PHOTOS Kelvin Saunders WORDS Debbie Loots
Children dream beyond what they see, believes Deánne Viljoen, the owner and designer of De Steyl, a furniture design and manufacturing company in George. They are interested in the things that surround them, they see beauty in tiny details, they are little people who grow up, change and adapt over the years in the spaces of the homes they share with their parents – just like the lovely range of furniture, Play Play that Deánne, an architect by trade, designs for them.
Inspired by the 1950s Scandinavian furniture she grew up with, as well as that odd quirky piece she thinks we all remember from childhood, Play Play is a modular chest range made from sustainable birch plywood with removable drawer boxes laminated in white, blue or grey, and various leg options.
For Deánne, it’s really about putting the fun in functional design and excellence in quality when considering furniture that grows with the child. Not only is it environmentally sustainable, but it saves money, too.From storing nappies to stationery supplies and, if one day your teenager has simply grown out of love with a piece, it should be good enough to use anywhere else in the house.
Adding even more play, Deánne has collaborated with pattern designer Renée Rossouw to create some bold motifs for the new range.
See more of our designs for kids here.
