Day two of Cape Town Furniture Week 2026, which unfolded yesterday, Thursday, 19 February, carried forward the energy of the opening day and elevated it with even deeper engagement, layered experiences, and a growing sense of shared momentum across the city. More than a design festival, the event has become a social and creative movement, and yesterday's programme brought that spirit into sharp focus.
© Mikyall Harris | InteriorDaily.com
A festival of exploration and conversation
For visitors and participants alike, day two felt like a fully immersive design journey, one that moved beyond the Festival Hub and into studios, showrooms, workshops, and creative spaces dotted across Cape Town's diverse districts. From Central City to De Waterkant, Woodstock to Observatory, the city itself was part of the fair's fabric, blurring lines between exhibition, activation, and discovery.
The Festival Hub at 81 St George's Mall continued to be a central point for connecting with brands, catching up with friends, and planning the rest of the day. But many of the day's most memorable moments unfolded out in the field, in intimate talks, hands-on workshops, and behind-the-scenes visits that gave attendees a rare window into makers' processes.
© Mikyall Harris | InteriorDaily.com
Guided experiences and maker moments
Day two's official schedule was packed with experiences that invited participation rather than passive viewing. Early morning design talks, such as those hosted by Hoop and Acre Studio exploring craft and coffee culture, set an engaging tone. Meanwhile, SALT RIVER's HALDANE revealed new outdoor collections that drew crowd discussion around material and modularity.
Across Observatory and Woodstock, meet-the-maker sessions brought visitors into workshops where designers from Andrew Dominic Furniture to Ndivhuho Rasengani at One to One by Martin Döller invited questions, showed techniques, and shared context around their work. Studio tours at spaces like Wiid Design offered insights into design thinking, craft techniques, and upcoming collections, making the festival feel like an open studio weekend as much as a trade event.
Brands, collaborations, and city-wide showcases
The festival's decentralised format meant that discovering new voices, and reconnecting with familiar ones, was a big part of the day's rhythm. Instagram highlights from the official Cape Town Furniture Week account kept visitors and followers in the loop with snapshots from across venues, lively crowds deep in discussion, inspiring installations, and design moments that looked as social as they were thoughtful.
With nearly 80 participating brands and designers, from local makers to collaborative showcases, Cape Town Furniture Week feels like an ecosystem, not an exhibition. Featured names like Houtlander, The Urbanative, Curacion Collection, and African Jacquard demonstrated how diverse perspectives are shaping the contemporary scene, each rooted in craft yet forward-looking in approach.
© Mikyall Harris | InteriorDaily.com
Conversations around craft, community, and context
A highlight of the day was how conversation and connection were elevated beyond surface moments. Talks on design process, such as those at Hope Garden Furniture's secret garden, gave depth and context to the work on show. Walkabouts at spaces like Design Afrika invited reflection on traditional techniques and how they dialogue with contemporary expressions.
Evenings across different districts were full of lively gatherings, impromptu drinks, animated discussions, and many a "let's meet here tomorrow" moment. The festival continues to be equal parts social playground and professional showcase, with both locals and international visitors appreciating the open, friendly atmosphere that Cape Town does so well.
A day of connection and creative uplift
By the end of day two, one sentiment kept coming up from exhibitors and attendees alike: this feels like a festival of design that is just as intentional about community as it is about craft. Enthusiasm remained high, feedback was generous, and the programme's blend of curated talks and open studio moments created a rare environment where learning and leisure co-exist beautifully.
From in-depth conversations and craft immersion to casual catch-ups at the Festival Hub, day two of Cape Town Furniture Week 2026 offered a rich, dynamic snapshot of where local and regional design is heading, grounded in authenticity, variety, and that unmistakable Cape Town energy.
Stay tuned, with two days still to go, the vibe shows no sign of slowing down.
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More information:
Cape Town Furniture Week 2026
[email protected]
www.capetownfurnitureweek.com
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