Based just through Ruwa in Zimbabwe we make high quality furniture out of solid timber and other complimentary natural materials. Our design language is based on primitive geometric shapes where we value simplicity, craft and honesty to materials. We aim to bring warmth and lightness to modern spaces, in form and in tone.
We primarily use Eucalyptus Grandis timber sourced from managed plantations in the high rainfall area of Chimanimani in the easter highlands of Zimbabwe. They have good silviculture practices, the trees grow quickly sequestering lots of carbon and the area is well established for forestry. Grandis comes out of the machining process pale with pinkish hues. With exposure to oxygen and UV the colours slowly transition to tan and rich light browns. Grandis is durable yet not too heavy, an ideal timber for modern, light interior spaces.
Over time we will build up small stocks of other timbers sourced from local sawmills in and around Harare when trees are coming down anyway. This will be slow but it’s still worth checking in with us if you are interested in other timbers.
We use a natural oil and wax finish for our work. The wood retains it’s natural character. Production finishes such as lacquer form a synthetic film that sits on top of the timber. While this provides a good barrier against liquids it makes refinishing and spot repairs difficult. Over time these finishes can crack, flake and peel. On the other hand traditional oil finishes protect the wood from the inside but require significant maintenance. Our finish provides a good balance between maintenance and protection. The wood is protected from the inside, does not form a film, allows the timber to breathe, provides good liquid resistance, does not peel, crack or flake and is easy to maintain.
Ilala palm is a recent addition to our range. We arrived at this material through some trial and error with other materials. The leaf of the palm is used for twisting into a cord then woven to make chair and stool seats. Specifically the more flexible part of the leaf is used for this. We have other projects in the pipeline that will use the stiffer part of the leaf. Ilala palms are indigenous to Zimbabwe and thrive predominantly in low-altitude, hot, dry, and sandy environments. The plants are very resilient to leaf harvesting. Ilala leaf fibers are very strong and have high tensile strength making chair seats very durable. Yet a woven seat still has a little give making it comfortable.
We also work with fabric for certain applications. Utilizing fabric in select pieces of our range brings contrast and texture fitting in nicely with cozy lounge environments. We will be exploring different fabrics over time specifically focusing on natural fibers. We can of course also work with fabrics you supply.