Tracy Joubert, Re-freshed Designs

“We’ve been working with our representative for years,” Tracy Joubert, owner of Re-fresh Designs says. “She comes to the studio and drops off fabric swatches, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming products. And if she knows a product has a longer lead time, she might guide us towards a different one—we don’t want our client to fall in love with something we can’t deliver. She’s great to work with. ”

Tracy Joubert, Re-freshed Designs

Claire Gardner, owner of Symmetry Interior Architectural Design (Pty) Ltd

“They give me better service than I would get if I were just choosing a standard piece of furniture from a well-known trade showroom. Most manufactures don't offer the service of custom design anyway” says JHB–based designer Claire Gardner, owner of Symmetry Interior Architectural Design (Pty) Ltd. A frequent user of the Semper Fortis trade program. “It allows a designer to get a fair price and not be limited by the fabrics that exist. I was doing a chair with a very large repeat fabric, and we came up with a couple different ways to bring the cost of the meterage down so that it was viable for our client. That’s surprising from a larger production company making multiple pieces of furniture. ”

Jenna Page Interior Designer at Solv Design Studio

“Semper Fortis has a wonderful collaborative approach to projects” Jenna Page from Solv Design Studio says. “We can refer our clients to their showroom, and they are respectful of that relationship, assisting in communicating our proposed design to the client.” She notes the ease in receiving pricing and samples. “Semper Fortis has a reliable and efficient turn-around time with quotations and sampling, which really helps us to deliver information timeously to our clients.”

Aidan Hart, Creative Director at INHOUSE Design Studio

“Though lead times can be longer for custom items — just like any upholstery company — Aidan Hart says Semper Fortis offerings are well worth the wait. “They are always on target and have tons of custom options,” the founder of INHOUSE Design Studio explains.”

Tony Pereira , of Life Interiors, Architecture & Strategic Design

“They give me better service than I would get if I were just choosing a standard piece of furniture from a well-known trade showroom, most manufactures don't offer the service of custom design anyway” says JHB–based designer Tony Pereira , of Life Interiors, Architecture & Strategic Design, a frequent user of Semper Fortis trade program. “It allows a designer to get a fair price and not be limited by the fabrics that exist. I was doing a chair with a very large repeat fabric, and we came up with a couple different ways to bring the cost of the meterage down so that it was viable. That’s surprising from a larger production company making multiple pieces of furniture.”

Byron Koisdos

“Trade members receive up to 20% off retail, which is 10% more than any other trade discount program in South Africa. Also, members are eligible for an additional 10% rebate if they spend ZAR 450,000 in a quarter after those discounts.”