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!