something for any budget.

Prices starting at €1,50 for prints, €12,50 for pins and €12,50 for plant hangers.
​
<Visit webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: All things we like
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: All things we like

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Storytiles

Storytiles

From the studio in Amsterdam StoryTiles brings out a new collection in spring and fall every year. StoryTiles bakes her tiles in Holland in the artisanal way in a traditional Dutch oven. 

Marga van Oers’ designs have become a universal visual language and tile lovers all over the world collect them to create their own story on their walls.

Mini tiles €12,95, Storytiles from €27,50
<Get the Storytiles here> 
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Storytiles

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Veer & Moon
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Veer & Moon

Veer & Moon

Veer & Moon offers a beautifully illustrated and designed collection of all different kinds of flower seed packages perfect to send to a loved one to celebrate the special moments in life.

​Prices starting at €5,-

<Check out the Veer en Moon webshop> 

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Hamerhaai

Studio Hamerhaai

Niki and Boudewijn of Studio Hamerhaai create design products from reused materials.
They're best known for their wooden 'Rijkswachters', made from former transport crates of the Rijksmuseum, but their collection is much larger than just the cute robots.

Prices starting from €27,50
<Visit Studio Hamerhaai webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Studio Hamerhaai

Niko Niko

If you are happy, it will make other people happy too. You don't have to do anything, it just spreads automatically like a happiness-virus.
We decided we want to be part of this positive movement. Better yet, we want to be at the start of it. That is why we develop concepts & products that bring color, beauty and surprises into this world. Small things that make you smile.

Prices starting at €3,95
<Visit Niko Niko Webshop>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Niko Niko
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Niko Niko

Other Dutch creative entrepreneurs

Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Choco Cities
Choco Cities - €4,95
<Get them here>
Get it at the creatives / 2020 gift guide - House of Thol: Keecie
Keecie leather bags - €149,-
<Get them here>
Picture
Air Planting, Carolijn Slottje - €34,95
<Get them here>

Get it at the creatives / Dutch Design gift guide 2020 by House of Thol

Let's make more people happy

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
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Smaller is better: Bee Happy cards available in notecard size

19/11/2020

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Bee Happy Notecards by House of Thol

Sending the seeds of love

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!
Order Bee Happy notecards now
More about Bee Happy Flower Cards
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'Kunstenaars in coronatijd' - extensive interview on local station GL8

11/11/2020

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Local station GL8

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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.  
With so many people and businesses affected by corona, the station decided to get in touch with some of the professional creatives in the community to see how they are coping with the situation.
GL8 made a total series of 8 episodes, and we were featured in number 7!
​It aired last Weekend, but wasn't available on Youtube to share until now.
Note: in Dutch only!

The blissful in-between

The small GL8 crew came over when summer was still hot, although fall was closing in. Oh those blissful last weeks of summer!

I remember chatting with presenter Anasuya in between takes when she mentioned "What a shame it won't air until the fall, when corona is probably over", to which we responded "There might be a second wave?" Although it did seem like so far off at the time. 
We really had no idea how little time we would have left in the 'in between'.
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.

Some snippets

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
Watch full episode

Credits & Sad news

Made by director Hans van Diest and presenter Anasuya Koopmans, with Peter Schrik handling the camera and mantage.

Sadly, about a week after the taping, we received news that Mr. van Diest had suddenly passed away, which is a great loss, both for his family, the local station and the whole community.
Watch full episode
More about the series on GL8
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Wren & Kiwi bamboo caught on film

2/11/2020

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Wren Bamboo large - House of Thol for Ay Illuminate | photograph by Mark Eden Schooley via Ay Illuminate

A Bamboo bird

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.
More about Wren & Kiwi
Shop Wren & Kiwi at shophouseofthol.nl
Wren & Kiwi lamps - House of Thol for Ay Illuminate | photograph by Mark Eden Schooley via Ay Illuminate
Wren & Kiwi lamps - House of Thol for Ay Illuminate | photograph by Mark Eden Schooley via Ay Illuminate
Wren & Kiwi lamps - House of Thol for Ay Illuminate | photograph by Mark Eden Schooley via Ay Illuminate
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Sending a gift from shophouseofthol.nl

28/10/2020

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Send to a friend

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.