In 1958, van Apeldoorn set up his own wood furniture manufacturing company, later renamed "Ate van Apeldoorn meubelmakerij". He specialized in creating solid wood furniture, mainly using oak and pine.
van Apeldoorn's style was influenced by the organic design movement, with simple, functional forms. His furniture was often built with traditional wooden joints, such as tenons and mortises, without the use of nails or screws.
Van Apeldoorn created many iconic pieces of furniture throughout his career, such as the "Donjon" chair and the "Vierkantje" table. His designs were widely exhibited and became very popular in the 1970s.
Despite his success, van Apeldoorn remained an independent craftsman throughout his career, refusing to mass-produce his creations. He always emphasized the quality of his furniture and the durability of his materials.
Ate van Apeldoorn has left an important legacy in the design and manufacture of solid wood furniture, and his creations are still highly appreciated today.