Bert Plantagie at FCI London

When one considers the pinnacle of Dutch furniture design, Bert Plantagie stands as an exemplar of how traditional craftsmanship can evolve into something thoroughly contemporary without losing its soul. This luxury furniture brand has spent decades perfecting the art of creating pieces that are simultaneously timeless and utterly of the moment.

The brand's philosophy centres on a rather refreshing principle: furniture should be as individual as the people who inhabit the spaces it graces. It's a notion that might seem obvious, yet in practice, it requires the kind of meticulous attention to detail and manufacturing flexibility that separates the merely good from the truly exceptional.

The Foundations of Excellence

Bert Plantagie's journey began in Cuijk, Netherlands, when Johannes Smits founded 'Smits Stalen Meubelen' in 1958, initially creating camping and garden furniture. In the 1980s, the company shifted focus to specialized contract furniture for leisure and healthcare environments.

In 2000, Bert Plantagie acquired the company, steering it towards the luxury consumer market and establishing design excellence as its core principle.

This strategic shift positioned the brand as a leading name in luxury furniture across Europe and beyond.

The brand's growth has expanded from the Netherlands to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with a dedicated sales office in Weissenhorn, Germany, further extending its reach through select dealers committed to design excellence.

Modern kitchen bar with Bert Plantagie seating and stylish interior.

Design Philosophy and Creative Collaborations

What sets Bert Plantagie apart is its collaborative approach to design. The brand works with talented designers like Stefan Steenkist, Frans Schrofer, Thijs Smeets, and Hans Daalder, all sharing a commitment to merging form and function in exceptional furniture.

The Bert Plantagie Kiko collection embodies this philosophy, using sustainable materials like coconut fibre, latex, and FSC-certified wood to balance environmental responsibility with aesthetic appeal.

Similarly, the Bert Plantagie Pedro range offers versatility, seamlessly fitting into various interior styles while providing comfort and functionality. Its timeless design ensures it remains relevant across changing trends, making it a lasting investment. Each collection reflects the brand’s unwavering dedication to both innovative design and quality craftsmanship.

Sleek Bert Plantagie armchairs complementing a minimalistic dining space.

The Art of Customisation

In 2011, Bert Plantagie introduced their 'Make it Yours' concept, turning furniture selection into a creative, co-design experience. This eleven-step journey lets clients choose from an extensive palette of materials, colours, and configurations.

The Bert Plantagie Seven Collection benefits from this approach, allowing clients to customise wood finishes, fabrics, and dimensions to meet their needs, offering bespoke furniture at a more accessible price point.

The brand's table configurator lets clients mix and match legs, tops, and materials, creating their ideal dining or coffee table. This customisation extends to the Bert Plantagie Tibbe range, where modular components form personalised seating solutions. Each piece is tailored to reflect the individual style and functionality that clients desire in their space.

Bert Plantagie stools providing a pop of color and style in a chic room.

Sustainability and Responsible Manufacturing

Bert Plantagie has deeply embedded sustainability into every aspect of their operations, from production methods to packaging and transportation. Their partnership with Trees for All has led to the planting of 2,500 trees in Leersum and Madagascar, offsetting carbon emissions and promoting biodiversity.

The wood used comes from carefully managed forests, ensuring sustainable growth practices. Their packaging innovation, including a cardboard folding machine, has eliminated most plastic use, with recycled materials now protecting chairs during transport.

The Bert Plantagie Mister T collection reflects these principles, incorporating recycled materials without compromising luxury design. Each piece features the green chameleon logo, signifying at least 50% of components are recycled, recyclable, or sustainably certified.

Bert Plantagie modular seating arrangement with vibrant color contrast.

Material Excellence and Craftsmanship

The quality of materials used by Bert Plantagie reflects its status as a premier luxury furniture brand. Only premium European hardwoods meet their high standards, sourced from certified suppliers who guarantee both quality and sustainability. Local procurement minimizes transportation impact while ensuring reliable supply chains.

Their leather selection process exemplifies the brand's attention to detail, with every hide processed in Europe under controlled conditions, adhering to strict environmental regulations. The entire leather lifecycle maintains a low carbon and water footprint, ensuring durability and biodegradability.

The Bert Plantagie outlet Deutschland concept extends the brand's reach while maintaining quality standards, offering the same exceptional materials and craftsmanship at more accessible price points.

Outdoor dining set with Bert Plantagie chairs and minimalist table design

Contemporary Collections and Signature Pieces

The current Bert Plantagie collection spans an impressive range of furniture categories, each demonstrating the brand's commitment to timeless appeal and contemporary relevance. Their reputation as chair specialists remains well-deserved, with seating solutions that prioritise comfort without sacrificing visual elegance.

Tables represent another area of particular strength, with designs ranging from substantial dining tables to delicate side tables, each showcasing the brand's understanding of modern living environments. Industrial-influenced designs feature steel frames paired with solid oak tops, combining robustness with refinement.

Sofas and armchairs offer customisation options, allowing clients to select dimensions, upholstery, and internal components for personalised comfort.

Bert Plantagie shelves with modern decor, including vases and a TV unit.

The Technology Integration

Modern furniture design increasingly relies on sophisticated planning tools, and Bert Plantagie has embraced this evolution enthusiastically.

Their inclusion in the P Con catalogue system allows design professionals to integrate their pieces into comprehensive project visualisations, both in 2D and 3D formats. This digital integration proves particularly valuable for commercial projects, where precise planning and coordination with other design elements are essential.

The ability to visualise entire spaces before committing to purchases reduces risk while ensuring optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes. Bert Plantagie also uses advanced software in production, ensuring each piece is made with precise accuracy. This technology improves customization options and speeds up production, offering clients a more efficient and tailored service.

Bert Plantagie side table with contemporary design, paired with neutral furnishings.

Global Presence and Local Excellence

While Bert Plantagie furniture has achieved international recognition, the brand maintains its commitment to European manufacturing excellence. All pieces are handcrafted in modest but modern facilities across Europe, ensuring consistent quality while supporting local craftspeople and maintaining reasonable transportation distances.The brand's dealer network extends across multiple countries, with each retailer carefully selected for their ability to represent Bert Plantagie's values and provide the level of service clients expect. These partnerships ensure that expert advice, customisation guidance, and after-sales support remain consistently excellent regardless of location.

The recent acquisition of Dutch Originals in January 2025 represents a significant expansion of the brand's capabilities. This partnership brings iconic designs by legendary figures such as W.H. Gispen and W. Rietveld under the Bert Plantagie umbrella, creating an even more comprehensive collection of design classics and contemporary pieces.

Bert Plantagie modern dining room with stylish chairs and pendant lighting.

Project and Commercial Applications

Beyond residential markets, Bert Plantagie has developed a sophisticated project division serving commercial clients.

This specialised service recognises that professional environments often require additional safety features, such as fire-retardant foam and flame-resistant upholstery options. The project collection includes over 500 fabric choices, with multiple fire-retardant options and care sector-suitable materials available.

Over 100 leather colours and types complement an extensive selection of wood, ceramic, and Dekton surface options.

The Customer's Own Material service allows clients to supply their own fabrics and leathers, providing ultimate flexibility for specific project requirements. Bert Plantagie also offers custom solutions for large projects, ensuring that every detail, from materials to finishes, meets the specific needs of commercial spaces.

Bert Plantagie cozy lounge area featuring a unique chair and artistic décor

Innovation and Future Direction

Under the leadership of COO Jeroen Verweij and CEO Maikel Ruijs, Bert Plantagie continues to push boundaries while respecting their design heritage. The brand's commitment to innovation manifests in both material exploration and manufacturing processes, always with an eye towards sustainability and improved functionality.

Recent developments include enhanced customisation options, expanded material selections, and improved digital planning tools. The brand's participation in major design fairs across Europe, including appearances in Cologne, Hamburg, and Rotterdam, demonstrates its ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of contemporary design trends. Young designers like Puck Steenkist represent the future of the brand, bringing fresh perspectives while respecting the design principles that have made Bert Plantagie a respected name. Her work on pieces like the Filia chair demonstrates how next-generation designers can reinterpret classic furniture concepts for contemporary living.

Bert Plantagie vibrant living corner with plants, colorful vase, and artistic table.

The FCI London Connection

At FCI London, we understand the appeal of furniture that combines Dutch design sensibility with impeccable craftsmanship. Bert Plantagie represents everything we value in contemporary furniture: attention to detail, commitment to quality, and the flexibility to create truly personalised pieces. As a luxury furniture store, our partnership with this distinguished brand allows us to offer our discerning clientele access to some of Europe's finest contemporary furniture, backed by our comprehensive design and installation services. The combination of Bert Plantagie's innovative approach and FCI London's expertise in luxury interiors creates possibilities that extend well beyond traditional furniture retail, allowing us to craft truly exceptional living spaces that reflect our clients' individual tastes and lifestyles.

Make an Enquiry

If you're looking to enquire about any Bert Plantagie product, get in touch with our expert team today. We will source it for you at an unbeatable price and help you find the perfect pieces to elevate your home.

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