Klooftique Celebrates 50 Years

Time is a funny thing. It’s unbelievable to think that Klooftique will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, when it feels like it was just yesterday that founder, Gerald Furman, first opened the doors of Klooftique in 1973 at 87 Kloof street, Gardens, Cape Town.

What began as the refurbishment of Cape and Victorian pieces, would eventually become one of South Africa’s most beloved manufacturers of heirloom furniture.

When it comes to interior and furniture design trends, we’ve seen it all. From low, modern furniture pieces upholstered in crisp white leathers, to bold animal prints and romantic pieces upholstered in brightly-coloured velvets – eventually coming full circle to once again focus on our core design elements of beautifully structured pieces in rich leathers and organic textures.
You name it, we’ve (most likely) made it.

As time shifted, so did the Klooftique showroom layout, with numerous renovations, furniture installations and wall features – ensuring that everyone who entered the premises remained inspired. When visiting the showroom, one can even see the exposed brick from the original build as a feature; just one of the many little nods to Klooftique’s heritage.

Not many know that the factory once called 87 Kloof street “home”, before they acquired space in Paarden Eiland. The bustle of pieces being created brought an ancestry-like charm to the space, which the team have always strived to maintain.

In fact, Klooftique still uses the same traditional methods of manufacturing to create furniture, while still constantly working on ways to refine the craft even more

“We believe in the importance of not only humility, but remembering one’s roots. When we find ourselves in a market where instant gratification and mass-produced, cheaply-manufactured furniture has become the norm, we return to our core and remind ourselves of the Klooftique ethos; to craft beautifully made, strong, sustainable furniture.”

When ordering a piece of Klooftique furniture, it’s important to remember that every element of production is done by hand – from the solid SA pine frame which is carefully constructed, to the process of carefully cutting and sewing the piece’s upholstery. Our artisans take great care and pride in their process.