Design Stories

Woodbender specializes in designing and hand making bentwood chairs and bar stools. This family businesses uses the old-world tradition of bending solid wood to create durable and long-lasting seating. Find out why these chairs are as unique as the people and process that make them.  

To have a Coral & Hive rug underfoot is to ground yourself on a luxurious, natural foundation. These rugs are made from the highest quality, ethically sourced materials and handwoven on wooden looms. The talented weavers use traditional techniques, passed down through generations. Each rug is a unique, lovingly crafted creation.

Richard Du Toit shares his passion for nature and photography with the world through his striking images. The author of 5 African wildlife books, Richard’s work has been featured in the likes of National Geographic. Here, he tells us the stories behind some of his iconic images.

When a German master craftsman met a South African engineer, Guideline Design was born. Design excellence, craftsmanship and attention to detail have been central to the brand since launch in 2011. This design duo have created award chairs featured in Soho Houses around the world.

Timeless elegance defines the fine, handmade furniture created by Andrew Dominic. This brand is run by a husband-wife duo and each piece celebrates the intricacy and diversity of wood, with a focus on sustainability.

So often wood furniture looks very little like the tree it came from. Not so with an Umdabu live edge table. The Umdabu craftsmen have a passion for creating original furniture that honors the natural beauty of wood. The process starts with selecting the perfect piece...

Astrid Dahl’s award-winning, botanical-inspired ceramics are sought-after collector’s items, exhibited at fine art galleries around the world. Working in clay, without a wheel, she relies on her hands to sculpt the clay, often working against gravity to create balance, form and beauty...

Cape Island creates eco-luxe candles, soaps, lotions and fragrance diffusers that capture the beauty of Africa. This female-owned brand is working to create a legacy of kindness and spread a little more light in the world, one candle at a time.

Coco Africa is a small wood workshop, creating unique and useful kitchen and tabletop items. Each item is skillfully made by gifted craftsmen. This artistry results in the beautiful smooth finish, stamped with the unmistakable Coco Africa fox logo. Why the fox? Read on to find out more.

When Johannesburg-based Zydia Botes started a small side-hustle project, she was in pursuit of a life worth loving. She didn’t envisage that her idea of art blankets would blossom into a full-blown business. This is the story of a small start-up with a big vision, celebrating South Africa and female creatives.

Skinny laMinx started as a passion project and became a flourishing business. The recipe is simple: mix together a love of pattern, and a dose of playful chic, with a focus on quality and ethics. There was also a lot of hard work and a little luck along the way.

Laurie Wiid Van Heerden is an up-and-coming designer making waves with his innovative use of cork. He has pushed the boundaries of the material to achieve a number of world firsts. His collaborations – including with other Sarza artists -  allow him to work across various materials and products.