Issue 58: Monkeybiz

The brand new Escape issue shows pics of the seaside home of ceramicist Barbara Jackson, founder of the amazing beading company Monkeybiz. I don't have any extra pics of Barbara's home to share, but thought it might be nice to share some of what Monkeybiz does.
Monkeybiz is a non-profit organisation in Cape Town, and it supports over 450 women and their families – many of whom are HIV positive. By creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind beaded art pieces, the women who work for Monkeybiz have found a sustainable way to support themselves and their families.

Visit the Monkeybiz website to find out more, take a look at their catalogue, and shop online.

Hip City Guide

There's a brand new issue of ELLE DECORATION on the shelves, which is always exciting news. But there's more excitement this time, because along with the Escape issue, you get your very own free copy of the Hip City Guide.


So, whether you like shopping, or lunching, or partying or relaxing, you can get the skinny on the hottest spots in the cool cities of Durban, Cape Town, Joburg and Pretoria, just by reading the Hip City Guide.

Soon you'll be able to click on the icon in the sidebar (bear with our internet glitches today), and read the Hip City Guide online. It's going to stay there all year, so you can keep returning for updates too.

Right, I'm off for the weekend now, with my Hip City Guide firmly in my back pocket!

Stack 'em up

Such nice things are to be found at UK store, Pedlars. I'm totally coveting these Japanese maple stacking beakers, and the wooden platters to match.

Report from NYC: Pomme

I just can't help being drawn to the whimsy, colour and craft of the retro kids' toys, and the inspired decor on sale at Pomme, an airy, light-filled space in an old brick building on Washington Street in Dumbo.

Photo by V. Jane Windsor

This hand-screened linen pillow, available from Pomme, is by the Brooklyn-based duo Atsuyo et Akiko, who make possibly the most imaginative, chic things for children this side of the Atlantic.

The Japanese duo incorporates vintage, handmade elements into their very contemporary clothing, home accessories and jewellery. Case in point: this very dear tote bag, embellished with a pearlescent ribbon.

Even the most humble of toys get a stylish, minimalist makeover with these house blocks made from Japanese ash and this bowling set, both of which come packed in a burlap sack.


Imported from Europe, this classic rocker in birch plywood has been in production for over 50 years.

This glowing bunny nightlight will watch over your bundle of sleeping joy.

And if you think all that was good, I must tell you I've been saving the best for last. In my eye, neutrals have their place - but only alongside wild pops of cherry red, fuchsia and hot pink, like these play blankets in delicate Chinese fabrics.

With a colour palette like this, and a collection of objects from all over the map, it's no wonder that Pomme is one of my favorite stores in all of NYC.

Sarah Illenberger

Sarah Illenberger is a Berlin-based... um, actually, I'm not sure what to call her. Is she an artist, stylist, illustrator, conceptualiser...? She doesn't fit her work into any of these categories herself, and her meticulous handwork, mostly using mundane materials, is created for a wide range of editorial and commercial clients.


In a week of work insanity, the likes of which I've never seen, I enjoyed a much-needed still point as I sifted through Sara Illenberger's vast portfolio, endlessly delighted by the clever and diverse constructions and ideas recorded there. So if you're experiencing end-of-year madness, take some time out to appreciate her detailed, humorous and meticulous body of work.



via Emma's DesignBlogg

A pattern tale

Wallpaper is something that catches my eye over and over again, and consequently gets featured on this blog quite out of proportion with other decorative flourishes. And here we go again!

This time, it's a lovely design called Topo Azul from Pattern Tales, designed by Barcelona based artist, Ana Montiel.


Close up, it looks to me like an intricate design of the type one might doodle with a blue ballpoint during a lecture. I don't know how Ana went about designing this pattern, but I love the idea of an idle doodle like this covering an entire wall, don't you?



Visit the Pattern Tales website to see more lovely wallpapers and prints, all printed on premium non-woven Finnish paper.

Raw at Casamento

I was pleased to get news from Casamento this week, as they always seem to be coming up with new and interesting ideas. Casamento has been reupholstering vintage furniture for a while now, and have made a commitment to using natural fibres. They are now taking this a step further, with their new collection called Raw.

This recycled fifties sofa is the first in Casamento's Raw range.It has been reupholstered in a mixture of raw silk, linens and hemp fabrics. At first glance, it appears unfinished, but a closer look shows you that it's exactly the way it should be.


I saw this sofa at the Neighbourgoods Market last weekend, and although the fabrics look fairly rough, to the touch, they are silken, and the sensual contrast is enough to convince that this is something quite special.


I'm looking forward to seeing what Casamento comes up with next, and will be sure to keep you posted!

Report from NYC: Comfort from the cold

Baby it's cold outside up here in the northern hemisphere! To warm up our nests, I've assembled a few winter-themed things for you today.



Alyssa Ettinger's beautifully tactile Knitwear Bowls duplicate the texture of a handknit sweater on their unglazed surfaces.



This Brooklyn-based ceramicist sells her designs on her Etsy shop and at Cog and Pearl in Park Slope.

Add a fjordic flavour to your winter pad with these Nordic knit cushions from Urban Outfitters. They're stylish and cuddle-worthy, with understated contrast patterns at the back.


And what would a winter wonderland (even an indoor one) be without a pair of frolicking deers?

These sculpted wooden animals are part of a range made of pear, walnut, beech and other European woods made as kids' toys and sold at Brooklyn-based online shop Romp. Unpainted and finished with beeswax, their unadorned shapes show off the woodgrain beautifully.

This family of blank Russian nesting dolls , also from Romp, leaves much to the imagination. You can decorate them yourself - or leave them as they are, a group of strangely abstract forms.

And finally, you can hold a little sunshine in your hands all winter long, with this ingenious Sun Jar from Urban Outfitters.
The Sun Jar quite literally captures sunlight, giving off a gentle indoor glow. A traditional glass mason jar is fitted with an energy-efficient LED lamp, which charges in direct sunlight.

Stay warm, wherever you are!

Yokoo styling

After having done a bit of styling on my own products, and sat in on a professional shoot or two, I am in awe of the hard work done by stylists, and always delighted by a fresh approach to the presentation of a product. So when I spotted these witty product shots for knitted things by Yokoo, I just couldn't resist sharing. Hope they inspire you too!

And the icing on the cake (so to speak): this photograph for sale called i wear many hats.

Giveaway - Acoustic Arabia

It's December, the month of frenzied gift-giving! And in the spirit of the season, we have another CD to give away from Putumayo World Music. This time it's Acoustic Arabia: a collection of contemplative and introspective acoustic music from the Arabic world.

To win yourself a copy of this collection, just visit the Putumayo website and find the answer to this question:

Name one of the three divas performing in the group Les Orientales.

Click here to send us an email with the answer, and remember to include your name and postal address.