Ongeto Living is shaped by the people who make, sell, and live with these objects. Here you'll find notes from studio visits, conversations with independent artisans, and stories from buyers who chose something with a past. It's a space for those who prefer a hand-thrown mug over a factory set, and who want to know the hands behind the work.
Field notes, studio visits and honest advice from the people who make, find and live with these objects.
We spent an afternoon watching how discarded railway sleepers become sculptural dining tables. A lesson in patience and material honesty.
From Woodstock to Observatory, the potters shaping the city's tableware scene. What to look for and where to find it.
How a cooperative of weavers is keeping Zulu basket patterns alive in modern home decor. Signed by the maker, built to last.
Ongeto Living is a curated directory, not a marketplace. We do not sell the objects ourselves, and we do not take a commission from the makers. Our role is to document and present what we find, so you can make an informed choice. The notes below clarify how we work, what we mean by certain terms, and the limits of what we can guarantee.
Every piece we feature has been seen in person by a member of our team. We visit workshops, flea markets and design studios across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. We do not list items we have only seen in a photograph. When we mention a material, such as reclaimed timber or hand-glazed ceramic, it is because we have confirmed it with the maker, not because it is implied by the look.
We provide a price range for each object, not a fixed price. These ranges reflect what we were quoted at the time of our visit and are meant to give you a general sense of the investment involved. Actual prices may vary depending on the maker, the complexity of the piece, and any custom requests. We do not list exact figures because they change, and we prefer not to publish something that may be outdated within a season.
We use the word “artisan” to describe makers who are directly involved in the production of the objects they sell. This does not mean every step is done by hand without any machinery. Many skilled craftspeople use power tools for certain stages. What matters to us is that the person we feature has control over the design and the making process, and that they are not simply reselling mass-produced goods.
Each listing includes practical care tips based on the materials. These are general guidelines, not a full restoration manual. For example, we might suggest how to treat a wooden surface with oil, or how to clean a glazed ceramic without damaging the finish. If you need more detailed advice, we recommend contacting the maker directly. We do not offer repair services, and we cannot take responsibility for how a piece is used or maintained after purchase.
Our catalogue is updated by season. This means the pieces you see now may not be available in a few months, as makers often work in small batches. We do our best to keep the directory current, but we cannot guarantee that an item listed today will still be in stock when you contact the maker. We always suggest reaching out to confirm availability before making a trip.
We focus on original work and pieces with a clear connection to a local maker. We do not feature items that are mass-produced copies of traditional designs, even if they are sold in the same markets. If you are looking for a specific style and are unsure whether a piece is authentic, we are happy to share what we know about the maker and their process. Our goal is to help you buy with confidence.