Midlife makeover

WORDS: Remy Raitt

With over two generations of friendship between them, the forces behind Ardmore Ceramic Art and Mavromac Fabrics have joined together for an exciting “Qalakabusha”, a new beginning in Zulu.

Fee Halsted of Ardmore and Marguerite Mavros Macdonald of Mavromac grew up together in the former Rhodesia, and, together with Fee’s children, recently collaborated on a bespoke couch and fabric range.

The decision was a no-brainer. “Both companies have an excellent reputation and standing,” says Fee. “When we launched the Ardmore Design Collection with its exclusive range of top-quality lifestyle products last year, it was a given to partner with Marguerite on this new and exciting project. As we’re both mature women, we were ready for adventure.”

With their experience and their children’s vibrancy, an incredible creation emerged: the limited-edition Qalakabusha sofa. This unique piece has wowed the design world at a number of international events, including Li Edelkoort’s Talking Textiles presentation in Milan, The South Africa in Colour Exhibition in Austria and the Belgrade September Design Fair. Now 40 design lovers have the chance to call one of the numbered sofas their own.

A second wind in their careers

The collaboration will also see a range of new fabrics being born. According to Marguerite, we can expect patterns different to the sofa but “still with lots of spontaneous combustion, including some great fillers with a simpler Ardmore personality”.  Fee says some have “a more tasteful classical-sophisticated colour tone”, while others are “hot, fresh and zany”.

The two say this venture is really a second wind in each of their careers. “It’s taken Ardmore 25 years to build a client base and expertise. To now begin learning the fabric business might take another lifetime, so partnering with Mavromac makes sense.”

Marguerite agrees that the collaboration was just too tempting to pass up: “It’s not hard to be seduced by the raw appeal and originality of this incredible creation (the sofa). It’s like the Ardmore Ceramics – uninhibited, naïve and honest. Catherine, Jonathan (Fee’s children) and Diana, the designer, have to put up with a lot from Fee and me, but we’re all loving the buzz.”

Both women say the children have been working hard under their watchful eyes. “They’re so respectful and I commend their patience. Now they have Marguerite adding her ideas as well, so the poor kids are sometimes exasperated by the two of us. Marguerite and I, on the other hand, are so enjoying working with and mentoring our kids and getting a kick out of their enthusiasm and energy.”

The energy is certainly evident in the final products, which will get your inner design gauge clocking overtime – something Marguerite says she still feels when she looks at the Qalakabusha sofa. “My heart starts racing every time I look at this amazing creation.”

More information: www.ardmoreceramics.co.za, www.mavromac.co.za