What a special edition of “ Dutch Design ” Week! This year, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Vij5 with an anniversary exhibition in the beautiful APTUM space on the NRE grounds in Eindhoven. For nine days, we brought together classics, updated versions, recently launched products, and “ Design ” in development.
With this exhibition, we wanted not only to look back on twenty years of Vij5, but above all to show how our collection by has grown over the years and continues to evolve.
We look back with great pleasure on this special week, the wonderful encounters, and all the enthusiastic responses. For anyone who couldn’t be there, or who wants to relive the experience, Share we’ve included a detailed photo report below and will tell you more about the latest Design and previews we presented during DDW.
Twenty Years of " Design": Developing and Creating
In 2006, we launched Vij5 based on a simple idea: for Designers to develop, create, and distribute beautiful and functional interior design products ourselves. What began with a few of our own Design gradually grew into a curated collection featuring work by various Designers.
A lot has changed over the past twenty years, but our focus on the entire process has always remained the same—from the initial idea to a product crafted with care that ultimately finds its place in an interior. As publishers of design products, we connect Designers, creators, and users, and guide ideas from the initial concept to a carefully crafted product.
This evolution was clearly evident during our anniversary exhibition. Some Design have been part of our collection almost from the very beginning and have since become true Vij5 classics. Other products have been redesigned over the years. And, of course, we continue to develop new Design , together with Designers who share our love for materials, functionality, and craftsmanship Share.
It is precisely this combination of the existing and the “ New ” that illustrates what “ Vij5 ” means to us: a collection that is not set in stone, but continues to grow and evolve.
New additions to the " Vij5 " collection
In addition to well-known Design , we also showcased a number of products that were recently added to our collection. Some of these were already on display as prototypes during DDW 2024 and have since made their way to our workshop and into the final collection.
For example, we showcased Marc Th. van der Voorn’s Qui side table, a small, light wooden table that takes advantage of the unique properties of thin plywood. by By bending the material under tension, the result is not only a strong structure but also a convenient open space beneath the tabletop.
Also Papeterie, designed by by KellerFreyschmidt, was included in the exhibition. This versatile wooden object falls somewhere between storage and display. It is produced in small batches in our own workshop in Den Bosch and is finished with colored linseed oil.
And, of course, the Tjalko Chair by Tjalko Lokhorst had to be included. A seemingly simple chair, yet it is precisely the proportions, subtle curves, and clever wood joints that make the design so special. The chair is crafted from solid ash wood and is a beautiful new addition to the furniture collection at Vij5.
A Glimpse into the Future: New " Design " and Previews
Dutch Design For us, this week is also a great opportunity to showcase Design that are still in the development phase. This allows visitors to get a sneak peek at new ideas, and gives us the chance to gather feedback before the products are officially added to the collection.
This year, we presented several new prototypes, each with its own story.
Storyline – A Smart Place for Paper
In Storyline, we shared a first preview of a minimalist hanging system designed by by Ernst Koning of ILIAS ERNST. It makes it easy to display maps, drawings, photos, notes, and other paper items on the wall.
Thanks to a patented system, different types and thicknesses of paper can be held securely in place without glue or loose clips. The design is understated and easy to use, allowing you to focus entirely on what you want to hang.
From the kitchen or workspace to the entryway, bathroom, or children’s room: Storyline can be used in all kinds of places around the house. What’s more, the design takes reuse into account: the various materials can be easily separated from one another.
Låda – a floating wall shelf with a hidden drawer
Another design we unveiled for the first time is Låda, designed b by , the Swedish designer Gustav Rosén. It’s a minimalist wall shelf with a surprising extra element: a wooden drawer that appears to float subtly beneath the shelf.
Låda combines a powder-coated steel shelf with a wooden drawer. by By making clever use of grooves milled into the wood, the drawer can slide under the shelf without visible guides. This creates a calm and almost seamless whole, in which the construction itself forms an integral part of the design.
The original idea for Låda was conceived as early as 2016. Ten years later, the design is now taking shape in collaboration with Vij5. During Dutch Design Week, we unveiled an initial prototype, giving visitors a first look at this smart design.
Yanwei – a mirror inspired by traditional Chinese furniture joints
Yanwei, a table mirror designed b by Wanru Zhao, was also on display for the first time at our exhibition. As a Chinese designer who has lived in Europe for more than ten years, Wanru draws inspiration fr by —the convergence of Eastern and Western design traditions.
The design emerged from research into traditional Chinese furniture construction, in which parts are joined together without screws or glue. For Yanwei, Wanru used a dovetail joint as the starting point. Three parts interlock in an ingenious way, holding the mirror in a slightly tilted position.
The design also draws on the traditional Chinese concept of “a round heaven and a square earth.” This ancient principle, in which the circle and the square symbolize heaven and earth, served as the inspiration for the round mirror on a square base.
In this way, Yanwei combines traditional construction principles with contemporary design to create a unique and functional object.
Offcut Trays – Giving Scrap Material a Second Life
The Offcut Trays, designed by David Derksen , were created from scrap material left over from the production of the Trestle Table, also designed by David.
When making the tabletop, the material is always cut slightly larger than the final dimensions require. As a result, strips of plywood with a Forbo Desktop top layer are left over. Because this is such a beautiful, high-quality material, we thought it would be a shame to let it go to waste. That’s why we asked David to Design a “ New ” product that makes use of these leftover strips.
For the Offcut Trays, he drew inspiration from an earlier design: the Dot Trays. While that series focuses on solid ash wood and a colored cutout, the Offcut Trays’ “ colour ” actually comes from the top layer of the material itself.
by The use of plywood also creates a nice detail: the pattern of the different layers of wood becomes visible in the milled recesses. This gives the trays a graphic quality, making the material’s structure an important part of the design.
The Offcut Trays are available in three sizes and various colours, depending on the available scrap material. This is a great example of how material that would otherwise go to waste can serve as the basis for a truly New product.
Chubby Table – a design in progress
The Chubby Table by German designer Hanne Willmann was also on display again during Dutch Design Week. We first presented this sturdy yet inviting table, with its distinctive rounded legs and solid wood top, during DDW 2024.
Since then, development has come to a standstill. With the birth of our son and our move to a new studio and workshop in Den Bosch, the past year has been quite hectic, so we haven’t yet found the time to further develop this design.
But the Chubby Table is definitely still on our wish list! After the launch of the Tjalko Chair, we want to resume development and move the table toward production, step by step.
You can read more about the background of this design in our photo report from “ Dutch Design ” Week 2024.
New " colours " and Special Editions
In addition to all the new Design , we also showcased a number of familiar products in a refreshed color palette. That’s because we continue to develop existing products—for example, by by introducing new colours or streamlining the production process.
Fixum – a special anniversary edition
To celebrate our 20th anniversary and that of designer Floris Hovers , we created a special anniversary edition of the Fixum candle holder. This version combines a dark green and fluorescent orange Powder coating with a small block of beech wood. It’s a striking color combination that complements the playful and recognizable design language of Floris Hovers.
With this special performance, we are not only celebrating two anniversaries, but also the wonderful collaboration we’ve had with Floris for many years.
TwoTowel – three new colours
Our “ TwoTowel ”—a combination of a tea towel and a hand towel in one—now comes in three new “ colours ”: deep red, light blue, and soft terra. The hand towel portion of all three versions features a warm sand-beige hue that pairs beautifully with the various “ colours ” of the “ tea towel.”
The new colours gives this practical design a fresh look, while retaining its familiar functionality.
Long Shade – warm, natural shades
We also presented the Long Shade from ontwerpduo Daphna Laurens in two new colours: dark terracotta (Oxide 1) and sand (Quartz 2).
Both versions feature a subtle, fine texture that gives the powder-coated surface a beautiful, matte finish. The warm, natural tones give this distinctive lamp a fresh new look and demonstrate just how much of an impact colour and finish can have on an existing design.
Foarme – a fresh, light blue version
Idwert Petter’s handmade porcelain “ Foarme ” has been given a new light blue “ colour.” This was a deliberate choice that not only gives the product a fresh look but also simplifies the production process.
Previously, Idwert used various pigments that had to be mixed to achieve the desired colours . With the new light blue version, this is no longer necessary, making it easier to achieve a consistent colour .
Choosing a single, fixed colour also helps keep inventory organized. These are important advantages, especially for a product that involves so much manual labor.
This way, Foarme will continue to be produced with the same attention and care, but production will become just a little simpler and more manageable.
FlexVase – back to where it all began
A very special place in our anniversary exhibition was reserved for the FlexVase. This was the very first product we launched with Vij5 in 2006, and it thus literally forms the foundation of our company.
At the time, the “ FlexVase ” was manufactured in China, where we traveled several times to oversee production. Once the second production run had sold out, we decided to suspend production for the time being. In particular, the great distance between us and the manufacturer no longer felt consistent with the way we wanted to work.
But now, twenty years later, the urge started to return. The “ FlexVase ” is such a classic within the “ Vij5 ” collection that we felt this design should be available again—at least for true enthusiasts. That’s why we set out to find a small-scale manufacturer closer to home.
We found them at HUSK Ceramics in Utrecht, where they took on the challenge of bringing this design back to life. And that’s not as easy as it might seem: the various ceramic parts have to be made with great precision so they fit together properly.
On the Thursday right before “ Dutch Design ” Week, the very first prototype came out of the oven. Just in time to showcase it during our anniversary exhibition!
The plan is to release a first, limited series of 20 numbered copies by the end of 2026, which will be available through our webshop. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate twenty years of Vij5 and, at the same time, to begin a New chapter for the product that started it all.
Here's to the next twenty years!
Dutch Design Week 2026 was a special time for us to reflect on what we’ve built together over the past twenty years. We’re proud of the collection we’ve created, but perhaps even more so of all the collaborations, encounters, and stories behind it.
We’d like to thank everyone who visited our exhibition during “ Dutch Design ” Week. Thank you for the wonderful conversations, enthusiastic responses, and valuable feedback on the new Design. And, of course, a huge thank you to all the Designers , and creators with whom we’ve had the privilege of collaborating over the past twenty years. Without you, this collection wouldn’t exist!
A special thank you also goes to APTUM for the wonderful collaboration and hospitality in their beautiful space on the NRE grounds. And to Forbo for providing the Forbo Desktop material in the new, warm espresso color, which allowed us to present the “ Trestle ” Table by David Derksen in a new version specifically for this exhibition.
With all the new ideas and Design still in development, we’re especially looking forward to what’s yet to come. Because even after twenty years, we still enjoy Design just as much—developing and creating.
Curious about our new products? Keep an eye on our website, newsletter, and social media. In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to develop the new Design step by step and add them to our collection.
Would you like to check out the “ Vij5 ” collection at in real life ? You’re more than welcome to visit our new studio and showroom in Den Bosch!