ABOUT
Born and raised in South Africa, Hanneke Lourens is a California-based furniture designer, making contemporary pieces using classic woodworking techniques. Although she's lived in the US for almost a decade, Hanneke still feels very connected to her place of birth. She draws endless inspiration from her roots—always weaving the spirit and vibrancy of Africa into her work.
Working from a renovated cow barn in the Northern Californian redwoods, she makes each item by hand, forever keeping longevity front of mind. Previously a fashion designer in London, Hanneke felt drawn to the utility and timelessness of high-quality furniture. Switching mediums and continents, she now designs and makes pieces with underlying cultural messages.
Hanneke is passionate about African Design and writes a monthly newsletter featuring designers and makers from the African continent.
PROCESS
A former fashion designer, Hanneke took up woodworking as a return to making things with her hands. She finds unending similarities between clothing and furniture design—both disciplines making forms for the human body.
Her process is deliberate: a careful balance between thought-provoking flair and undeniable practicality.
PRODUCTION
Hanneke’s knowledge and skills from years of study at a traditional woodworking school have evolved into a contemporary practice, where she creates sculptural objects intended for daily use. She is fascinated by the permanence of wood, the precision it demands, and the creativity it can deliver.
Each piece is made from scratch and by hand in her studio on the West Coast. Creating high-quality, long-lasting objects is always a primary focus.
PLACE
Although she’s lived in California for almost a decade, Hanneke still feels very connected to her roots. South Africa is her main source of inspiration: she goes back regularly and for as long as she can. It’s only fitting that both her made-to-order collections, Barred and Corrugated, pay homage to her beloved homeland.
While South Africa’s natural beauty and vibrant creativity will always make a bright first impression, darker issues such as rising unemployment cannot be ignored.
Hanneke will be donating 5% of her sales through this website to Learn to Earn—a skills development and job creation organization in Khayelitsha, South Africa.
