One of the events I’ve looked forward to the most since moving to the Netherlands is Dutch Design Week. In the last week of October, over 1,500 designers took over the town of Eindhoven (about two and a half hours by train from Amsterdam) in a massive showcase of Dutch creativity and originality.
Thought it’s primarily for professionals and companies in the design industry, DDW is also open to the public—to anyone and everyone who likes being surprised, delighted and inspired by creativity.
What I loved about my visit to Dutch Design Week was seeing ordinary things in new and extraordinary ways. It’s amazing how the most mundane objects—cups, chairs, even benches at bus stops—can be completely transformed by one person’s imagination. When was the last time you imagined your bedside lamp or office chair to be something more?
Just for fun, I’ve put together some of my fave DDW finds in a mini multiple-choice quiz. Simply let your imagination play, or think of it as a spend-free way to shop Dutch Design Week. It’s as easy as choosing A or B!
What would you rather wear?
A. Anti-snatcher jewels
A. Crystallize tunic by IXX
B. Anti-gravity sneakers
B. Concept shoe with magnetic levitation technology, developed for Nike by Crealev
Reading feeds for the soul. Which book would you rather feed your soul with?
A. Instant gratification: a recipe book that’s all about Nutella (yum!)
A. Het Kleine Nutella Boekje (The Little Nutella Book) by Paola Balducchi
B. Long-term vision: a five-year planner (beat that, Starbucks!)
B. 5-Year Diary designed by Tamara Shopsin
What would you rather see when you drink your morning coffee?
A. Bright, happy colors to perk you up
A. Espresso cups by Mooi
B. A white lotus for that Zen feeling
B. Porcelain cups and bowls by Wieke van den Hengel
Which of these statement lighting fixtures would you hang in your house?
A. Bad-ass nail cloud held together by magnets
A. Nail Cloud pendant lamp by Ilias Ernst
B. Twisty soft pillow lamp with a Dr. Seuss flavor
B. I Like It. What Is It? non-heating LED lamp by Annebet Philips
Our DDW shopping trip is done! One last question, just for fun… which of these fine young gentlemen would you like to ring up your purchases?
A. Blond
A. Blond
B. Brunette
B. Brunette
Let me know what you chose in the comments section, okay?
Freelance writer Deepa Paul-Plazo lives in Amsterdam with her husband and cat. She travels, dabbles in creative pursuits, and swings wildly between having way too much and not enough free time. Follow her Amsterdam adventures on her blog (currystrumpet.blogspot.com) or on Twitter (@currystrumpet).
Dutch Design Week: Multiple Choice
Hungry horde at your door waiting to be fed? Don't fret! This second volume of Chef Theo's cookbooks will take you through the basics of cooking delicious, easy and hearty meals that will surely make you the star of your next party. More » 
Great deals!
Ok, that brunette just made me think of my choices.
I say… anti-gravity sneakers, bad ass nails, and espresso cups! And brunette, heehee.
Haha! Love the post and congrats on the gig!
A. anti snatcher jewels (HELLO?!? I always go for the bling!)
B. FIVE year planner FTW!!!
B. Bowl with a white lotus inside – WIN.
-None- I like the idea of the nails but would be too freaked out that my cutlery will start flying off to the drop lamp!
BOTH – I don’t care much for the hair. It’s the body that counts! Wahahaha! Just (half) kidding! =P
Loved the fun post sweety!
Love it!
Okay, I’ll go with the brunette…
Oh and:
A – the anti-snatcher jobbie
B – five-year planner
B – zen bowls
A – bad-arse nail light (to counteract the zen)
B – the brunette (again…)
anti-snatcher jewels, nutella (always nutella), white lotus, dr seuss thingamajig.
and the brunette of course!