Simone
Doesburg

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live in Amersfoort, in the Netherlands. This is both my home and the place where I work on my projects. I moved here a little over a year ago after buying the building together with my siblings. The four of us live here together. My atelier is located in the souterrain, and one level above I have my showroom.

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

My home and studio are located on a charming street in the historic centre of Amersfoort. At the front of the house there is a small community garden, and after walking up a few steps and ringing the bell you enter a spacious hall. Straight ahead you’ll find the kitchen and my future showroom. The showroom is slowly taking shape, and the kitchen will hopefully be built later this year. The space has high ceilings and in the afternoon it fills with beautiful light. One level below is my atelier, where all the making happens and where my kilns are located. The studio looks out onto a canal and it’s where the sun will be during lunch. The workspace is divided into two areas. In the first space I keep my plaster molds, buckets of porcelain, and glazes. This is where I do the slipcasting. Towards the back of the studio, beneath the curved ceiling, is the area where I do the dusty work. Because this space is well ventilated, it’s where I mix my materials, turning powders and granules into liquid porcelain and glazes. I also trim my pieces here, and this is where the kilns are.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?

I always get excited when I have the opportunity to make a new colorway, so I really enjoy creating custom collections. At the moment I’m about to start working on a unique and bold dinnerware set for a couple who are getting married soon. In their family it’s a tradition to receive a dinnerware set as a wedding gift, and they specifically asked me to create it for them. Being part of such a personal family tradition feels very special.

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

Because I work for myself, I like to adjust my schedule to the sun. Especially now, writing this in early March, after so many gloomy days, it feels extra important to make the most of it when the sun finally comes out. On sunny days I love taking a break and going to a café for a coffee. In Amersfoort I often go to Alberts, Dara, or Livingstone. Each of them catches the sun at a different time of day, so depending on the moment I’ll choose one of those places to sit for a while and enjoy the light.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

One of the most pressing issues in the Netherlands right now is the housing shortage. Finding affordable housing is difficult for many people, especially for younger generations. At the same time, there is also an ongoing debate about where to create space for asylum seeker centres. In many places local residents strongly oppose having these centres near their homes, which makes the situation even more complicated. For me personally, the housing situation also played a role. Like many others, my siblings and I couldn’t afford to buy homes individually, so we decided to combine our resources and buy a building together. We now live here with the four of us. It might only be for a few years, but it has turned into a great adventure, and it’s wonderful to live in such a beautiful part of the city.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

I’ve only lived in Amersfoort for a little over a year, so my perspective is still quite fresh. The city is close to Utrecht, and many young people who can’t afford to buy a home there are now trying their luck in Amersfoort instead. They bring a vibrant energy and a lot of creativity, which I really enjoy. Because of that, more and more nice cafés and restaurants have opened in recent years, which makes the city feel lively and dynamic. At the same time, people who have lived here their whole lives often say that the city has become faster and more hectic than it used to be. For them, that change can feel quite noticeable. Personally, I think I function well in that kind of atmosphere, but it’s interesting to hear how differently people experience these developments.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

I do! There are quite a few! I really enjoy searching for the best food in the area. A great place to start is Het Lokaal, which is a kind of one-stop shop for local makers. You can find delicious bread from De Stadbakkers, locally grown vegetables, handmade goods, and Dutch food brands. There’s also a restaurant, so you can sit down and enjoy a meal made with many of the products sold there. If you have a little more time to explore Amersfoort, these are some of my personal favourites: The best brownies at Milkbar Jillious Goods ,Summer rolls from The Fat Tiger , a hot chocolate at Livingstone ,Bread from Batard Bakery , Chocolate from Gula and lastly, the café with the best vibes: Stu. Okay one more if you are into sewing, you must visit Schwitzner stoffen en fournituren. It’s a really cute shop filled to the brim with yarn, fabrics, butttons etc.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

I’m not sure if it’s necessarily innovative, but one thing I really appreciate in my region is how places like Amersfoort manage to preserve historical architecture while still functioning as a modern city. In the city centre especially, many buildings are officially protected monuments, which means their exterior cannot be changed. Because of this, the historic character has been preserved extremely well. You don’t see the same kind of generalisation that often happens in larger cities. The city centre is also largely car-free. As someone who lives and works here, it can sometimes be a bit of a hassle not having easy access to my car. But at the same time it makes the centre pleasant to walk through and spend time in.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

Amersfoort is probably a bit too small to really have secret restaurants, haha. But if you enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine and small dishes to share, Dara is definitely worth a visit.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

So far I’ve mostly mentioned food tips, but if you’re looking for handmade goods, here are a few places I’d recommend. I would highly recommend the goldsmith Huis van Midas. It’s run by a couple who are incredibly kind and very skilled at what they do. They source gemstones from all over the world and turn them into unique jewellery pieces. Another lovely place to visit is Studio Zand. They also work with porcelain, and their studio is located in a beautiful area with many other ateliers. It’s a great place to get a sense of the local creative scene. And if you happen to be visiting Amersfoort, feel free to schedule a visit with me as well, I’d be happy to show you around my studio.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

I’d say Instagram, Google Maps and CapCut. Instagram is where I share my work and it is the main way customers discover me. Google Maps is essential because I cannot really get anywhere without it. And I like using CapCut to edit my videos.

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

Honestly, social media is probably my biggest source for staying up to date at the moment. It is often the fastest way to hear about what is happening, both culturally and socially. At the same time, I try to balance that with more reliable news sources. I regularly check the NOS app to follow the news.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

Oh my god, that would be very overwhelming. Many of the issues a city faces are so complicated and intertwined that I would not even know where to begin. In a way, I feel that through my work I already try to contribute something meaningful. I try to show what kind of aesthetics can be achieved through time, effort, and making things by hand. I hope it reminds people that there is beauty and depth in materials and craftsmanship, something that gets lost in mass production. So maybe it is better if I just keep doing that. Please do not make me mayor, haha.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

Maybe somewhere waaaay back in time when there was a matriarchy. Other than that, I am actually very happy right where I am.