It can be argued that riempie chairs are as South African as braaivleis, rugby and veldskoene and have been around as long as any of us can remember. On a recent visit to Johannesburg I repaired 3 of my sisters four riempie chairs. Oddly enough the riempie wooden frames were in fact broken while the actual leather bits were still intact. They were antiques.
Closer to home here in knysna there is another solution for riempie repair and that is the Werkswinkel. They are a short 10 minute trip out of Knysna in the Plettenberg Bay direction and are located in Hornlee. To find them, take the Hornlee turn-off, first road left into Sunridge and then 2nd left into Wing street. They can be found on the corner of Wing and Soutian streets. You cant miss them, easily visible from the road.
The Werkswinkel would probably be your most cost effective repair alternative. They just do the work, no hype, and have a lot of expertise to draw from. For further details contact Edwin on (044) 385-0145.
Hi there,
We immigrated to Australia 21 years ago we have 10 riempie chars and a two seater bankie that needs repair. Can we buy riempies from you? Or do you have a contact in australia/ Looking forward to hearing from you
I am sure we can help you out. I would suggest we send you a sample of the riempie we source and if it will do the job we can order whatever you need.
I have 8 Riempie chairs which I bought in Cape Town about 20yrs ago. I live in California and need to have all my chairs repaired. Where can I get some riempie for the repair.
Thanks,
Janet
We could source it or you but I suspect there will be complications your end importing it. Can you not get someone to do it for you locally. I am sure anyone who crafts and works with leather could do a fix. But let me ask around. I might be wrong.
Long shot but try these guys http://www.marico.co.za/Whips/Index.htm . I was looking for another site I once saw about someone who also makes whips but in the Cape. However I reckon Marico is as good a place as any to start asking questions about the ins and outs of riempe and leather work. The problems I foresee are at Customs in the States.
Riempie source in Australia is Birdsall Leather in Botany (Sydney) NSW. I bought lengths of leather to fix all our 8 South African Chairs – the leather is white alum tan, exactly the same as original riempie on chairs! By the way, I have 6 South African chairs of a similar style to the dining table set that I would like to sell. Anyone interested please contact Patty 0422 933 993 and make an offer. I am about to put them on ebay but would prefer to sell to someone who knows what they worth. Rare timbers and craftsmanship = South African furniture!
HELP…We have about 8 yellow wood riempie chairs that need replacement riempies. Importing riempies are likely to be a problem. Does anyone know where in New Zealand we can find this? Thanks, Jean
I have had two Paul Kruger riempies armchairs for the 49 years that I have lived in the US. Brought them with me in 1961. I had a friend in George, Cape, send me some riempies in the mail and had no trouble with picking it up at the post office. Over the years I have replaced them myself, having leant how as a kid of 6. It is very easy to do and should anyone want to know how, they can email me. Easy, a kid of 6 can do it. No problem. And it is fun…
Thx. Sometimes we forget how simple things work. You are welcome to let me have something I can post on the site. That would be a start and we could always pack and post a neatly wrapped parcel.