Bench Mark
House and Leisure|August - September 2019

A convergence of the skills and stories of three local design forces, the Hlabisa bench elevates craftto collector status

Julia Freemantle
Bench Mark

People talk about the power of collaboration, and its ability to bring forth newness and innovation. But in their recent joint venture, woodworking specialists Houtlander, interior designer Thabisa Mjo and master weaver Beauty Ngxongo delved into African heritage to create something that combines the traditional and the contemporary in the form of the remarkable Hlabisa bench.

After being asked by the curator of Révélations fine craft and creation fair in Paris to participate at this year’s event, Mjo of Mash T Design Studio approached Houtlander to team up on a curvilinear bench, similar in style to the Houtlander bench voted 2019’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa, but woven with a delicately patterned basketry backrest by Ngxongo.

Esta historia es de la edición August - September 2019 de House and Leisure.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August - September 2019 de House and Leisure.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HOUSE AND LEISUREVer todo
At The Breakfast Table With Jonty Rhodes And Family
House and Leisure

At The Breakfast Table With Jonty Rhodes And Family

Recently renovated, the historic Cape Town home of Jonty and Melanie Rhodes is an adaptable base for an active, clean-eating clan of six

time-read
4 minutos  |
April - May 2020
LUNCH IN THE GARDEN with siblings Bronwyn and Jonathan Cane
House and Leisure

LUNCH IN THE GARDEN with siblings Bronwyn and Jonathan Cane

Alfresco gatherings are the order of the day at this updated century-old semi – the home of a design-centric sister and brother in Brixton, Joburg

time-read
5 minutos  |
April - May 2020
IN THE KITCHEN with Karen Dudley and family
House and Leisure

IN THE KITCHEN with Karen Dudley and family

For Karen Dudley, food informs the family dynamic and her home is as multilayered and as delicious a delight as her colourful personality and cooking style

time-read
4 minutos  |
April - May 2020
THE TRADITIONAL KITCHEN
House and Leisure

THE TRADITIONAL KITCHEN

The perfect piece to pull together a country-style kitchen is a beautiful wooden table that will age with time and hold its place in the memories made around it.

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020
IN THE FRAME
House and Leisure

IN THE FRAME

'The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.’

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020
DRINKS AT THE TABLE with David Cope and Donné Bullivant
House and Leisure

DRINKS AT THE TABLE with David Cope and Donné Bullivant

A dream kitchen renovation meant wine lovers Dave Cope and Donné Bullivant could finally settle down in their wondrously moody City Bowl apartment

time-read
4 minutos  |
April - May 2020
THE MODULAR KITCHEN
House and Leisure

THE MODULAR KITCHEN

DECOR TIP Modular elements like these USM Haller systems are a great way to create interesting, non-permanent storage that can be customised to your needs.

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020
SUPPER IN THE BARN with the Thatenhorst family
House and Leisure

SUPPER IN THE BARN with the Thatenhorst family

Munich-based interior designer Stephanie Thatenhorst transformed the barn at her parents’ farm in Bavaria into an eclectic family retreat

time-read
4 minutos  |
April - May 2020
BREAKING BREAD
House and Leisure

BREAKING BREAD

The pendulum has swung back for this nutritious, crusty staple of flour, yeast, water and time – the much-beloved artisanal loaf

time-read
2 minutos  |
April -May 2020
SNACKS ON THE TERRACE with sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis
House and Leisure

SNACKS ON THE TERRACE with sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis

The traditional Cycladic home of dynamic sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis on the island of Serifos is a reminder of what it means to be a part of a close-knit family

time-read
5 minutos  |
April - May 2020