Local furniture stalwart Coricraft has introduced a new stylish and comfortable leather couch, the Rosco, to its extensive collection.

Lounge in absolute comfort and luxury with the new Coricraft Rosco couch. The homegrown company prides itself on its made-to-order process, creating opportunities for Cape Town artisans to create personalised and quality furniture.

The concept behind the Rosco is to elevate and transform the everyday leather couch into a timeless yet contemporary piece of furniture that is perfect for relaxing, socialising and looks beautiful in any lilting room setting.

Each custom couch is stuffed with Corifill. Coricraft decided on less fill for maximum comfort and no overstuffing, the deeper seating also allows owners to recline, curl up or stretch out. Textural interest is created by the reverse seam, creating an interesting edge and a lived-in appearance.

The arms are lower and wider for optimum leaving while the back cushions are lined with regular material, giving the leather breathability.

“Rich browns are a prominent international trend, as we move away from cold greys and towards warmer, inviting chocolatey browns. Columbian Brown is understated but rich and textured in colour, allowing it to live in multiple settings and interior environments,” their website explains on the colour palette.

The Rosco is available as a 2-seater, 3-seater or a corner L-shaped couch.

For more information, visit coricraft.co.za.

Looking for more on decor and design? Read about Toogood’s new homeware collection.

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With a solid beechwood base and customisable upholstery colours, the generous BOMBOM sofas are finished in boldly hued stretch fabric outlined by solid black. The backrests, which have removable covers, are mobile and independent of one another, giving the sofas a free-form feel. The collection also includes rugs adorned with Vasconcelos’s original, colourful drawings.

For more information, visit roche-bobois.com.

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From Lalela’s latest scarf collection and illuminated illustrations to a new Pedersen + Lennard couch and a beautiful animation on the life cycle of flowers, here are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 320.

1. Lalela’s Winter Collection 2020

Local NPO Lalela, which provides arts education for at-risk youth in Sub-Saharan Africa, has released a brand-new range of wearable designs in the form of a winter scarf collection. The scarves feature work created by Lalela learners.

Image credit: Higor Bastos, courtesy of lalela.org

2. Story of Flowers Animation

Directed by Azuma Makoto, featuring illustrations by Katie Scott and animation by James Paulley, Story of Flowers is an educational short depicting the life cycle of plants and flowers in a graphic and imaginative way, from pollination and rooting to spawning seeds and eventually decay.

Video via AMKK000 on YouTube.com

3. Pedersen + Lennard’s Escarpment Couch

Cape Town-based brand Pedersen + Lennard’s Escarpment Couch is the studio’s first fully upholstered piece. Featuring a slight recline, the couch is designed to provide both comfort and support.

Images courtesy of pedersenlennard.co.za

4. Diane Shearer’s Illustrations

Using pencil crayons in combination with pen, local artist Diane Shearer draws the landscapes she sees on her travels around South Africa and its neighbouring countries. From the mountains of Lesotho to the bright purple petals of Pretoria’s Jacaranda trees, she uses a combination of pattern, repetition, line and colour to capture her surrounding environments.

Namibia

Zimbabwe

Lesotho

Pretoria

Images courtesy of dianeshearer.co.za

5. Enrique Bernal’s Iluminated Illustrations

Illustrator Enrique Bernal (aka Kike) uses the app Medipang Paint to add artificial lighting to his illustrations. The glow mimics a fluorescent light being held up to the subjects, illuminating their faces or bodies in hints of neon.

Image credit: Enrique Bernal via mymodernmet.com

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 320 on picks of the week 19.

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“We wanted to say thanks to customers for their loyal support — and what better way to do it than with our most iconic sofa,” says Weylandts founder and CEO Chris Weylandt.

“Weylandts has always been about good, contemporary design, complemented by the raw textures of nature,” he adds. The unique Namibian desert landscape is what inspired us in the first place and the colour of this limited-edition sofa is a homage to where we started.”

With its bold, bulky shape, raw hand-crafted finishes and meticulous attention to detail — like the iconic reverse-stitching and natural markings  — the Marconi has stood the test of time. In fact, it’s become more popular over time. And with its retro price tag, it’s sure to become the centrepiece of many more contemporary South African homes for years to come.

4 REASONS TO BUY THE MARCONI

• LONG-LASTING MATERIAL: Made from a natural full-grain leather with an aniline dye finish (which preserves the natural look and markings) a solid wood frame, and high-quality deep padding, this sofa is made to last for decades to come.
• HANDCRAFTED FINISHES: Reverse seaming exposes raw edges while meticulous hand-cutting and stitching ensure consistency of quality.
• DESIGN DETAILS: With its recognisable bold, bulky shape, deep-padded arms and back and confident, laid-back attitude, the Marconi’s design has stood the test of time.
• RETRO PRICE: Sold at exactly the same price as when it was first launched, the limited-edition Marconi is a deal worth celebrating.

The Marconi will be available online and at all Weylandts stores until 30 April 2019, while stocks last.

Visit weylandts.co.za for more information and to shop online.

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Danish furniture brand sofacompany.com, with showrooms in Cape Town and Johannesburg, allows you to hand pick and design your own furniture.

Entitled Make Me, a nifty and easy-to-use feature on the brand’s website, you are able to select the model, fabric, button colour and wood used for the legs of each piece you create. You can play with different designs, viewing each item you make up in 360 degrees, with a choice of more than 50 products in 25 different materials and colours.

“By bringing together all the orders, we can reduce our costs by producing your completely unique furniture,” says the brand on its website. “The savings we pass on to you, and that is why it only costs approximately 20% more when designing your own, with us.”

For more information, visit za.sofacompany.com.

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The creation of these striking pieces sees renowned South African designer Rich Mnisi make a move from fashion to furniture design.

The design, which consists of a limited edition navy chaise and matching stool, follows on from his latest fashion collection launched in Lagos in October 2017, entitled Nwa-Mulamula, after his late great-grandmother. The concept behind its winding, organic design has intrinsic meaning for Rich.

“For me, the chaise, which takes the shape of Nwa-Mulamula‘s (The Guardian’s) body in the form of a navy leather couch, represents her presence and long-lasting teachings,” says Rich. “And the stool, in the shape of an eye with gold puddles, represents her tears, which were never in vain. Without her pain and her experiences, I wouldn’t exist. I couldn’t be the person I am today.”

The designs are on display at Southern Guild in Cape Town’s Silo District as part of Extra Ordinary, a group exhibition running until 16 April 2018.

“I’m very excited about the exhibition, and the opportunity to have had this platform which enabled me to be free, and expand my vision into a whole new and different reality,” he says.

Extra Ordinary also highlights the work of artists and designers Adam Hoets (willowlamp), Atang Tshikare, Chuma Maweni, Daniella Mooney, Douglas & Company, Ferdi B. Dick, Heino Schmitt, Houtlander, Ida Elsje & Philippa Green, Jesse Ede, Madoda Fani, Stanislaw Trzebinski, Trevor Potter, Xavier Clarisse and Zizipho Poswa.

For more information, visit southernguild.co.za.

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However, Claire Gibson from leading furniture manufacturer, La-Z-Boy, says that with the right approach and level of care, fabric upholstery can be kept in excellent condition.

Invest In a Fabric Treatment

If you are investing in a luxury fabric sofa, then investing in fabric treatment is a must, as it goes a long way to ensuring that your sofa will maintain its good looks for years to come. The treatments help make the fabric stain-resistant, and much easier to clean than fabric that hasn’t been treated. You can get your sofa treated before it is delivered, or you can opt to invest in upholstery fabric that has already been treated.

Clean Your Fabric Sofa Regularly

It is highly advisable to give your sofa a really good clean on a regular basis, advises Claire. “The fibres in the upholstery collect dirt particles and keep them hidden below the surface of the fabric. Over time, these particles will not only discolour the fabric, but they rub against the fabric’s threads, which will end up wearing the fabric down.” The following three steps will help maintain your fabric upholstery:

• Vacuum your sofa at least once a week in order to draw out all the loose dust and dirt from both under and above the surface. Use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and gentle movements to avoid damaging the fabric in any way.
• Wipe away any grime or light marks with a damp cloth after vacuuming.
• Once a month, use a fabric-friendly cleaning product to perform a deep cleanse. Apply it to the fabric with a minimum amount of water (without soaking the fabric) and leave it to work its magic. Leave it to dry naturally before sitting on it, as this will prevent any creases from forming.

General Care

Claire says that aside from cleaning, there are a few other things that can be done to maintain the beauty of your fabric sofa – these include:

• Avoid heat damage: Exposing fabric to UV-rays from direct sunlight will eventually make it fade and become brittle. This not only applies to the sun however – it is advisable to also keep your fabric sofa away from radiators, fireplaces, hot pipes and heaters, which will also cause fabric to dry out and become warped. The best place to position your sofa is in a shady spot, away from any radiant heat source.
• Plump your cushions: It is important to service your cushions to ensure that they keep their shape and provide the best comfort possible. Plump out the seat, arms and back cushions as often as possible.

Treating Spills and Stains

No matter how careful you are, accidents still happen. “When spills happen, which they will, the most important thing is to act quickly so that it doesn’t stain,” says Claire. “The longer the spill stays on the fabric, the more difficult it will become to remove. The first thing you need to do is to gently mop up any excess liquid from the surface of the fabric with a clean cloth or paper towel. Never wipe – always dab, and work from the outside edge inwards to prevent it from spreading. If it is a solid, then carefully scoop it up with a spoon.”

There are various “treatments” that are specific to specific substances – here is a rundown of some of them:

• Alcoholic drinks: Dab with an absorbent cloth to remove as much excess liquid as possible. Then sponge the area sparingly with a mixture of warm water and surgical spirits in equal parts.
• Black coffee: Mix alcohol and white vinegar in equal parts and soak a lint-free cloth in the solution. Then lightly dab the stained area before pressing gently with an absorbent cloth.
• Blood: Remove any excess blood by blotting with a damp sponge, then gently dab the area using undiluted vinegar, followed by cold water.
• Butter, grease or sauces: First, scrape the area in question with a spoon or knife to remove any excess oil. Then soak a lint-free cloth in a white spirit and gently dab the affected area.
• Chocolate, egg or milk:  Dab around the edge of the stain and work your way inwards with a cloth soaked in a white spirit. Then repeat the action with a cloth soaked in diluted vinegar.
• Fruit, fruit juice or red wine: Immediately dab the stain with a 3:1 mixture of surgical spirits or rubbing alcohol and water.

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The new modular sofa range from Weylandts allows you to create the ideal sofa for your space and needs.

The three new ranges, namely the Mondu Modular, Manhattan Modular and the Easy Living Modular, are suited to varying budgets. The Mondu Modular starts at R3 995, the Manhattan Modular is priced from R8 995 and the Easy Living Modular from R6 995.

The Mondu Modular is made up of three elements with different configurations, making it easy to arrange, while the Manhattan Modular, available in a soft new Intaba slate leather, features eight elements to help you create the exact design you need. The seven-piece Easy Living Modular has a classic, clean design with 100% linen slip-covers. The sofa is available in white and grey, each with a teeth stitch detail.

For more information, visit weylandts.co.za.

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South African hairdresser-turned-award-winning-furniture-designer Sarah Bain shares what it’s like to change course, pursue a passion, and live in Paris.

Born and bred in Cape Town to parents who were passionate about restoring old Cape furniture, Sarah recalls weekends and school holidays “being dragged around dorpies looking for yellowwood and stinkwood pieces, often disguised under layers of peagreen oil paint, and then being forced to help restore them – uncool for a teenager!”

Sarah’s hairdressing training led her to Paris, and later a job at L’Oréal where she remained for 20 years, rising through the ranks to become international director of education. At the age of 50, ready for a new challenge, she signed up for a course at an art school, Écoule Boulle, to “transform some sort of latent flair into the profession of furniture design and wood handcrafting”. She set up Atelier de Sarah in 2015.

Making a life as an artist in Paris sounds like a dream come true!

I am married to a fabulous Frenchman, Jean-François; I am fluent in the language, quirks, cheese culture and driving habits; and I’m grateful to France for having integrated me. I love living here!

You’ve won awards for your work?

My piece Aurore just won the 2016 Carrousel des Métiers d’Art et de Création Young Talent Award (“young” referring to my experience, not my age!). The prize, worth €5 000, was a stand at the Carrousel du Louvre.

Tell us about your Aurore piece.

Aurore (the French word for dawn) is a console in luminescent wood inspired by the work of French Art Deco designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, revisited in a contemporary way using traditional techniques and materials (wood, veneers), contemporary materials (Plexiglass) and modern technology (LED lighting).

What inspires you?

I am passionate about styles from about 1900 to 1965, which includes Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Arts and Crafts and Mid-century Modern. My life has had quite a lot to do with Japan, and you’ll also see a Japanese element overlaying my work.

What do you love about what you do?

I love going into people’s homes, listening to their stories and needs, and building, together, the concept for a piece of furniture that will become part of their memories. I get immense satisfaction from the complicity that develops and the joy as they receive their own bespoke, handcrafted, stamped piece of furniture.

What’s on the horizon for 2017?

I am sure the young trendies will be making furniture in curved, bulbous, amoebic forms manufactured with digital milling machines or poured resins, but it’s not my thing! I’m about authentic, slowly made, timeless design, using locally grown woods (no melamine, chip or fibreboard), which I guess is a trend in itself, but not mainstream. My next project will be something combining wood with slate and mother-of-pearl inlay.

See more work from Atelier de Sarah here. 

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Iconic South African art studio Ardmore has launched a limited edition Zambezi Sofa.

As with all of Ardmore’s works of art, designs are inspired by the artists from Ardmore Ceramic Art. The various elements for the sofa were curated and laid out by Ardmore’s design team and then hand painted by artist Sidney Nyabeze.

The printed cotton that covers this statement-making occassional seat artfully combines elements from most of Ardmore’s new signature fabric designs in the Zambezi Collection: monkeys, strelitzias and crocodile skin patterning from “River Chase” fabric are boldly combined with the royal leopard and borders from the “Bush Bandits” design.

With just 40 available, this makes for a bold and sophisticated collector’s piece.

The Zambezi Sofa retails for R55 000. Find out more here.

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