In 1958, Ate van Apeldoorn established his own artisanal wooden furniture workshop, later rebranded as the "Ate van Apeldoorn Furniture Maker." His expertise lay in crafting robust wooden furniture primarily using oak and pine. Van Apeldoorn's design aesthetic drew inspiration from the organic design movement, characterized by uncomplicated and practical forms. His furniture often featured traditional wooden joints, such as mortise and tenon, without the use of nails or screws. Throughout his career, van Apeldoorn crafted several iconic pieces, including the "Donjon" chair and the "Vierkante" table, which gained widespread popularity in the 1970s through extensive exhibitions. Despite achieving success, van Apeldoorn prefered to stay an independent craftsman and resisted mass production of his designs. He consistently underscored the superior quality of his furniture and the enduring nature of the materials used.