Meet the Man Behind Trouvé

June 10, 2020by HOMEMAKERS Editor0 comments

In the beautiful and eccentric Long street in Greymont, Johannesburg, among the quirky antique shops, you will find the gem, Trouvé.

Joe Strydom founder of Trouvé is no stranger to HOMEMAKERS. He has often presented and work-shopped paint techniques at the HOMEMAKERS Expos in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Joe shares his story and how it all started.

Subscribe to Trouvé’s YouTube Channel where he shares tips and does workshops on creating distressed walls, aged patina, upcycling of furniture, wax treatments and glazes!

Was Trouvé a life plan or did it happen unplanned?

I have always loved antiques and upcycling (main thanks to my mom) and always said “one day”. Six years ago I started selling upcycled items online, from our home. Last year a property close to our home and in the “antique mile” of Johannesburg became available and we decided to take a chance. My partner, Shaun and our shop assistant, Maki run the shop and coffee shop full time. Besides selling furniture, we also stock Annie Sloan Chalk paint, run workshops, do custom paint jobs for clients and we recently started an interior decorating division.

What inspired your love for revamping furniture?

In two words, my mom. I grew up seeing her work on furniture for our home. Little did I know it’s because it was cheaper to DIY. When I moved into my own place, I followed her direction to upcycle. The other reason why I love it is that it allows me to have a unique piece in our home (and the homes of our clients).

What inspired your TV programme, “Skatjagter” with your mom? Was it something that you and your mom planned and brainstormed together?

I have always wanted to do a TV show about my passion for upcycling. After the show was picked up by VIA, I had a meeting with the producers, who suggested that I get a co-host. We toyed around with a few ideas. When the producer asked if I know someone who is as passionate as I am, there was only one person I could think of… and as always, she took it in her stride. Viewers saw the real Joe and Dol and our close relationship.

Do you have exciting plans in the pipeline?

We are working on ideas for Season 2 and expanding our interior design business. In light of the current situation the world is in, we have to look at new ways of doing business. We launched our online store www.trouveza.co.za and I also launched a YouTube channel where I share DIY tips and inspiration. We are also offering online workshops for Annie Sloan Chalk paint.

Do you have any unfulfilled dreams?

Don’t we all? I would love to do a TV show, where we travel to all the vintage markets around the world, like Porta Portis in Rome and Le Puis Antique Market in France (if any potential sponsors are reading this).

Where can we follow you and shop for your products?

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