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Pockets of flair on the coast
Design in Durban
Suite at Singita Lebombo, designed by Boyd Ferguson
© Singita
Did you know?
In the early 2000s Ardmore Ceramics received recognition from Christies of London.
Design in Durban exists in a few small pockets around the city. Small in number, the Durban designers have, however, managed to make their presence felt both at home and abroad.
Durban design has undoubtedly fallen under the spotlight thanks to the achievements of Boyd Ferguson of Cecile and Boyd's. Although he is now based in Cape Town, his business remains headquartered on Durban’s Florida Road. It was Ferguson's award-winning design of the 5-star lodges in the Singita Game Reserve in Mpumalanga that really drew the world’s attention. His uniquely sophisticated take on African style and lifestyle continues to be in high demand.
Another Durban designer, Neil Roake, has a quirkier style, with a bit of that laid-back Durban mood injected into all he does. An advertising executive by day, he has also created a couple of restaurants, a hotel, and a fashion emporium called The Space. Roake works closely with Durban’s best-known contemporary design studio - Egg Design, owned by Greg and Roche Dry.
Durban designers are not limited in any way in terms of creativity. In this city, design and architecture come together at the studio of Rick Stretton of Koop. Stretton has been recognised for his sustainable architecture as well as his signature wooden furniture designs.
Farther out of town, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, a number of studios are busy making their presence felt.
Ardmore has for many years given the local and international market unique ceramic designs featuring eccentric detailing of animals. The studio has recently moved into tableware, textile and furniture design, with their new home ware still featuring their signature mythological beasts.
Midlands-based artiss and stylist, Neville Trickett, remains the design and trend-forecasting guru of KwaZulu-Natal. Open days at St Verde, the farm owned by Trickett and his wife Sharon, are opportunities to share in their creative and horticultural visions and to feast on some of the local designs that they have discovered.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Visi Magazine
New Media Publshing House,
19 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001
Tel: +27 (0)21 417 1111
Email: Info@visi.co.za
Cecile & Boyds Interior Design
253 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban, 4001
Tel: +27 (0)31 303 1005
Fax: +27 (0)31 312 3581
Koop
200 Montpelier Road, Morningside, Durban
Tel: +27 (0)31 303 3922
Fax: +27 (0)31 303 8530
Email: koop@koopdesign.co.za
The Space
Tel: +27 (0)11 327 3640