It's Beautiful Here...

...OK, that's actually taken from designer Heath Nash's clever coat rack, but it just happens to be in the home of another famous designer, the insanely talented Mr Haldane Martin. (Ha, and they are both Capetonians).

I am a firm believer in a picture is more than a thousand words, so I'm not even going to bother to garble on about this stunning renovation. Have a look see...

I love the simpliticity of this home. There is no clutter, which I don't think I will ever be able to achieve... I really find it amazing how people can live without even a little bit of clutter. Doesn't everyone want to hang on to their school books? Don't we all have piles of books and magazines stuck in the corner and next to the couch and on to of the dining table, which is never used as a dining table because where would the stuff on top the dining table go? Hey, but's another discussion in itself.

Haldane's furniture pieces stand alone likes work of art, pure beauty! Haha, and I think it's also my Afrikaner heritage that makes me really really like the Riempie Couch.

For more, go to Haldane's website and have a look.

x a

All images via Apartment Therapy

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

Miss Bancroft

I'm sitting in my quiet, bland office highlighting a box with blue highlighter. I'm going up and down, rather than length ways, which would be easier and much quicker (it's a long rectangular box across the page).

Then I suddenly remember sitting in Miss Bancroft's art class. I must have been in standard 2, say about 10 years old. I remember her explaining how unique nature is. How every leaf on a tree is a different colour, a different hue of green or yellow or brown. She explained that just because it is easier to colour in the bark of a tree 'up and down', this is not the way to do it. If you colour it in sideways, you can see the roundness of the tree and the texture of the bark.

I find it funny how I remember these little things so many years later.

Paul Smith for Evian

I always love listening to designers talk about their work. And for the most part I am surprised by how humble and approachable they are. I don't know why, maybe because we always see them on TV and in magazines, I expect them to be more snobbish!

I think I have realised that the designers stay down to earth, mostly because they are inspired and creative beings. The people who use the products of these designers though, that's a different kettle of fish. It's a strange phenomenon.

Here is Paul Smith: world renowned, but still enjoying his work every single day. I love his approach of completely disregarding newspapers (as it means it has been done already). Instead he surrounds himself with beautiful books and objects, his studio is filled to the brim with things that inspire!

I need to get my hands on one of these Evian bottles! They are a work of art. Sadly the staff at the Paul Smith store in Cape Town had no idea what I was on about when I waltzed in there over the weekend. I will most certainly go hunting this weekend! I am told that the bottles are available from "top hotels and restaurants only". I will be sure to let you know when I find one!!

x a

Can you imagine...

...receiving a love letter like this one on Sunday?


We all send emails, sms and chat on Facebook. But the feeling of receiving a hand written letter...ahhhh. Beats a bunch of red roses any day.

Hope your Valentines day is filled with tons of love!

x a

More love

x a

For my bokkie...

(it is Valentines week after all)
xxx
a

Image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/brainware3000/362581672/

I'm sharing a little secret..

Some time ago I stumbled upon a teeny tiny little shop in Diepriver selling Petersham Ribbons. Ever since I have spent too much money buying these beautiful ribbons, snapping up each and every design and colour (although, I must say I prefer the more classic colours and designs).

These ribbons can turn any piece of plain paper wrapping into a work of art, or at the very least add some character to the gift! I love using these ribbons around old bottlesd, tying up keys on hooks, anything really.

The 2 talented ladies from Ebony and Ivory have just launched their new website, which I think showcases their bits and bobs beautifully! Do yourself a favour and go look at http://www.ebonyandivoryribbons.co.za/ .

Be inspired!

x a

A little corner in my home

I have a little corner at the end of my oh so short passage that I like to doll up. Be it with fresh flowers, a pretty book, or in this case a mini Mona Lisa my brother and his fiance bought for me at the Louvre.

Have a happy weekend everyone!

x a

'n Goue fonds

Ek sien baie plekke in die Kaap waar ek wil inval, maar ek kry selde die tyd. Net soos elke keer wat ek in Langstraat afry en die pienk blom potte buite Masala Dosa sien. Elke keer dink ek, daar wil ek nog gaan eet.

Toe, uiteindelik na maande, loop ons verby die pienk blompotte en ek sleep my verloofde in saam met my. Wat 'n belewenis!

Skoon dekor: wit met helder aksente teen die muur.

Tong in die kies versierings: was jy jou hande in die pienk badkamer, is daar 'n klein etiket teen die muur met 'n pyltjie na bo en "Holy Cow". Kyk jy op is daar 'n Holy Cow teen die dak wat as beligting dien!

Die kos was smaakvol en pragtig bedien. Elke bord het 'n spesery patroontjie op. En beste van als, ons het uitgeloop met 'n skrale R91 rekening...

Val gerus in by die pienk blompotte in Langstraat, jy sal nie spyt wees nie!

x a

All images via www.masaladosa.co.za

Wall art

I have been researching wall art for our new offices, hoping to inject some life onto very large, very sparse walls. I was amazed to find that there are so many companies in South Africa that sell wall stickers, and good ones too!

Now these images are proof that wall stickers don't need to be kitch! I am dying to order one for my bedroom, will show you when it's up!

x a

All images via www.ginandchocolate.com

Happy Weekend

Just a pretty little picture to see you on your way. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

x a

Sleepy time

I seriously want to go and fall into this bed right now.

:) a

Vir my boetie en sy verloofde

The writing is on the wall (or on the sun lounger)

I have a strange obsession with words. More to the point, writing on walls. I think if I had free reign, I would cover my walls in poems, songs, thoughts, whatever I could.

But I do not have free reign (and let's be honest, I do get bored of having to look at the same thing everyday very quickly), so these canvasses provide me with the perfect solution!

How's this for a perfect lounger?

"I love you much most beautiful darling". Now who wouldn't want those words uttered to them?

x a

ps. I have an unmentionable amounts of images on my computer. Whenever I see something I like, I file it under my 'inspirasie' folder. So if anyone sees something that is theirs, and I have not linked back to you or mentioned you, it's really only because I suck at admin and referencing images. Mail me and I will add the link immediately! Promise.

A new Year, a new you?

It has been months since my last blog (tsk, tsk). The last bit of 2009 was a chaotic rush to the end, but now that we are in a new year, I am committed to taking things a little more... slowly....

I have realised how easily we rush past moments in our lives, and before we know it it's all gone.

So, here's to stopping to smell the roses in 2010! I have many wonderful, beautiful things to share with you this year!

x a

I Love...

I love... great big climbing plants with masses of bright pink flowers. Perect for Spring time.

x amanda

Good enough to eat

Tucked away in Stellenbosch is the utterly delightful 'Cupcake'.

Yip, they sell all sorts of beautiful (and delicious) cupcakes, but that's not the only thing. The meringues in different assortments (try strawberry, pistachio nuts, coffee or chocolate) are crispy on the outside, and wonderfully gooey on the inside.

I love the combination of all the pastel colours and retro furniture. And what's not to love about the trio of fridges?

x amanda

Going dotty

I am madly in love with this black and white re-do. Simply gorgeous!

x amanda

images via sprucehome

The prettiest thing I have seen in a long time...

This bookshelf by Studiobility is simply beautiful, isn't it?

Have a look at some more of their work at Studiobility

Especially at the Playground page!!

I am busy 'renovating' my apartment at the moment (I put 'renovating' in inverted commas, because there is only so much you can do when you are renting!) and I really would love love love this shelf in my entrance.

x amanda

I think blue is my favourite colour...

All these blue images (coupled with lots of white) are so peaceful. I'm on love with the freshness and clean feeling it all evokes. Maybe it's because we will be moving into Spring time soon, time for a fresh start!

x amanda

I ♥

I have always loved these chairs. The simple elegance of the cross back is just gorgeous. And the weathered timber makes it look so real.

One day, for my farmhouse kitchen...

x amanda

For my sunshine

What we are missing out on

I had my first (and only) Ikea experience in my 3rd year of studies. We partenered with 4 Swedish design students and worked on a low cost housing development just outside of Port Elizabeth. Because of the Swedish involvement (the Swedish goverment have partnered with the City of Port Elizabeth in some way...) Ikea had decided to sponsor the interior furnishings required for the new homes.

We were given a catalogue to choose which items we wanted, it was shipped to the Port Elizabeth harbour, and we had a ball of a time assembling everything, even the kitchens!

Now I read that the new catalogue is out. And I am bombarded with images of what is on the shelfs, and again I long for my very own Ikea store. It's not that their stuff is soooo wonderful, it's more a case of making good design affordable. When will they come to our shores? ;(