Table of contents for VISI 139 in Visi

OF ALL THE THINGS I possess, a few have special meaning to me. They're my keepsakes; objects that win the “What would you save first in a fire?” game. Obviously, my family would be number one; but after they're safely on the street, I'd dive back in to retrieve a few objects that are heirlooms, a connection to parents since passed, or moments in my life with my own family. They're not particularly valuable, but I cherish them. Hand-drawn birthday cards our daughter has made for us; my father's Swiss-made Roamer watch, given to him by my mom for his 21st; his Parker fountain pen, which I use every day; the 1970s Gibson Hummingbird guitar I bought in the '90s with all the money I had; a 1972 pressing of…

IT FEELS A LITTLE UNCANNY to write about our lifelong love affair with colour on a stark white Google Doc, knowing the final version will be black letters obediently arranged on a white page. For colour lovers like us, it's all a bit off-brand. If we had our way, these words would be set in a rich brown typeface, dancing in a pool of intense chartreuse. Or delicious deep burgundy serifs melting into velvety lilac. Or, if we were feeling retro-glam, soft pink letters swanning across olive-green drapery… We love the rabbit hole colour can take you down – the moods it shifts, the eras it evokes, the memories soaked into every shade. “OUR LOVE FOR COLOUR ISN'T A PASSING PHASE. IT'S A LIFELONG ROMANCE – FULL OF SURPRISES, ALWAYS…

LEAH ROLANDO HAS YOU FOOLED – methodologically speaking. Although it may appear so, she hasn't painted or drawn these works, and there's no illustration software involved, either. In fact, beyond Photoshopping out the occasional piece of Prestik, there's virtually no digital manipulation at all. The Prestik is there because what you are looking at are photographs of three-dimensional sets that Leah has constructed from board, coloured Perspex and – sometimes – vinyl stickers. She creates abstract still-life vignettes, carefully lights them, and photographs them from various angles, depending on the shapes and colours she's looking to conjure up from the interaction of the opaque Perspex with the shadows it throws. The actual image Leah shoots gets printed onto Perspex – again not, as you'd expect, onto paper protected by glass.…

IN A PURPOSELY LOW-LIT ENCLAVE AT CAPE TOWN FURNITURE WEEK 2023 was an otherworldly panel – part wall lamp, part gateway to Xanadu. Philip Kramer's Gradient light wasn't just mesmerising to look at; closer inspection revealed exceptional build quality with beautifully assembled LEDs within a sold walnut frame. Next to that was a metal coffee table called Merge, which looked like a camera aperture – and next to that was a hi-fispeaker also bearing the Kramer Design logo. While the light and the table sat more comfortably within the CTFW exhibition (his light won the New Design Award for lighting at the inaugural CTFW x VISI awards), the speaker was a different story. Called “Open Baffle”, it featured a black woofer in the middle of a cream-coloured cabinet, with a…

A PURPLE BATHROOM and sponge-paint living-room walls in the Northern Cape town of Warrenton are a far cry from designing hotels. Still, Jacu Strauss's apartment adjacent to his parents' home was evidence of the 18-year-old's passion for interior design. It's this hands-on approach to decorating that offers insights into his art-filled interiors of hotels in Amsterdam, New York, Washington DC and London. “Leaving Warrenton was my first-ever trip overseas, and I never returned home,” he says. “I feel at home in big cities.” After a few years in London spent working in a bank, he moved to New Zealand to do a bachelor's in architectural studies at the University of Auckland. From there it was back to London to qualify as a licensed architect at Westminster University. “The global financial…

● PLUMMY TONES BY TONIC DESIGN Interiors are going deep into plums, wines and berries – and we're here for every saturated second. Plum, maroon, burgundy, wine, grape, even warm terracotta – they're all having a moment. Leading the way is Tonic Design's HG server: low-slung and luscious in a dusty deep pink that's pure foyer fantasy. R34 936 | tonicdesign.co.za ● ANANTA DESIGN STUDIO DOES TEAL The Samani unit – in a joyful teal, with black, silver and purple beaded knobs – is by Ananta Design Studio, with beadwork by Monkeybiz. Samani, meaning “to join” or “unite” in Sanskrit, celebrates the harmony of opposites. We've fallen for its vivid palette, so we've rounded up statement pieces in teal and other blue-green hues that reflect its expressive spirit. R37 200…

IN APRIL 2000, WHILE WORKING FOR A LARGE COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE FIRM IN LONDON (and before the availability of social media or online design platforms), we saw an article in Wallpaper magazine featuring Spanish architect Alberto Campo Baeza's De Blas House near Madrid. Although the text was concise, the concept of “the constructed idea” forever changed our approach to design and architecture. It's a philosophy that allows for the creation of iconic buildings, which are both fundamentally rational and deeply connected to their surroundings. ALBERTO CAMPO BAEZA'S ARCHITECTURE IS CHARACTERISED BY PRECISE GEOMETRY, HORIZONTAL PLANES, AND A FOCUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRUCTURE AND FORM. Architects tend to reveal the keys to architecture in their drawings, their philosophies, their floor plans – and also in their writing. In his book The…

WHILE WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR CLASSIC EAUX DE PARFUM like Chanel Nº5 or Thierry Mugler's Angel, today's spotlight is shifting towards the smaller and more personal. Niche, independent fragrance houses are quietly redefining what it means to wear scent: their creations are more nuanced, often built around unexpected ingredients, and crafted in small batches with serious attention to detail. As Christian Dior once said, “A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting.” So if you're after something that speaks more directly – and memorably – about who you are (and you have the moolah – they can be a little pricey), here are a few scents worth discovering. • 1. JULIETTE HAS A GUN MIAMI SHAKE ■ Juliette Has a Gun is a collection of…

WITH ITS VIEWS OVER PRETORIA TREETOPS AND THE UNION BUILDINGS, it's not often that a pristine piece of land becomes available high up in Waterkloof Ridge. The owners of this home were lucky to find just such a site freed by a subdivision. It was not without challenges: while the outlook was incredible, the plot was steep and wedge-shaped, with a narrow protrusion (which turned out to be perfect for a bonsai greenhouse). The task of solving this architectural puzzle fell to Leon van der Westhuizen of Anthrop Abbott Architects. His clients gave him a broad brief, with a few specific requests – a main bedroom and study with a view, as well as space for key artworks, including a Dylan Lewis sculpture and a large copper wall panel by…

VIVEKA AND RUCITA VASSEN, SISTERS AND FOUNDERS OF ANANTA DESIGN STUDIO Although we're both born in winter, we're not winter people – give us a pool party and sunshine any day! But when Cape Town brings the chill, we surrender in style. You'll find us curled up by the fireplace, wrapped in mohair blankets, snacks within reach. Sunday afternoons are for scrolling: what starts slow turns into online hunts for vintage gems, or drooling over Pinterest's nail art, DIY fashion or colourful interiors. It's cosy chaos – and we've made peace with it. Viveka and Rucita contributed one of the Voices essays in this issue, on page 20. GRETE VAN AS AND JOHAN WENTZEL, ARCHITECTS Although Pretoria doesn't have a mountain or the ocean, we do have beautiful, sunny winter days…

EVER WONDER WHY MEN have been reinventing the suit for over two centuries? Why does menswear feel so limited? One theory, from psychologist JC Flügel, is that men gradually gave up their right to be beautiful, choosing instead to be merely useful. He called this shift the Great Male Renunciation – a sartorial turning point rooted in Enlightenment thinking and the political revolutions of Europe. There's no doubt that men's dress has become less flamboyant over time. The evolution of professional military forces sped this along, as uniforms became standardised, easy to produce and colour-coded. Blue was a battlefield favourite since antiquity, partly because the dye had mild disinfectant properties. “ALTHOUGH SUITS SEEM BASIC, THE SUIT-WEARER IS ALWAYS EXTRA – EMBRACING SUBTLE COLOUR AND PERSONAL FLAIR; PART OF A TRIBE…

FROM WOODCUTTING TO ETCHING, monotypes and lithography, printmaking has always been a space for experimentation. And while its techniques may be rooted in tradition, a new wave of South African artists is pushing them in bold, unexpected directions. We meet four printmakers bringing fresh energy to the medium. ● LAZI MATHEBULA ■ A self-described architect of culture, Lazi is an award-winning illustrator and designer. He pushes limits by experimenting with printmaking to create innovative works that breathe life into any space. His work spans the creative industry via collaborations with brands like Kellogg's, Ricoffy and Martell. He's also had solo shows at Kalashnikovv Gallery and Artist Proof Studio, and currently runs an apparel brand called Beautiful Things. “When it comes to themes in my work, I'm drawn to the African…

JOEY KHUVUTLU is a furniture designer, creative entrepreneur and founder of Daily – a brand celebrated for timeless, accessible, beautifully crafted pieces. Thoughtful and stylish, his Johannesburg home – shared with his partner Kath and their children – reflects the same design philosophy. He welcomed us in and shared his keepsakes – one meaningful piece at a time. ● MY WEDDING RING “This special signet design with a band that slots neatly inside was made by Eric Loubser at Tinsel. Eric and the team suggested using yellow and rose gold for a subtle contrast, but what I really wanted was the mechanics of one ring fitting into another.” ● FLORAL SHOES “I bought these suede men's shoes at a street market in Thailand about 16 years ago – my first…

WHEN IT COMES TO WOODEN FLOORING, herringbone and chevron patterns remain popular – but there's also a growing appetite for something a little different. And as a specialist in premium flooring, Oggie Hardwood Flooring offers that, and more. Oggie's range of patterned options combines expert craftsmanship with creative flair to deliver flooring that's both visually striking and timeless. The team has reimagined classic motifs, from the intricate Versailles panels to the bold geometric layouts of the Casa Living range. Using sustainably sourced European oak, these patterns bring movement, texture and personality to a space, allowing homeowners and designers to go beyond the familiar and create standout interiors. And they offer not only aesthetic impact, but also flexibility – different finishes, tones and layouts allow for a completely bespoke approach to…

DEFINED BY THE ICONIC DIESEL LOGO AND EDGY INTERIOR, the newly reopened Diesel store at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront represents the highest expression of the brand's brave design attitude. Under Diesel founder Renzo Rosso and creative director Glenn Martens's bold vision, the space – with its red walls and resin floors – embodies the rebellious spirit that has defined Diesel since its founding in 1978. We sat down with Renzo to find out more about the brand's ethos, and how Diesel's retail design concept reflects its forward-facing attitude. “Diesel has always been about challenging convention,” says Renzo. “We never tried to be different just to be different – we've always stayed close to the mindset of youth, of doing things in a new way.” This philosophy is clearly evident in…

IF YOU LIVE IN CAPE TOWN, YOU'VE PROBABLY DRIVEN PAST THIS BUILDING MANY TIMES. On your right as you head down Loop Street, on the corner with Bloem, it is an odd piece of architecture – aesthetically hard to pin down beyond the fact that it's clearly been around for a while. Pre-restoration, it was a heady mix of Cape Dutch-meets-Victorian-meets-Georgian, with a nod to Elizabethan thrown in. Its occupants, since it was built in the late 1800s, have been equally wide-ranging. Records show it was built by the Martienssen Brewery before South African Breweries bought the company – and the building – in 1899, turning it into the Alabama Hotel. The hotel operated until 1969 before becoming a business premises that, since 1981, has been owned by the Sedgwick…

● DESERT BY DESIGN: CREATIVE MINDS, ARID PLACES, TAILOR-MADE SPACES By James Burke and Molly Mandell (Abrams Books, 2025) ■ This unique book is much more than a showcase of beautiful homes and interiors – it's also a paean to people around the world who adapt their lives and domestic spaces to the myriad challenges of living in a desert environment. Among the key pleasures of the experience of reading Desert by Design is the fact that no two chapters are the same – and that it meticulously explores the granular detail of desert living, from stylish decor advice to step-by-step information on harvesting and processing cactus fruit. Criss-crossing the planet from Marfa, Texas to Siwa in Egypt and Rajasthan, India, the book covers plenty of ground – although we…

“FRANCIS ISN'T IMPRESSED BY IT AT ALL,” says homeowner Willeen Le Roux, laughing, about the striking raw-brick facade of the Cape Town home she shares with her nine-year-old son and her partner, creative director Craig Ferguson.“We've tried to explain to him that the inspiration was the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, but he isn't convinced by that.” Young Francis has dubbed his home “the Minecraft house” – a reference to its looking, in his eyes, much like a building block from the popular online game – and even though he and his parents have lived here for five years now, he still regularly asks,“When are we going to paint the outside?” Certainly, its blend of bold architectural lines with a zesty red brick facade and arresting “popped-out” steel window…

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER? RECEIVE A CURATED SELECTION OF LOCAL ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, DECOR AND ART NEWS IN YOUR INBOX EVERY MONDAY. VISIT VISI.CO.ZA WE ASKED YOU ONLINE: Which secluded escape sounds like the perfect autumn/winter retreat? 300 of you took our poll and let us know. Here are the results: 43% A mountain cabin with a wood-burning stove 36% A coastal cottage with the ocean on your doorstep 12% A desert pod under starry skies 9% A forest treehouse with amazing views #READERLOVE If you're enjoying the latest issue, we'd love for you to take a pic of your mag and share it with us. Simply tag VISI on Instagram, Facebook or X with your snap. Lazy days. mariskabrekkie • Dzombo lodge VISI feature • Feeling…

WHENEVER I'M ASKED what my favourite colour is, my brain glitches. You'd think it would be an easy question for an artist – especially one who uses colour as a focal point. But it never is. I could say yellow, for its warm and brightening qualities. Or red, for its ability to make a statement when it walks into a room. Sometimes it's green… or maybe black. Or blue. Most recently, it was orange. Before I can answer that question, I always have to think about what stage of life I'm in – to know which colour I'm most drawn to. And then there's pink: the bane of my existence. Or should I say, pink: the loveliest colour to ever exist. The choices are endless: light pink, pastel pink, hot…

ROOTED IN THE ETHOS OF CONNECTION, CARE AND SHARED HUMAN VALUES, Nigerian designer Lani Adeoye's creations embody a quiet, enigmatic elegance. From meticulous craftsmanship to unconventional forms that subvert the norm while embracing African history and tradition, you can't miss a Studio Lani piece – and Studio Lani itself has become a brand that challenges misconceptions about African design, offering innovative, finely structured pieces that invite human connection and cultural celebration. “WHEN I MAKE FURNITURE, I DON'T NECESSARILY LOOK FOR CARPENTERS, BECAUSE THE FURNITURE I MAKE ISN'T TRADITIONAL.” Studio Lani is a fusion of art, craft and design, taking an experimental approach and exploring ways of creating that embrace functionality while creatively transforming space. From lighting fixtures and seating to handbags, the brand reimagines both form and function. Winner of…

DESIGN IS TIED TO LIFE. Sometimes it reflects the mood of the world. Sometimes it reacts to it. And sometimes – when things get especially loud, fast and unfiltered – it becomes a megaphone. That's the impetus behind Boom Boom: a maximalist aesthetic that's been grabbing attention across fashion, media and, now, interiors. It's a sensibility built on contradiction: sexy and silly, trashy and luxe. It's not subtle – but that's the point. BOOM BOOM IS A “FETISHISATION OF THE PAST” THAT CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF IN-YOUR-FACE GLAMOUR. The term was introduced by trend forecaster Sean Monahan, who named it after the gold-saturated Boom Boom Room in New York's Standard High Line hotel. Monahan came to prominence for identifying the “Normcore” movement in 2014, and while that was about being…

TAKING AS ITS INSPIRATION LOUIS VUITTON'S 19TH-CENTURY TRAVELLING TRUNKS and Shanghai's port status as the “Gateway to the East”, The Louis is the French luxury brand's ship-shaped retail store, café and experiential exhibition space. Located on the third floor, Le Café Louis Vuitton offers its well-heeled customers bar seating, casual seating and various table arrangements. Created by celebrated South African interior architect Tristan du Plessis, it's a design that harks back to bygone ocean liners and their stylish dining rooms. We spoke to Tristan about the project, what inspired his design, and what it was like to work with this iconic brand. ● When approaching a space with such cultural and brand weight, where did your initial creative spark come from? ■ “The brand's rich heritage and the timeless romance…

CONCEPTUALISED BY FASHION HOUSE VIVIERS AND DESIGN STUDIO HOVEN, and made possible by Cape Wools SA, Wool World was specifically curated for the 2025 Karoo Winter Wool Festival, and hosted in a working shearing shed on Dwarsvlei farm near Middelburg in the Eastern Cape. The immersive, multisensory experience explored the cultural and emotional resonance of wool through the lens of the Karoo's four seasons, with the cyclical changes embodied in art, fashion, furniture, farming and design. “THE EXHIBITION WAS INTERWOVEN LIKE A TAPESTRY OF CONNECTION, WHERE EACH THREAD AND FIBRE REPRESENTED A UNIQUE PRESENCE AND CONTRIBUTION, YET ALL WERE CONNECTED TO FORM A WHOLE.” LEZANNE VIVIERS, CO-CURATOR Called “Beneath Karoo Skies”, Wool World 2025 celebrated the richness, diversity and versatility of South African wool, as well as the community responsible for…

DUSTY CORRIDORS, DIM LIGHTING, DO-NOT-TOUCH SIGNS… That's old-school. Today's museums are rethinking the script – focusing less on hushed reverence, and more on hands-on experience, interactivity and greater public access. Most major institutions display less than 10% of their collections, with the rest kept in storage. The British Museum in London, for example, holds about eight-million objects but shows just 80 000 at a time – only 1%! But things are changing: a new wave of museum design is throwing open the collection doors and inviting the public in for a closer look. “V&A EAST STOREHOUSE IS A COMPLETELY NEW CULTURAL EXPERIENCE – A BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE V&A.” TIM REEVE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND COO, VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM In May 2025, the V&A East Storehouse launched in London's Queen Elizabeth…