Urban Nature Culture

Recently, Home Deco Business Magazine invited me for an interview as Urban Nature Culture Amsterdam will celebrate 10 years anniversary. Proud!   Looking back on the early beginnings of UNC, the inspiration behind our collections, and the way we’ve grown internationally over the years, reminded me how much this brand has evolved step by step.   In the interview, I talk about our love for natural materials, craftsmanship, responsible production, and the balance between creativity, commerce, and sustainability. But also about the challenges along the way, the importance of building the right team, and why I believe a strong brand is never built overnight.   What started with one collection in Amsterdam has grown into a brand available in more than 50 countries, while still staying close to the values we started with.   Thank you to Patricia Akkermans and Home Deco Business Magazine for telling our story so beautifully. 🌿 Read all about it in the latest edition.   #UrbanNatureCulture #InteriorDesign #Entrepreneurship #DesignStory #SustainableDesign #Craftsmanship 

The tension between creativity and commerce.   Sometimes designing feels like walking a tightrope, between daring creatively and remaining commercially responsible. Reflecting on more than 25 years in this industry, I’ve learned that building a sustainable brand is not about choosing one over the other, but about honouring both.   From the very beginning, my ambition has been to create designs with character. Pieces that feel distinctive, intentional, and emotionally resonant. But as a founder, creativity never exists at its own. Every decision carries responsibility: to our team, to our retailers, to our international partners, and to the long-term health of the company.   Creativity asks for boldness. Commerce asks for discipline.   Over time, I’ve come to see that this tension is not a limitation, but a framework. Too much focus on commercial safety leads to predictability, but too much creative freedom without structure can lead to instability. Therefore, the real work lies in finding the balance between both.   At Urban Nature Culture Amsterdam, we don’t believe in creating more for the sake of more. We believe in thoughtful design choices that are both inspiring and viable. Scaling responsibly means protecting creativity while ensuring continuity.   Entrepreneurship in design is rarely as romantic as it may appear from the outside. Over time, I’ve come to understand it as an ongoing conversation between vision and reality and how to honour both with equal respect.   #Entrepreneurship #CreativeLeadership #DesignIndustry #FounderPerspective #ConsciousGrowth #SustainableBusiness #UrbanNatureCulture #DesignWithPurpose  

Celebrating 10 Years of Urban Nature Culture Amsterdam this year!   This year marks a decade since we launched Urban Nature Culture Amsterdam. Reflecting on more than 25 years in the producing for various brands and retailers, I’ve learned that true growth comes from a careful balance: staying ambitious while remaining grounded in ethics, sustainability, and quality.   From the very beginning, our goal was to create products that matter, beautifully designed, responsibly sourced, and thoughtfully made. We’ve always approached our work with care, ensuring every step, be it sourcing, importing, or designing, is done the right way. Sustainability, ethical practices, and contributing to poverty reduction have never been side projects; they are integral to how we do business.   Starting in the Netherlands, we’ve grown thoughtfully. Today, our collections are available in 52 countries, yet we maintain the intimacy of design: no thousands of products per collection, just a curated selection that reflects our values. Scaling does not mean compromising on quality; it means strengthening the network of people and partners who share our vision.   As we celebrate 10 years this year, I am grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the incredible community that has supported us. Here’s to continuing to do better, step by step, with purpose, and with care.   #10Years #Entrepreneurship #SustainableDesign #EthicalBusiness #GlobalImpact #InteriorDesign #UrbanNatureCulture #MadeWithPurpose #DesignMatters  

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll also be exhibiting at Spring Fair & Autumn Fair in Birmingham from February 1–4, to discover our Spring Summer 2026 collection. Visit us to explore our newest designs and get a first look at what’s coming for next season. 📍 Find us: Hall 6 — Stand E22 🗓️ February 1–4, 2026 We’re excited to show them to you all, come say hello! #SpringFair #SS26 #NewCollection #Birmingham

We’re excited to share that we’ll be exhibiting at MAISON&OBJET from January 15–19, where we’ll be presenting our new Spring Summer 2026 collection. Join us in Paris to discover fresh designs and new inspirations. 📍 Find us: Hall 6 — Stand E59 🗓️ January 15–19, 2026 We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on, see you there! #MaisonEtObjet #SS26 #NewCollection #Paris