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Black and white beaded lights by Mash.T combine with Wiid Design's cork pendants. The Naturalis chairs sport a pattern by Nando's Hot Young Designer Talent Search finalist Sapamandla Mdunyelwa. -
The red benches are from Houtlander and the tables feature a pattern by Nando's Hot Young Designer Talent Search finalist Primrose Chimhanda. -
The host unit is by Saks Corner and the Skyline pendants were designed by Mash.T and hand painted by Sakhile Cebekhulu. -
The exterior is now adorned with a Half Square tiled art piece by Jenny Parsons supplied by Spier Arts Trust.
WORDS Robyn Alexander IMAGES Elsa Young, courtesy of Nando’s CLOUT
Nando’s brings its renowned global focus on South African art and design full circle with the revamp of the brand’s store in Rosettenville, Joburg.
Nando’s opened its very first store in Rosettenville in 1987. Yes, although it seems like the beloved fast-food brand has been around forever, it’s really just over 30 – a smack-in-the-middle millennial, if you like. These days it’s hard to imagine South Africa without Nando’s, and VISI’s favourite element of the company’s global identity is undoubtedly its ongoing commitment to local design and art.
Which is why, as designer and curator of the space Tracy Lynch puts it, it’s so exciting to see the original Nando’s space revamped to be “an extraordinary showcase of South African design”. The brand’s celebration of local design takes place on both a national and global level, informed by what she calls “the concept of using exceptional South African designed furniture and an interior-design ZAesthetic”.
As an interior designer, Tracy says she loves “the idea of visioning interiors for Nando’s as South African design theatre”, and the revamped Rosettenville space includes work by some of VISI’s favourites. There are hanging lights by Mash.T, cool cork pendants by Wiid Design and fabulous terracotta tiles by Wolkberg, for example.
Wall tiles by Wolkberg.
And the artworks supplied by the Spier Arts Trust are wonderful too – we wholeheartedly agree with Tracy that the Half Square tiled piece by Jenny Parsons, installed on the facade of the building, is a particular highlight. “The local design scene is rich and diverse,” says Tracy, “and currently we’re only working with a fraction of the designer-makers out there, but what’s important about them is that they’re world class in relation to innovation, craft, and a unique approach to design and quality. This is a creative community fuelled by passion and commitment.”
The hanging lights are by Candice Lawrence of Modern Gesture and the red server is by Sifiso Shange. Interior artworks are by Spier Arts Trust artists.
The Rosettenville store revamp is the perfect salute to how far both Nando’s and South African design have come in the past 30 years, and we can’t wait to check it out for ourselves – and munch on our favourite hot quarter-chicken and chips in-store while admiring its exuberant interiors.
