George van Engelen designs ánd manufacturers unique furniture pieces caracterized by a graceful combination of organic shapes, technical punctuality and great user friendliness. Distinguished designs diverse materails and high-quality craftsmanship.
Every first Sunday of the months April to December the workshop in Ten Post is open to the public.

Thanks to George!

L'animal et Léopard

Harkentafel (Rake table)

 

 My grandfather was the one who taught me to look at furniture, and who made me realise that a piece of furniture is preceded by a process in which you consider its purpose, usability and appearance. He let me watch in his workshop how he renovated old furniture using traditional techniques, and I was allowed to try all kinds of things with fine woods. I never consciously made the choice to become a designer. I was, however, at a young age already busy making things that seemed indispensable to me; a raft to go boating on the pond in front of our home. A harness of tin cans, a table for my room, or a rabbit hutch.

After my graduation at the department Beelden & Schilderen (Statues & Painting) of the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten Arnhem, my statues gradually gained a more practical function; free work with practical usability. Since there were people who appreciated my work, ánd bought it, I had the opportunity to develop my own style during the past 15 years.

Ultimately, each person has their own vision on design, but not everyone is capable of translating that into a usable object. As a designer you must be able to translate those existing wishes into a surprising ánd functional design, while remaining true to your own design principles.
Naturally, there are also designers who inspire me. Three of those I prefer; Carlo Mollino, Luigi Colani, and Henry van de Velde. Three self-willed people where the line between life and work is hard to draw. Three people who combine their many passions, and who made special designs using that, for among other things race cars, architecture, clothing, photography, and furniture.

Ideas for my free work arise from the material I have at hand; a crooked tree, or a pair of ancient wagon wheels. My applied work is a mix of the style that I developed in the past few years, and the design taste of my client ánd the challenge to use new materials and techniques in order to surpass myself with even a better piece of furniture than the one I made before that.
I have no lack of ideas, but unfortunately I do have a lack of time. Leading is, that I think that I can make life more pleasurable and functional through my designs. A client who is still satisfied, after many years, about that which I made especially for them, is for me the inspiration to keep bettering myself.
I feel privileged that I am capable of translating an idea into a useful, functional, and esthetical object for use.

 

Harkentafel (Rake table) detail


Felt Viking

Walking Table