WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

African Jacquard, known for its distinctive jacquard-woven home textiles, has ventured into the outdoor space with the launch of their Outdoor Kuba Collection, inspired by the rich geometric patterns of traditional Kuba cloth from the Congo.

At this year’s CTFW, the brand showcased the new collection in collaboration with HALDANE‘s Polka and Hula outdoor furniture collections, by developing a curated colour palette that seamlessly complemented the designer’s distinctive pieces.

The Outdoor Kuba Collection features UV-resistant, water-repellent upholstery fabric, available by the metre, making it ideal for outdoor furniture, parasol umbrellas, floating pool loungers, and so much more.

“We are excited to bring African Jacquard outdoors,” says Donna Allin, MD of African Jacquard. This boutique collection is our first step into growing our outdoor offering, and we look forward to seeing how it transforms spaces where people gather, unwind, and connect.”

To complement the launch of the new fabric, African Jacquard has introduced outdoor scatter cushions, designed with a textured wale weave, available in four curated colours (Mist, Plum, Terracotta and Evergreen) and offered in both ready-made and custom sizes. | africanjacquard.com

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WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Emma Jude Jackson

Debuted during Cape Town Furniture Week 2025, Haldane‘s new outdoor kitchen island – Galapagos – sets a new benchmark for alfresco entertaining.

“The Galapagos concept takes cues from indoor kitchen island trends, transforming outdoor entertaining and meal prep into a communal, convivial experience,” says Haldane Martin, furniture designer and founder of Haldane.

The new luxury outdoor kitchen island is ideal for both residential and commercial spaces, thanks to its modular design. The Galapagos easily complements pre-existing built-in braai areas, combining modules integrating a variety of outdoor appliances (such as under-counter refrigeration, gas grill and gas hob, prep bowl and mixer) to create a sophisticated hub for entertainment and storage.  

Every detail of the Galapagos has been carefully considered. It boasts a weather-resistant stainless-steel frame, wrapped in powder-coated aluminium cladding and door fronts, and topped with a sleek 20mm carbon-neutral Dekton porcelain countertop.

“It’s a durable synthesis of luxury and utility,” says Danielle Martin. “For Haldane’s inaugural showroom unit, our team chose a three-colour palette – terra brown, pastel turquoise and cream, taking inspiration from the vibrant colours of the blue-footed booby, a marine bird native to the Galápagos Islands.” The island-inspired naturalist Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution. “As a designer, I’ve always been fascinated by evolution – natural, cultural, technological and social. For me, design is an evolutionary process, and the Galapagos collection reflects this ethos,” says Haldane Martin. 

The eye-catching modular kitchen islands are available in 25 powder-coating colours and 10 stone finishes, with countertops of varied depths that cater for seating or wall placement. This latest collection underpins Haldane’s commitment to cutting-edge design. | haldane.co.za

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South Africa’s design maverick Haldane Martin, the creative force behind the Haldane brand, has just opened a new studio and showroom together with his partner in work and life, Danielle.

Located on one of the wide boulevard spokes attached to Cape Town’s Salt River Circle, the new Haldane showroom is the perfect representation of the brand. Like the furniture created by one of the mavericks of South African design, it’s a thoroughly contemporary re-interpretation of an old space.

Formerly a two-story steel engineering business, the 1920s-era building now features a single-volume open-plan layout with three large front-facing windows that allow natural light to stream into the atmospheric space. And given that the Haldane range now focuses on outdoor furniture, the cavernous, conservatory-like space filled with beams of sunlight is as good as an indoor environment can get when displaying outdoor ranges.

We spoke to Haldane Martin and his partner Danielle to find out more about how they found this beautiful space.

What prompted the move from your previous space?

Danielle: “We outgrew our former studio – a Victorian church hall-turned-home in Roodebloem Road in Woodstock. What had started as a quirky work-from-home space had developed through the years into our furniture studio headquarters. But as our business flourished and our team grew, we needed a larger space to put down our roots – and our boxes and tools and many, many beautiful chairs!”

How did you find the building?

Haldane: “We hunted high and low. We looked at buying a plot of land as well as at building something completely new; we considered moving the showroom part of our business into a slick-lick space and splitting our customer-facing team away from the nitty-gritty of production. As we went through this process, our needs became clear: we wanted the team to stay together – and we needed a showroom at the front, a warehouse at the back, drive-in access, and ample natural light. En route to dinner one evening, Danielle spotted a huge black-and-white Ryan Joffe ‘for sale’ sign. We pulled over at 57 Salt River Road and gave him a call.”

What was the clincher? What made you decide this was the right space for the new showroom

Danielle: “When viewing the building, Haldane asked whether we could bash a hole in the ceiling to see what we were working with. We climbed the ladder to poke our heads through the ceiling; one by one, we came down that ladder with eyes like saucers. The hole in the boards revealed an enormous untouched cavity with clerestory windows. We knew instantly this was the space we needed. Our outdoor furniture collections have room to breathe here, surrounded by foliage and patio-like finishes such as clay brick paving, and greenhouse typologies like steel and glass.”

Tell us about the building’s provenance, and what structural changes you made.

Haldane: “The building had gone through a bad reno in the 1980s, which completely robbed it of its beauty. It originally housed Consani Engineering, a company that works with steel on an industrial scale. We managed to unearth voluminous spaces supported by structural steel, which had been hidden by the dropped office ceilings. The height of the original steel windows on the facade had been bricked up, and replaced with a long, low aluminium shopfront window. The real gem was discovering the south-facing clerestory windows, which let in a lot of soft natural light without glare or heat. We replaced all the grubby windows with fluted glass, and re-opened the seven-metre-tall ones on the front facade.”

How did you go about the redesign? Did you do it yourselves, or did you work with an architect?

Danielle: “With a tight budget and an even tighter timeline, Haldane did all the renovation design, working with landlord Ryan Joffe and an impressive roster of local tradesmen to bring the building to its former glory – with an on-brand outdoor twist, of course.

“Our friend, architect Jon Jacobson, shared his expertise with us informally; his input was invaluable. He encouraged us to choose flooring that resonates with us, and to be our bold selves when it came to colour. He also resolved the awkward steep stairs at the entrance, suggesting a gently sloping ramp that acts as a welcoming threshold, leading our customers past the vast shopfront windows. Today, laden with cacti, the entrance sets the tone for the entire showroom experience, separating the calm oasis within from the hustle of Salt River Road.

“One of Haldane’s favourite features is the industrial-style vertical bifold security gate that doubles as a cantilevered roof over our front door, which he designed himself. It was made by Italian engineer and master craftsman Iliano Tavasci.”

And the interior design and layout – who did that?

Haldane: “Danielle and I have a hands-on approach to everything we do. I designed the layout and interiors, from the lighting to the positioning of potted plants, while Danielle refined the colour palette, textures and finishes. Our concept revolved around two main elements – space and natural light (the ultimate luxury). Simple finishes in calming colours let the spaciousness and natural light be the heroes.

“Because this is a physical manifestation of our brand, we aimed to create a large-scale environment that is beautiful yet humble, with generous proportions and a free-flowing atmosphere. We opted for rows of Indigenus planters to separate the studio and showroom instead of walling it off.”

Are there any new ranges we can look forward to seeing in the coming months?

Danielle: “With space to grow, we definitely have a few new designs in the pipeline. Our Galapagos outdoor kitchen island is set to launch in spring, plus new (sofa) additions to the Contour collection, and the Dombolo coffee tables. And Haldane is always obsessively designing new chairs…” | haldane.co.za

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Clout/SA and The Keiskamma Art Project have collaborated on their first homeware collection, set to launch at the AAfrica store in V&A Waterfront on 22 August.

AAfrica store, the contemporary African design emporium in the V&A Waterfront, is launching “Stitched, a Story of our Home” – a new homeware collection facilitated by Clout/SA in collaboration with The Keiskamma Art Project.

Over the last 20 years, the Keiskamma Art Project has produced major embroidered textile artworks made by the mainly rural women and men of Hamburg, sharing their stories and experiences, as well as bringing to visual life the oral history tradition of the Eastern Cape.

Three artists from the project, namely Anelisa Nyongo, Nozibele Nxadi, and lead artist and production manager Cebo Mvubu, have lent their skills and their particular aesthetic to the design of the collection.

“What really got me excited was that this process forced us out of our comfort zone. It showed us that we could effectively use messaging apps and create work remotely even with international collaborators. Going forward, we can now challenge ourselves to not be limited by our location in the rural Eastern Cape; we can work with anyone anywhere in the world,” says Cebu Mvubu, lead artist and production manager of Keiskamma Art Project.

The homeware collection features a quintessentially African scene and depicts a rich landscape of trees, lush vegetation and birds such as Grey Herons and Little Egrets who feature prominently in the Keiskamma River Estuary in Hamburg, rendered in the inimitable embroidery style of the Keiskamma Art Project artisans. Included in the in-store backdrop to launch the collection is the Papa San sofa by Haldane Martin and the wallpaper designed by Clout/SA executive Tracy Lynch, which was launched at 100% Design Africa in 2023 and printed by Cara Saven Wall Design.

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Haldane Martin’s furniture designs combine a boldly South African sensibility with wit and charm. These powerful pieces are instantly recognisable – and coveted both at home and abroad.

2002

ZULU MAMA CAFE CHAIR

Internationally, this chair is most synonymous with my design brand. The 2007 SABS DISA award-winning piece is an exploration of the feminine mother archetype, and a cross-cultural collaboration.

2008

SONGOLOLO SOFA

Launched at the Design Indaba, the original leather Songololo sofa with its multitude of legs has been redesigned, and is now also an ideal option for outdoor use. It’s got a cool retro appeal inspired by sectional sofas of the 1970s, and is bound to be the centre of attention in any space. Over the years, it has gleaned quite a bit of international acclaim, and has been featured in films and design books.

2010

BABA PAPA LOUNGER

This one developed its own personality to such an extent that it somehow became a sex symbol – which I find rather amusing.

2019

HULA COLLECTION

Things came full circle when I designed an outdoor chair for a restaurant project in Botswana. The Hula dining chair was a game-changer; within the space of six months, the Hula collection, the Polka collection and four others were released! I haven’t stopped creating new outdoor furniture designs since. It made so much sense. Suddenly the designer, the skateboarder, the kitesurfer and the family member in me were all present and visible in one design format. It encapsulates everything that inspires me – nature, connection and design.

2020

PAPA SUN COLLECTION

Named after the Malaysian Papasan chairs that gained popularity in the West in the 1950s, the Papa Sun collection is designed to suit the South African lifestyle. It’s made in Cape Town from stainless-steel tubing, with solid rods forming the curved ribs. The luxe urban-chic lounger handles African outdoor environments with ease.

2021

SLINGSHOT COLLECTION

Inspired by the Serengeti, this collection is a sophisticated take on the late-modern sling chair. It has a distinctly masculine energy, and makes use of laser-cut stainless-steel tubing for the frame. The Slingshot’s minimalist charm makes it easy to think of it as the “fixie” (fixed-gear bicycle) of furniture.

Looking for more on South African design? Take a look at LIM’s journey over the last 24 years.

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Haldane Martin’s new outdoor furniture pieces have been several years in the making – and the wait was worth it. Cool and curvaceous, these sophisticated designs offer a luxe yet practical take on alfresco style.

Celebrated with a beautiful shoot that instantly caught the VISI team’s collective eye, Haldane Martin’s fresh take on outdoor furniture is, he says, “a new direction”. “This shoot is a culmination of about two or three years of work – and the realisation of my purpose,” he says. We asked him to tell us more about the new designs.

Why outdoor furniture?

Designing outdoor furniture feels like the final bolt’s gone in, bringing everything together. HALDANE is now a culmination of my personal life, interests and design work.

The lines and shapes of these pieces have a relaxed, never-hard-edged feel. Was designing in this way a conscious choice?

Every collection demands its own aesthetic. But, as a brand, we definitely use curvature to accentuate the friendliness of the furniture. We want families and friends to relax and enjoy life on these pieces. They can’t just be interesting or obscure – they also have to be beautiful and inviting, part of the home.

Tell us more about your new Slingshot chairs – the fresh and elegant take on classic campaign chairs.

The Slingshot collection includes dining chairs, lounge chairs and bar stools with an authentic “bush” appeal.

Visit haldane.co.za for more information.

Looking for more on local design? Take a look at Wiid Design’s Spektrum Collection.

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From a sleek side table and delicate hand-blown glassware to a new international fabric range available in SA and terrazzo outdoor tables, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 321.

1. Cha Cha in Terrazzo by Haldane Martin

Local designer Haldane Martin’s Cha-Cha Occasional Table range has been reimagined in terrazzo. Ideal as stand-alone pieces, or as part of a set, these furniture items work for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Images courtesy of Haldane Martin

2. Jim Thompson at T&Co. Fabrics

Launched at Paris Deco Off, a new range of indoor and outdoor fabrics, prints, embroideries and trims from international brand Jim Thompson Fabrics is now available exclusively through T&Co. Fabrics in SA.

Images courtesy of T&Co. Fabrics

3. Alessandra Baldereschi’s Animal Farm Collection

Produced by glass manufacturer Ichendorf Milano, the latest collection by designer Alessandra Baldereschi places delicate, hand-blown, glass animals into slender drinking vessels, tumblers and paperweights.

Image credit: Alessandra Baldereschi

Image credit: Foto Studio Internazionale

Image credit: Foto Studio Internazionale

Images via designboom.com

4. Portman Side Table by Lemon

Lemon’s new Portman Side Table was designed in collaboration with Yaniv Chen of Masterstudio. The understated table features a streamlined profile, with strong lines and rich colourways.

Images courtesy of Lemon

5. AAAA Pop-up

In collaboration with Cécile & Boyd, AAAA, a co-operation of artisans from Mali, will host a pop-up running from 26 February 2020 for two weeks, featuring an exhibition of contemporary African designs based on traditional techniques. You can visit the pop-up at Cécile & Boyd’s Kloof Nek Road showroom in Cape Town.

Images courtesy of Cécile & Boyd

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Hula, Haldane Martin’s outdoor furniture range, echoes his desire to design meaningful objects that create a sense of belonging in time and place.

While designing a restaurant in Botswana, Haldane saw the need for contemporary outdoor furniture and Hula was his first outdoor range. Named after the dining chair’s hula hoop shape, it was inspired by the garden furniture found in many South African homes and will, Haldane hopes, remind people of childhood moments spent outside.

The rest of the playful, nostalgic collection emerged organically and his favourite piece, The Hula Love Seat, is a metropolitan outdoor bench. Haldane tried to capture the essence of each design in its name:

Plat-O is a play on the word plateau. The tables are slick with sleek ‘o’ shapes – round or at-oval table tops on geometric at-bar bases.

The Cha Cha occasional tables actually look like they’re dancing when you move around them because of the line moiré patterns that Haldane created by spacing the wire bars so close together.

Polka is a feminine outdoor table collection with polka-dot swirling patterns on the tabletop. It lets rain through, which makes it functional for outdoor use, but it’s a great beautifying feature, too.

Papa Sun is Haldane’s latest outdoor sofa collection. It is named after the round cane Malaysian Papasan chairs that were popular in Western culture in the ’50s. Designed to suit the South African lifestyle, the furniture is made in Cape Town from stainless steel tubing with solid rods forming the curved ribs. It’s a luxe urban-chic lounger that handles African outdoor environments with ease. There’s a Papa Sun day bed coming soon, a Hula lounger to add to the Hula family, and another outdoor sofa collection on the horizon.

With worldwide shipping, you can shop the collections on the design studio’s website or by sending the team an email.

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Bringing together the best in local design – textiles, furniture, accessories, interiors and more – the sixth instalment of 100% Design South Africa takes place 7 – 11 August 2019 in Midrand, alongside Decorex Joburg.

In addition to an exciting line-up of exhibitors, the collaborative feature stands are not to be missed, with themes that cover every aspect of our lives, from work and play to refuelling and resting.

Here are 5 things to look forward to:

1. Feature Designer & Feature Artist 

As the Feature Designer of the Year multidisciplinary creative Laduma Ngxokolo of MAXHOSA BY LADUMA will showcase his distinctive aesthetic in a homeware range that includes rugs, cushions, throws, upholstery and wallpaper, as well as some exciting new developments. Street artist r1 is the inaugural Feature Artist. He’ll be illustrating the intrinsic relationship between art and interiors and how they inform one another in a cohesive space.

Laduma Ngxokolo

r1.

2. 100% Lounge & 100% Dine

Design heavyweights Haldane Martin and John Vogel are behind this year’s 100% Lounge and 100% Dine showcases respectively. With 25 years in the furniture and interior design industry, Haldane combines his thorough understanding of how spaces function and knowledge of product design for the show’s ultra-stylish leisure space. Vogel Design, known for its contemporary, African-inspired creations, will be introducing a new collection in the hospitality context at the 100% Dine stand.

3. 100% Work & 100% Workspace

With co-working and flexible workspaces gaining global popularity, as well as a greater understanding of how a workspace’s design can impact productivity, engagement and wellbeing, smart office solutions are being developed to meet this demand.

Taking inspiration from a visit to Milan Design Week, Letizia Verona of DSGN will be spearheading the design of a “Collaborative Workplace”, while INOVA, an expert in the design and fitting out of modern working environments, will be exhibiting Bene products. This Austrian-based office furniture and service company views the office as a living space with products that encourage communication and collaboration, and the stand will demonstrate the potential of an agile workplace.

4. 100% Café 

Tracy Lynch, Creative Director of both Studio Leelynch and Nando’s Design Programme, which includes Clout, a talent incubator, is behind this year’s 100% Café (aka The Clout Café). Tracy will be drawing on the work of a number of well-known South African design brands and rising talents for the installation – Mash. T Design Studio, Wolkberg Casting Studios, Pedersen + Lennard, Wiid Design and Naturalis, amongst others. As always, the 100% Café promises to be the centrepoint not only for inspiration, but for socialising, connecting and engaging during the show.

The development of young talent, fundamental in Tracy and Nando’s collaborative approach, will not only be reflected in the pieces featured in the café, but will also be the focus of the Clout Designers’ Days. Taking place on 9 and 10 August in the 100% Workspace arena, emerging designers will be invited to pitch their work to a panel of industry professionals that includes Tracy, Michael Spinks, Nando’s Property and Development Director, and 100% Design South Africa Creative Director Laurence Brick.

The best pieces will be supported with a showcase at 100% Design South Africa 2020 and included on the Nando’s Portal to Africa (read more about that here), which creates a platform for exposure and commerce for emerging local designers.

5. 100% Sleep 

With the wellness trend highlighting the importance of quality sleep, so the bedroom, a space where design and comfort converge, comes under under the spotlight. The dynamic design trio that make up 99 Juta’s Apartment 2B collective – Monique Vee, Thabisa Mjo of Mash. T Design Studio and Mpho Vackier of TheUrbanative – have come together to create the 100% Sleep stand. We’re looking forward to the debut of an exclusive range created in collaboration with Weylandts.

100% Design South Africa is on at Hall 1, Gallagher Convention Centre, 19 Richards Drive, Midrand, from 7 – 11 August 2019, 10am – 6pm. Tickets, which can be purchased at the door or from Computicket, are R120 for adults, R100 for students/pensioners and R20 for kids under 12. Trade can register online to gain complimentary access; on-site registration costs R100.

For more information, visit 100percentdesign.co.za and get updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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The solid Tuber, whose name is inspired by the way in which it sits as if rooted in the ground, can be randomly interspersed or bunched together both indoors and outdoors.

The new concrete planters, which perfectly complement the original wooden Iroko design, are available in white, grey, charcoal and black. Each planter comes with its own self-watering plant liner.

Prices start from R3 950, excluding VAT.

For more information, visit indigenus.co.za.

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