Pedigreed mongrels

Like kind hearted animal lovers, Wolfgang Muller and Zoë Laband of Brak Furniture take in mongrel furniture and lovingly transform it into pedigree pieces.

“We decided on the name Brak because a brak is, as you know, a mongrel dog in Afrikaans,” Zoë says. “And that’s what our pieces of upcycled furniture are: items that were unloved and unwanted, a little dirty and stinky and then rescued by us. We love them and restore them to their former glory. Or make them even better then they were.”

Wolfgang and Zoë are trained screenwriters and filmmakers but say their furniture business, which started as a hobby in the middle of the year, is now taking up most of their time. “We upcycled furniture in Wolf’s dad’s garage for fun, and when our house was filled to the brim we started selling it at Market on Main on Sundays.”

Market goers received the well-priced pieces with open arms, this demand prompted Brak Furniture to begin selling online and upping their production.

“Wolf’s dad (a Swiss cabinet-maker and shopfitter) has taken over the actual manufacturing of the pieces now which enables us to be a lot more creative and detailed in our designs,” Zoë says. “We are currently designing a few more ranges for the actual launch of Brak Furniture in the new year, which will feature a lot more original pieces, still at a great price.”

While they aren’t upcycling or designing for their new range, Zoë and Wolfgang are scouring spots for unloved furniture that need a little TLC. “Hunting for old furniture is probably the most thrilling and pleasurable part of our business,” Zoë says. “It’s really exciting to find an old and scabby ‘brak’ and imagine its potential and the colours that would bring it back to life.”

Colour is another integral part of Zoë and Wolfgang’s approach to furniture. “We are definitely not afraid of colour! Colour in furniture is bold. It can really emphasise a design feature and it brings personality to a room. We’re sick to death of sterile white and grey interiors. But one beautiful and colourful piece of furniture can transform a room into something joyful.”

Brak Furniture’s pieces are selling like a litter of adorable new puppies. Check out their website to buy online or visit them at Market on Main in in Johannesburg.

More information: http://brakfurniture.blogspot.com