About Paspartoet
A short history
The first idea for Paspartoet was born in 2002 following a broadcast of a Dutch interior decorating tv show. In a particular episdode, the decorating team placed a computer-edited photo of the family’s children printed on wallpaper on a wall. This image inspired us to create an abstract version of our wedding photo to be put onto the bedroom wall in our new home. In order to create the wallpaper design with more depth, we added a 3rd dimension to it. We did this by cutting out the digitally edited photo from wood and attaching it to a wooden back panel. As a result, we created a depth and shadow effect, which changes with the varying light throughout the day. It always prompts many enthusiastic responses from our visiting family and friends. We also made this wooden “selfie”, by using a holiday photo.
In recent years we have made similar portraits for family and friends as gifts for special occasions, such as a wedding day, a special birthday and various anniversaries. We always received very warm and often emotional reactions. Also, many visitors of these family and friends who saw the portraits on their wall always reacted positively and were curious where such a unique portrait was made. This gave us reason to explore how we can also make other people happy with such a beautiful portrait.
The name Paspartoet
The name “Paspartoet” is inspired by a “passepartout” that represents the (often cardboard) edge between an artwork and its frame. A passepartout accentuates the object of the wall decoration. Because the inner edges of the cardboard are often cut out obliquely, a passepartout brings depth to a work of art. By cutting out our portraits and placing them on a neutral back wall, we also create depth and the attention is drawn to the portraits. Our spelling of “Paspartoet” is based on our surname “Toet” . By doing so, we emphasize our personal commitment to each unique portrait. Also, the word “toet” in Dutch is slang for “face”.
Paspartoet now and in the future
On our website Paspartoet.nl, we now offer to everyone who is looking for a personal, original, unique gift, the opportunity to create their own portrait in collaboration with us. Think of special moments in life such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary and a birth. We especially feel honoured to be able to make remembrance portraits of loved ones that have passed away This is how we can create a lasting memory of them for your home.
Since 2014 we have refined our production technology and we work with a laser cutting machine. In addition to poplar and birch wood, we also use other materials such as MDF and sometimes plexiglass in various thicknesses. Because of the different colors and stains we use, we can always create a different “look”. The wall decoration will always fit into your interior.
In addition to the portraits that are always custom made, we also have other beautiful wooden wall decorations, such as world maps, maps, animals, skylines and an extensive Christmas collection. You can also contact us for the decoration of your children’s room. We also use the characteristic production technique that creates depth for these products. You can find our products in the webshop. In the future, we will expand the product variety even further.
We would also love to create your own idea with you
It is always possible to pass on your own ideas to us. Together with you we design something unique. As a birthday present, for example, we have created a skyline tailor-made of the Dutch town of Egmond aan Zee with the birthday boy’s own home featured on it. For a French couple with a holiday home in the south of France, we made a special map of the country with all the motorway routes and cities of France on it. Very informative for their guests. Of course, the holiday home itself is also marked on the map. For several companies, we have cut out logos and pictograms as wall decorations in their offices. For a Dutch golf club we made trophies for their annual tournament. In short: anything is possible! If you also have a special wish, please let us know via our contact details. We are happy to work with you to create your own unique design!
What customers say about us
Kelly, Netherlands: “Wow, what an eye-catcher the world map in our new home is! Thanks to the good help of Paspartoet we chose the right color and size and with the included template the world map was installed in no time! Thanks for all the effort and the beautiful world map! Now we’re going to enjoy it.”
Bettina, Germany: “Great work, very kind conversation. They did everything to receive the present before Christmas. Thank you!!!”
Suzan, Netherlands: “We highly recommend this world map! And your interest and service is also really heartwarming! I’m definitely going to recommend you to interested parties. Thank you again for your great service!”
Pauli, Finland: “Ordered the item with dark oak background and rosewood map. It looks very nice! Excellent customer service and quick communication. Highly recommended.”
Krystal, USA: “My husband and I fell in love with this map as soon as we both had seen it! Bianca made the process so easy and because of other reviews I trusted her judgement on what would look best. I sent a picture of our foyer and we were provided mock ups regarding sizing, borders or no borders; we went with the color suggested. We were kept informed every step of the way. So happy we would thank you to create such a beauty for our home. Thank you for making it so easy! My in-laws have been over since it was hung and absolutely LOVED the map. Thank you again for making this process so easy and for making such a beautiful product!”
Océane, France: “Thanks a lot Bianca for all your advices, and for being so helpful and friendly.”
Want to read more reviews? here you can read them.
Paspartoet in the media
Bruid & Bruidegom Magazine (Bride & Groom Magazine)
In the lifestyle special of the Bride & Groom Magazine number 3-2016 you will find our wooden worldmap.
Among the best wedding gifts in the interior trend “NATURAL”, which as the magazine indicates is specially designed “for lovers of stylish simplicity with lots of wood and beautiful details”, our world map is in the middle of page 222.
Algemeen Dagblad (Dutch national newspaper)
In September 2018 we were interviewed about our company by Nicolette van der Werff, a journalist from the AD, in our workshop in our design studio in The Hague Ypenburg. In her search for unique creators in The Hague, Nicolette came across Paspartoet on the Etsy platform. Especially the many five-star reviews we got there made her very curious about us. She therefore contacted us to make an appointment and come and look at our products. She also brought a photographer and the page-wide article appeared in the AD of September 21, 2018. You can read the article here:
https://www.ad.nl/den-haag/liever-figuurzagen-dan-een-baan-in-het-bankwezen~a7bb42bb/
VT Wonen ( renowned Dutch interior design magazine)
In the VT Wonen of April 2019 you will find our wooden portrait of Kevin and Katrien in the section “Inspiration for the home especially for your kitchen and living room”.
