
WORDS Tracy Greenwood
How proud we are here at VISI HQ that South African design is continuing to make its mark on the international scene. Here is our showcase of only a few of the exhibitors who took part in Maison&Objet Paris in September.
Swerving Savannahs, a range that celebrates all 847 plant species in the southern African grasslands, is one of two ranges shown in Paris by Amanda du Plessis and her company Evolution Product. This blue botanical print art panel (150 x 300 cm) is made of 100 % linen.
Jacques Cronje, founder and product designer at bespoke timber lighting and furniture company minima, is known for his sophisticated Scandi-style designs. The products are lightweight and come flat-packed, and they clip together like puzzle pieces. The minima 2016/17 range of timber-ribbed ceiling lights, including the Lucent light featured here, were launched at Maison&Objet Paris.
Designer Natalie du Toit’s Facet glass-topped coffee table, part of Indigi Designs’ Geometric Facet range, is made of epoxy-coated mild steel with a smoked-glass top.
Furniture designer Deánne Viljoen of De Steyl showed her 2DO Stackable Storage System at Maison&Objet 2016. Created in collaboration with artist Renée Rossouw, the storage system is made of sustainable birch plywood with Renée’s distinctive Liquorice African Candy motif in water-based ink on the front and sides. We love the Yellow Tower on Wheels, pictured here, with its handy casters.
The design of the Cape Spring table was inspired by wildflowers blooming in Namaqualand in spring, says designer John Vogel. It is part of a new collection made mainly of factory offcuts and waste timber, including sculptured wall hooks and floating shelves, all designed to be flat-packed.
Designer Adam Hoets of Willowlamp took five chandeliers to Maison&Objet Paris, including this striking Protea chandelier in brass.