Dossier spoke to the Dècor powerhouse couple from KENT AND LANE, Mimi and John-Henry Roberts. Their work includes furniture design and manufacturing as well as large scale installations, some of them weaved, mostly in restaurants and public spaces.

Mimi, how did Kent&Lane come about?

When the kids started school I was suddenly alone for a few hours in a day and there I found ME again and US as a couple… Kent and Lane (Pty) was born. I told my husband (the Kent in Kent and Lane) that I think I want to make furniture. The organiser that he is, he made it happen. He had a timber construction company for 15 years and let me play in the workshop. The process of making has always excited me in both the crafting of an item and in the creative sense.

Who and what are your inspirations?

We find inspiration in creative people and their stories. I am also a big lover of fashion and the runway shows always inspire me.

Where do you work from?

After many years in Pretoria, we decided to pack up and move down to the Riebeek Valley in the Western Cape where we now have a studio space we create from. Most of our furniture fabricating is still being done in Pretoria.

What/where has been your favourite installation?

Every installation is a favourite in one way or another. It’s always new, always challenging, always rewarding, but that being said I think the weaved Leather boma's installation for the Meat & Wine Co restaurant in Melbourne in 2019 has to be a highlight. We collaborated with the brilliant team at Design Partnership Australia to bring their design concept to life. We travelled with the kids and worked there for 5 weeks. Just the memories we made as a family will be forever remembered.

Where do you see the company in five years? And a decade from now?

In these times we live it seems difficult to try and figure out what is going to happen in a years time from now. We trust ourselves that we can establish a global footprint, delivering amazing products for our clients that will enable them to achieve their goals.

Favourite things:

Taking a drive into the country side, exploring this amazing country and enjoying the good company of friends and family.

Best movies:

JH: The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Mimi: Not a big movie person, I would much rather spend my time searching the web for creative inspiration or watch a documentary about the great creatives, designers and makers.

Best music:

We love any music that moves our souls, from hard rock to house music!

Best destination:

Singapore

Best hotel/Lodge:

Desert quiver Camp, Sesriem Namibia and 57 Waterberg Welgevonden in the Waterberge

Best restaurant?

To many to think of, not because of the food alone or the view but because of the memories made sharing a good meal, laughs and a glass of wine with friends

How must people contact you?

email: hello@kentandlane.co.za

Number: +27 82 803 6491

Photographs : Mia Ziervogel on Canon

Clothes: Black dress by David Tlale

African print collection by MAXHOSA