History and cultural heritage
In 1923, Piet Blijenburg and Carl Hijner founded the weaving mill De Ploeg.
Our philosophy – then and now
De Ploeg was founded in 1923 as a cooperative weaving mill for home textiles. Since the 1920s, De Ploeg has been known as a supplier of curtain and upholstery fabrics. In the 1950s, the company was one of the pioneers of the “Good Living” movement. De Ploeg fabrics became widely known among the Dutch public. De Ploeg is also very well known internationally.
Goed Wonen’s goal was to improve the living environment. Living should be modern, bright and comfortable. Preferably for everyone, not just for a lucky few. Important designers linked their names to De Ploeg to create original fabrics. Fabrics that are appreciated for their quality and design by consumers and professional fabric users such as furniture manufacturers, upholsterers and architects.
Then: Living well
De Ploeg was founded on the idealistic idea that everyone should be able to live and work comfortably. Carefully conceived and executed designs were intended to make modern, stylish living and quality accessible to everyone. De Ploeg thus became one of the most important designers of the concept of the “Good Life”.
De Ploeg opened its own library to employees and combined work with culture and inspiration. Activities such as exhibitions and presentations of innovations in interior design, fashion and art resembled what we see in trendy concept stores today. De Ploeg thus anticipated the new experience by sharing and informing it.
Weaving contributed to good home decor, good clothes and good craftsmanship. But also for good labour relations in the form of a working community in which all workers come into their own. This forms the basis for the guiding principle: People come first. An early expression of corporate social responsibility that is more relevant today than ever.
Now: Slow living
Live and let live with consideration for the world and the people around you. Slow living*. Inspired by the Scandinavian way of thinking and craftsmanship. New modesty”. Rethinking material use and product design leads to meaningful reuse and refined craftsmanship and innovative finishes. De Ploeg: Strong fabrics from 1923 to today.
*If you are interested in Slow Living and artisan design, visit our partners for inspiration:
“My grandparents stood at the cradle of De Ploeg in Bergeijk. From 1923 to 1930, Joop Oversteegen and Antje Blokker were hauliers for the agricultural cooperative of the same name in Best. They had been invited to do so by the Vereniging Gemeenschappelijk Grondbezit, which finances the cooperative. They moved from Velsen in North Holland to Brabant. About 10 people lived and worked in the cooperative with their children. They mined the wasteland. Many wandering like-minded people also used to stay there. It was in this first cooperative that the idea of founding other ploughs was born, and so ‘De Ploeg in Bergeijk’ began.”
– LUCY BATHGATE
