JUKI — Kim and Jules

THE COMMUNITY

Eerste Jan van der Heijdenstraat 103B, Amsterdam
Established 2021
jukiamsterdam.com
@juki.amsterdam

In Amsterdam’s De Pijp, some of the best discoveries are the ones you’re not looking for. Down a quiet side street, tucked inside a modest warehouse space, is JUKI. It’s a place where second-hand furniture, lamps, books, and design objects are given a thoughtful new life. Stepping inside feels less like visiting a shop and more like exploring a friend’s home, where every object has a story and pieces from different eras sit comfortably next to each other.

You’ll always be greeted by the warm smiles of Kim and Jules, the couple behind JUKI. Their quiet presence and clear love for each item in the collection make the space feel incredibly special and inviting.

JUKI is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, and for many in the neighborhood, a visit has become a cherished weekend ritual. The excitement often begins on Thursday with their newsletter, which offers a sneak peek at new arrivals and builds anticipation for the days ahead. It’s a small routine that has woven itself into the fabric of the community.

This week, we had the pleasure of spending time with Kim and Jules to hear the story behind JUKI and to learn more about the curiosity and passion that continue to shape their wonderful project.

7115: JUKI began on Instagram before becoming a physical showroom and online store. What inspired that transition, and how did it feel, both creatively and logistically, to take the project into a physical space?

JULES: Opening a physical showroom felt like a natural next step, especially since our home had gradually become a storage space. What began as a practical solution for storing and photographing our items quickly grew into something much more. It’s now a space where people can see, feel, and experience the pieces in person, and where we can share the stories behind them while connecting with like-minded individuals. Hosting pop-ups and small gatherings with people we’ve met through the shop, many of whom have become friends, has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited to see more of this in the future.

7115: We’d love to hear more about your personal journeys. Was working with vintage and restored objects something you always envisioned, or did it evolve naturally over time?

KIM: It wasn’t something we had always envisioned, but it developed naturally as we got to know each other. During the COVID lockdown, we were both moving between places, which led to many hours spent talking about mostly vintage and Dutch furniture and brands. Later, when we moved in together, our shared interest grew into something bigger. We began selling items online because we had too much furniture, and over time, that evolved into what we are doing today.

7115: How would you describe your vision for JUKI today? Are there guiding principles that shape the way you curate, restore, and present objects? Is it form, material, provenance, or something more intuitive?

KIM: Everything has always felt quite intuitive for both of us. Seeing JUKI develop into what it is today over the past years was never part of a fixed plan, but rather a small wish we had. The items we buy or curate reflect our personal interests, and our tastes continue to evolve over time as we learn more about different designers, brands, and periods.

// Juki team is wearing some of our favrites pieces in the Signature Collection.

7115: Many of the objects you work with already carry a strong sense of history. How do you decide what to restore fully and what to leave untouched?

JULES: Our approach depends largely on the condition of each item, as full restoration is not always necessary. When a piece requires repair due to damage, our priority is to preserve it rather than let it be discarded. At the same time, age can add character and beauty, and full restoration may not do a piece justice. We prefer to enhance rather than completely restore when possible.

KIM: Scratches and marks also tell the story of a piece’s life and contribute to its character. Many of the items we work with are over 50 years old, so we consider ways to extend their lifespan while still respecting their history and unique qualities.

7115: Can you share a piece that has made a strong impression on you recently? What was it about that object that stood out?

KIM: Our trip to Finland last year made a lasting impression on us. It was inspiring to see how some of our favorite designers, Alvar Aalto as well as many others like Paavo Tynell and Tapiovaara, are still an integral part of everyday life in Finland today, and that is beautiful to see.

7115: Your showroom feels very intentional and calm. How does the space influence your work, and what does a typical day in the studio look like for you? Are there any rituals that help you settle into your flow?

JULES: Our showroom changes quite frequently due to the items we have and sell. It influences us to see pieces mix together in different settings every week. Experiencing the shop in low light during the evening recently inspired us to host a silent reading.
Over the years, we have tried to put new items online every Thursday at 6 pm. We have maintained this routine for the past four years, and it has worked well, helping to create a steady flow in our weekly work. Since opening our current showroom, we also added Saturdays as a regular open day, and we structure our week around these two rituals to fit everything we do. This means taking photos weekly for a selection of around eight new items. The rest of our time is flexible, varying week to week between picking up new items, handling deliveries and shipments, restoring pieces, and decorating the showroom for each Saturday.

7115: What do you hope people feel, or take with them, when they visit JUKI or bring one of your pieces into their home?

KIM: We hope people feel a small spark of joy, however cheesy that may sound. It’s always rewarding when the shop evokes memories, whether it reminds someone of an item they or their parents once had, or inspires a story they want to share. If they take something home, we hope it’s a piece they truly enjoy and that fits naturally into their everyday life.

7115: How has Amsterdam’s design, vintage, and cultural landscape shaped JUKI’s identity and way of working?

JULES: The creative scene in Amsterdam is vibrant and draws many like-minded people through our doors. That has been a major influence on how we’ve grown and shaped our physical shop.

7115: Looking back, what has been the most surprising part of this part of your journey?

KIM: It’s amazing how quickly the past four years have flown by and everything we’ve accomplished so far.

7115: What is next for JUKI? Are there new directions, collaborations, or ideas you are currently exploring or excited about?

JULES: We hope to do more fun projects, dive deeper into the items and designers we love, and continue bringing like-minded people together through our shop. We’re excited to see what the future holds and hope to keep doing what we do for the foreseeable future.

7115: Your showroom has become a staple of De Pijp. How has being in this neighborhood shaped the way JUKI has grown?

JULES: De Pijp is a vibrant neighborhood known mostly for its big Market, but it’s also known for its great coffee and brunch spots. I think De Pijp has a constantly evolving and lively atmosphere, it hosts multiple small boutiques that compliment each other and something that's great for a weekend stroll.

7115: Running JUKI together means sharing both creative decisions and daily logistics. How do your personalities complement each other in the way the project runs?

KIM: We each have our own approach. Jules is organized and works in a very structured way — he goes through everything that comes into the shop, handling cleaning, restoration and any other necessary work. We both constantly work on the packing and wrapping orders, contact with customers, sourcing new items and bouncing ideas back and forth.

JULES: Meanwhile, Kim runs the shop and oversees all the design-related work, bringing her background and expertise.

JUKI is more than a love for vintage design. What began as a personal passion for collecting has grown into a meaningful local presence. Each piece in their collection reflects an instinctive and curious approach, chosen for the unique story it has to tell.

We’re so grateful to Kim and Jules for sharing their story with us and for creating a space that brings so much warmth and sincerity to the neighborhood.

You can visit JUKI on Fridays and Saturdays, just around the corner from our Amsterdam studio, or explore their collection online at jukiamsterdam.com.

JUKI Amsterdam
https://jukiamsterdam.com
@juki.amsterdam