A mooch around the workshop and boutique of Hindeloopen's oldest furniture maker is a highlight. Founded in 1894, the family business is run today by Bertus and his two sons, Johan and Titus, who craft exquisite folding tables, chests and traditional ice sledges evocative of the highly ornate pieces wealthy seafaring commodores decorated their homes with in the 17th century.
Their custom-made, handmade pieces – decorated with a profusion of flowers, birds, swirling motifs, Greek mythology scenes et al, all painstakingly painted by hand in oil – are exported all over the world and cost thousands of euro. Their shop squats inside a sea captain's house dating to 1656, complete with original hand-painted wall panels and murals in the upstairs office; ask nicely and Titus might just let you have a peek.
