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Meyer Von Wielligh furniture: Every tree has a story to tell
A MEETING OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDS, INSPIRED BY NATURE
Meyer von Wielligh is a dynamic design partnership that goes back 15 years to when nature-loving designers Abrie von Wielligh and Norman Meyer first met as furniture design students at Furntech (South Africa’s center of excellence for furniture). There was a course requirement for practical work experience but, rather than seek employment, Norman and Abrie (pictured below, left) decided to create their own business. They have never looked back; their furniture is internationally acclaimed and to date, the pair have collaborated on furniture collections and limited-edition art pieces with West Elm and international design collective Southern Guild.
INDIGENOUS WOOD, ORGANIC LINES & INTRICATE TEXTURES
Abrie and Norman’s design studio and workshop is based in George on South Africa's Garden Route, an area with a long and established tradition of furniture making using indigenous woods. Here, the inspiration in their surroundings has informed every aspect of Meyer von Wielligh’s designs and made them synonymous with the use of indigenous wood, organic lines and intricate textures. ‘We enjoy the design challenge that comes with working with the wood, especially when we start playing with interesting detailing and finishing.’
HIGH QUALITY RAW TIMBER IS SELECTED BY HAND
For Abrie and Norman, the integrity of materials and quality of design is a critical part of their design journey. They therefore use only registered wood and select every piece of raw timberthemselves. The starting point for each piece of furniture is always around the unique qualities of a piece of wood.
FOR EVERY PIECE OF FURNITURE, A TREE IS PLANTED IN RETURN
Their insistence on tactility combined with an organic sensibility has become a cornerstone of Meyer Von Wielligh’s design. As has their commitment to environmentally sustainable practices that is manifest in a policy where for every piece of furniture they sell, a tree is planted in return.
SHOWCASING NATURE’S COLORS, TEXTURES & MATERIALS
The ethos at Meyer von Wielligh is that nature provides an incredible array of inspiration. The Mud furniture range (below, left) is inspired by the irregular patterns of cracked earth found on the dry riverbeds of Sossusvlei in Namibia, where co-founder Abrie von Wielligh grew up. The Blacktail Desk is (below, right) inspired by South Africa’s national fish, the blacktail or galjoen, and is defined by a scale-like pattern that is hand ground onto the wooden surface of the doors.
The Instomi (meaning stories in Xhosa, an African language), tells the story of the oak tree from which it is made, with the pith of the oak tree central to the architectural silhouette of each furniture piece in the range (below left). The Leaf furniture collection is inspired by the organic lines found throughout nature and the forests and lush landscape of the Garden Route (below, right).
MULTI-AWARD WINNING AND FOUND IN STYLISH SPACES AROUND THE WORLD
The award-winning designs of Meyer Von Wielligh can be found in beautiful homes, lodges and residences around the world. The company also offers a bespoke furniture service and limited edition pieces for those looking for custom design to suit any space. Here are just a few homes, from around the world, styled to perfection with Meyer Von Wielligh furniture.
WHY WE LOVE MEYER VON WIELLIGH
We love the exquisite workmanship and design details that are the trademark of Meyer Von Wielligh furniture. Each item tells a story about the tree from which it came or the natural landscape of South Africa. Their collection is popular with Sarza customers because there is something for any space - from modern to classic or traditional styles – always with a focus on quality, sustainability and beauty.
All imagery courtesy of Meyer Von Wielligh @meyervonwielligh