Sit & Co. Online Shop

INTERVIEWED BY Lindi Brownell Meiring

Started by brother-and-sister team Martin and Sue Harris in Johannesburg, Sit & Co. is an online furniture store that allows you to choose exactly what you want. We chatted to the duo to find out more.

What was the idea/concept behind starting Sit & Co.?

After working in the furniture industry for many years, Martin started his own decor business in 2013. When we realised that we were custom-making almost all of the furniture for our clients, we decided to start the Sit & Co. online shop. We thought if there are more people out there like our clients, this could be an amazing opportunity for us to expand on our business and start something exciting and creative. There are so many options for a single piece of furniture, and we always say the client should have the freedom to choose the fabric and make it as comfortable as possible, by adjusting the furniture to their specific needs rather than buying from a chain store. 

What makes Sit & Co. different from other online decor stores?

We want to make it possible for the customer to have more freedom when choosing fabrics and making adjustments, e.g. deeper seat, higher back, etc. Our online shop has a variety of fabric choices, and we are updating these regularly to reflect trends and seasons. We want a more personal take on things, where we work with the customer to get the perfect piece of furniture. The quality is excellent and we strive to deliver within two to three weeks. 

Which furniture item do you love designing the most?

We love designing something that a client saw but wants to tweak a little bit. We have found that by doing this the client gets the aesthetic and ergonomic features they want. It is all about comfort and visual satisfaction.

This is very true for chairs. Couches are usually shared, so when it comes to chairs, we like the idea of each family member having a customised chair. This also suits our outlook on interiors – to have a combination of styles in one room, provided it makes sense. There’s no rule that every chair in one room has to be identical.

How does the process of purchasing from your store work?

You can visit the website and browse through the catalogue. Every item has a selection of fabrics and sizes. You pick the style you like and when you reach the checkout, there’s a comment/note box where you can specify exactly which features you want changed. We will then contact you to make sure we understand your requirements, after which we process and capture the order.

For more information, visit sitandco.com.