Anti Design

There is sometimes too much pressure to fill ones house with luxurious objects. Much opportunity lies in the makeshift to create a simple and unobtrusive comfort. The epitome of this approach I found in Juergen Bey's 'Linnenkasthuis' and also Michael Marriott's breathtaking 'Economy of Means' exhibition:

The Linnenkasthuis bed is a beauty made of blankets, a cupboard and a table which become a bed.

And Michael Marriott's tables are made from various found objects that had the potential to be used as 'legs' and with the top cut to fit the eventual gesture.

Rearranged reclaimed objects can either serve as a temporary substitute by adding on without permanent fixing or can be spliced together to reach a next level of the interim object (although the Bey bed and Marriott table are eternal objects of desire), like Martino Gamper's individually crafted pieces that encourage reassessment of the meaning and function of the chair.

You can buy Gamper's beautiful book '100 Chairs in 100 Days and its 100 Ways' via his website:

The ad hoc or make-shift is still found all across Cape Town in small local shops or markets, like these upside-down crates with cushions used as stools.

Very intriguing is the way elusive design group Airconditioned gives an ordinary conservative piece of furniture an unexpected twist by chopping it in half. Later the intervention is translated into permanent features in the "Karate Chop" range.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a piece of furniture that wasn't designed by humans but by animals? Swedish group Front have let rats, rabbits and snakes design wallpaper and vases for them.

PS: Have you ever seen a lamp with its light source immersed in fat? 'Slow Glow Lamp' by NEXT Architects for Droog, makes you speechless.

Tea with Frauke

Today I wanted to post a few of my favourite items based around cosy teatime.

Why not pour a lovely cup of tea from Wieki Somers' thinly cast bone china "High-Tea" teapot...

...into one of Maxim Velčovský's Cola Cups for Qubus, made from a cast of a coke bottle (you choose, Delft or bling?).

Have a slice of cake off a china plate by Timorous Beasties ...

... while sitting on Eelko Moorer's irresistible bear rug.

Or just use Maxim Velčovský's "Legendary Pink Dots" teaset all in one.

PS: Maxim Velčovský will be speaking at this year's Design Indaba at the end of Feb. Read more about him here, and his role at the conference here.

Sweet Dreams

With the growing concerns about home security, both here in South Africa and abroad, I couldn't resist starting my guest blog spot by featuring Matthias Megyeri's "non-threatening security products", appropriately named Sweet Dreams Security.

It struck me that softened security systems are not an uncommon sight in suburban South Africa, but our local version is a lot more utilitarian, and without Megyeri's knowing twist:

Eina Ivy conceals nasty security spikes with nice realistic plastic ivy leaves. As the website puts it, Eina provides "security products that are not only extremely effective but are also pleasing to the eye".

More from Frauke tomorrow...

Guest blogger - Frauke Stegmann

Have a great weekend, everyone, and look out for our latest guest blogger next week: Frauke Stegmann.




Frauke is also one of our EDIDA winners, for her porcelain Milnerton Market is Nice series, and she's also a highly regarded graphic designer, whose work is known all over the world. I can't wait to see all the exciting things she's got lined up for us!

EDIDA

In the reVamp issue, we announce the winners of our sixth annual design awards, each of whom will be entered into the Elle Decoration International Design Awards (EDIDA), with the overall, global winners to be announced at the Milan Furniture Fair in April.

South African designers tend to be frustratingly under-represented online, but I've managed to find a link or two to add a bit extra to what you've already read about our EDIDA winners:

Designers of the Year - Tonic Design StudioOur Designers of the Year, Greg Gamble and Philippe van der Merwe ofTonic Design Studio, continue to serve up a consistent diet of quality and style. See more of their stylishly restrained design at the Tonic Design website, and take a showroom tour here.

Emerging Designer - Adriaan Hugo

Winner in the Emerging Designer category, Adriaan Hugo develops his lasercut furniture from his life-size drawings in black vinyl tape. Take a look at his lamps, chairs and cabinets at the What if the World Design Studio.

Seating - Swing Seat 07, by Egg Designs

The seating award was snapped up by Egg Designs, who based their idea for the Swing Seat 07 on the ubiquitous South African tyre swing. See more of the boldly conceived Eggy oevre at the Egg Design website.

Furniture - Infrastructure, by Gregor Jenkin

Gregor Jenkin has taken inspiration from everyday municipal objects to create the Infrastructure series of furniture. Take a tour of his awesome studio space and wide range of work at his website.

Tableware - Milnerton Market is Nice, by Frauke Stegmann

The latest addition to Frauke Stegmann's Milnerton Market is Nice series of tableware splices mass-produced mug handles with delicate porcelain cups. Frauke will be guest blogging for us soon, so perhaps you'll find out lots more about this intruiging work of hers.

Flooring - Top Mat, by Heath Nash

The ever-ingenious Heath Nash has developed a set of beautiful floor mats made from interlinked cooldrink bottle caps. Check out more of his work made from recycled materials at his website.

Lighting - Faraway Tree, by Willowlamp

The Willowlamp chandeliers are mesmerisingly beautiful. They're somewhat surprisingly made from cascading streams of ball chains, commonly used to tether bathplugs! See more of the amazing Willowlamp chandeliers by TeamTwo here.

Kitchens - Luigi, by Tattoo

Luigi is the helpful presence you always wished for in the kitchen, and now spices, kitchen towel, useful hooks and recipe books will never be more than an arm's length away. This multi-purpose, portable kitchen storage unit is made by Tattoo Furniture.

Bedding - HelonMelon

HelonMelon's bedlinen embroidered with metallic thread has been a major hit, and is now available at Selfridges, as well as other boutiques all over the globe. See more of HelonMelon's lovely linens here.

Wallcovering - The Design TeamLise Butler and Amanda Haupt (aka The Design Team) have collaborated with Fabcote to produce a South African-inspired collection of wallpaper.

Fabric - Daddy Buy me a Pony for Afro

Design agency Daddy Buy me a Pony is distilling an African graphic design language in a most exciting way, and their textile designs for coffee brand Afro are an eloquent expression of the vibrancy of the African visual style.

Bathrooms - the Himbasin, by Maira Koutsoudakis

This solid copper basin was inspired by the colours of the Namib desert and the simple lifestyle of the nomadic Himba people who dwell there. Take a tour of Maira's design studio here

Your vote

Can you think of a local designer you think should be given credit for their brilliance? Vote for your own EDIDA candidate by leaving a comment right here!

Issue 53 - reVamp

Read more about it! The reVamp issue is on the shelves today!

Now read even more about it, right here on the blog.

Old goes bold

So, you've read the feature on page 20 of the reVamp issue and now you're feeling bold about revamping Granny's furniture? Follow these links for some wild ideas:


You have a teenage son and a Louis XV walnut armoire? Yes, it's a match made in heaven. Give him a can of spraypaint and carte blanche, and see if he can match this feat by Burke and Hazledon.



Jimmy Martin managed to wreak a pretty fabulous update to this old-style cocktail cabinet, I reckon.



I mean, who actually wants a grotty old gilt frame when Squint Limited can come up with something like this?

Nobody at Elle Deco will take responsibility if you decide to stick Ouma's sideboard on a pyre, but if you want to make like Maarten Baas did in his Smoke collection for Moooi, just make sure you're not wearing nylon or false eyelashes at the time!

Lush house

Daniela and Garth Paton are the visionaries behind Lush floristry shop in Cape Town, and their renovated Victorian shows that their flair doesn't stop with flowers. Check out the extra pics that didn't make it into the story on pages 84 - 91.

Tango giveaway

A global brand like Elle Decoration needs global music, and of course the soundtrack is provided by the marvellous Putumayo World Music.


The first person to shoot a mail to elledeco@elledecomag.co.za naming one of the artists on the newly-released Tango Around the World will win a copy of their very own! Remember to include your name and postal address in your email.

PS: Even if you're not the winner, you can get into the tango mood by listening to some of the tracks off the album here.

Afro Candy

South African hotels and guesthouses too often do the "African" look that's all about colonial chic in shades of beige, with a zebra stripe or two to brighten things up.

The Hout Bay Manor, recently revamped with the help of Cecile and Boyd interior design, has sprung giddily away from these trends, with a refreshingly kaleidoscopic update of the African vibe.

Read the feature on pages 66 - 73 of the reVamp issue, then check these extra pics from the shoot.

Sneak Peek

Don't spend all your pocket money over the weekend, because the reVamp Issue of Elle Decoration is hitting the shelves on Monday!

Trendtjie 2 - Kokeshi dolls

Not too long ago, I picked up this little Japanese doll from the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Salt River. Intrigued, I googled "Japanese wooden doll" and discovered the marvellous world of Kokeshis, which have been traditional gifts of friendship in Japan for centuries.

Ever since, I've seen them all over the place, to the extent that I think I can start calling Kokeshi a mini-trend or... trendtjie! Look at what I've found:

These little darlings are from the British shopping site DoIreallyhavetogotoworktoday? So cute!

I love this kokeshi fabric by Alexander Henry. The design is called Yui Kokeshi and can be found at fabulous online fabric shop, Volksfaden.

More Kokeshi-inspired fabric, this time from Swedish fabric designers Bantie , who used these little dolls...

...as inspiration for their Kokeshi fabric (via Decor8).

Urban Outfitters is stocking the sweet little Momiji message dolls designed by manga artist Joanna Zhou, which are also available directly from online boutique Momiji.

This Kokeshi was painted by amazing illustrator, Matte Stephens. He made it for a show of customised Kokeshis, curated by Christine Conway at Subtext in San Diego.

There were heaps of beautiful customised Kokeshis at this show, which is soon to open in LA (see here for details). I've picked the ones I liked best, and there are lots more pics of the show on flickr.

This one, by Canadian illustrator Julie Morstad:

... and Swedish illustrator, Camilla Engman made this:

The more you look, the more you find. These little prints are made by Etsy seller, Mirabel. She has loads of sweet Kokeshi cards and prints in her Etsy shop.

If you enjoyed this little taste of Kokeshis, you're sure to be a Matrioshka fan too, so check out the recent Print & Pattern Matrioshka doll trend report here for more wooden doll loveliness.

Daddy Long Legs

Cape Town’s Daddy Long Legs hotel's latest addition to its array of rooms kitted out by local artists is a rather nice new courtyard space.

Young designers Liam Mooney and Christie Fels have transformed an inner courtyard into a ‘Granny conservatory’, reminiscent of suburban South African stoeps and patios, complete with concrete water feature and hanging garden.

“We wanted to create a space that evoked nostalgia and humour but it was also a chance to showcase some exciting local design pieces,” says Mooney, “We hope everyone will recognise some part of their life in this space, whether its visiting aging relatives or stopping at a tea room in the middle of the Karoo.”

Keep your eyes out for touches from young design stars: Granny’s cushions and knee blankets are avant-garde knits from clothing designer Richard de Jager, and the stools are made by Xandre Kriel.

The Conservatory is open to the public every day of the week for tea, gins and tonic, or whatever other tipple granny might prefer.

All images from the What if the World website.

Harper's Harvest

Jess at How about Orange got these beautiful plates for Christmas, the lucky thing.

The illustrations are by the amazing American illustrator, Charley Harper, and also appear on bowls, teacups, and embroidered on napkins, all available at Tag.

Just to fill you in, Charley Harper was a prolific and talented illustrator whose bird and nature illustrations have attained iconic status amongst those with a bent for mid-century design.

Harper's profile has recently been further boosted by a book on his work, put together by his #1 fan, Todd Oldham, and it's available here. PS: Anyone who would like to be my best friend forever is very welcome to buy me this book!

Tin Can light

Recycling/repurposing objects so that they are transformed into something useful and beautiful while still managing to speak of their provenance isn't easy to get right, but this tin can lamp by a Canadian designer gets it spot on.





via Bientot Demain via anothershadeofgrey.

Shinzi Katoh

Japanese Zakka designer, Shinzi Katoh makes the cutest things.

You can buy from the Shinzi Katoh online shop, or check out the wonderful threepotatofour, where they're having a sale on all their Shinzi Katoh goods.

Casamento

I went out with my camera these holidays, and found a great new Cape Town shop to show you.

Twin sisters, Misty Dawn and Starry Eve, share a passion for mid-century furnishings and for needlework, which is what inspired them to open Casamento in Loop Street at the end of 2007.

The sisters have an eye for quality workmanship and simple mid-century modern forms, selecting retro-vintage furniture that they restore to its former glory.

The showroom is constantly changing, but here are some of the pieces I fancied on my visit to Casamento:

Alongside the groovy furniture, you'll also find imported vintage wallpapers, clothing and ceramics, as well as flokati rugs and other home accessories.

An additional focus is the result of the sisters' dedication to the revival of the art of needlework, such as knitting, crochet and crewelwork. Their showroom provides a much-needed upmarket outlet for needlework like this Bargello footstool and crewelwork cushion .

For a dose of mid-century style and handmade excellence, visit Casamento at 75 Loop Street, Cape Town, between 10am and 4pm daily .