Heritage

1885 Amsterdam

Herm. Sibbel, Ringijk 10 Bricklayer and Contractor Handling building materials

Hermanus Sibbel

Born 1865 Died 1922
Established FIRMA H. SIBBEL EN ZONEN AANNEMERS (as pictured) meaning FIRM H. SIBBEL AND SONS CONTRACTORS
located at Ringdijk 10, Amsterdam.
Hermanus was a Builder & Carpenter Contractor, building houses, maintenance work and hand crafted joinery & furniture in the building at Ringdijk 10, Amsterdam. He was later joined by his sons Meijer (Tinus) & Herman in the family business H. SIBBEL AND SONS CONTRACTORS

1910

Meijer (Tinus) Sibbel

Born 1890 Died 1957
H. SIBBEL AND SONS CONTRACTORS was taken over by his son, Meijer (Tinus) Sibbel in 1910 at Ringdijk 10. Known as Tinus to his family and friends, his title translated in English was Broker Contractor. The company description reads “Execution of all prevailing construction and maintenance works administration of improving property”

1920

Ringdijk 10 1920
4 Generations Sibbel on the stairs at the rear of the house

1928

Herman Sibbel Born Amersdam 1916 Died Australia 1987
Meijer’s son, Herman Sibbel took over the family carpentry business as Director in 1928.

Ringdijk 10 – 1928 Alle rechten voorbehouden (All Rights Reserved)

1930

The home at Ringdjik 10, housed three generations of Sibbels over the decades. The street was a haven for artisans and craftsman to trade and assist each other in growing their businesses.

Ringdijk 09--10 (Sibbel in the building with the bay window) - ± 1930

1954

Sibbel House

Herman Sibbel, his wife Corry, four sons and daughter settled in North Eltham, Victoria. Herman Sibbel (Designer) and brother Martin Sibbel (Furniture craftsman), established Sibbel Builders in 1955. Sibbel Builders designed and built houses in the Eltham, Doncaster and Templestowe areas. The brothers also opened a factory in Eltham, where they built the kitchens, wardrobes, window frames and custom built furniture for the houses they designed and built.

Herman was an incredible designer with a keen eye for attention to detail, his Mid Century Modern houses have left a legacy throughout Melbourne. Martin Sibbel

1960

Meyer Sibbel Born 1943 – present

Meyer Sibbel, father of Wilhelmina, Fleur started working with his father at Sibbel Builders, alongside his sister Inger Bovell, Draftsman, who drew and documented all the architectural plans. Meyer took over the family business, becoming Director in 1968.
Meyer and Carole Sibbel built a house in Warrandyte on five bush acres and had four daughters, Katrina, Wilhelmina, Fleur & Meika.

1970's

The building business was booming with many of the houses being heritage listed
Display homes were opened. Sibbel builders won the Housing Industry Award five years in a row.

1980's

1985

As a fifteen year old Wilhelmina started designing beds and wardrobes for her sisters bedrooms and had them manufactured in her fathers factory. Fleur was more business minded and sold the old furniture through the Trading Post.

1990's

1991

Wilhelmina studied Furniture Technology at RMIT

1992

Fleur was the account manager of a jewellery company

1994

Wilhelmina deigned a range of five pieces and showed it to a furniture store in Hawthorn where the owner bought the complete range the business grew quickly

1996

Fleur joined to help manage the orders

1997

Diamaru became the biggest client

2000's

2000

The manufacturing was relocated from Research to Thomastown

2001

Sibbel Furniture was renamed Zuster meaning sister in Dutch

2002

A second factory was taken in Thomastown for finishing & spraying furniture

2002

Zuster started working more with Interior designers and architects

2002

Opened our first showroom in Cremorne, Victoria

2003

Raw collection was launched, Raw embraced the minimal lifestyle

2005

Opened a larger showroom in Swan Street, Richmond

2006

The Hero entertainment unit was designed, the handles were inspired by the handles designed in the kitchens & bathrooms from Sibbel Builders

2007

Stella was designed by Wilhelmina, on the plane returning from the first business trip. Wilhelmina designed the base by first drawing a star, then the timber to flow upwards to from the base. Stella is still a key item and is instantly recognisable as Zuster

2008

Pearl Collection
Pearl is named for its beautiful pearl handles, adapted from Zuster’s signature butterfly handle. A collection crafted from American Oak with a distinctive Y-shaped base.

2010's

2010

Jade collection, Zuster further developed the curved timber base, as with the Stella tables, in a small lamp table. Each lamp table is hand crafted out of solid American Oak