Table of contents for VISI 136 in Visi

“CHANGE IN ALL THINGS IS SWEET,” SAID ARISTOTLE. Bowie wasn't convinced. “It seemed the taste was not so sweet” was his counter in “Changes”. In my experience, they're both right. Sometimes change's initial taste has been toe-curlingly sour, particularly when it's been unexpectedly imposed… But even that has eventually sugared. VISI is a case in point for me personally. The circumstances that initiated my journey to this magazine were challenging, but working with the talented VISI team over the past five years has genuinely been the most rewarding career experience I've had. And this time has coincided with what's shaping up to be a golden era of South African design. There's been an explosion of talent in the creative space, producing a variety of aesthetics, styles and brands that range…

I ONCE WORKED AS AN ASSISTANT for a major art gallery in South Africa. At the time, it was my dream job. I was willing to bend and break if it meant I got to build my career there. Sadly, three months into it, I was let go. This happened early in my career; the experience made me doubt myself, and for months afterwards I questioned whether I was following the correct path. I thought it was over – but sometimes what feels like a burial is merely a replanting in more fertile ground. I found myself wrestling with different emotions, from exhilaration at the prospect of starting my own business as an independent art curator to experiencing anxiety and impostor syndrome. The mind can be a dangerous place, and…

DESIGN TRENDS AND SOCIAL TRENDS GO HAND IN HAND. What we think and feel will always inform the objects and spaces we create. Last year left us feeling unsettled and atomised, and 2025 promises more of the same. As a result, the main thing we're seeking right now is connection: to each other, to our world and to our future. This shows up in a few different ways when applied to design – and these are six of the shifts we can expect to see over the coming year. #1 MAINSTREAM REVIVAL ■ The first, and most fundamental, change we're experiencing right now is the resurgence of the mainstream. Since around the turn of the millennium, popular culture has become more and more fragmented – and looked down on. Now,…

WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH-END CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE that borders on the sculptural, OKHA sets a path locally. With creative director Adam Court at the helm, its design language is bold, exploring the potential of natural materials like metal, stone, marble and wood – and not afraid of forms that are organic and curved as well as linear. Tribe is the name of OKHA's first-ever outdoor range, though these furniture pieces have the kind of substance that makes for a statement indoors as well. We sat down with Adam to find out more about Tribe's genesis. ● Where did the inspiration for the range come from? ■ “I visited the London Design Biennale at Somerset House in 2023, an exhibition of design-led innovation from across the globe that featured works from…

“WHERE CAN I FIND WELL-DESIGNED FURNITURE that is well crafted and long-lasting, at accessible prices?” asks designer Joey Khuvutlu. This question inspired the formation and design of Daily, a proudly South African furniture and homeware brand focused on building a catalogue of pieces that are both gorgeous and economically accessible. With classics such as the Duduza lounger and the Masaisai cabinet, Daily creates with its clients in mind, crafting staples that elevate a home and are durable enough to be passed down through generations - all without breaking the bank. A self-taught designer with more than 20 years of experience in advertising, Joey is interested in making things that celebrate and nurture indigenous African designs, shapes and techniques. “I want us to export who and what we are to the…

■ While the first Bulgari Serpenti bag was introduced by the Roman brand in 2011, the iconic Serpenti (snake) jewellery range dates back to 1948. The Serpenti Forever Mini Top Handle bag in gold and ivory chevron fabric, with the covetable gold-plated snakehead clasp with onyx eyes, is pure luxury – its vintage glamour, opulence and classic cut wouldn't look out of place on the AmalfiCoast in the 1950s. POA | Bulgari Sandton City | info@picotandmoss.co.za ■ The very cool LV x Tyler Envelope Messenger was designed by rapper/producer Tyler, the Creator, in collaboration with luxury French fashion house Louis Vuitton. An undeniable future icon, the bag features the Craggy Monogram – a hand-drawn, stylised version of the famous LV monogram – as well as daisies and Airedale terriers. This…

✖ MATERIAL INNOVATION • THE GLOBAL TREND ■ Material innovation, particularly in sustainability, has revolutionised design by prioritising environmental responsibility alongside functionality and aesthetics. Designers now explore biodegradable materials, recycled components and renewable resources, creating products that minimise ecological impact. This shift has transformed design thinking, emphasising longevity, circularity and ethical production. The concept of “responsible design” drives this evolution, urging creators to consider a product's entire life cycle, from sourcing to disposal. Innovations like plant-based plastics, mycelium packaging and upcycled textiles demonstrate the way in which sustainability fosters creativity. By aligning design with environmental stewardship, material innovation not only produces groundbreaking objects, but also reshapes how we value and approach design itself. • THE LEXUS INITIATIVE: “LIMINAL CYCLES” ■ In partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA…

THE SEINE-MARITIME is an area in Haute-Normandie known for the high white limestone cliffs of Côte d'Albâtre. It's here, in the village of Écrainville, that Dutch fashion designers/artists Arnold van Geuns and Clemens Rameckers have settled. A couple for 50 years, they're also known under the brand name RAVAGE (RAmeckers VAn GEuns) – and, for the past two decades, they've owned and lived in the Château d’Écrainville. Built in the 17th-century style, Château d’Écrainville actually dates back to the late 19th century, as is evident from the large windows more typical of the later time period. They flood the interiors with natural light, and offer views of the manicured gardens. After serving as a frontline hospital during World War II, the château underwent a renovation in the 1970s, before Arnold…

COMPETING FOR FIRST PLACE IN THE SELFIE BACKDROP STAKES IS THE CARA SAVEN WALLPAPER DEPICTING WES ANDERSON'S GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, AND A STONE FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH DRIED FLOWERS AND CROWNED BY A DRAMATIC FABRIC CHANDELIER. WHEN IT COMES TO RENOVATING BUILDINGS in Cape Town's city centre, property developers tend to bet safe, choosing return-on-investment monochromatics and unobtrusive fittings and finishes. It takes major backbone to sell an aesthetic vision for an iconic heritage building that involves equal parts Wes Anderson quirk, old Hollywood glam and Parisian sex appeal. Then again, interior designers Nicola Orpen and Hayley Turner of Bone Studio have never been afraid of putting all their chips on the table. “‘Design with spine’ is the tagline we came up with when we started our business 13 years ago,”…

JULIA FRANCO, OWNER OF NOSSO I'm obsessed with Brazilian designer Humberto da Mata's Orgus collection. He combines materials such as papier-mâché, sand, wood and cast iron into organic, melting shapes. I've been dreaming of a shelf, but honestly, I'd take any piece from the collection! Locally, I went to an event by Pichulik and Shellegance a couple of months ago, and I saw an incredible piece by Lucie de Moyencourt (from Shellegance) that she had created for the event. She also had sidetables I completely fell in love with. She made them just for fun, so they're not for sale – but I really hope that one day she'll decide to let them go. Fingers crossed! On page 68, Brazilian native and passionate traveller Julia takes us on a road…

LET'S TALK ABOUT CREATIVITY – an unseen force pulling you along for the ride. One moment, you're sparked by inspiration and can't stop the excitement; the next, you feel your drive has burned out. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Creativity does not move in a straight line from inspiration to execution. It moves from inspiration to messy, unpredictable and feelings of uncertainty back to inspiration. It's a bit of a diva – showing up when it feels like, ghosting you when you need it most, and stealing the show in the end. But here's the thing: those highs and lows? They're not signs of failure; they're part of the creative process. If you embrace them as signposts, you'll see a path to show you the way to an outcome designed…

“COLOUR DRENCHING – USING THE SAME SHADE ACROSS WALLS, WOODWORK AND THE CEILING – WILL RESULT IN A SEAMLESS FLOW AND A COMFORTING SPACE, WHETHER YOU USE BOLD COLOUR OR A NEUTRAL SHADE.” – PATRICK O'DONNELL, INTERNATIONAL BRAND AMBASSADOR AND COLOUR CONSULTANT FOR FARROW & BALL…

A PIZZA OVEN ISN'T EXACTLY THE FIRST ITEM THAT SPRINGS TO MIND for our regular “Anatomy of…” series, which investigates the creative processes behind high-end furniture and lighting. But when it's one made by renowned studio and foundry Bronze Age, you know it has to be something special. Charles Haupt gives us some insight into the spectacular brass-domed pizza oven Bronze Age created for Delaire Graff Estate's new outdoor restaurant, Lorenzo's Cucina Italiana. • THE GENESIS AND THE IDEA ■ “In May last year, David Talbot and Heitor Pereira of architecture studio Platform came to see us about a project. Delaire Graff Estate had approached them to revive an existing braai area, and their original design proposal was a copper dome with large facets and a hammer-beaten texture. We workshopped…

• THE BRAND PHILOSOPHY ■ Nuuma embodies a kitchen culture that's focused on refined details, and on ensuring that every design keeps the people using it front of mind. A Nuuma kitchen is, therefore, more than just a task area: it's an experience of sophistication and style. • DESIGN APPROACH ■ The Nuuma design approach combines understated refinement with luxury details. These details are o? en introduced via the materials used, sophisticated textures and “touch” experiences. But form must follow function – and so every Nuuma kitchen focuses on relational living, where the space is designed in a way that enhances the experience of its users. The kitchen effortlessly integrates with the surrounding interiors, making a statement while seamlessly complementing the aesthetic of a home. • THE R ANGE ■…

THEY'RE KNOWN FOR THEIR BOLD, MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH that blends art and design with storytelling. Their work pushes creative boundaries, o† en exploring themes of identity, humour and social commentary. They seamlessly move between graphic design, installations and conceptual art, with a unique style that combines local influences with global relevance. They're admired in both design and art circles. They're Studio Jana + Koos… ● How did your partnership begin, and what inspired you to start Studio Jana + Koos together? ■ “We met while studying in Pretoria, immediately became friends, did a lot of projects together… and haven't really ever stopped.” ● Describe your design philosophy and the core principles that guide your creative process. ■ “Start fresh every time. Trust your gut. What's obvious to you isn't obvious to…

● AN ENGLISH VISION: TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND DECORATION FOR TODAY By Ben Pentreath (Rizzoli, 2024) ■ Written and photographed by Ben Pentreath – an architectural and interior designer, and co-owner of one of London's coolest shops, Pentreath & Hall – An English Vision both looks back on two decades of work and sets out its prize-winning author's tradition-informed approach to design. “Revisiting the projects that feature in this book, I've had a chance to think about some of the strands that tie our practice together: a sense of happiness, history, character, place, the whole, colour and imperfection, and an understanding of the different rhythms of time,” he writes. An English Vision features projects in both urban and more rural settings; the highlights range from a supremely elegant interior in the…

YOU CAN'T MISS TROPICANA – at least on paper. As you can see here, the striking hotel is a dreamy piece of confection that you could as much take a bite out of as step inside. Among its mostly monochromatic neighbours, the light-blue-and-pink Tropicana looks like it's crowned by a permanent rainbow and staffed by My Little Ponies. Except it's deceptively hard to spot in the flesh. Rising from a small triangular plot of land where Sea Point's Kloof Road forks, Tropicana's pale blue-meets-pastel pink manages a trick of hiding in plain sight. Along with its curves and soft lines, the blue half of its exterior merges with the sea and sky for most of the day, while the pink folds it into the blush of sunset. Robert Silke, founder…

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF CLEVERNESS GOING ON HERE. Let's start with the obvious one: the size. Called the Cabanon in deference to Cabanon de Le Corbusier, which the Modernist master built in 1951, this is most likely the smallest apartment in the world. Within the confines of its 6.89m2, its designers have magicked four rooms of ingeniously different volumes and materials. There's a 3m-high living room with a kitchen, a 1.14m-high bedroom with plenty of storage, a toilet with a rain showerhead, and a spa with an infrared sauna and a whirlpool bath. The clever folks behind this are STAR Strategies + Architecture, a firm based in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, founded in 2006 by Spanish architect and urbanist Beatriz Ramo. And Beatriz and her partner in work and…

WITH SEAMLESS INTEGRATION INTO THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE, this remarkable home is perfectly positioned within Seaton Estate, a coastal sanctuary that blends natural beauty with a sense of serenity. One side of the house opens to sweeping ocean vistas, welcoming the outdoors in and bathing the interiors in natural light. The house reflects Pat and Kate Lambie's vision of a peaceful, recharging environment – an escape where they can truly unwind. Located on KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast, Seaton's tranquil setting made it the perfect location to bring their dream to life, with the added expertise of leading furniture and homeware retailer, Weylandts, contributing to the interior. • CURATED PIECES FROM WEYLANDTS ■ The collaboration between Pat, Kate and Weylandts showcased a thoughtful approach to design. After a walk-through of the home, Chris…

• WHEN THE SUN HAS A DATE WITH THE MOON ■ Soleil Noir, designed by Odile Decq for Luceplan, is a futuristic symbol of the struggle between light and darkness. The pendant features an organic form in folded expanded polyurethane, with an LED source hidden inside a disk to provide indirect, diffused, glare-free light. luceplan.com • HAT TRICKS ■ Industrial designer and architect Stefano Giovannoni is the founder of Qeeboo, a brand known for its playful, out-of-scale and micro objects designed to create imaginative landscapes that transform everyday life. The pop icon Rabbit chair is one of Giovannoni's hat tricks; the idea of a rabbit – a gentle, loveable, shy animal – comes from the association of its silhouette with that of the seat, with the rabbit's “ears” becoming the…

WIN WITH INOVA CONCEPT STORE AND NEW WORKS One lucky VISI reader will win a SPHERE ADVENTURE LIGHT by New Works worth R4 950. Exclusively available at the Inova Concept Store, the contemporary Danish brand is known for its innovative sculptural lighting and furniture. The Sphere combines minimalist Scandi design with functionality, offering a sculptural (and portable) lighting solution for any space. Go to VISI.co.za/win to enter. WE ASKED YOU ONLINE: IF YOU COULD ADD ONE LUXURY FEATURE TO YOUR GARDEN, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 337 of you took our poll and let us know. Here are the results: 44% Large shaded deck for entertaining 23% Firepit with cosy seating 17% Pool with a hot tub 16% Outdoor kitchen #READERLOVE If you're enjoying the latest issue, we'd love for you…

CREATIVITY ISN'T EXCLUSIVE to the arts. It can transpire – and transform – any space, any profession, under any circumstances. The environments and opportunities necessary to foster and nurture creativity vary greatly. I happened to find the greatest platform for expressing my creativity once I decided to become a creative entrepreneur – even though that was never the plan. (More on that later.) Being a creative entrepreneur means placing independent thinking at the forefront of your career path. It also means being a creative problem-solver. My career occupies the intersection of the creative arts, cultural preservation and social impact. I also consider my parents, who inspired my independent career path, to be creative entrepreneurs, even though their fields occupied spaces different from my own. My father, a retired physician, wasn't…

• SENSORY DESIGN ■ Interior design is no longer just about the visual – the way you decorate your home should appeal to all the senses. Think a wealth of texture, scent and tranquil soft sound, as well as carefully controlled lighting and temperature. In terms of texture, bouclé-like fabrics can be introduced on a sofa – or in smaller doses with scatter cushions. Linen or silk wallpaper can add an interesting layer of texture to a wall, as can rough natural stone if that is more your style. On the olfactory front, scents can be introduced through candles, plants/flowers and air purifiers, and by ensuring fresh air movement. And to improve the acoustics in your home, try an acoustically optimal rug or Oggie Hardwood Flooring's Scandipanels – oak-and-felt wall…

TUCKED AWAY BETWEEN OLIVE GROVES AND VINEYARDS on a working boutique wine farm in the Franschhoek Valley, Terre Paisible Medical Rejuvenation & Spa offers a serene escape for those seeking a sensory reset away from the frenetic pace of city life. Designed by the award-winning Tristan du Plessis Studio, the space combines natural materials, soft curves and layered textures to evoke a sense of calm, perfectly in tune with its surroundings. “Our client's vision was a serene, contemporary space that balances warmth with a clean aesthetic,” says interior architect Tristan du Plessis of Tristan du Plessis Studio. “We selected a neutral palette, complemented by mirrored surfaces and stone, to evoke a sense of ethereal lightness while remaining firmly grounded in the environment.” To fully integrate the philosophy of “natural wellness”…

I'M BRAZILIAN, but there are many places in my country I've yet to explore – and I've long dreamt of road-tripping through Brazil's north and northeast regions. They're areas less frequented by tourists, filled with small, vibrant towns and playful, colourful communities. A visit to Brazil's largest crafts fair in Recife gave me the perfect excuse to pack my bags for a five-week journey with my husband and son. It would be a 1 800km road trip through northeastern Brazil, with a couple of weeks in São Paulo. We started in Recife, then wound our way past charming coastal towns like Maceió, Milagres and Porto de Galinhas, before finally reaching Salvador. Along the way, we stopped at Fenearte in Recife – a fair showcasing the work of more than 5…

“WE DESIGNED THE UNITS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY BASICALLY FOLDED OPEN ON SITE.” IF YOU WANT A CABIN WITH A VIEW, and you want it now, the folks you should be speaking to are Anthrop Abbott Architects. This project on a private farm northeast of GraaffReinet came from a client brief to design and build on a favourite family lookout spot in as short a time as possible. Fortunately, founding architect Leon van der Westhuizen and his team had recently completed a project with a similarly short lead time. Pretoria-based radio station Groot FM was looking for an attention-grabbing “treehouse” satellite studio to broadcast from in the vibey Old East Precinct of the city. Called the Boomhuis, it needed a small patio where impromptu shows could be held,…

CLOSE YOUR EYES. IMAGINE THE CAPE WINELANDS. Your mind's eye has likely conjured thick-walled, gable-crested Cape Dutch farmhouses, white against rows of emerald vines stretching towards hand-drawn mountainscapes that melt into the sky. Now take a sip of wine and open your eyes to a new “terroir”, because a contemporary architectural spirit is unfolding within this traditional tableau – one where sun-drenched valleys give rise to state-of-the-art buildings that prioritise sustainability, and world-class fine-dining restaurants spill into open-air galleries and museums. To explore this transition, we took the automotive equivalent of contemporary, progressive design – the Lexus NX450h+ – on a road trip through the Winelands. Each stop we made showcased the interior decorators, architects, artists and chefs who are leading the charge in reimagining this landscape as it reframes…

WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS A MASTERCLASS IN HOW TO SOLVE AN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL CHALLENGE. How do you merge three apartments over two levels into one beachside home, and do it in a way that maximises natural light, incorporates the views and seamlessly integrates all the spaces, while satisfying the homeowners’ desire to showcase their extensive art collection? Originally designed by SAOTA in 2009, the nine-storey apartment building overlooks Cape Town's legendary Clifton beaches. The task of merging the apartments was given to interior design studio ARRCC, in collaboration with Karen Stanek Design. ARRCC's first priority was to unify the floor plan and create a grand entrance on the top floor – one that would overlook the living space and offer unfettered views of the ocean. “Removing the slab…

“A FAILED EXPERIMENT CAN BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN A TRIVIAL DESIGN.” VERNER PANTON • FLEXIBLE STYLE ■ Danish architect and designer Verner Panton was influenced by his mentor Arne Jacobsen's organic style and obsession with new materials and technologies. During his career, Panton conceived many innovative, futuristic designs that redefined the function of furniture. In 1963, he created the multipurpose, stackable FLEX chair, with a characteristic tongue-shaped seat and softly curved backrest made to fit the contours of the human body, providing proper lumbar support, a healthy blood flow to the legs, as well as flexibility and bounce for a comfortable seating experience. Recently, the FLEX chair was recreated from the designer's original sketches in 100% recyclable polypropylene. verpan.com…

DEATH TO VULGAR SCONCES - LONG LIVE THE DODÒ! • • • NAMED LA DODÒ and designed by Domenico de Palo for Italian lighting manufacturer Viabizzuno, this recessed fitting is made of raw plaster, so that the surrounding wall's finish can be applied to the light's surface. You can then use the same plaster, paint or wallpaper on the fitting, creating an effect of a detached patch of wall that rises to reveal a niche in which the light source is concealed. The light can be either horizontal or vertical on the wall. viabizzuno.com…