Selections shaped around your brief
Every custom curation starts with a clear brief. We look at the look and feel you want, the setting the pieces will be used in, the quantities needed and the price band you need to stay within. That may mean 12 table settings for a lodge in the Lowveld, a run of gift packs for a corporate launch in Sandton, or a mixed order of textiles and ceramics for a retail floor in Cape Town. We can also curate by region, colour palette, material, or maker story if that matters to your audience.
Our team works with woven textiles, hand-thrown ceramics, homeware, small decorative pieces and functional artisan goods. Where required, we can balance one-off objects with repeatable items so the selection feels considered but still practical. If the order needs to travel to Durban, Gqeberha or overseas, we also factor in breakage risk, weight and packing method from the start.
- Style direction matched to your interior, brand or event theme
- Budget-led sourcing with clear per-item and per-order guidance
- Quantity planning for single spaces, bulk orders or mixed packs
- Use-based curation for display, serving, gifting or retail resale
What is included in a custom curation
The service includes sourcing, selection, presentation and order coordination. Once we understand the brief, we shortlist suitable makers and products, then prepare a curated range for your approval. If you need a hospitality scheme, we can group items by room or service area. For retail clients, we can build a shelf-ready mix with enough variety to keep the display interesting, without making stock control difficult.
We also include provenance cards where needed, gift packing for direct presentation, and export packing for international movement. For larger orders, we can prepare a sample loan so you can assess colour, finish and scale before confirming volume. In humid coastal areas or spaces with strong sun exposure, we will advise on materials that are less likely to warp, fade or stain, and on care that suits everyday use.
- Tailored product shortlist with notes on size, finish and origin
- Provenance cards for maker, material and care information
- Gift packing, export packing and courier coordination
- Sample loans for larger or high-value selections
How the curation process works
We keep the process practical and straightforward. It begins with your enquiry through the contact form, followed by a brief discussion around use, numbers, timing and budget. After that, we prepare a first selection and confirm the direction with you. If adjustments are needed, we refine the list and finalise quantities before moving into packing and dispatch. For complex projects, a call or collection consultation can help clarify measurements and finish preferences before sourcing begins.
Typical projects move through four steps. First we define the brief. Then we source and assess options. After approval, we lock in the order and arrange packaging. Finally, we hand over to courier or collection. For Johannesburg deliveries, some orders can be collected from Maboneng by arrangement. For other cities and international destinations, shipping is quoted according to size, weight and destination rules, and delivery time depends on courier schedules and any export documentation needed.
- Step 1: brief, use case and quantity confirmed
- Step 2: curated selection prepared for review
- Step 3: approval, payment and packing arranged
- Step 4: collection, local delivery or courier dispatch
Turnaround times and maintenance intervals
Turnaround depends on the size of the order and how specific the brief is. Smaller curation requests can often be completed within 3 to 5 working days, while larger sourcing and mixed orders may take 1 to 3 weeks. If items need to be matched across several makers, or if export packing is required, allow a bit longer. During busy seasons, especially before year-end gifting and hospitality changeovers, it helps to book early so stock can be secured in time.
For maintenance, we advise a quick review every 6 months for retail and hospitality clients, and after each major event for gifting or seasonal display orders. Check ceramics for chips, textiles for loose weave or staining, and packing material for wear if items are stored between uses. In dry inland areas the care needs may be simple, while coastal storage often benefits from better ventilation and lined boxes. A little routine attention keeps the selection presentable and reduces replacement costs.
Pricing approach for curated orders
Our pricing is based on the time involved in sourcing, the complexity of the brief, the number of items being curated and any special packing or export requirements. Simple selection orders with fixed quantities are priced differently from layered projects that involve comparison across several makers, bespoke mixes or sample loans. We aim to keep the pricing clear, with no vague add-ons. If you have a strict budget, say so early and we will work within it rather than pushing items you do not need.
For wholesale and hospitality clients, we can price by batch, by item or by range depending on how the order will be used. Courier, export and special packing are quoted separately when applicable. If a brief changes after sourcing has started, the revision may affect the final cost, so it is best to confirm measurements, colours and quantities upfront. That saves time and avoids unnecessary rework. It also helps when stock availability shifts mid-week, which can happen with handmade goods.
- Fixed-price curation possible for clearly defined briefs
- Scaled pricing for larger quantities or repeat orders
- Separate quotes for packing, courier and export handling
- Budget-led recommendations to keep spend under control
Best-fit uses for custom curation
Custom curation suits clients who need a specific result, not just a shopping list. We often curate for hospitality interiors, home staging, corporate gifts, retail ranges, special occasions and overseas buyers looking for authentic African-made goods. If you are furnishing a guest house in Pretoria, preparing opening stock for a store in Midrand, or sending a curated set abroad, the service gives you one point of coordination instead of dealing with many separate purchases.
Because we work with makers across Africa, the final mix can be broad or tightly focused. You might ask for warm earth tones, practical serving pieces and woven accents, or for a brighter seasonal edit with strong colour and pattern. Either way, the selection is grounded in real use and proper handling, not just appearance. We check dimensions, weight and finish so the pieces suit the space they are going into and the people who will handle them.
- Hospitality styling for lodges, guest houses and restaurants
- Retail wholesale edits for shelf, table and window displays
- Corporate gifting with packing and provenance included
- International orders with export-ready handling
Key facts
| Service type | Tailored sourcing and product selection |
|---|---|
| Typical lead time | 3 to 5 working days for smaller briefs, 1 to 3 weeks for larger or mixed orders |
| Order sizes | Single-piece requests, small batch orders, bulk and wholesale quantities |
| Product categories | Textiles, ceramics, homeware, artisan goods and giftable pieces |
| Coverage | Johannesburg collection, South African courier and international shipping |
| Review interval | Recommended stock and care review every 6 months for ongoing clients |
