Johannesburg

Joburg Itinerary: Kramerville Design District

more than a year ago
Founded in 2005, the Kramerville Design District, a short drive from Sandton Central, has evolved to become a place where creativity and colour know no limits. From its industrial origins to a haven of artistry, this district has transformed into a beacon of design, boasting an unparalleled collection of interior design and décor services, interesting local and international label furniture, fabric and home accessory stores, plus plenty of cool coffee stops along the way. There's even a Wednesday night bar with a superb sundowner view. 

If you are keen to shop, eat and play – here's our guide to making the most of your visit to Kramerville Design District. 

Where to shop 

Whether you are looking for guidance on how to make your house a home, furniture, fabrics, lighting or trinkets that'll look great on a shelf, there's a host of stores we think you should visit. Here are our picks. 

Anatomy Design 

Anatomy Design at the 2021 edition of Design Joburg. Photo: Anatomy Design via Instagram.

Established in 2010 by visionary co-owners Megan Hesse and Andrea Kleinloog, Anatomy Design has emerged as a renowned force within the design industry. This elegant retail store seamlessly blends African heritage with European influences to produce captivating spaces that cater to private individuals and corporates. Crafted locally is a badge of pride here – look out for the distinctive collection of furniture and homeware items.

Amatuli Artefacts

Barbershop signs at Amatuli. Photo: Johannesburg in Your Pocket.

Long-established suppliers of unique and original African artefacts and objets d’art, Amatuli Artefacts is an awe-inspiring showroom is filled with collectable items. You'll find a dizzying array of Kuba cloths from central Africa, hand-painted West African barbershop signs, Zanzibari doors and Yoruba beaded chairs amongst many other items of curiosity. There are beads and basketry, beautiful fabrics and so much more, plus treasures from plenty of other destinations, including Morocco and India. 

Always Welcome

Always Welcome in Kramerville. Photo: Always Welcome.

If you are looking for collectable items, design that is highly considered, tasteful layouts and innovative South African-made furniture, or just ideas on how to decorate your home, we suggest you make a beeline for the Always Welcome store. A pioneer in bringing South African-made furniture and homeware accessory brands into the mainstream – Always Welcome showcases more than 30 leading South African furniture and décor designers, with something unique to suit every taste, in a dazzling range of colours, styles and designs. They also share space with a showroom geared toward creating the best home movie spaces. We suggest you lie back and sample all the chairs. 

Melvill & Moon

Explore the shelves at this Kramerville store. Photo: Melvill & Moon. 

The Melvill family are besotted with all things safari, including vintage collectables and their business, Melvill & Moon specialises in fine, hand-crafted accessories and luggage in leather and safari canvas that will have you looking the part on your wildlife adventure. Items include satchels, camping chairs and binocular cases inspired by the designs of 19th-century explorers, and no self-respecting explorer should leave home without the Serengeti Sundowner, a beautiful leather tote that neatly stores six wine glasses.
 

La Grange Interiors

Bring the indoors outdoors with luxury furniture offerings. Photo: Le Grange Interiors via Facebook.

La Grange Interiors was founded in 1996 by Sumari Krige and originally operated out of a charming, two-century-old barn located in the scenic town of Franschhoek. Over time, it has transformed into a meticulously curated furniture and home décor destination. The store prides itself on offering an exclusive selection of opulent soft furnishings, vintage antiques that exude character, and accessories sourced from various corners of the world or personally designed by the owner. 

St Leger & Viney

St Leger & Viney's showroom in Kramerville. Photo: Supplied. 

Founded in 1989, St Leger & Viney is one of South Africa's finest décor studios, specialising in high-end designer fabrics and wallpapers for the home. St Leger & Viney creates their own designs and also sells luxury fabrics, wallpapers and other decorative items by leading international brands including Anna French, Anthology, Christopher Farr, Cole & Son, Élitis, GP&J Baker, ILIV, Ralph Lauren, Rebel Walls, Schumacher and Thibaut.

Weylandts

Stylish and sustainable design. Photo: Weylandts.
We love this store and its coffee counter. Since opening in 1964 as a furniture store in Windhoek, Namibia, Weylandts has grown to become one of the leading retailers of furniture and homeware in South Africa. With an impressive nationwide presence of 10 stores, Weylandts has become synonymous with daring style and enduring elegance, thanks to founder Chris Weylandt's vision and passion for exceptional furniture and refined living. A spot to linger. 
 

Where to stop

Kramerville isn't just for shopping, it's for stopping and admiring and of course, eating something along the way. From countless cool coffee shops to hidden gems serving up authentic street food, there's something to tantalise every palate.
 

Cult Coffee

The cutest place for a cup of Joe. Photo: Cult Coffee via Facebook.

Using high-grade imported beans poured by the top baristas, a cup from Cult Coffee promises to make the best of your visit to Kramerville. This speciality coffee bar and Barista Academy may be harder to leave than an actual cult.
 

Father Coffee and Winebar

Born in Braamfontein, Father Coffee has evolved from a small sidewalk stop to a mega coffee emporium. Photo: Father Coffee via Instagram.

Father Coffee is a renowned Joburg roastery, highly regarded by coffee aficionados from the start. Their location in Kramerville is an immense, warehouse-like space. Of course, it's pared-down and chic in that understated urban way that Father Coffee has perfected, and staffed by a serious team of baristas. It also has the look of a laboratory with an in-house bakery behind glass – those excellent cinnamon buns and almond croissants demand scientific precision. The food here is excellent! The attached natural and low-intervention wine bar is worth a try, too.  

Naked Coffee Kramerville Cart

A good cup of coffee isn't far. Photo: Naked Coffee via Facebook.

Titillate your taste buds and cure your caffeine cravings with a quick visit to Naked's coffee stand on Desmond Avenue (opposite Katy's Palace Bar) for your quick coffee fix, or head to their kitchen and coffee bar in Morningside for a leisurely latte or a casual cappuccino. 


Razor Charlie Latin Eatery 

No shortage of colour (or cocktails). Photo: Razor Charlie. 

Razor Charlie is a charming and quirky Mexican-style eatery provides a flamboyant pop of colour to an otherwise mostly workaday neighbourhood. Enter the doorway into a courtyard area with overhanging lights, plenty of lush greenery, and cosy seating nooks and you'll be transported to a Latin-inspired hideaway complete with signature Talavera tiles, a wall of altar boxes, and vibrantly coloured furniture and artefacts. It's an Instagrammer's dream.
 

Sir James Van Der Merwe at Katy's Palace Bar

Soak in the sunset and the skyline. Photo: Sir James Van der Merwe.

An unusual location, but then partying on Wednesdays is in itself unconventional. This stunning warehouse space (on ground level is the incredible Amatuli store) is an explorer's treasure chest stuffed with a covetable collection of antiques and quirky items from across the world, and endowed with a unique Sandton skyline view. Then there's the retro party music, fun yet sensibly restrained guests, and the fact that everyone is just so darn nice – it's a given that you'll forget tomorrow is Thursday. 

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