1. 99 JUTA STREET
Braamfontein's new darling of design, 99 Juta Street is an 80-odd-year-old grand dame of a Joburg building that has been given new life by local designers and developers.
Now home to local talent such as Dokter and Misses, Joe Paine, Mash.T Design Studio, Monique Vee and The Urbanative, the building's contents are as inspiring as its cheerful pink and green exterior.
Alongside the permanent stores, look out for an exciting line-up of design-centric pop-ups by the likes of Houtlander.2. ADELE CATHERINE
Adele Catherine is gorgeous store on Bellevue Road in Kloof, KZN, brings together a largely local, sophisticated assortment of home decor, fashion and gifting products.
The owners are passionate about encouraging conscious consumption and giving shoppers an appreciation for a product's source.
Beautifully curated, it's filled with products by amazing local talent such as artist Victoria Verbaan, photographer Clinton Friedman, ceramicists Astrid Dahl, Klomp and Day Feels, jewellers Michelle Robyn Jewellery and Shauna Neil, textile designers, Evolution and many more.3. KNUS
This beautiful online store is home to a range of local handcrafted goods.
The name "Knus", being an Afrikaans word that literally translates to "cosy" or "snug", fits in perfectly with founder Lizelle de Villiers' idea of special items to warm up your home.
A proudly local platform featuring everything from furniture to blankets, ceramics and wallpaper, it's the perfect spot to find beautiful and bespoke handcrafted goods. Visit knus.co4. BRUNCH
Brunch is a beautiful new art and stationery store at Joburg's 44 Stanley, selling illustration-based products by local and international artists.
All products have to pass the owners' "will-we-place-it-in-our-own-home?" test before they make it to the store's shelves, meaning that, yes, you'll want to take home every single item.
Think artworks, notebooks, pens, greeting cards and tote bags, all beautifully displayed alongside an exhibition featuring prints by local illustrators and artists. 44 Stanley Avenue, Johannesburg5. THE STORER
At The Storer, a new shop in Joburg's 44 Stanley complex, you'll feel like you've been transported to another era. The walls are filled with handmade, artisanal items from around the world, pieces brimming with history and tradition, and whose stories are just waiting to be shared. And that is exactly what owner Lisa Storer was trying to achieve.
After many years in merchandising and retail, she felt disheartened by the industry. "I noticed retail stores felt dead inside, they smell of plastic, there's nobody to help you and I thought that there had to be more to the experience."
After seeing small boutiques in other countries, Lisa realised there was opportunity for a more personal way of shopping. She now works with artisans and community projects in countries such as Morocco, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Peru, Guatemala, and of course South Africa, to source her wares...