HISTory AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

In 1923 Piet Blijenburg and Carl Hijner established weaving mill De Ploeg

OUR PHILOSOPHY - THEN & NOW

The Dutch weaving mill De Ploeg was established in 1923 as a cooperative producing household textiles. Since the 1920’s De Ploeg has been renowned as supplier of curtain & upholstery fabrics. By the ‘50s, De Ploeg had become an innovator as one of the pioneers of the ‘Good Living’ movement. De Ploeg was a household name in The Netherlands. And also internationally De Ploeg made a name for itself.

The Good Living movement aimed to improve the living environment. Interiors should be modern, lighter, more comfortable, and this should be accessible to all - not just the lucky few. Many great designers joined De Ploeg & created original fabrics. Fabrics that are highly valued for their quality & design, by both the consumers & the architects.


THEN: GOOD LIVING

De Ploeg was born from the ideology that everyone should be able to live & work comfortably. Well thought out & well made designs, modern & stylish living & quality made accessible to all. De Ploeg became one of the most important design houses related to the ‘Good Living’ movement.

De Ploeg opened up its library to employees & combined working with culture & inspiration. Activities such as exhibitions, showing innovations in interior design, fashion & art which can be found in today’s trendy concept stores. De Ploeg was ahead of its time with this new way of experiencing, sharing & educating.

The mill contributed towards good interior decoration, good clothing & quality craftmanship. But also, as an industry & working community, to achieving good working relations whereby each employee could reach their full potential. That is the basis of what De Ploeg stands for: Putting people first. At the forefront of corporate responsibility.


‘My grandfather and grandmother, Joop Oversteegen and Antje Blokker, were part of ‘De Ploeg’ history in Bergeijk. Between 1923 and 1930, they led the agricultural cooperative ‘De Ploeg’ in the town of Best. They were appointed by the Society for Common Ownership of Land, which funded the cooperation. And so they moved from Velsen in North Holland to the province of Brabant. Around 10 adults and their children worked and lived in the cooperative, frequently joined by travelling like-minded individuals. They cultivated the wild heathlands. This early cooperative sparked the idea to establish more ‘Ploegs’, and thus was born ‘De Ploeg’ in Bergeijk.’
- Lucy Bathgate


NOW: SLOW LIVING

Taking time to observe the world and the people around you. Slow Living.* Inspired by Scandinavian tradition and craftsmanship, ‘New Modesty’. Re-thinking the application of materials and product design leads to meaningful re-use and refined craftsmanship and innovative finishes. De Ploeg: Bold fabrics. 1923-now.

*If you are interested in slow living and craft design, visit our partners for inspiration: