“Everything that we do here is as it was done over 100 years ago – so handcarved, hand finished, with a very authentic element to everything that’s done,” explains Carmen.
Current orders include pieces for a tailoring business in Pretoria, a formal lounge in KZN, a restaurant in the DRC and a home in Joburg.
In producing furniture or collecting it, Carmit’s idea is to buy once, be conscious of sustainability and that classic style endures [and suits contemporary settings].
With new ideas and bold use of social media, business is through the roof.
“When I took it over, of course I had to think of a way to bring it into the current genre that we find ourselves in, in terms of decorating. It was an exciting challenge led by my husband Saul who introduced the element of painting the furniture.”
“The painting brought in the french style, and what has been most exciting I think for us recently is bringing in the natural wood finishes, more contemporary designs in fabric to update and reset the classic vintage look into a more modern context,” shares Saul.