PHOTO: Micky Hoyle | INTERVIEW: Alma Viviers
The owner of Cape Town’s Créma Design, Kate Liebenberg, relishes the intricate details, stories and humour involved in the world of contemporary furniture.
Where does your passion for design come from?
My father was – and still is – involved in the hotel industry so, on our holidays to Europe while growing up in Harare, my siblings and I were fortunate to stay in some of the finest hotels. That’s when I knew I wanted to be surrounded by beautiful pieces.
When did you start Créma Design?
Selling and showing houses stimulated my interest in the world of design. I studied architectural design at Cape Town’s Design Time College and then ran St Leger and Viney’s Cape Town fabrics showroom. In 2002, Grant Hood and I started Créma in the original Cape Quarter in Green Point, which we opened with only two suppliers. I have since bought the company and now stock 11 suppliers.
Why the name?
It was originally “Créma – Oggetto del Desiderio”, or “Objects of Desire”, alluding to the perfect créma on a cup of coffee. I added “Design” so that people would stop phoning to sell us coffee machines.
• Créma Design: 021 434 0661, www.cremadesign.co.za
