WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Sarah de Pina
Local design studio Mash.T introduces the new Brazzo range – a collection of pendants that are the result of a happy accident.
Creative Director Thabisa Mjo found some brass sheets in the studio and decided to make cute character lights. “I was intrigued by the innate contrast between the irreverent design and the sophisticated substance; a juxtaposition I felt was offbeat enough for the lights to have a bit of a sense of humour,” Thabisa says.
READ MORE: Mash.T Design Studio’s Ceramic Range
They started by constructing the little figurines by stacking the metal moulds in a puzzle formation. “The process was really one of trial and error, trying one piece against the other, until we eventually arrived at the shape of each light,” she continues.
Because brass sheets can be complicated to work with, the team find this collection very special and unique. The brass hardens very fast so needs to be cooled down during the spinning process. To create a satin-smooth finish, each pendant goes through up to four grinding processes and is then varnished in a clear lacquer finish to protect the material.
READ MORE: Lights On: New Lighting Designs
Thabisa is particularly fond of the Mesh Table Lamp and the Mon Pendant because they incorporate a black steel mesh, giving the lights a contemporary edge. “Just like the collection, the idea for the mesh steel was born out of experimentation: although we initially thought we would augment these lights with perforated brass, we found that it wasn’t strong enough to maintain the beautiful round form we were aiming for. We tried mesh steel instead, and found that it worked far better than perforated brass,” says Thabisa.
The range is available through mashtdesignstudio.com
In a VISI exclusive, Mash.T Design Studio and paint specialists Simply Colour teamed up to created these limited edition lamps inspired by the arcade game from the 80s.
VISI Collab: Limited Edition Mash.T X Simply Colour Pac-Man Lamps
Available exclusively in three colourways, the lamps make a bright addition to any bedside table or desk.
R3 100 | VISI Shop
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