Bespoke furniture, handmade in Amsterdam
I am a designer-maker with a great passion for wood and my craft. I believe in sustainable practices and spread awareness about craftswomanship through my work.
Bespoke Design
I design and make functional and contemporary furniture of all kinds. I believe that design is a process, and being a designer-maker allows me to be in control of all the steps from sketch to final product. Each decision in the journey is a conscious balance between material, form and function. My products are objects of daily use, with beautiful details, usually in a playful combination of wood and colour.
Looking for something in particular? Take a look at my For Sale page or instagram for inspiration or get in touch! I work with clients to design and build custom furniture, but also build my own designs to sell.
Handmade Products
All products are built by me in my Amsterdam West workshop. I work with a combination of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship, something I’ve learnt to blend after my carpentry apprenticeship. I have a keen eye for detail and strive to perfect every product I make. My furniture often features smaller handmade elements that add value and interest to the product.
I take pride in my skills as a furniture maker and believe in regularly practising working with hand tools. Woodworking is a craft that needs to be preserved and promoted, and my products are a medium to spread awareness.
Sustainable Furniture
I believe contemporary designs never go out of style and my furniture can be handed down from generation to generation. I build furniture that will last a lifetime and criticize throw-away lifestyles that large brands promote. I strive to use certified wood from sustainable sources and work with sustainably manufactured lumber products.
According to me, quality materials, strong joinery and the right know-how build great furniture that stand the test of time.
I ♥ Wood
I love working with the incredible versatility and warmth of wood. As a maker, I am constantly fascinated by mother nature and the materials she has to offer. Wood is a renewable resource and I handle it with awe and respect. Each piece of wood is as unique as the tree that supplied it, and it is important to make conscious use of it.
I find wood grain amazing and pay extra attention to it while using it in my work. Trees tell their story through their wood, and this makes every piece of furniture special.
Craftswoman
As a woman in this male dominated field, I wish to spread the joy of working with your hands and creating something beautiful to use everyday. Through my work, I hope to inspire other young women to pursue a career in crafts and creativity. It is not a man’s world, and women have a unique perspective and can contribute on an entirely different level.
I am part of Stichting Vakvrouw in Amsterdam, and run my own small business from the shared workshop.
My work is recommended by the Homo Faber Guide for Craftsmanship.
What customers say about my work
“Wij zochten voor een hoekzitje met tafel in de keuken een ontwerp dat zowel functioneel als mooi zou zijn, mét opbergruimte onder de zitting en passend bij de rest van ons interieur. Het resultaat van eikenhout beantwoordt geheel aan onze wensen, en Vanessa rust niet voordat alles strak geplaatst is, zelfs als de muur wat scheef loopt. In samenwerking met een stoffeerder zijn prachtige kussens gemaakt voor het zitje. Om het af te maken maakte en monteerde Vanessa ook een plank boven het aanrecht met geïntegreerde LED-strook. Allemaal fijne aanwinsten voor de keuken waar wij veel plezier aan beleven.”
Hans M. | Breakfast Nook in Oak wood
“When planning my new kitchen shelf, Vanessa accommodated my own colour preferences, while also making suggestions regarding shape. She delivered a meticulously crafted piece of furniture with a beautiful finish.”
Moritz F. | Kitchen Shelf
“We contacted Vanessa to do two personalized benches to cover our living room radiators, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. They fits perfectly within the two corners and I’m impressed how well finished they are.
She was super professional, careful with the measurements and with our needs, taking always into consideration the budget we showed to her in our first contact. We definitely recommend her services.”
Vitor | Bamboo Radiator benches
“In designing and assembling my new CD shelf, Vanessa combined meticulous craft with a keen aesthetic sense. The result is a most welcome addition to my living room, and a pleasure to look at while listening to my favourite music. “
“Working with Vanessa is a dream. Her work is meticulous. She matches hues perfectly, even with the less expensive woods, and turns them into gorgeous textures. She can work and build into odd spaces. We have an obtuse angle in our home and she built hanging cabinets into them. Superbly fun, sleek designs. She is more than on time, even finished early.”
Alessandra B. | Hanging Cabinets
“When my boyfriend and I were looking for a new coffee table, we couldn’t find anything to our liking in furniture stores. There was always something off: either the shape, or size, and so on. That’s when we decided to commission a custom-built coffee table from Vanessa. She listened to our wishes and made a stunning table, just the way we wanted. A width and height that works for our couch, a style that we find beautiful, and a material that is durable and sustainable. The last bit is important to us, as we want our furniture to last. It’s a unique table, made for us, and we love it!”
Sam | Bamboo coffee table
“Working with Vanessa was seamless. From the original design conversations, through to completion, she was always very transparent, clear and collaborative. Furthermore, with any changes to the plan, she always communicated clearly and aligned on changes prior to implementation. The final product is exactly as envisioned and was produced with a very high attention to detail. I love how clean the finishings came out and how seamlessly everything works. You can expect premium craftsmanship when working with Vanessa!”
Nicole | Murphy bed
“I am very happy that I decided to get a custom designed & made sideboard from Vanessa! The communication was pleasant and smooth, we quickly managed to refine the proportions, material choices and details of the design to match my initial wish. The result is perfect, a piece of fine craftsmanship, beautifully made unique eyecatcher for my living room! Thank you so much!”
“I purchased a pair of Vanessa’s handmade Ashwood cabinets as both functional furniture and art pieces for my living room. I’ve had the pieces for a few months now and they are more than living up to my expectations on both fronts! Everytime I use – or even just gaze at – the cabinets, they bring a smile to my face.
To top it off, Vanessa was super helpful in setting up the cabinets, personally delivering and installing them. I can highly recommend Vanessa’s work!”
“As part of the Vakvrouwen studio, we highly recommend Vanessa for any woodworking project. The process was very smooth with a great exchange of ideas and transparent communication. Her skill in building us a stunning bamboo bookshelf and TV unit, along with a robust kitchen counter, showcases her versatility and craftsmanship. The entire process was well managed, including external vendors, and the final installation was a breeze. We’re very happy with everything and will keep coming back for any other furniture projects. “
Quentin | Bookshelf & TV unit
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Vanessa Horig 