Recently I talked to a new friend about how he got his start restoring old homes to their original splendor. Growing up with a father who was a builder he spent a lot of time at his side while he worked, and to this day the smell of sawdust brings him home to himself, the woodworking tools are an extension of his hands, the sound of a saw is music for his soul. He never considered doing anything else – this work feels as natural and right as getting up in the morning. He specializes in woodwork like finely crafted cabinetry but the real thrill for him comes when he transforms rooms with antique floor boards. Beginning with carefully sourcing the reclaimed wide-plank or narrow strip wood, to figuring out how each piece will fit, to creating the new floor and bringing the room back to life, this is the work he lives and loves.

Double Espresso, reclaimed wood

When I saw Diederick Kraaijeveld’s iconic sculptures, created with vintage reclaimed wood, both his passion for the wood and his process reminded me of my friend. Kraaijeveld scavenges all over his native Holland – searching in dumpsters, old mansions, rundown farms and along coastlines to find the wood he needs to create the over-sized sculptures.

Red Sneakers, reclaimed wood

Friends near and far let him know when floors are going to be torn out of centuries-old buildings all over The Netherlands.  These floor boards, painted wood planks from stately old mansions or rustic, rural farmhouses, are his favorite material.

Jackie, reclaimed wood

The artist does not alter color or treat the wood in any way, preferring to leave it’s history intact. You won’t find paint on his palette as he carves these colorful sculptures.  Instead, he has a warehouse that holds countless pieces of wood in all colors. The warehouse is necessary since one sculpture can have up to 100 different colors.

Coke Can, reclaimed wood

The artist and his work

My friend and Diederick Kraaijeveld share a passion for oud hout {old wood} and the work they wake up to each day. Love.