WORDS Tracy Greenwood IMAGE Micky Hoyle
The VISI team spotted Karin Cronje’s delightful hello.karri furniture range at the 2018 Cape Town Homemakers Expo.
Two years ago, instead of taking the annual builder’s holiday, a few carpenters working for Hands On, Karin Cronje’s construction company, spent the time “playing” with timber offcuts reclaimed from building sites. And so hello.karri was born. We chatted to Karin about the brand.
Do you have a design background?
Not at all. I was a crime reporter at Die Burger and in the early 2000s my life took a complete turn and I started Hands On.
Tell us about your products.
I am passionate about practical furniture. Our various ranges include lockers, tables, play kitchens and practical furniture for the office, made of plywood and MDF board. Since these materials are affordable, we‘ve been manufacturing furniture for students, startups, young parents, bars and restaurants.
Do you use recycled materials?
Yes, as far as possible, especially Oregon pine and reclaimed plywood. And if we need to buy timber, we use only wood sourced from regulated suppliers and plantations.
The hello.karri studio is at The Hub, Fabriek St, Franschhoek. For more information, visit hellokarri.co.za.
