Once you have become acclimatised to life in toytown-land during your short stay in Amsterdam, you might muster up the energy to explore life from within this miniature world. Would you feel claustrophobic inside the less swanky Dutch living quarters than the generous accommodations rented out by Amsterdam Apartments, or will clever design prevent that? Do a spot of shopping at as-Netherlandish-as-it-gets furniture shops and find out for yourself.
Two private outlets that are perfect for the job are Wonderwood and the Frozen Fountain. Even though both don English language names, the furnishing you will encounter on their premises will give you a good idea of where it’s at in most Dutch houses.
As the name says, most of the produce in WonderWood is made out of trees, and you will find furniture by some of the finest Dutch designers as well as an interesting amount of art, decoration and gadgets. The shop specialises in vintage plywood chairs and tables, which were first manufactured in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Owner Wiet Hekking is very knowledgeable about the design potential of plywood. Apparently it can be bent into seemingly impossible shapes.
Make sure to also look up in the store because at ground floor level, there is one of Amsterdam’s oldest painted ceilings, dating from 1565. Chairs on display include both classic and reissued items, more than 100 of them. The shop frequently shows art exhibitions, which are always popular.
Whatever your business, you will come away from WonderWood having seen a smart display of curated homely items that will give you a good idea of the twists and turns inside the Netherlandic mind. WonderWood is located very close to the Dam, Muntplein and the Stopera, so is within walking distance of just about any spot in central Amsterdam.
The Frozen Fountain is run by a man who used to be a buyer for big names including Liberty of London, Cok de Rooy. He and his business partner Dick Dankers, hunt around for both Dutch and international design that’s classified as original art and prototype furniture. You can buy items and objects for in and around the house.
The outlet also hosts continuous expositions of the creme de la creme of Dutch furniture design, which seeks to visualise a symbiosis between idea and end product. Dutch designers, you will come to realise by looking around this 625m2 warehouse, are strong on self production.
The shop is also renowned for its art commissions, which are frequently on show before disappearing to their various owners. Most of these commissions will feature a particular aspect of a subject in depth. Definitely worth a visit. Frozen Fountain is located on the Prinsengracht, right in the heart of the fabulous canal belt.
