Revered Dutch mid-century modernist designer Cees Braakman had been creating furniture since his teenage years when he was promoted to head of design at UMS Pastoe in 1948. Today’s vintage furniture enthusiasts know that Braakman found inspiration in works by Scandinavian artisans such as Alvar Aalto and Herman Miller luminaries Charles and Ray Eames — Braakman’s clean-lined dining chairs, sleek sideboards and other case pieces are demonstrative of those influences.
UMS Pastoe was established in 1913 by German-Jewish entrepreneur Frits Loeb and became rapidly successful largely owing to its reputation for well-made tables and chairs. However, the Dutch brand is best known by collectors for the modular sideboards, storage cabinets and other spare, streamlined case pieces that it produced during the postwar years.
The Utrecht-born Braakman took over for his father, Dirk, who had by then been managing the company for more than 20 years and had designed a variety of furnishings for the manufacturer by himself. A year before he assumed his new role at Pastoe, Cees visited the United States where he became enamored with the designs of Charles and Ray Eames and the other creative minds associated with legendary American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
While many Dutch designers who are now celebrated by vintage furniture collectors — names like Gerrit Rietveld and Friso Kramer are in this list — found inspiration in Piet Mondrian and the country’s De Stijl art movement, they also looked to Scandinavian modernists such as Alvar Aalto and Americans such as the Eameses. Cees Braakman was no different.
Braakman’s 1940s-era tour to the States included a visit to the Herman Miller factory in Zeeland, Michigan. At the time, architect-designer-journalist George Nelson was director of design at the firm and had enlisted a range of designers to collaborate with Herman Miller and create what are now icons of mid-century modernism. Braakman took notice of industrial manufacturing techniques at HM and in particular, the company’s innovations in furniture design owing to experimentation with molded plywood and fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
The Dutch designer introduced the first line of modern furniture at UMS Pastoe thereafter — a table, a chair, a bed and more created in molded plywood and featuring oak veneers, specifically tailored for smaller living spaces. Braakman was convinced that Pastoe should move on from the restrictions that a collection or set of furniture presented to consumers.
Furniture for a bedroom, for example, should be practical and built as individual pieces that could be adapted as more space became available. New production methods and creative marketing came into focus under Braakman’s leadership, and his own lines of oak and birch furniture — which were created around cupboards that could be reconfigured as needed, or armchairs that could be combined to form a sofa — earned acclaim and were commercially very successful.
UMS Pastoe was recognized for its innovative furniture at the Milan Triennial in 1957 and Le Signe d’Or in Belgium, and Cees Braakman’s work can today be found at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
Find vintage Cees Braakman furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern KU14 Armoire by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern KU14 Japanese Series armoire or wardrobe. Design by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Original teak veneered woo...
Metal
Extra Long Oak Sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Beerse, VAN
Take a look at this extra long oak sideboard, designed in the 1960s by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. It is a beautiful example of mid-century modern design, characterized by clean lines...
Metal
CB06 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1952
By Cees Braakman
Located in Balen, BE
A Mid-Century linnen cabinet 'model CB06', designed by Cees Braakman in the 1950s and manufactured by Pastoe in the Netherlands. This is a rare example in the birchwood series with...
Birch, Teak
Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Meulebeke, BE
The Netherlands / CU07 cabinet / Pastoe / Cees Braakman / metal, teak / Vintage / Mid-century Highboard CU07 designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This mo...
Metal
1950s Pastoe Cabinet by Cees Braakman, Mid-Century Modern in Teak
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Beerse, VAN
A beautiful 1950s cabinet by Pastoe, designed by Cees Braakman, with the clean geometry and warm teak that makes mid-century design so appealing. Inside, there is plenty of practica...
Teak
Rare 'DU02' Sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Small modernist sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in 1958. This model ‘DU02’ is part of the famous Japanese series and is finished in teak combined with black metal legs...
Metal
$1,805Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Desk Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Beautifully designed desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe with high levels of practicality and comfort. It has six drawers, three of each side of the seating position. The exterior lo...
Oak
Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Wood Secretaire
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Jacaranda wood secretaire with drop down desk or dry bar and light with original wiring. Lightly refinished exterior ...
Metal
Cees Braakman Teak Secretary Cabinet for Pastoe, Netherlands, 1950s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Wommelgem, BE
Mid-century modern teak secretary cabinet designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe, the Netherlands, circa 1950s. A highly functional and well-balanced storage piece combining a sec...
Teak
Japanese Serie Wall Cabinet with Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Delft, NL
Japanese serie wall cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s The Dutch Designer Cees Braakman made this Japanese serie for Pastoe, 1950's The wall cabinet has different compartme...
Wood
Cees Braakman sideboard, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sideboard in light wood, opening with 4 drawers and a door, stamp on the reverse, Pastoe Editor, Cees Braakman. Netherlands, 1960s.
Wood
Two EU/NU-11 Japanese Series Wall Cabinets by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare pair of Mid-Century Modern EU/NU-11 Japanese Series wall cabinets. Design by Cees Braakman for Pastoe Utrecht. Striking Dutch design from the 1950s. The EU-11 wall ...
Milk Glass, Mirror, Teak
Floating Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Beerse, VAN
Floating sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. What makes this sideboard unique is the rare oak, a material rarely used in Braakman’s designs. The warm oak tones give it ...
Oak
Pastoe Cees Braakman Du03 Sideboard in Wenge 1958
By Cees Braakman
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This is for an iconic and nice minimalist sideboard model number DU03, designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe UMS, Holland 1958. This unique sideboard was made on reque...
Metal
Pastoe sideboard, Japanese Series by Cees Braakman
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Brussels, BE
The minimalist sideboard DU03, designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in 1958, is a Dutch design classic. Crafted from teak wood, it features a sleek black lacquered metal frame. The...
Metal
Midcentury Pastoe "Cu07" Japanese Series Highboard by Cees Braakman - 1950s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Midcentury Pastoe "Cu07" Japanese Series Highboard by Cees Braakman - 1950s.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Desk Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe
By Cees Braakman
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very elegant desk made by USM Pastoe. This desk was designed in the early fifties by Cees Braakman and is part of the oak series.
Oak
$2,604Sale Price|20% Off
Black and White Metal and Wood Top Four Doors Sideboard by Pastoe, Netherlands.
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Four black and white sliding doors industrial sideboard. Thick natural wood top. Two additional metal shelves inside. By C.Braakman for Pastoe Netherlands 1960.
Metal
Cees Braakman for Pastoe CT69 Made-To-Measure Unit with Drop-Down Bar or Desk
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Mid-Century made to measure ‘CT69’ storage cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. Classically styled three section teak storage cabinet with drop-down bar or desk and thin ch...
Chrome
Mid Century Danish Modern Cees Braakman Cabinet
By Cees Braakman
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Danish Modern Cees Braakman Cabinet Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Has some expected slight finish wear and scratching. Has a couple veneer chip...
Teak
Small Cabinet by Cees Braakman & Adriaan Dekker for Pastoe, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Unique small sized cabinet from Cees Braak man for Pastoe 1960s.
Teak
Sideboard Du03 Japanese Serie By Cees Braakman For Pastoe, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Sideboard Du03 Japanese Serie By Cees Braakman For Pastoe, 1960s
Metal
Du03 Japanese series sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe 1958
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Gorgeous mid century sideboard model DU03 from the japanese series designed by Dutch designer Cees braakman for Pastoe. Made from teak wood, the sideboard has a beautiful and warm ...
Wood
Teak ‘Made to Measure’ Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Beerse, VAN
A beautifully proportioned cabinet designed by Cees Braakman for the Dutch manufacturer Pastoe. Part of the Made to Measure series, originally designed in the 1950s. What makes this...
Metal
$2,971Sale Price|20% Off
Sideboard with Black and White Metal Sliding Doors by Cees Brackman, Netherlands
By Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Four black and white sliding doors and two shelves sideboard with a thick wood top. Designed by Cees Brackman, Netherlands. circa 1950.
Metal
Bar Cart " Mobilo PE03" by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Brussels, BE
Bar Cart " Mobilo PE03" by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s An admirer of Charles & Ray Eames' work for Herman Miller, he drew inspiration from the techniques and materials used to d...
Wood
1960s Cees Braakman Made to Measure Teak Cabinet for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a modular cabinet / credenza from the Made to Measure series designed by Cees Braakman and produced by Pastoe in The Netherlands circa early 1960s. It consists of four parts;...
Steel
Pastoe ‘Made to Measure’ Teak Cabinet by Cees Braakman, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Beerse, VAN
A lovely compact cabinet designed by Cees Braakman for the Dutch manufacturer Pastoe. It belongs to the Made to Measure series, designed in the 1950s, although this particular exampl...
Metal
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Teak Secretaire Cabinet, Netherlands, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Wommelgem, BE
Vintage teak secretaire cabinet designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the Netherlands during the 1950s. The cabinet features the clean, functional lines associated with Braakman’s...
Teak
Unit Shelf by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Netherlands, 1960s
By Cees Braakman
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This modular shelving unit was produced by the prominent Dutch furniture manufacturer Pastoe and designed by the legendary Cees Braakman. Crafted from rich teakwood, it has developed...
Wood
Mid-century modern teak audio cabinet designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe
By Cees Braakman
Located in Wommelgem, BE
A particularly functional Pastoe storage system conceived for audio equipment and record players. The cabinet combines open shelving with a dedicated pull-out platform, allowing a tu...
Teak
Pastoe ‘Made to Measure’ Sideboard in Teak, 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Beerse, VAN
This Pastoe ‘Made to Measure’ sideboard is a beautiful example of Dutch mid-century modern furniture. With its clean lines, warm teak exterior, and contrasting satinwood interior, t...
Satinwood, Teak
DB32 sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in BE
This elegant 1950s sideboard showcases thoughtful Dutch design and craftsmanship. Its distinctive bent legs and smoothly contoured drawers reflect the designer’s refined touch. It wa...
Wood
Original Midcentury Regal Pastoe Cees Braakman made to measure
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Vintage Regal vom niederländischen Hersteller "Pastoe" aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsystem wurde von Cees Braakman entworfen, ist unter...
Teak