The Modernist

The MØDERNIST

Modernism, as an overall socially progressive trend of thought, affirmed the power of human beings to create, improve and re-shape their environment.

We were already in love with Mid-Century Modern (MCM) design in 2004 when we started trading as WASTELAND at 44 Stanley Avenue. Back then we used to stock great pieces from local design houses such as Artecasa, Frystark, Kallenbach & DS Vorster.

We were also especially passionate about Danish MCM design as they were one of the pioneers of this movement and (for us) were responsible for creating some of the most iconic and beautiful pieces of this period. These are more like useable art to us rather than just furniture. However, we were only able to find such pieces locally from time to time so in 2011 we decided to launch MØDERNIST in Parkhurst which specialises mainly in imported original Danish Mid-Century Modern pieces.

We have sold and stock furniture from designers Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen, Kai Kristiansen, Hans Wegner, Ib Kofod Larsen, Johannes Andersen, Kurt Østervig, Georg Thams, Omann Jun and Bodil Kjær to name a few, although we also have pieces from unknown designers. Besides vintage furniture items we also have smalls by likes Dansk / Jens Quistgaard, ceramics by Royal Copenhagen and Kähler, lighting by Poul Henningsen and Louis Poulsen as well as vintage B&O Hi-Fi equipment designed by Jacob Jensen.

WASTELAND is situated upstairs from MØDERNIST and still focusses on great locally sourced pieces. This is not to say that all the pieces were made here but they were found here. There are many advantages to buying a curated MCM piece from us.

These pieces were manufactured ±55 years ago and were made by master craftspeople employing hands-on techniques. As opposed to current mass produced standards which were designed to reduce unit costs above all else often resulting in inferior quality.

They are much more unique as only a limited number of these original pieces still exist worldwide compared to more contemporary pieces that one can just pick off a large retailer’s catalogue. A huge portion of our pieces are essentially one-offs for us. Not to say only one was ever made but we’ve only had one for sale to date in our 17 year history.

There is also the investment aspect to consider on Danish signature pieces where the designer and / or manufacturer can be attributed. These pieces have shown to appreciate greatly over time with some premium pieces fetching unbelievably high prices in a rather buoyant international market. There are many sought after known local pieces as well which enjoy increases in value. That being said, even pieces by unknown Danish and local designers hold their value at the very least, as prices of newly manufactured items increase with inflation. The quality of raw materials used were also generally of a much higher than presently available.

These pieces also contradict the general disposable use and throw culture that has permeated much contemporary mass produced items by staying relevant in terms of design and also lasting in terms of build quality. Many of these pieces have been passed down from generation to generation and still have many lifetimes to be functionally useful and aesthetically pleasing.

However, some of the aspects above which are huge pros in our books, also bring with them certain challenges. The logistics of dealing with thousands of unique items that each have a different source, cost price & restoration approach can be very labour intensive and time consuming. After we source, restore and market each item, we are limited to selling only as many of them as we have, more often than not, this is usually just one.

It is still considered quite a niche market in SA with a majority of the market opting for commercial options without being fully aware of the alternatives. Although we’re certainly finding that interest for MCM has been steadily growing. It’s also hard to provide pieces for large projects that require multiple units of a single item. Like 60 of the same chairs for a restaurant, Sofas for corporate lounges for locations all over the country, TV units for hotel rooms etc. Since we are limited to what we find or have in stock, in the past, we have actually designed specific pieces for the above applications which we have taken into production for certain projects. We still followed the core principles of MCM design where function was paramount, the design was understated overall but to a trained eye or upon closer inspection subtle details reveal themselves along with the care taken in design and material used along with the attention to detail and build quality which becomes apparent.

Also since we primarily deal in pieces that are from a finite resource, moving forward, we will be bringing out our own manufactured range to complement our vintage pieces.

We are also in the process of upgrading our contemporary Sofa designs which will employ crafted MCM processes and techniques of construction while using up-to-date manufacturing processes. We are very excited about these future prospects so watch this space!

In the meanwhile please fee free to get in touch or visit our showroom for anything in particular you are looking for, or just to browse and enjoy being surrounded by beautiful objects. All our pieces are restored in-house at our workshop and we also provide upholstery and wood restoration services for your own pieces. The MCM style is our forte but we take on most work required on any vintage pieces.

https://www.modernist.biz/

Anita-B' s top decor and design pieces to love! Decorex Africa and 100% Design SA’s Creative Director shares some of her favourite designs at the moment...

1KINO featuring Kino Vanity Stand

This multifunctional product is designed to become part of your daily routine. Whether it functions as a dressing table, a coat rack or entrance feature. It is an elegant, yet striking piece of furniture you would want to interact with.

Dimensions: 855 (w) x 570 (d) x 1950 (H) Retail price: From R13685 (incl Vat)

Instagram: @kinofurniture www.kino.co.za/vanity-stand

2CRÉMA DESIGN “Curvacious, comfortable and soft, the Pacha

Lounge Chair, designed by Pierre Paulin for GUBI is a modern design that embraces effortless versatility. By seeking the right proportions, Paulin has managed to give the round forms of the Pacha Chair a true elegance.”

www.cremadesign.co.za

3STUDIO 19

Featuring their latest collection : Phat Teddy chair, Maverick table base and High Tower table lamp as well as the Trumpet side table.

The Phat Teddy evolved from one of Studio 19’s best selling products The Teddychair. They scaled up the arms to create a chubbier older brother. Using their favourite wool fabric they upholstered the whole piece including the arms.

The Maverick Solo is an occasional table in solid oak that works perfectly in an entrance hall or as a statement table in a living room.

Paired with their HighTower Table lamp in raffia. The multitude of textural details is something that they love and encourage everyone to explore. www.studio19.co

OKHA 4 TECTRA 2 This amazing coffee table is new to the OKHA collection - Patinated Blue Black Mild Steel / Powdercoated Mild Steel Base Options | Marble Top Options.

www.okha.com

WIID DESIGN 5Angled Cork Pendants Wiid Designs large Angled Cork Pendant is 580mm in height by 400mm in diameter, manufactured in Cape Town from 100% organic and completely recycled dark or light cork. Cork is one of the main materials used by Wiid Design and notably, they use recycled cork grades, which adds even more sustainability to their products. The size of these beautiful pendants makes them perfect for large volume spaces to be used both commercially and in residential spaces.

www.wiiddesign.co.za

ROCHE BOBOIS 6MAH JONG COLLECTION- 50 Years anniversary in 2021

Mah Jong Bed- fabric designed in exclusivity by Kenzo Takada for Roche Bobois This bed features the same characteristics of Roche Bobois’ iconic Mah Jong sofa. It has the same philosophy of living at ground level, but now the cushions are the headboard.

Mah Jong sofa – fabric IRUNE designed in exclusivity by Kenzo Takada for Roche Bobois Hans Hopfer designed the Mah Jong in 1971, with an innovative and uncomplicated approach to comfort which had a profound impact on interior design. Whether as a corner sofa, straight sofa, armchair, bench seat or extra bed, the Mah Jong was conceived to be able to freely adapt in function and form. Each cushion is made by hand in a dedicated workshop, using the same methods as an Haute Couture workshop.

www.roche-bobois.com

7MIA MELANGE Storage Cylinder Basket - Celebrate Spring & Summer To celebrate the spring and summer seasons during a pandemic, Mia Mélange designed a new, bright range! This storage basket serves a range of purposes. It is ideal to use to neatly store items in your home, while adding a splash of colour! Use it for storing towels, throws, kids’ toys or even dog toys! It can even be used as a planter, or to keep your bathroom, bedroom, or kids’ room, or office tidy.

The colour rope is a durable South African sourced polypropylene / polyester. The ivory rope is South African 100% cotton. Mia Mélange baskets are made from rope which we carefully sew together in a coiling technique. The cotton is grown locally in South Africa by farmers who are members of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).

Approximate Size:

D 40cm x H 33cm (D15 3/4in x H 13in) www.miamelange.com

JACOBS COLLECTION SERALA DRINKS CABINET

8In collaboration with Wolkberg castings. Curved epoxy coated steel frame with limesite cast, bronze glass doors and solid brass detail. Epoxy coated steel frame with hand made limesite cast, smoked glass doors & shelves, solid brass wine rack and serving tray.

9THE URBANATIVE HOMECOMING COLLECTION

The pieces of the collection whilst in form, texture. colour andpatterns was inspired by some of the above listed Africanvernacular architectural design; the naming of the pieces wereall inspired by words that define home & the feelings aroundhome in a multitude of indigenous languages from thecontinent.

We explored words that carry specific meanings &feelings in these languages such as our Dehinineti drinksserver; meaning safety in Amharic (spoken in Ethiopia) to ourIsinmi ottomans which relates to ‘rest’ in Yoruba (spoken inNigeria). www.theurbanative.com

10MONN MONN’s Rug collection has been developed to meet new market demands and to reflect some new and quite diverse emerging design trends. The Harmony design has a subtle textured neutral coloured canvas background with two colour accents - gold or sky blue. www.monn.co.za