With over 26 years of experience in textile design, Ronel Jordaan’s pieces sit mindfully between luxury and comfort while raising awareness for important climate issues.

Her latest collection, ‘Coral Bloom’ continues this significant conversation through well-crafted cushions and throws. “The Coral Bloom Collection was designed to raise awareness of the plight of our reefs, which are under serious threat due to global warming,” she points out.

An advocate for sustainability, the collection juxtaposes two variations: ‘Bleached Coral’ created in natural wool colours like soft browns, greys and white – representing coral bleaching and ‘Coral Bloom’ which uses vibrant, rich oranges, greens and yellows mimicking the hues found in healthy coral reefs. Using an eco-friendly wet felting process, the technique allows them to create unique shapes and forms like the SeaUrchin cushions and stools with fibres transformed through friction. “These eco-conscious practices are central to our brand ethos.”

The Coral Bloom Collection consists of lush, comfortable cushions and throws made from hand-felt wool yarn, Merino wool and cotton. With rare coelenterates designs, the collection embraces texture, movement and colour, adding character to any space. “We value innovative use of natural materials while offering our clients a fresh perspective. Our work is authentic and handcrafted, aiming to engage our clients through products that not only enhance their interior but also provide solutions for their space.”

Designing since 1978, Ronel Jordaan’s motivation for her felting business stemmed from her aspiration to help women from challenging backgrounds. “This mission has been a driving force throughout my creative process, and I always design with the skill and talents of these women in mind.”

A proudly South African brand rooted in comfort and sustainability, Ronel Jordaan’s Coral Bloom Collection mirrors the future of textile luxury design. | roneljordaan.com

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.

The post Climate Conscious Luxury: Ronel Jordaan’s Coral Bloom Collection appeared first on Visi.

The winners of the 2019 100% Design South Africa Awards have been announced, including this year’s South African Designer of the Year.

The event, held from 7 – 11 August 2019 alongside Decorex Joburg, showcases a selection of top local designers across a variety of disciplines, from textiles and furniture to homeware and lighting.

The winners were chosen by an independent judging panel, including VISI Deputy Editor Annemarie Meintjes, Creative Director Tracy Lynch, architect Nisha van der Hoven, interior designer Tristan du Plessis, Ntombenhle Shezi of Kaya FM and Malibongwe Tyilo of Maverick Life.

The award for South African Designer of the Year was jointly awarded to Thabisa Mjo of Mash. T Design Studio and Mpho Vackier of The Urbanative.

South African Designers of the Year: Thabisa Mjo of Mash. T Design Studio and Mpho Vackier of The Urbanative, with 100% Design South Africa’s Creative Director Cathy O’ Clery.

Here, in no particular order, are the seven category winners:

Best Furniture Design: Preservation Bench by Houtlander for AHEC

Preservation Bench by Houtlander for AHEC

Best Textile Design: Ronel Jordaan

Best Lighting Design: Memphis Lighting Collection by Wiid Design and Ceramic Matters

Best Surface Design: MAXHOSA wallpaper by Laduma Ngxokolo

MAXHOSA Wallpaper by Laduma Ngxokolo

Best Product Design: Raw Studios for Inhouse

Best of 100% New Talent: Sifiso Shange of Afri-Modern, in collaboration with John Vogel

Best Stand: Wolkberg Casting Studios and Jacobs Collection

For more information, visit 100percentdesign.co.za.

The post Winners: 100% Design South Africa Awards 2019 appeared first on Visi.

Self-taught Mpumalanga-born felt artist Ronel Jordaan turns merino wool fibres into beautiful felted forms. Her latest creations, which she made for a group exhibition at Southern Guild called Colour Field last year, were informed by the geology of rocks and crystals.

What is the inspiration behind your latest felt pieces?

I have been creating “rocks” for a long time. When scientists look for life, they look at rocks and their composition, by which they can tell what the conditions or situation was for the formation of these rocks. For crystals to form, certain conditions are required, with certain combinations of compounds. Crystals form when molecules gather in an attempt to become stable. For me, it resembles us: We thrive or struggle in certain conditions.

Describe the process to create your felt “Crystals”.

The concept has been brewing in my mind since 2007. First, the wool is carded (combed with an industrial carding machine) and felted into sheets. Then the sheets are dyed and steamed. In our felting process we use a biodegradable soap and we recycle our water. Patterns are designed and the foam is cut to the shapes required, and the felt panels are stitched together. The one panel has acoustic foam that has a special fire retardant applied to it. I then use other dyes to stain and paint on top of the already dyed panels.

What inspired your colour choices?

I am a great admirer of the artist Mark Rothko. While thinking about how I would approach the exhibition theme, I remembered the impact Rothko made on me when I first encountered his work at the Tate Modern in London. I became quite emotional being surrounded by his art. I then thought that this would be my entry point, and so I slowly became more confident on what I wanted to say about Colour Field, an abstract painting movement of the ’50s and ’60s. My choice of colours reflects my emotions on the day I viewed the Rothko room at the Tate.

See more of Ronel’s work at roneljordaan.com.

The post Ronel Jordaan’s Felt Crystals appeared first on Visi.

A movable transparent facade bonds the interior of this contemporary Pretoria home with its remarkable natural setting.

“Nothing that looks like a house.” This was the brief to architect Nadine Engelbrecht at the conceptual stage of her clients’ new home in Zwavelpoort, east of Pretoria. “It took me four or five proposals to figure out what that meant,” she recalls.

For homeowners Charmaine and Andre Freyer (who happen to be Nadine’s parents), inspiration came in the form of an unpretentious barn conversion. What materialised was a contemporary glass house with bricked extensions on either side. “Our previous home was in a valley, so I really wanted views this time round,” says Charmaine.

The house sits at the upper end of a 36 ha stretch of land that drops down towards Zwavelpoort Spruit. Capitalising on the location, Nadine incorporated 16 photovoltaic panels and three dams in the design, taking the house off-grid.

A steel-and-glass skin is all that separates much of the home from the landscape, and the absence of blinds and curtains bolsters the dwelling’s bond with the outdoors. Living, kitchen and dining areas run perpendicular to the barn-shaped conservatory at the core of the house, allowing the Freyers to close sections off for temperature regulation. Ceiling fans, ribbon windows and strategic overhangs also aid in thermal control.

Picture entering the voluminous conservatory with its more-than-6 m-high roof. Light washes in from windows, doors and skylights, and inside you’re greeted by a profusion of happy indoor plants. The floor seems to disappear beneath you where a glass panel reveals a subterranean wine cellar. Then, as though in a scene from a James Bond movie, a colossal mechanised glass door (a sexy cousin to the garage variety) rises at the flick of a switch, connecting you intimately with the outdoors. If “nothing that looks like a house” was the brief, this is indeed a triumph.

“This idea of having a view of the landscape from everywhere in the house, and bringing the views and greenery into the core of the conservatory, means it’s not a case of inside versus outside; it’s all the same thing,” says Nadine.

Charmaine is an admirer of South African design, and notable contemporary furniture pieces feature in every room: A David Krynauw chandelier, a Laurie Wiid van Heerden bench, a Gregor Jenkin table and Ronel Jordaan chairs mingle with pieces that bear the signs of the passage of time. For Charmaine, there’s no bigger turn-off than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The length of the house faces north, towards the plunging cleft in the mountain that gives the area its name, but the Freyers’ bedroom and balcony claim the lion’s share of the views down the escarpment, covered with indigenous trees and grasses. It’s here, on the balcony, that they sit and sip the best wines from their cellar as they watch the sun go down over Bronberg, an extension of the Magaliesberg range.

The post Contemporary Pretoria Home appeared first on Visi.

An exciting new group exhibition, on show from 19 July to 12 September 2018 at Southern Guild in Cape Town’s Silo District, promises to immerse viewers in a world of colour.

Inspired by the Colour Field painters of the 1950s/’60s, the exhibition features work from designers and artists such as Ronel Jordaan, Tonic, Xavier Clarisse and Zizipho Poswa, as well as up-and-comers such as industrial designer August de Wet, jewellery designer Eric Loubser and fashion designer and weaver Nicholas Coutts.

The exhibition features works made in glass, leather, aluminium, wood, fabric and clay, showcasing pieces that experiment with how light and texture blend with modern furniture, textiles, lighting and ceramics.

The GUILD store will simultaneously feature ceramics by Clementina van der Walt, Carin Dorrington and Ben Orkin, all of whom had to respond to Colour Field in their own way.

For more information, visit southernguild.co.za.

The post Colour Field Exhibition at Southern Guild appeared first on Visi.

Southern Guild and SFA Advisory will present a unique project by renowned South African designer Porky Hefer at Design Miami/Basel from 12 to 17 June 2018.

The exhibition was commissioned by SFA Advisory to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF). The charitable organisation supports projects around the world that build climate resiliency, protect vulnerable wildlife from extinction, and restore balance to threatened ecosystems and communities.

This series of Porky’s distinctive, larger-than-life seating pods depict endangered species – an orangutan, a polar bear, a sloth, a blue whale, and a great white shark. The sculptures are made of eco-friendly and recycled materials.

“Visitors to Design Miami/Basel will be invited to sit in, on, and around these friendly sculptural creatures igniting a sense of empathy as the stories of the real animals’ hardships and the importance of their survival to our own lives is recounted through interaction, video, and text,” says Lisa Schiff, Founder and Principal of SFA Advisory.

Produced using environmentally sustainable materials, the pods, whose surfaces have been crocheted, felted, stitched and embroidered with unique embellishments, have been extensively hand-worked by artisans in Cape Town. Porky worked closely with textile artist Ronel Jordaan and local craft collectives Heartworks and Mielie to translate his creatures into giant, tactile sculptures.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Porky on this exciting project, and we appreciate his creativity and commitment to helping us find new ways to engage the public on issues impacting wildlife,” said Terry Tamminen, CEO of LDF. “This exhibition will raise awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species around the world. Understanding our impact on the environment is a pressing issue, and we hope this exhibition and others like it will encourage people everywhere to consider making small changes toward a sustainable environment.”

The pieces will be available for sale in a limited edition of three per animal through Southern Guild gallery, with 25% of the sales proceeds supporting LDF’s wildlife conservation programmes. “It’s the future of the next generation that I am concerned about and the state of the world they inherit. Looking after our animals and Earth is one thing, but also the preservation of human skills, crafts and traditions,” Porky shared. “I think it’s important to show what beauty humans are capable of with their hands rather than the destructive mass production that technology is driving the modern consumerist society towards.”

For inquiries, contact Marika Kielland at marika@sfa-advisory.com.

The post Endangered by Porky Hefer appeared first on Visi.

Textile designer Ronel Jordaan’s sound-proofing wall panels dampen noise while beautifying the space they’re in.

The sound-proofing panels designed by Ronel and made by women she has trained emulate the curves, lines and colours she experiences on walks in Table Mountain National Park. We found out more about the raw material that moves her, her policy on training and hiring women, and where she believes her wall panels would work best.

What is it about working with wool that resonates with you?

I am fortunate to have found a medium that has so many possibilities. I have fun working with wool, and I like the challenges that come with translating my ideas into a product that can be made by the women I’ve trained.

Where do you think the panels would work best in the home?

They‘re designed for commercial and residential use, and they work to best effect in double-volume rooms in homes and in very large areas with concrete or other hard surfaces by changing the acoustic qualities of such spaces. They can also be used in playrooms or chill areas where there might be higher than normal noise levels.

What have you learnt from upskilling and employing women?

Women have a way of pooling their strengths, talking about problems and then finding solutions. It makes working with them a pleasure. They support one another, and that filters down to our business.

Why use only merino wool?

The fibre length, diameter, crimp and density of the wool enable the felt to absorb a wide range of sound frequencies. Felt is durable and stable in the presence of moisture and chemicals. And it can be moulded into three-dimensional forms that are perfect for acoustic use.

For more information, visit roneljordaan.com.

The post Ronel Jordaan’s Wall Panels appeared first on Visi.

Winter is a time for wools, faux furs, fleeces, knits and weaves. Surround yourself with all things tactile this chilly season with any of these 10 textured buys.

1. Pebble Bath Mat R3 057, Ronel Jordaan

2. Faux Fur Throw R1 499, Woolworths

3. Nilia Scarf R199, Vero Moda at Superbalist.com

4. Bicicleta Rug R30 189, Nanimarquina at Crema

5. Goodnight Grey Mohair R1 889, Hinterveld

6. Ottoman in Knotted Rope R499, @home

7. Coven Cushion R549, Country Road

8. Handknitted Chunky Throw R995, Weylandts

9. Ndebele Chair R12 600, Ronel Jordaan

10. Cotton Mingle Shaggy R699.99, Mr Price Home

The post Winter Textures: 10 Must-Have Items appeared first on Visi.

It’s Wool Week Cape Town from 7 April to 12 April 2015 at the V&A Waterfront, so we thought we’d round up a list of soft woollen buys for you to choose from just in time for winter.

1. Hand Felted Merino Wool Sheep Sculpture (35cm x 55cm) R2 600, Ronel Jordaan

2. Plus 9 Wool Throws (Price on request), HAY at Créma

3. Novello Merino Wool and Mohair Throw (130cm x 180cm) R1 570, Encore Collection at Hinterveld

4. Chain Link Wool Rug R31 200, Egg Designs

5. Delta Geometric Wool Scarf R379, Trenery

6. Handwoven Wool Stool R1 199, @home

7. Floppy Wool Hat R699, American Apparel at Superbalist.com

8. Moroccan Wool Carpet R9 995, Weylandts

The post 8 Stylish Wool Buys appeared first on Visi.

With the cooler weather around the corner, many of us are looking for fibres to keep us warm. Look no further since wool is on trend, eco-friendly and proudly South African.

As technology reinvents itself daily, we are all seeking more tactile living environments. This is a strong theme throughout the Autumn VISI 65 edition and Li Edelkoort also highlighted it in her recent trend talks at Design Indaba. As lifestyle yearns to go back to basics, a renewed appreciation of natural materials and hand-made products is surfacing.

Epitomising this trend is the increased use of wool in homeware, fabrics, furniture and clothing. Some of South Africa’s top designers are choosing to work with wool because of its unique properties, eco-friendliness and local supply.

Living in the charming little village of Nieu Bethesda, Judi Sheard from Karoo Moon wanted to unleash her creativity using a locally-sourced product that also helped support the local community. Using a local dedicated team of spinners, Karoo Moon has perfected a 100% wool in fine single-ply, which allows Judi to create her stunning garments.

“Hand spun wool creates the ultimate natural garment that is soft and light, absorbs moisture, and regulates body temperature in both summer and winter. It’s also very versatile, so I love seeing how I can incorporate wool into unusual design ideas to showcase it in new ways,” Judy explains.

Based in Cape Town, Bridget Henderson from Cowgirl Blues also employs a team of local skilled women who touch, hold, soften and coax the materials used to create Cowgirl Blues’s unique knitwear, accessories and decor pieces into their final forms. “Wool retains the memory of the hands that work it and the body that wears it. You can feel the difference in the final product. It’s a very personal fibre,” Bridget enthuses.

After 26 years as a textile designer, the desire to use more natural and eco-friendly materials inspired Ronel Jordaan to start researching the possibilities of using felt as a creative medium in 2003. “I like to work with wool for its tactility and because it’s purely organic – all processes employed in my workshop are eco-friendly, and Merino wool items actually absorb carbon dioxide from the air.” By coaxing threads of pure wool into shapes from nature that inspire her, Ronel’s creations are globally recognised for their distinct originality.

With the cooler weather around the corner, many of us are looking for fibres to keep us warm. One of wool’s excellent properties is that it adapts to the body’s temperature, lets air through, and absorbs and releases moisture into the surrounding environment. This makes it an excellent fibre for use in both cool and warm weather, and means it is ideal for use in bedding. “No other fibre, natural or manmade, can match wool’s unique properties. Snuggle under a duvet filled with pure wool and you’ll see it’s the perfect sleeping partner,” says Matthew van Lingen of Sneeuberg, which specialises in wool bedding.

The International Campaign for Wool and Cape Wools SA is holding the first annual celebration of the South African wool industry and all the benefits of wool as a material during a week of wool promotion at Sandton City from 28 May to 3 June 2013. Cape Wools will also exhibit various Merino wool products and wool information on Mandela Square on Saturday 1 June, so make sure you drop in to find out why you should be surrounded by this exquisite natural fibre.

For more info, contact Cape Wools 082 870 6497, merino@capewools.co.za, www.capewools.co.za

Sneeuberg 049 842 1829, sales@sneeuberg.co.za

Karoo Moon 082 781 6882, judi@wam.co.za

Cowgirlblues 083 445 1150, bridget@cowgirlblues.co.za

Ronel Jordaan 011 791 0915, ronel@roneljordan.co.za

The post SA designers love wool appeared first on Visi.