Yearning for sunshine

Seldomly have i been longing for spring as much as i do this year. Then again: don't we all?! Well, the season of bright green is around the corner, and although we have yet to round the bend on Covid, we can at least spot a brighter day on the horizon. Since spring is the perfect time to sow wildflower seeds and create a haven for both your own eyes as well as your local pollinators, we're adding 'Seeds of Love' wildflower labels to each order of at least €15,- for the next month!

Happy Bee + Happy Me

Spreading the love

House of Thol @ ShowUP in booth C.140 It's almost time to show up at ShowUP! The Brabanthallen in Den Bosch will turn into an indy-brand trade show on Sunday September 27th and Monday September 28th, and we'll be part of it! We're so happy that this trade show for Home & Gift is going to happen! (At least, i'm writing this with less than two weeks to go, and we don't know what the situation will be in a few weeks, but for now it's all systems go!) While we're frantically designing the booth and getting everything ready for a showcase of the House of Thol collection, we wanted to officially invite you to the show! ​ Entrance is free, but: ShowUP is a Trade Show and only accessible for professionals from the segments Home Deco, Gifts, Lifestyle and Kids. Click the link below to visit the ShowUP page and register.  Please note: this time the fair is taking place in the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch, so don't accidentally drive to Vijfhuizen...

Let's reconnect!

Love, care & a kiln Patera Magnus is a large terra-cotta fruit and vegetable vessel, consisting of 9 separate ceramic parts. Did you know that right now we produce all Patera Magnus bowls by hand in our studio in Overasselt (near Nijmegen)? We are planning on finding a manufacturer for the Patera Magnus soon. Yet as demand for the design is so high, we did not want to keep you waiting and started production in our workshop.  Let me take you with me into the process of making the molds and producing the Patera Magnus bowls, starting all the way from sketch and computer drawing to the finishing touches of the final product.

Step #1 - research & concept development

Just to have all the steps to this process, let me take you with me to the very beginning of the Poma/Olera series: the ABN AMRO pitch to design a sustainable solution for an everyday situation.  ​ We noticed that we often throw out fruits and vegetables because they turned, and found out that throwing out fresh food is a widespread problem.

We thoroughly researched the ideal way of storing different kinds of fruits and vegetables, and looked into food storing methods in history and other cultures. Amongst other things, we came across the idea of a 'zeer pot': a way of keeping vegetables fresh in hot conditions by storing them in a large double-walled terracotta pot filled with wet sand between the walls, making use of evaprative cooling.

Step #2 - sketches & technical drawings

The zeer pot idea in hand, we added another thing we discovered research: it's better to store different kinds of fruits and vegetables separate from one another, so ethylene gas from ripening fruits wouldn't negatively impact other fresh produce. After preliminary sketches by hand, we made computer drawings of the design, and after many, many, many small adjustments, made 3D prints of all the components.

Step #3 - mold making

After finishing and preparing the printed components by hand, we used them to make plaster molds. These molds can be used to slipcast liquid clay: after pouring the clay into the mold, the plaster walls extract moisture from the mixture, creating a thickening layer of clay 'slip' against them. After a set amount of time, the mold is emptied of the remaining liquid clay, leaving behind a perfect cast of the inside of the mold.

Step #4 - slipcasting & finishing

The slipcasting might not be a difficult process, you have to stay focused throughout working with the liquid clay: too long in the mold and the walls become too thick, which can cause problems while drying. Not enough time, or a mold that was still wet from a last cast, and the walls are too thin, with a large chance the bowl will crack or warp. After pouring out the remaining clay, the bowls are set to dry upside down: first within their cast, and later with the plaster mold removed.

Step #5 - firing, glazing & firing again

After carefully finishing each bowl by hand, everything is fired in the kiln for the first time. This is the moment the clay is at its most fragile. Especially the large outer bowl is a challenge to dry and finish without creating cracks or bumps. Once the terracotta is fired for the first time, it is a lot easier to handle. A layer of glaze is added, and all components go back into the kiln for a second slightly higher firing.

Step #6 - handles & finishing touches

When all components are finished and fired twice, the Patera Magnus is ready to be assembled. We start with the right fit: double checking to see if none of the components warped or bended during the finishing and firing process. If everything fits snugly, we make the laminated oak handles and attach them with the brass book screws. After adding the rubber strips and elastic bands, the Patera Magnus is good to go!

Blooper reel & production pause

Obviously, with so many steps going into the production of the Patera Magnus vessels, things go wrong occasionally.  ​ After a rought start in February and March, we developed a feeling for the process, and things started to run more smoothly. ​However... when Covid hit, we found time slipping through our fingers and hardly an opportunity to work on the Patera Magnus production with the focus and attention it needs.

Back in the workshop & picking up the pace

Luckily we're back in the workshop now, and working towards finishing every Patera Magnus with the love and dedication it deserves. With new orders coming in regularly, we will keep production running throughout summer -save for a little two week break in July-. Waiting for the Patera Magnus you ordered? We're delivering everything according to order date. Feel free to get in touch if you want to know more!  <Read more about the Poma/Olera series> or <Order your hand made Patera Magnus now>

NB Production update in September: the kiln-situation

You see that? >>> That's the inside of our kiln. The kiln we got for prototyping and producing small products like the Waterworks cones. Not for a full-fledged production of large interior products. The sweet kiln has been firing our terracotta and porcelain projects without problems for 6 years, until it didn't... Large bowls started to crack by the end of August. We figured it had to do with the insane heatwave we were experiencing: the slipcast clay drying out too fast.

Or maybe it was the mold that was the problem? We started up production for a new mold. After a few weeks and losing 7 large bowls in either the first or second firing, we found out the problem was with the kiln: one of the heating spirals had broken, resulting in an uneven heat distribution throughout the kiln and breaking large bowls. Well... it's fixed now and we're back into production, so hopefully we'll be on the delivery track again soon. ​Get in touch for questions!

Proud and happy to be named winner of the MKB Export Award!

In the midst of our Dutch 'intelligent lockdown' we suddenly found ourselves in The Hague, albeit virtually. The morning started with a frantic connection dance trying to get the video-calling to work, but by 11:00 we were all set for The Call. Not just any call: The Call with Minister Sigrid Kaag for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. We were honoured that Minister Kaag would take the time to have a little chat with us about the way we're impacted by the current situation, and in a graceful way officially pronounced us winners of the MKB Export Award. Such a special moment! Thank you to all parties involved: MKB Nederland, RVO, TNT, Language institute Regina Coeli and of course the Dutch Ministery of Foreign Affairs. And we even managed to take a photograph with the minister. or.. kind of...

During the call

photograph taken from The Hague

same situation from Overasselt

Celebrations in the sunshine

Why we won & what we won The Jury of the MKB Export Award says in its (Dutch) press release we won because of the "beautiful combination of Dutch Design, sustainability and practical usability, that will do especially well abroad". As a winner of the MKB Export Award we're receiving: - A €15.000,- transport credit with TNT - giving us access to the worldwide shipping network on the road and in the air of TNT and FedEx Express. - A one-year membership of MKB Nederland - A Language course at language Institute Regina Coeli - A Business Partner scan by RVO Netherlands   And of course the exposure and PR attention that comes with winning this award. Thank you very much MKB Export Award! ​We're aiming to work hard and make the most of the opportunities you're giving us.

The timing of this... 

Screenshot of the MKB Export Award website

The blank page Pavilion

Experiencing design The ABN AMRO Game Changers exhibition was set up as an experience: up to 15 visitors accompanied by a host would be guided along the 4 different Game Changers with a professional voice-over and well timed lighting schedule. This meant that as a visitor of the Game Changers Pavilion you really experienced design, rather than simply looking at it. Something very different to most other exhibitions and very professionaly executed. Because of the voice-over directing the pace of the little tour, people didn't really have the time to linger around our work and take photographs to share online. That's why we snuck in before the show started to get a few pics of the Poma/Olera presentation.

Reaching a new audience Having ABN AMRO backing our project meant that we reached audiences we probably would have missed otherwise. We were very happy we got to tell about House of Thol to a professional audience during a Sustainable investment event and expanded our network tremendously. ​ Apart from an interview with a journalist from a national newspaper that will hopefully be published in a few months, we had a lovely chat with Francis of Sublime radio, which let into our 60 seconds of radio fame that you can listen to here.

Coming to your house soon!

Order now We've currently set the price of a large Poma/Olera bowl (Patera Magnus) at €195,-.  Production will take approximately 4-6 weeks. Interested in keeping your fresh food fresh? Get in touch!​

A sustainable solution for the everyday

Move the date: Food waste

Poma/Olera: keep your food fresh

Bringing it back to our own small household: what can we do to avoid food waste in our daily lives? We noticed we often have trouble with fruits and vegetables: what is the best way to store them, so they stay fresh for longest and we don't have to throw out wrinkled bell peppers?

Turns out not every fruit and vegetable plays nice with others, so keeping them all together in one large fruit bowl might not be such a great idea: the ethylene coming from fruits like apples can negatively impact the taste or ripeness of other fruits in the bowl. Anyway, learning about the best way to store fresh food involved a whole lot of research (spreadsheets, seriously) that deserves its own blog post soon.

The go and the process

These past months, ever since returning home from our break, have been all about Poma/Olera.  The design changed somewhat from the first drafts and we created a series of round vessels specifically designed to store fruits and vegetables in a better way. The making process involved a lot of sketching,computer drawing, 3d printing, mold making, clay casting, finishing, failing, doing it again, changing the molds, recasting, firing the kiln, glazing tests, new glazing tests, production, production, production. ​ Well, your typical design process, really.

See you in Eindhoven!

34 kilo / €120,-

Applegas & bitter bell pepper

Patera Magnus

Patera Maturus

Patera Dauci

Patera Herba

Four days in The Hague

photograph by Chasing Pastels

Last weekend we spent 4 days in sunny The Hague at chique art/design festival 'Masterly The Hague' - Not only was the festival taking place in a beautiful setting, we were blessed with great weather and many enthusiastic and lovely visitors! We were super happy with the great presentation of our work: the bathtub being flanked by this gorgeous 1930ties silk Kimono that was on loan from the Gemeentemuseum The Hague, and the over all high quality athmosphere at Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder. Also not too bad to share a room with skillfull glass artist Geir Nustad and be a temporary direct neighbor of Orange or Red, Bibi Smit and Thed Konings. And, lest i forget: we worked together with Ceramist Henriette Meijer to create a stylish floral setting at the entrance of Museum Bredius. Since we were pretty much talking all the time, we didn't get to take that many photographs.  Luckily plenty of others did! Here's a few of the pictures we found online. All images link back to the photographer or account we found them. Thank you Nicole Uniquole and the Masterly The Hague organisation for a lovely festival!

Nicole Uniquole

Marieke 880

Insideful Interieurontwerp

Emilie ten Donkelaar

House of Thol

House of Thol

For dads who love to let things grow

Is your dad more of a houseplant fan? Why not gift him a Waterworks-set to help keep his indoor greenery happy and healthy. But that's not actually what this post is about: As a little something extra, we added a few new Father/Family-themed Growing Cards to our collection. With these cards, you're not only sending your dad a sweet message, you'll also give him something to grow. The cards have been printed on Growing paper that contains wildflower seeds. To germinate the seeds, lay the paper in moist soil, place in a sunny spot, cover with a thin layer of earth and keep moist.  Depending on the kind of seed in the paper, you'll see the first tiny green leaves pop out of the earth after about ten days.

Get a free card with your order!

For mothers who love to let flowers bloom

Here's how it works

Make your mom happy!

Help us decide which masterpiece should  be our new wrapping paper

fresh spring

Will you help us choose again?

​1. Ambrosius Bosschaert | 1573-1621 Bouquet of flowers on a ledge This Dutch painter was one of the first to specialize in still life floral paintings and started a trend that went on for centuries. Although his work is highly sought after, Ambrosius Boschaert the elder does not have a large portfolio. His time was mostly spent working as an art-dealer. Even more reason to make sure his trend-setting work is not forgotten.

2. Vincent van Gogh | 1853-1890 Vase with irises against a yellow background Van Gogh is one of the most (in)famous artists of our country, and made quite a few floral paintings.  ​ Although happily colored, the timing of this painting of irises in a vase (May 1890), is rather gloomy: Vincent would die from complications after a self-inflicted gun-shot wound two months later.  Maybe not so happy-go-lucky, but an important piece of Dutch art history.

What's your favorite?

A flying visit to make a toast

It took some organizational skill and a lot of family help to schedule ourselves kid-free and in the south of the country on Saturday and be able to take a day-trip to Paris. ​That's making it sound a lot more romantic than it was: What it came down to, was us spending 9 hours in the car for 5 hours at Parc Expositions Villepinte (+ a short joyful stop at a hypermarché). It was all worth it. We brought Champagne and cheese to officially celebrate the Wren and Kiwi launch and shared a festive toast with Ay Lin, Casper and the Ay Illuminate crew.

​Seeing our designs displayed in the Ay Illuminate booth and how well they fit in with the rest of the Ay Illuminate collection made it all come together, and it was wonderful to experience the response of the M&O public. After enjoying the company at the booth for a while, we did a quick (three hour) round of the fair that was way too short to see anything yet left us both with sore feet (11.000+ steps according to my phone). All in all this flying visit took us 14 hours, and i'm so happy we went. ​Below you'll find a few more snapshots of the booth and our trip.  ​Have you been to M&O? ​What did you like best?

Finally lifting the veil

98% recycled aluminum slats