Regenerative Design to #doDIfferent
In a world of fast furniture and throwaway trends, where every decision we make has a ripple effect, imagine a business that weaves positive change directly into its fabric. There are companies in South Africa that allow you to be a part of a powerful wave of social good, simply by choosing their products. This is the story of one such brand, dedicated not just to quality, but to making a tangible difference… introducing Man + Wife.
Bruce and Kimlyn Harbottle are the passionate team behind Man + Wife, a furniture company born out of love and a profound desire to do good. They met while studying industrial design, and after a few years of marriage and a growing family, they decided to create a family business with a very specific purpose. When their son, Noah, was born with Down Syndrome in 2014, they envisioned a company that he could one day join, where he would be valued and would add value. Man + Wife was founded in 2017 with this hopeful, family-centred philosophy at its core.
The journey wasn’t without its challenges. After a series of severe health struggles, Bruce began to re-evaluate his lifestyle. This led him to a deeper understanding of the connection between health, diet, and the environment. He discovered the concept of regenerative agriculture, which in turn inspired a new dream: to create regenerative furniture with a positive environmental, social, and aesthetic effect through Man + Wife.
Man + Wife's approach goes beyond simple sustainability; they are committed to regenerative design, a philosophy that seeks to create a net positive impact on natural systems. While sustainable design aims to minimise environmental impact, regenerative design actively repairs and protects the planet.
It's a young concept in South Africa, but the Harbottles are leading the way. They are working towards Ecological Outcome Verification™ (EOV) certification from the Savory Institute, which measures land regeneration through indicators like biodiversity and soil health. They're building relationships with local suppliers and sourcing low-impact materials to create a truly vertically integrated business, from farm to retail.
The Man + Wife furniture range is about rethinking the materials used in production and the impact they have on our environment and our health. Here’s how they #doDifferent:
Locally Sourced: All materials are sourced from within South Africa, which drastically reduces carbon emissions and travel time, while also boosting the local economy in the Eastern Cape.
Waste Wool & Regenerative Leather: Instead of urethane foam, they use locally sourced waste wool offcuts or wool from a regeneratively certified farm. They also use leather from an EOV certified regenerative farm, where topsoil growth captures large amounts of carbon.
Solid Wood: They use solid SA pine for their furniture frames instead of composite boards, reducing formaldehyde emissions that can cause allergic reactions.\
Reducing Plastic: They have made a conscious effort to reduce plastic as much as possible throughout their furniture.
Man + Wife's positive impact extends far beyond their furniture. Their social philosophy is as intentional as their design. The company aims to raise awareness about the environmental and social impact of material choices, empowering customers to make better decisions for their families and communities. They also actively contribute to local skills development and employment, including opportunities for people from under-resourced communities and those who are differently abled. Additionally, they give back by donating a generous 2% of all their total invoices to non-profit organisations and under-resourced schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa's poorest province.
The journey of Man + Wife is a testament to the power of one family's vision to create a business that not only provides beautiful, quality furniture but also acts as a force for good. By choosing Man + Wife, you are not just investing in a piece of furniture; you are investing in a healthier planet, a thriving local community, and a business with a truly inspiring heart.
