Pastoe Furniture

Pastoe is one of the major names of 20th-century Dutch design. Founded in 1913 in Utrecht under the name UMS, the company turned after the war toward functional and modular furniture suited to modern living spaces. In 1948 it adopted the name Pastoe, derived from passe-partout, expressing a commitment to versatility and simplicity.

Under the direction of Cees Braakman, Pastoe introduced innovative industrial processes, notably bent plywood techniques, giving rise to a refined design that became emblematic. In the 1950s–70s the brand established itself through rational and accessible furniture before creating icons such as the A’dammer cabinet (1977). Today, Pastoe remains a reference in Dutch design, recognized for the clarity of its lines and its intelligent construction.