Heritage & Imagination

My name and surname bear witness to my French Huguenot ancestry. Viljoen is an Afrikaans surname derived from the French Villion.

Francois Villion was the first Huguenot who permanently settled at the Cape of Good Hope, arriving in 1671, three hundred years before I was to be born in 1971.  

Francois Villion left France even long before the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685. I have always admired Villion’s individual and strong spirit as a forerunner. I take much inspiration from the idea that this ancestor of mine marched to his own drum.

As a child, I was always encouraged by my artistic parents to dream and create. They presented me with a humble but idyllic childhood where I could feed my imagination with endless possibilities. Their legacy influenced so many of my interests, values and projects.

To Cherish. To Admire.

Following a seasoned mentorship with a master framer, I started a small studio carrying on the tradition of made to order hand finished picture frames.

There are so many special things we treasure in our lives that reflect our deepest sentiments.

I think photographs probably the most as they hold time so close to them.

I believe that the memories of those special moments deserve a special photo frame.

The dream of having a gift business has followed me for years and realising that there are a significant absence when it comes to photo frames of distinction let to the idea of Heart of Gold. An online boutique that would bring my dream to life and give the golden opportunity to showcase heirloom photo frames as gift ideas.

Our high-end collections of timeless photo frames are inspired by the treasured Florentine paint techniques of our picture frames.

- To Mum & Dad -

Here's to a dream realized.

A gift that will be cherished and admired.

- Francois -