Design Indaba Feedback Part 3: Tin Town

I know, I'm taking forever to post about the Indaba! It's been weeks now and I've not even begun to share all the magnificent stalls! (I blame my phone - not playing along in downloading images to my computer...naughty) But here is the next installment: Tin Town. I love their work for so many reasons: whimsical, fantastical designs, all items can be flat packed (great for retailers and consumers alike), innovative designs - these pieces are cute AND practical.... Here are just some of my favourites:

I wish I had a garden - these would go in first!

How great is this? I wonder if they do a double bed size?

Super adorable! (hehe...I think I have that place mat!)

Little Angel for Christmas.

This would be a perfect night light for a nursery.

I want this. Met 'n seer hart!

For more lovely creations, visit Tin Town. (I also love their website intro!)

Design Indaba Feedback Part 2: Silver Spoon clothing

When it comes to clothing, the fiance insists that everything I buy looks like something that I already have hanging in the cupboard. "Nonsense" I always say.

When I arrived home after the Indaba expo with the cutest white Silver Spoon dress, he said "Now that's different!".

Silver Spoon Clothing hails from my hometown of Port Elizabeth, and the creative duo of Stephanie and Dieter (aka the "Dude" by those who know him) are already making waves in the local fashion industry.

When I stumbled upon their stall at the Expo (wish I took a pic!) I had no intentions of buying anything. My arms were heavy already with Wonki Ware bowls, magazines and other paraphernalia. Flipping through the rails I could not resist however.

I bought this (below) dress, and every time I wear it I feel sexy and girly all at the same time (must be the cute frills on the shoulder) - but the best part is how comfy it is! As they state on their website: "We make functional pieces with character".

My kind of clothing ;)

For more on this dynamic due, and for stockists have a look at Silver Spoon Clothing.

Design Indaba feedback Part 1: Skermunkil

I've been following Skermunkil's lovely blog for a while now, so when I saw them at Design Indaba, I was in heaven! Seeing all the lovely pieces up close and personal really made me realise just how great her pieces are. Also, I think the great thing about the Indaba is it gives exhibitors the chance not only to display their goods, but to tell us a story. Inspire us. Captivate.

You know, when you go to these exhibits, there are always some stands that you just walk past. There is nothing that grabs your attention, nothing note worthy. But then there are gems (like Skermunkil) that make you stop, listen, look, touch, feel, admire and inspire. And it does not have to be a dramatic exhibit, no flashing lights or spinning displays. You just have to feel the love that goes into each piece, into the way they display it, the way they talk to the people that come to browse and shop.

For more (and details on where to buy), visit their blog "Eendag op 'n reëndag" (Once upon a time on rainy day).

Image 1 and 2: Eendag op 'n reëndag
Image 3: Lucky Pony
Image 4: Design Indaba

Indaba Overload

Saturday turned out way better than expected! Gotta say, last year's Indaba was a total let down. It was cramped, and it felt a bit "same old, same old". But WOW. 2011 was a phenomenal year. All the up and coming designer's really gave the established ones a run for their money: Intuitive, great eco design, exciting use of materials and just all round beautiful things.

I prepared myself for a 2 to 3 hour stint at the expo, but I only left way past 6pm (and I arrived at 11am!). OK, it did include a leisurely lunch with plenty of chatting and a cider or 2... I bumped into Elzette - who has a *very* exciting venture that she will be launching soon. For now, let's just say that the frustrated creatives in Cape Town will have a haven to escape to and a place to nurture their creativity. I can't wait!

But, back to the Indaba. I bumped into Elzette and we walked the Expo together, which was great fun. We both had such a creative overload, and we by late afternoon were on such a high. (It could also be the 20 Fizzers we had courtesy of the Visi stand).

In the next couple of days I will share my highlights from Expo with you, it's bound to make you go gagga ;)

Were you at the Expo? What did you think?

Design Indaba Expo / 5 things for the weekend

Eek! It's here! The conference has been happening all week, and finally it's Friday and the Expo opens it's doors!

"Design Indaba Expo is a 100% local-is-lekker celebration of South African ingrained creativity. Advertising, architecture, craft, decor, film, graphic design, interior design, jewellery, new media, publishing, product design and visual media, are all presented shoulder-to-shoulder."

If you are in Cape Town, head town to the CTICC this weekend. The Expo runs from today (Friday) until Sunday, tickets at the door are only 60 Rond ;)

I hope to tell you all about it after the weekend - it's sure to be a kicker!

(Can you tell I'm excited?)

On another note, it's time I start organising my life (and apartment) again, so here goes with my list of 5 things I want to do this weekend:

1. Visit and enjoy and be inspired by the Design Indaba Expo


2. Finish the twig chandelier for my brother's wedding (will post pics after it's done!)


3. Finish the New York vintage subway sign I started painting last weekend


4. Start a new painting - I've been inspired by so any great pieces I saw online this week


5. Really enjoy Sunday. We are going to the wine lands for a wine tasting and lunch. I want to take it easy and enjoy - too often I rush through Sunday just to wake up on Monday morning ;)

What have you planned for the weekend?

Hope it's a good one!

Take flight

At the recent Design Indaba (I really should blog about it) Li Edelkoort made some style forecasts. And let's face it, she's never been wrong in like 2 decades, so who am I not to listen?

One of her predictions was the "taking flight" concept. Anything linked to birds and flying would become fashionable and coveted. Think nests, feathers, birds..and I want to add to that: Butterflies. What's not to love? Sure, sometimes it's a little kitsch, but when done correctly, it can be the most beautiful thing you've seen!

This wall of butterflies is the work of Paul Villinski, I'll try and share more if his work soon.
Image via Apartment Therapy

I blogged about this book shelf a while ago, and I still love it!

Now I wouldn't want to hide such a pretty trivet by actually placing a pot on it!

I'll be away for the long weekend, and I really hope I spot a pretty butterfly on my travels. I spotted one the other day at the nursery, it was hovering in fornt of me for quite a while, made my day!

Happy long weekend everyone!

x a

Seriously, how sexy is this lounger?

Haldane Martin (check out his home in this previous post here) launched his new Baba Papa Lounger at the Design Indaba Expo this weekend.


Oh. My. Goodness.

Inspired by water-worn pebbles, the lounger is made from 80% recycled stainless steel wire loops (recycling was BIG at the expo - no surprise there).

I gotta have one.

(sorry, my phone acting up a little this Monday morning, so can't post pics from the expo yet)

Happy Dance!

I actually can not describe my excitement at the moment. I am waiting anxiously for this weekend to arrive, because for me that will mean only one thing: Design Indaba. Whoohoo!!

And this year I am tackling it with a plan. I've realised one needs a plan. Last year I was just overwhelmed, and therefore did not take in half of what was going on around me. You see, last year it was a spontaneous decision to go. I knew the Indaba was happening, I knew it was crammed full of great designers, ja ja ja. But I was not really planning to go. Then I did. And I loved it. No, I LOVED it!

So this year, although I am not one of those lucky few that get to attend the Design Indaba Conference (maybe next year? *fingers crossed*) I will be attending the Expo and, for some added good measure, the film festival.

Now this is what this post is actually about: the film festival.

It runs at the Labia Theatre in town until the 4th of March. You can get the full program on the Design Indaba website, but it's a little tricky to get your pick just right. The programs are set up with one feature length and a couple of shorts.

These are my picks:

Friday 26 February, Programme 2

Charles and Ray Eames: Design Q&A - "This 1972 interview with Ray and Charles Eames is one of the most concise, witty statements about design ever put on film" 5 minutes.

Objectified - "Directed by Gary Hustwit, Objectified is a feature-length documentary about our complex relationship with manufactured objects and , by extension, the people who design them. It's a look at the creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets" 75 minutes

Saturday, 27 February, Programme 1

Eames Demetrios: Ping Pong -"About Frank Gehry designing a chair, this film is a beautiful expression of the iterative process of design. The remarkable architect shows us how prototype after prototype leads to a deeper understanding of materials." 15 minutes

Eames Demetrios: 670/671 - "Few chairs are as iconic as Charles and Ray Eames Lounge Chair. Learn about the ideas behind the classic - such as Eames philosophy of the guest-host relationship" 8 minutes

Eames Demetrios: Eames Aluminium Group - "The Eames Aluminum Group is an icon of contemporary design and expresses the elegant Eames philosophy of Way-It-Should-Be-Ness, a belief both radical and humble" 9 minutes

Eames Demetriois: 77 steps - "The process of making the classic aluminum Navy Chair by Emeco. Sheets of aluminum become a single piece of light, comfortable metal" 3 minutes

Eames Demetrios: 901: After 45 years of working -"This short film is a powerful record of Ray and Charles Eames famed design space at 901 Washington Blvd in Venice, California" 28 minutes

Charles and Ray Eames: Lounge Chair: "A short film made in 1956 showing the assembly of the iconic Lounge Chair at speed." 2 minutes

Charles and Ray Eames: Sofa Compact: "Made in 1954, this film charmingly traces the design and development of the fold-up Soda Compact." 10 minutes

Director Q&A: Eames Demetrios

There are loads more films, but I think I will start with these on the weekend! If you are going to the Design Indaba, enjoy it and soak up all the creative energy!

x a

Design Indaba - overview

The Design Indaba (held in March this year) always goes along with huge fanfare, with everyone excited and waiting for the weekend of the show. And if you couldn't get a ticket to the Li Edelkoort talk {tickets were sold out loooooong before} you turn instantly green when someone rubs your nose in it when they did in fact get the chance to hear the lady share her wisdom. {It's one of my life goals to go to one of her trend talks}

Stoned Cherrie

Known for her afro-fashion over the past couple of years, the gorgeous Nkhensani launched her fabric range at the Design Indaba. I fell in love with the broad stripes, especially the chartreuse colour way (seen on the 2 chairs). http://www.stonecherrie.co.za/

Design Team
I've always loved Design Team's range of fabrics, since seeing it at an expo in Johannesburg about 6 years ago. They've been able to do a range of fabrics showcasing local content, fauna and flora, icons and just damn great design without being kitsch. Bloody marvelous.

Design of the year

I have no recollection of who the designer's was or what the purpose of this combo was, but it was most definitely one of the "best design" finalists. The chair and table look like it has grown out of moss, in a forest - it takes me back to fairies and cupcakes! I get the feeling that if you water it, it will get bigger.

Whimsical stand
Again, I've got bad recollection of who was responsible for this stand, but it was out one of the best on show. Orchids hanging out of silver cocoon-like 'vases', these were simply amazing. The wooden 'latte', painted white, meticulously put together to form a canopy.

I wish I could take the whole thing home!

x amanda