Design: Haldane Martin Iconic Furniture Designer

Haldane Martin [South Africa]

‘…meaningful for the spirit, beautiful for the soul, and nurturing for the body.’ Words that describe the design philosophy of innovative furniture, product and industrial designer; Haldane Martin. Based in Cape Town, South Africa; Haldane set up his eponymous company in 2002 and works to create designs for life; designs that serve to harmoniously connect us to the world in which we live in. It’s fair to say in most cases our home is our sanctuary and Haldane believes that the environments we live in and the objects we fill them with should reflect the core of who we are, and how we think of them; from our day to day interactions, the need for balance, our impact on the environment and taking pleasure in the objects we chose to surround ourselves with. 

[Image source/credit: Zulu Mama Chair; top, South; bottom, Haldane Martin]

Inspired by South Africa’s diverse cultural and creative influences; both past and present Haldane’s contemporary designs are inviting, drawing you into the space and this characteristic is evident in styles like the Zulu Mama Chair; which I simply love. It’s being chic, feminine and comfortingly familiar came as little surprise to me when I read the description and found the chair to be inspired by Zulu basket weaving and that it was intended to pay homage to a time-honoured activity of women gathering round for a good chat! These factors make the Chair ideal for the home; think placed around a breakfast table, on a sun-warmed patio or in a quiet nook to lose yourself in your latest read; or commercially in a café setting as shown above. The chair reminds me of one giant crochet and is made from recycled plastic, woven onto recycled stainless steel frames.

[Image credits: left, Simplicity Chaise Longue; right, Songololo]

Other sources of inspiration include the creepy-crawly Songololo, a retro-inspired sectional sofa that is designed to curve into the spaces of the chosen environment. Initially created for a Cape Town wellness spa, the Simplicity Chaise Longue makes me just want to curl up onto it. The Chaise is covered in indigenous game skins and Inguni hides from a sustainable source, giving a luxury look and feel that is unmistakably African.

[Image credit: Riemple Couch – Haldane Martin]

Showrooms in Cape Town and Johannesburg showcase Haldane’s award-winning designs, currently amounting to a collection of 50 unique furniture pieces that can be found within stylish interiors across the world; in particular the high-end residential and hospitality sectors. 

…sublime modern classics

Additional Details:
Zulu Mama chair currently available at South priced at: €545,00
For further information and to purchase directly from Haldane Martin visit: www.haldanemartin.co.za
If in the Netherlands or Europe Zulu Mama Chair can be purchased from: www.south-design.nl