Beautiful Spaces: YSWARA Tearoom

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring

Luxury local tea label YSWARA has opened its first tearoom and store in Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct – and it’s beautiful to say the least.

The space, which focuses on the desert pink and rose gold hues that YSWARA is known for, was designed in collaboration with the talented Mia Widlake of Studio 19. Described by YSWARA as “afro-zen,” the design takes inspiration from across the continent. “Our decor reflects our Pan-African spirit with inspirations from all parts of Africa: a Moroccan-inspired tearoom, Coptic crosses from Ethiopia, totem lamps inspired by West and Central Africa, etc.,” explains the team behind this growing brand. “Every detail has meaning.”

This award-winning business, whose products are locally manufactured in the Cradle of Humankind, is now available at 25 retailers in 15 countries around the world. Founder Swaady Martin describes the store’s choice of colour and pattern as something she would have picked out as a child, with dusty pink being one of her favourite colours early on, as well as the colour she chose for her first apartment in Switzerland 20 years ago. “I don’t think of them as childish,” she says, ”rather they are timeless reflections of who I am.”

Apart from the calming use of colour, the tearoom’s interiors are made up of a combination of natural materials, including stone, marble, copper and wood. The brand’s aim is to provide a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the bustling Johannesburg CBD.

The opening of the tearoom also sees an extension in YSWARA’s range of accessories, including new ceramic, glass and copper tea-sets made in collaboration with local artisans.

The YSWARA tearoom is located on the ground floor of the iconic COSMOPOLITAN building on the corner of Commissioner & Albrecht Streets, Maboneng (opposite the Museum of African Design). Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday from 9am – 5pm and Sundays from 9am – 4pm.

For more information, visit yswara.com.