Where the Karoo Inspires Comfort: A Conversation with Karoo Baba

Karoo Baba draws inspiration from the vast, quiet beauty of the Karoo, creating pieces that bring comfort, calm, and timeless elegance into everyday life. Rooted in natural materials, ethical craftsmanship, and a sense of home, the brand transforms simple moments — a sheepskin underfoot, a warm rug beside the bed — into lasting experiences of quiet luxury. In this conversation with Michéle Viljoen we explore how place, material, and mindful design shape the philosophy behind Karoo Baba.

The Karoo as Muse

Tell us about the philosophy and soul behind Karoo Baba…

The Karoo is intrinsic to Karoo Baba — not just as a place, but as a way of being. Its vastness, quietness and raw beauty taught me the value of simplicity, restraint and natural comfort. That spirit shows up in everything we make: natural materials, uncomplicated forms, and pieces that invite you to slow down. Even as the brand has grown, that sense of calm, grounding and connection to place continues to guide the our choices.

Meaning of Home

How do you capture the idea and meaning of home through your brand?

The word “home” has always meant far more to me than a physical house — it’s about how a space makes you feel. After a long day or time away, that feeling of comfort and ease is everything. For me, it’s often found in the simplest moments: slipping into sheepskin slippers, sitting down on a sheepskin-covered chair, or feeling a soft rug underfoot.

At Karoo Baba, we translate that feeling into products through touch and function. A sheepskin rug beside the bed, a cushion that supports the body, or warmth added to a hard wooden chair — these small, sensory moments create a sense of ease and belonging. Wherever you are, they can make a space feel like home.

Redefining Luxury

How would you define luxury living?

Luxury, to me, is not about excess or trend — it’s about quality, longevity, and how something makes you feel over time. Natural materials have a quiet, unmistakable presence. When your skin touches sheepskin, there is an immediate sense of comfort and ease that synthetic materials simply can’t replicate.

In a world of fast interiors, slowness matters because it allows for care, intention and respect for materials. When something is made thoughtfully, from natural fibres, and designed to last, it becomes part of your life rather than something you replace. That’s the kind of quiet, enduring luxury we believe in.

Ethical Craftsmanship

Can you share a little more about your choice of materials and approach to creating products?

Sustainability at Karoo Baba begins with our choice of material. Merino sheepskins are a natural by-product of the food industry, and in many cases would otherwise go to waste. By tanning and upcycling small batches using REACH-compliant processes, we are able to transform what might be discarded into something durable, functional and beautiful.

Merino sheepskin is natural, hard-wearing and long-lasting, setting it apart from synthetic alternatives. We work with local suppliers and small production partners who share our respect for quality, responsible processes and circular thinking.

The Human Element

Why is it important to you to support local and work with creators from the community?

Working with small family businesses and skilled makers is central to Karoo Baba. Some of my most important relationships have lasted over 20 years, and the mutual respect built over decades is invaluable. These relationships bring a level of care and knowledge that simply can’t be replicated in mass production.

At a time when cheap imports and synthetic substitutes dominate, we are committed to making locally and supporting a circular economy — from the farmer to the maker to the end user. This approach helps preserve traditional skills, supports rural livelihoods, and ensures that every piece carries a human touch. For me, that connection is just as important as the finished product.

Material Storytelling

What key features stand out in the materials you choose and how do these impact clients?

Merino sheepskin continues to inspire me because it is both deeply functional and quietly beautiful. It regulates temperature naturally, offers exceptional comfort, and is durable enough for everyday use. At the same time, it has an organic softness and texture that instantly brings warmth to a space, and comfort to any body.

I love watching people encounter our products for the first time — almost without fail, they reach out to touch them. That instinctive response says everything. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and grounding — a reminder of how powerful natural materials can be.

Design Philosophy

The design industry has a focus on form and function. How do you see this play out in your own design philosophy?

Our design philosophy is rooted in balance. Every piece must first serve a purpose — it needs to be comfortable, functional and durable. From there, we focus on timeless forms and natural tones that won’t date or dominate a space. The aim is always quiet luxury: pieces that feel effortless, age well, and continue to bring comfort for years to come.

Customer Connection

What are some of the moments that affirm why you do what you do?

There are so many moments that affirm why I do what I do. Often it’s when customers tell me how a piece has become part of their daily ritual — a rug they sit on each morning, or a sheepskin that travels with them from home to home. Hearing that something we’ve made has brought comfort during a difficult time, or accompanied someone through different chapters of life, is deeply meaningful.

It’s also incredibly affirming when respected South African brands and designers reach out to collaborate or stock our products. This remind me that there is real value in staying true to quality, material integrity and local production.

Here is one example on Perfect Hideaways’ online store: https://shop.perfecthideaways.co.za/shop/hot-water-bottle-cover

South African Identity

How does being South African influence the identity of Karoo Baba?

Karoo Baba will always be South African at heart. Our materials, our relationships and our sense of place are rooted here, and we are committed to working only with natural, locally sourced materials. At the same time, the values behind the brand — comfort, simplicity, craftsmanship and longevity — are universal.

Being grounded locally allows us to speak authentically to a global audience without losing our identity. We believe South African design has a rightful place on the world stage, especially when it is rooted in integrity and quality.

Looking Forward

What’s next for Karoo Baba, and how do you see the brand evolving?

As interest in conscious, considered luxury grows, Karoo Baba’s focus remains the same: fewer, better pieces made with intention. As awareness around the benefits of natural materials like wool continues to grow — both locally and internationally — we see ourselves as part of a broader movement advocating for their everyday use.

The next chapter is about deepening our relationships with makers, expanding thoughtfully into new spaces and applications, and continuing to create pieces that support well-being, comfort and longevity — without losing the calm, grounded essence of the brand.

As I like to say, where there is wool, there is a way.