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HERE’S THE THING: With our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, Sumien Brink, on sabbatical, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to edit South Africa’s pre-eminent architecture, design and décor mag, right? But then again, VISI is a bona fide print icon, revered by its readers – and most of that is thanks to Sumien’s vision and impeccable taste. It’s a big mag and those are some big, big shoes. I said yes, obviously … but that what-have-I-said-yes-to moment followed hot on its heels. Luckily it was one soon eased by the combined knowledge and expertise of the VISI team – one that represents an amazing mix of editorial excellence, deep experience, contemporary insights, and a finger on the pulse of local and international design. It also coincided with a fresh hand on the…

My job was to help with the selection of fabric schemes and to come up with a new carpet design, forever conscious of our South African inspiration and the link to our then changing times. I was working with my colleague, Nessa, most of the time at the office and at the train, which was parked in Pretoria. And when it came to sourcing accessories, it was often with my colleague Karen. We visited art galleries, went to local markets, met forgotten South African artists and selected suitable pieces in alignment with the mobile gallery we were now designing for. Our search for African artefacts and accessories led us to Amatuli. This was the late 1990s and their warehouse was in a rundown house in Corlett Drive, Johannesburg. We quickly…

One lucky reader will win two Hampshire lowback tub chairs and one Hampshire lowback two-seater from Woodbender valued at over R34 000. They feature a Harvard cherry stain and are covered in Hertex Lincoln Magnet and Hertex Lincoln Ecru, both of which retail for R800/m. Woodbender’s solid wood furniture is meticulously handcrafted in the traditional technique of bentwood that the family business has been perfecting since its inception in 1988. The wide range of seating, upholstered in your choice of fabric, and tables are available in 15 standard timber finishes. Skillful manufacturing ensures that Woodbender’s elegant designs don’t sacrifice strength and durability. Every piece is backed by a six-year structural guarantee. woodbender.co.za MORE AMAZING GIVEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE… Three Multiply Furniture porthole mirrors. R3 200 | page 34 A polyresin…

alounge with plush sofas and coffee tables festooned with the kind of books you’d collect for your own home, bunches of flowers and an open-plan kitchen-dining area; this is the scene that greets guests at Rosebank’s new Bristol hotel. Like the Labotessa hotel featured on page 116, Bristol Rosebank is part of a new breed of lifestyle hotel that’s all about blurring the lines between outstanding service and home-from-home comfort. Having entrusted the design to Tonic Design’s Greg Gamble and Philippe van der Merwe, a unique approach to the hotel experience emerged that challenges the status quo. It’s the duo’s bold use of colour that is immediately obvious, eschewing the safe neutral-to-greige spectrum for rust, mustard, emerald, moss and butterscotch shades that wrap entire rooms and cover sofas and armchairs.…

Nathalie Klijn moved from Germany to Cape Town in 2012, and while she’d settled well into her new city, it was only when she adopted a puppy named Ringo that Cape Town really became home. Ringo was her connector, and she began making collars for him and friends as a side project. It was Ringo who initiated a fortuitous meeting with Superdawg, the late rescue pup belonging to animal-loving entrepreneur Zac Rusagara, at a local market. Zac’s appreciation for Nathalie’s creations and enthusiasm to share them with the world was contagious and eventually she fell for it – Zac included! – and Chommies was born. “Every Chommies product is handmade with love and care by local artisans who come mainly from the townships,” Zac says of what he describes as…

With five shows a year KAMERS/Makers has become a highlight on the calendar of those who appreciate local handmade design. Known for its wide selection of fashion, accessories and jewellery, this pop-up retail market showcases the best of South African talent. Nicky Myburgh of KAMERS/Makers explains that out of over 550 hopefuls, 170 talented makers have been handpicked for each of the two upcoming shows in Stellenbosch and Pretoria. “We are seeing a definite increase in sustainable and ethical fashion production. Handmade African craft, such as beading, is moving into the design realm and we are looking forward to seeing these skills continue to be reinvented. Another trend is a return to DIY. Various artisans have created knitting, weaving and even leather product kits.” In a concerted effort to reduce…

From agave spirits to rum, there’s a proliferation of South African distilled alcohol emerging in the path that local craft gin pioneered. And they’re all worth investigating: The majority are handcrafted from local ingredients; they’re often small batch in distinctive bottles with beautifully designed labels, most of which would have been applied by hand. “Local spirits are a great way to showcase South Africa’s rich and diverse landscape,” says mixologist Jody Rahme, who goes by the moniker Liquid Squire and is responsible for the bar at Gigi Rooftop, the inner-city drinks spot at the top of Gorgeous George hotel in Cape Town. ”We are extremely fortunate to have such a variety of climate zones, which enables us to produce a wide variety of spirits such as rum, agave, brandy and…

ADÈLE DE LANGE, ARCHITECT Your summer drink of choice? I’m currently brewing my very first batch of kombucha. It’s Saturday afternoon, the sun is setting. Where are you? Out for a paddle on the Orange›River, watching the sun turn blood red, as it can do in the dusty Northern Cape. What’s your favourite app? Kindle to escape; Pinterest for inspiration. Pantone comes up with a new colour: describe the hue and what you would call it. “Pickled Popsicle” – the fresh yellow-green of newly sprouted leaves in early spring. Adèle wrote about the award-winning family home located in Pretoria on page 126. LUTENDO MALATJI, PHOTOGRAPHER Your summer drink of choice? A Long Summer. It’s like a Long Island Iced Tea, but with some deadly spiked ice. It’s Saturday afternoon, the…

“I JUST WANTED TO TELL STORIES and I stumbled upon design. I didn’t even know I HAD THIS GIFT.” – Thabisa Mjo DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW DESIGN WAS IN YOUR FUTURE? MV I’d always dreamt of pursuing a creative career and 10 years ago I made the leap of faith to quit my job as a metallurgist [metal engineer] to study interior design. The ability to connect people through design has always been a goal and being able to create amazing products/spaces that make people’s lives better is wonderful. TM I just wanted to tell stories and I stumbled upon design. When I won the Nando’s Hot Young Designer competition [for the Tutu 2.0 pendant light], I didn’t even know I had this gift. That’s been the best thing that…

The VERANDA was the best place for his PLANTS and FOR US. My grandfather was a mine captain on Randfontein Estates Mines. According to my mother, he had a short temper and a gruff manner, and made his co-workers tremble in their boots. But it’s not how I remember him. To me he was simply my grandpa who liked to collect strange-looking succulent plants. Lots of them. He spent hours teaching me their names, and I loved how his eyes would widen in mock surprise when I managed to recall one. I remember rows of prickly plants in plastic containers and glass jars stacked on shelves along the edges of my grandparents’ veranda. The veranda was enclosed with fine wire mesh that had seen better days. In certain parts, it…

Light is a free building material It’s a phrase that’s stuck with architect Renato Graca of GSquared Architects ever since university. “The correct and clever use of openings has the potential to give you endless joy,” he says as we stand in the kitchen, reverently looking up atTable Mountain. This view was something of a surprise to owner Bradley van den Berg, not because he didn’t know it was there, but because it had been concealed behind an unbroken wall in the original property. It was only when the walls came down that he could fully appreciate the position of the plot. And in the end, to make way for the two double-volume barn-shaped buildings connected by a double-storey box, the original property had to be razed, barring the front…

‘It was when I saw this view,’’ says homeowner Francois Irvine, ‘‘that I knew I wanted to be in this space.’’ Like many views in central Cape Town, it’s an urban one but also includes seductive slivers of the natural landscape that takes in Kloof Nek, lying to the right of Table Mountain’s looming bulk, along with one of Signal Hill’s signature curves. Situated in the lively, historic Bo-Kaap, Francois’ loft occupies the third floor of a Cape Georgian house and, while its facade might match the riot of bright reds, oranges, pinks and greens that are the neighbourhood’s signature, the interior of his home is almost entirely monochromatic. Climb the three flights of stairs to the top of this small industrial building (the first and second floors contain small…

As New Yorkers have recently discovered, Mo’s Crib’s handmade laundry baskets should make even the most tedious of tasks something to look forward to. Morongwe Mokone's African contemporary-style baskets were a firm favourite at the NY NOW show in Manhattan, with some finding new homes in New York and beyond. An environmentally conscious approach is at the helm of Morongwe’s design process both in terms of materials and production: “As a team, we maintain an out-of-the-box approach. We’ve made products from plastic bags, PVC pipe and even newspapers.” She uses a clever combination of recycled PVC water pipes and galvanised wire to creatively deploy waste materials and conjure up a highly durable, sustainable and versatile storage basket. The intertwined materials make for Afrocentric patterning and captivating texture that add a…

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BLUE BUTTERFLY? I see the world in colour, shape and light. I use light, exploiting it for reflection and refraction, creating illusion and confusion in the multitude of layers and clustering. I seek out inspiration in my trips to New York and Washington. The grand-scale digital light and infinity shows are spectacular and trigger creativity in a new world of installations. EXPLAIN THE PROCESS BEHIND CREATING THIS PIECE. The colour is enhanced by changing LED lights on Perspex, and metallic and glittery rainbow vinyl lend the final product a radiant, magical effect. The luminosity is the result of LED light combined with mirror and neon translucent Perspex, but a 3D element is vital for the shimmer and dazzle I’m after. The added colour explosion…

Taking her cue from interior designer Francois du Plessis’ jewel-toned furniture curation, Cara Saven of Cara Saven Wall Design has recreated aspects of the city’s natural surrounds and local history inside The Onyx. In the bedroom suites, black-and-white photographs of dolosse from the nearby shoreline and prints of the Castle of Good Hope’s bell tower have been blown up to turn the walls into dramatic monochromatic landscapes. “The scale and the angle of the images make them feel almost Alice in Wonderlandish,” says Cara, “but then, on closer inspection, you realise they are very recognisable landmarks within a kilometre or two from where you are sleeping.” The lift lobbies are equally eye-catching, bringing one face to face with oversized birds in waterside environments. “It’s an awkward space, a lift lobby,”…

An AGA oven has come to be the symbol of both homeliness and craftsmanship. And while its designs have remained relatively unchanged, technological advancements and an evolution in how we live and entertain have led to more choice and flexibility. At just 60 cm, the AGA 60 is still made the traditional way from molten iron, much of which is created from used materials such as car gearboxes, lamp-posts and so on. Despite its diminutive size, it features two ovens, which can be switched on and off independently, and the choice of a hotplate or gas hob. With programmability on the roasting/baking oven, there’s no waiting for the cooker to heat up. The proven three-day application of AGA’s famous enamelling in a fresh range of contemporary colours helps ensure its…

Wireless earbuds merge with designer sunglasses in these stylish new optics from high-end audio brand Bose. With built-in sensors and hidden speakers that pipe music to your ears, they also come in a choice of two black frames: the round Rondo and the square Alto. “Frames are both magical and practical,” explains director of Bose Frames Mehul Trivedi. “With the new lens options, they’re versatile premium sunglasses. But when you turn them on, they function like headphones, instantly connecting to your phone, contacts, the web, and all its audible content. Frames have taken the wearable category by storm and we’re really excited to bring their groundbreaking performance – and new accessories – to people all over the world.” bose.com | sound-systems.co.za…

We are committed to using naturally replenish-able, and thus sustainable materials. Coconut fiber, natural rubber, wool, cotton, goose down, oak, seaweed, lavender, eucalyptus, horsehair, and cactus fiber all hide unique inherent properties and are used in our recipe for making innovative sleep products. Extra pride is taken when using raw materials sourced locally in Greece. If what you got is a empty flat, then all you need’s a coco-mat Guided and inspired by mother nature’s wisdom As a sleep company, our vision is simple and clear: to offer everyone who uses our beds and mattresses a healthy, blissful sleep. However, simply making the world’s best sleep products is not enough for a good night’s sleep. It’s important to have a clear conscience too. That is why our every action aims…

Although my GRANDMOTHER had electricity and a stove she still preferred to BAKE BREAD the OLD-FASHIONED way. Some of my fondest childhood memories are from time spent at my grandmother’s house in rural Ga-Mphahlele, SLimpopo. The house actually consisted of four separate structures: the main house with a kitchen, living area, bathroom, main bedroom, and the bedrooms where my cousins and I used to sleep every December holiday. Then there was a two-roomed structure that two of my youngest uncles used as bedrooms, a double garage, and the “kitchen” where I first learnt to make bread. The best way to describe this space is as a kitchen, although it was basically just a roofed structure with a floor and four mud walls plastered with cow dung. Yes, cow dung. It…

For many, home is not permanent. While we set down roots, it’s often the case that we will move and even move again. But for 64 years, Hannatjie van der Wat has lived in her Saxonwold home on one of the suburb’s quiet, jacaranda-lined streets, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. What is striking about Hannatjie is her strong sense of individuality, which, even at the age of 96, hasn’t been blunted. “You must do what you want to do, not what you think people want you to do,” she asserts. Being authentically Hannatjie was already well formed when she and her late gynaecologist husband, Doctor JJ van der Wat, embarked on the expansion of their 1920s home. “Few things really concern me,” she states when asked about…

There’s a space-time portal in CapeTown. It’s at the corner of Bureau and Parliament Streets. Drive up Adderley, past the Groote Kerk, take a left into Bureau … and suddenly you’re in a small corner of another city. It’s a Parisian vista – a quiet little cobbled square overseen by an imposing multi-gabled, granite building and flanked by three more classically elegant structures. Mercifully free of parked cars, there are people sitting on benches enjoying the last rays of spring sunshine and, outside a hotel, a few more taking their afternoon tea. This is Church Square – one of Cape Town’s quiet little gems and home to Labotessa, a new type of hotel in the Mother City. Its proprietors are Johan du Plessis and Jan Fourie, two lifelong friends whose…

Looking at the Hyraxhotong Chair One elicits an immediate sense of intrigue. “ I really enjoy that this creates an interesting visual tension,” says Cape Town-based architect and designer Meghan Ho-Tong. “When viewed from a particular angle, it feels as if the chair might fall over, but as you move around it, you begin to understand that the geometries are balanced and support each other.” Together with Jaekan, Meghan designed the stool with a strong circular form and a contrasting triangular base structure. “Jaekan is a master woodworker with a lot of knowledge in timber construction, materiality and the ways that wood behaves,” elaborates Meghan. “I came to him with an idea and sketches for the chair. From there we started prototyping. We built a 1:1 scale model and made…

WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT THE FEMALE FORM AND HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE THIS INTO YOUR WORK? The female form is represented excessively in art but often, especially in a more historical context, this is through the perspective of the heterosexual man ... male gaze. I made a conscious decision to not only illustrate women, primarily black women, but also to find a way to give the women I draw some agency. I’m in awe of female bodies and how they exist and change. My main source of inspiration is women owning their choices and having fun, however they choose to. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO EVOKE BY USING WOMEN AS YOUR SUBJECT MATTER? I’m trying to evoke the feeling of being seen by the women who enjoy my work. My…

Big Apple: Manhattan’s all about money, which is why green tones perfectly represent a series set in New York’s publishing industry. Teen Spirit: The changing temperaments of the average teenager are captured in this palette, with the sunny side at the centre. Out of this World: The blues, greens and black of the night sky, where alien visitors might reside, the very essence of this drama. Cool as Ice: The slick, sophisticated lead (Dwayne Johnson) is aptly embodied by the calm and tranquil aqua palette. Berry Blast: The pop of magenta gives a brightness that captures the whimsy of this fun ballet series for teens. Royal Flush: Shades of regal purple are perfectly suited to South Africa’s own Queen B. Mood Swing: Childish pastels to darker tones of brown reflect…

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