Discover Benelux  |  Dutch Design  |  Made in the Netherlands

Designing better lives WE Design is specialised in the manufacturing of silver braces for the fingers, thumbs, hands and wrists of people with chronic conditions. Always carrying the signature of fine craftsmanship combined with sophisticated medical technology, the Dutch company has been a well-cherished aid for many people for almost two decades. While they might look like beautiful pieces of jewellery, WE Design’s braces and splints are not just fashionable: the silver splints provide stability, correct deformations and support daily functioning for people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis (MS). WE Design was founded by Wouter Engelshoven in 1999. Originally a goldsmith, Engelshoven’s craftsmanship shines through in every design. “Naturally it is important to continuously stay on top of new medical technologies, but our splints and braces are first of all designed from an angle of

craftsmanship,” explains Naazma Ifte, who owns WE Design together with Engelshoven. All WE Design splints and braces (except when requested otherwise) are made of nickel-free silver that supports fine motor skills and is the ideal material in terms of durability, hygiene and wearing comfort. The rounded shapes ensure optimum wearing comfort and, as a result of the slim and open construction, the joints remain as free as possible. All splints and braces are custom-made after a request from an orthopaedic engineer, to whom clients have been referred to by a medical specialist. “In complex cases, the orthopaedic engineer refers the client to WE Design.” WE Design hosts a relatively small team that has a great passion for the job. “I think we all love the fact that we help people gain back their independence and help them live their daily lives again,” Ifte smiles. Web: www.silversplints.com

Marble on waves of beauty Realising an environment of dreams, embedded with marble designed by top international architects: Lanka Marine has earned a name as one the world’s best and most trusted manufacturers of custom-build luxury interiors. Lanka Marine is a marble manufacturer of interiors for superyachts, private jets, top-notch hotels and exclusive villas. Based in Italy near the white marble quarries of Carrara, specialising in the use of marble, onyx, semi-precious stones and granite, the company’s portfolio is adorned by a long, yet exclusive, list of clients from all over the world.

28  |  Issue 47  |  November 2017

TEXT: CHARLOTTE VAN HEK  |  PHOTOS: WE DESIGN

TEXT: CHARLOTTE VAN HEK  |  PHOTOS: LANKA MARINE

Alongside creating marble interiors from A to Z, Lanka Marine has seen an increasing focus on refitting in recent years. This year, the company completed its 100th superyacht. The company has been helmed by Dutch management since its founding. “We are a true family company,” begins co-owner Maaike van der Wal. “We have built our reputation on close personal contact, word of mouth and offering nothing less than the absolute best. The world of yacht interiors is a small one, and we have a trusted circle of people we work with.” Interiors installed by the hand of Lanka Marble Interiors, with its office in the Netherlands, carry the signature of an artist’s work

combined with the use of the most sophisticated equipment. The natural beauty of the colours of materials used are matched to make products of striking beauty and are characterised by the unique hand-finishing touch, an art passed down from generation to generation. Only the best-quality marble is used. “We mainly use Statuario – the most classic form of marble,” Van der Wal smiles. Lanka Marine: inventing, designing and manufacturing unique products, synonymous of luxury and famous for their extraordinary beauty. Web: www.lankamarine.it