Born in South Africa into a family of engineers, Louis Henri Buhrmann, and his brother Balthasar, were addicted to “creating things” from an early age. The pair have now launched a collection of furniture, lighting and carpets that boasts their unique handwriting.
Louis’ early experiments with wood-turning and metal-working machinery led to a degree course in Interior Architecture at the University of Johannesburg. Louis moved to London in 2002, and spent the next six years acquiring professional experience in merchandising and interior design – with Andrew Martin and a leading property developer – before setting up his own interior design practice in 2008.
Every aspect of Louis’ interior design expresses originality, imagination and a devotion to bespoke craftsmanship. His projects include a shimmering apartment in the Avenue Montaigne, Paris, a retreat in Dubai, a palace in Saudi Arabia, and a holiday villa in the South of France.
Much of the furniture, lighting and carpets featured in his projects were custom-made to his Louis’ own designs, so the logical next step was the launch of his own collection.
Louis has chosen pieces which he believes have universal appeal, inspired by those developed for private commissions. Each item has a distinctive character, an evolution of a classic shape, and an undertone of humour, with occasional eccentricity. Some items – such as the Gazelle Desk, the Herd of Tables, the Pelican floor lamp, and the Shongololo (aka Millipede) – make a witty reference to the wildlife of Africa and Louis’ roots.
Louis Henri’s hand-crafted furniture designs are sold in limited editions, and can be adapted to order. His brother Balthasar, who studied engineering and woodwork, makes every piece himself in his workshop in South Africa.
This story was originally published in the March issue of Furniture News magazine.
