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.

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...

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.

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.

David Ballam is truly an explorer-photographer.  Intrigued and inspired by new faces, places, cultures and customs, David takes any opportunity to travel and explore the African landscape, finding and creating images that transcend the subject matter.

World-renowned furniture designer, Haldane Martin, is one of South Africa’s leading creatives. His designs offer a sense of belonging to our world and timelessly reflect the spirit of the moment. These contemporary outdoor furniture collections are playful and vibrant, putting a new spin on design classics.

Jackie Badenhorst is a wildlife photographer and photography guide from South Africa with a deep love for the wilderness. She ventures into remote areas of Africa to capture extraordinary moments, which can adorn your home as wall art. Here, she tells us the behind-the-scenes stories of some of her favorite shots. 

James Mudge is known for his clean-lined, solid wood pieces that are made using traditional cabinet-making techniques. Heavily influenced by his birthplace and his family heritage, James found his calling at an early age, making things in the family workshop. He combined his creative flair with entrepreneurial spirit to found his own design studio.