The Lesire Collection: From Crochet Patterns to Hardwood Furniture

Textiles and furniture often go hand in hand, but for Peter Mabeo’s Lesire Collection, textiles became the inspiration for something far more solid. The Botswana-based furniture designer, founder of Mabeo Studio, pays homage to the intricate lace crochet techniques perfected by South African women during the 1900s. Lesire, which means “wedding veil” in Tswana, refers to a textile known for its distinctive scallop edged detail. Mabeo has skillfully translated this delicate pattern into a hardwood furniture line, Lesire Collection, that not only showcases the craftsmanship of the local artisans, but also provides them with a global platform to share their talents, with the collection now available through Design Within Reach.

A wooden room corner with a window, a detailed carved fireplace, a small wooden bench, and a tall slender vase holding a branch with leaves and small white flowers. A tree is visible outside

Lesire Storage Bench

A wooden side table with a drawer partially open, displaying stacked books. The drawer features a decorative, scalloped pattern, and a ceramic bowl sits on top of the table

Lesire Storage Bench

At the heart of the collection is panga panga wood, a durable hardwood from Southeast Africa that’s prized for its resistance to insects and fungi. This choice of material grounds the collection in its surroundings – an essential principle for Mabeo. “We find that looking for design directions that are universally applicable in a world that is separated from us, is easier when we reach for what is around us with care,” the designer explains. “Our craftwork finds a place when we start from what is familiar and what we appreciate, translating either literally or conceptually, with a sense of freedom that is accommodating to what we have learnt and also to what is innate.”

The panga panga wood is sourced from LevasFlor, a Mozambican company that’s committed to ethical harvesting and community engagement. With their FSC certification, LevasFlor strikes the perfect balance between international standards of sustainability and local inclusivity, making it a fitting partner for Mabeo’s vision.

A modern grey chest of drawers with two blue bottles and a book on top stands against a paneled wooden wall, with a round mirror above and a black chair to the left

Lesire Wall Mirror

An oval mirror with a dark, scalloped wooden frame reflects a vase with branches against a wooden paneled background

Lesire Wall Mirror

Each piece in the collection is carefully hand-carved by Mabeo’s artisans, who bring the scalloped edge to life across mirrors, tabletops, credenzas, and storage benches. The angular legs of the tables, credenzas, and benches further enhance the visual dynamism of the scallop pattern, creating a harmonious interplay between structure and ornamentation. The rich, textured grain of the panga panga wood adds a natural elegance to every piece, while the hand-carved details showcase the extraordinary craftsmanship of Mabeo’s local artisans – bringing together heritage, artistry, and the raw beauty of the material in perfect harmony.