Dutch furniture company 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. Today, however, the 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.
Influential mid-century modernist designer Cees Braakman had been creating furniture since his teenage years when he was promoted to head of design at Pastoe in 1948. The Utrecht-born designer took over for his father, Dirk Braakman, 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. Over the years, designers such as Jan van Grunsven, Radboud Van Beekum and Rob Eckhardt collaborated with UMS Pastoe.
Find vintage UMS Pastoe furniture on 1stDibs.
Aldo Van Den Nieuwelaar for Pastoe "A'dammer" Standing Storage Cabinet, 1978
By Aldo van den Nieuwelaar, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Aldo Van Den Nieuwelaar for Pastoe "A'dammer" standing cabinet with hidden desk and vertically rolling tambour door. Constructed with gray MDF & plastic tambour. Award winning an...
Plastic, Formica, Wood
Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
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
Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe
Located in Delft, NL
Sideboard Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s Mid-Century sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the 1960s. The sideboard is the contrast between the with wengé v...
Chrome
Two EU/NU-11 Japanese Series Wall Cabinets by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
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
Iconic DU03 credenza by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Netherlands 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in ECHT, NL
Iconic DU03 credenza. Designed by Cees Braakman in 1958 and manufactured by Pastoe. Minimalist Dutch design that will look amazing in any interior. Executed in teak and teak veneer...
Metal
1960s Floating Sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Beerse, VAN
Look at this beautiful example of mid-century modern design. Whether placed in a living space, dining area, or office, this floating sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe o...
Teak
Japanese Serie DU03 Sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe 1958, Dutch design
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Antwerp, BE
Minimalistisch Japanese series DU03 sideboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. Dutch design icon of high quality. The DU03 is one of the most famous but also most coveted sideboard...
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
Aldo van den Nieuwelaar roller shutter sideboard 'Amsterdammer' Pastoe Dutch
By Aldo van den Nieuwelaar, Pastoe
Located in The Hague, NL
Step into a world of refined simplicity with the iconic Amsterdammer cabinet, designed by Aldo van den Nieuwelaar for Pastoe. This masterpiece of minimalist design combines functiona...
Plastic, Wood
Pair of Q BUS cabinets by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice and multi functional rolling Cabinets . Manufactured By Dutch Design firm Pastoe . from the Q Bus series . 1960s The system stands on 4 wheels each and is easily attach...
Formica
Cees Braackman for Editions Pastoe Small Side Cabinet, Flap Door circa 1950
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cees Braackman for Editions Pastoe small side cabinet, flap door circa 1950.
Birch
Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Wood Secretaire
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
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
High Sideboard designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Serie CU 04
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare beautiful high sideboard designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman for Pastoe, a sideboard from the Japanese series CU 04 made in teak with a warm color. Features with harmon...
Metal
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 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
Pastoe A'Dammer Roller Shutter Storage Cabinet
By Pastoe, Aldo van den Nieuwelaar
Located in Toronto, CA
Designed in the 1980s by Aldo van den Nieuwelaar for UMS Pastoe, the Amsterdammer bookcase brings rhythm and refinement to everyday storage. Its signature slatted tambour doors, roun...
Plastic, Wood
Pastoe A'Dammer' Roller Shutter Sideboard, Black
By Pastoe, Aldo van den Nieuwelaar
Located in Toronto, CA
The A’dammer stands out as a remarkable example of furniture conceived as an artistic design object. Its signature feature is the ribbed roll shutter, which can effortlessly slide aw...
Plastic, Wood
Cees Braakman for Pastoe composition with office space - 60'
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Pastoe - Desk - Mid-Century Furniture Measures : TOT : 215x45cm H:75.5cm Drawer block : 63x45cm Black sliding doors : 91x45cm Melamine board : 59x45cm
Steel
Vintage sideboard / wall unit Model CU09 from the Japanese Series Cees Braakman
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Breda, NB
Vintage sideboard / wall unit Model CU09 from the Japanese Series by Cees Braakman from Pastoe from the 1960s. Dimensions: Width: 185 cm Depth: 45 cm Height: 117 cm Dimensions comp...
Teak
Cees Braackman, Sideboard for Editions Pastoe, circa 1950
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cees Braackman, sideboard for Editions Pastoe, circa 1950 varnish to redo.
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Made to Measure XL Credenza by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Mid-Century Modern Made to Measure extra large open bookcase.Design by Cees Braakman for Pastoe.Striking Dutch design from the 1960s.Original teak veneered base ...
Metal, Chrome
Cees Braakman Japanese Series "DU03" Teak Sideboard for Pastoe, 1960s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in The Hague, NL
The Cees Braakman DU03 sideboard from the Japanese Series, produced by Pastoe in the Netherlands, is an iconic example of mid-century Dutch design from 1958. The piece reflects Braa...
Metal
Memphis Style Cabinet by Gerard Van Den Berg for Pastoe, Netherlands, 1980s
By Pastoe, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Antwerp, BE
Memphis-inspired 'Magic' cabinet by Gerard Van Den Berg for Pastoe, a rare gem that exudes Dutch flair. This original piece, featured prominently in the Eddie Murphy...
Metal
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
Bar Cart " Mobilo PE03" by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
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
A'dammer Cabinet by Aldo van de Nieuwelaar for Pastoe, 1970s - H:170cm
By Aldo van den Nieuwelaar, Pastoe
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Timeless and elegant design - The Netherlands Measures : 40x37cm H:170cm A’dammer is a prime example of a piece of furniture that also functions as an object. A’dammer is characteriz...
Plastic, Wood
Teak Desk "Made to Measure" Serie, Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Delft, NL
Teak desk "Made to measure" serie, Cees Braakman for Pastoe Teak desk designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe 1960s Curved with birch interior drawers and chrome legs Original key...
Chrome
Wall Cupboard with Fallen Front by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Beerse, VAN
Smaller cupboard in near mint quality designed by Cees Braakman for 1950/1960s Dutch Pastoe “Made to Measure” series. This cupboard is refined by either its composition with lower f...
Chrome
Slide Series Cabinet by Shigeru Uchida for Pastoe
By Pastoe
Located in Izegem, VWV
The Slide series were created in the late 1990s by Shigeru Uchida for Pastoe. This offwhite cupboard features a metallic lacquered steel sliding door. The left side has an open stor...
Sheet Metal
Pastoe A'Dammer Roller Shutter Secretary, Grey
By Aldo van den Nieuwelaar, Pastoe
Located in Toronto, CA
A masterclass in restraint and rhythm. Designed in the 1980s by Dutch designer Aldo van den Nieuwelaar for UMS Pastoe, the ‘Amsterdammer’ wall desk takes the utilitarian DNA of a sec...
Plastic, Wood
$1,864Sale 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
1960s Cees Braakman Made to Measure Teak Cabinet for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
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
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