Category Archives: Opinions
CrazySexyCool Wall Decals & GIVE AWAY!!
This is crazy… I set out to write about how to give your walls ‘the treatment’ using trendy graphic wallpaper and vinyl wall decals, thinking that I would make one post of it. But as I went along researching all the different styles and suppliers of said wall treatment, my only reaction was to say, in the words of Randy from American Idols, “Yo Dude!!” There is too much to fit into one article.
Okay so that has me looking at the trend that seems to have gained considerable momentum in recent times – Vinyl Wall Stickers, also know as Vinyl Wall Decals.
We had occasion in the past to have a decal custom made for one of our clients – it was a funky office space. Other than being a relatively inexpensive means of applying art to a wall, it is an extremely easy application as well. Plus the other bonus factor is that you have any image or typography made to order… As the larney folk will say… Bespoke! Particularly fab for application in babies and kiddies rooms.
A few months ago, a very proactive young lady named Chantelle from CrazySexyCool a Gauteng based Wall Decal business approached us to feature her work. Since wall treatments was on the ‘to do list’ her timing was great.
After Chantelle graduated and got a few letters behind her name, she went on to work in the field of marketing. That led her to dabbling in web design, but also had her longing for more tactile design. In January 2011 she launched her Wall Decal business and in her words “she has not looked back since”.
On the homepage of her website, Chantelle has so adequately opened up the concept of Wall decals. I decided I could not better that…
Decals what?
Wall Decals (or wall vinyl stickers) are a fun way to transform any room from blank and boring to stylish and unique.The vinyl used for the stickers are made from high quality vinyl and are available in many different colours, even fluorescents and metallic.
Stickers where?
Stickers are applied relatively quickly and are very easy to change. Stickers can be stuck on any smooth surface, such as; smooth walls, windows, doors, glass, floors, etc. Wall Decals can be used in offices, shops, on shop windows, homes and even rental homes as it does not damage painted walls.
Vinyl why?
Vinyl stickers for walls are expressions of individual personality and style. When installing there is no mess, as with painting, but the decals can create an illusion of a painted-on design when especially using matt decals. You do not have to have artistic skills or be a state-of-the-art home decorator to turn your plain living space into wonderful one using wall decals.
Just like how easy it is to apply, vinyl wall decals are just as easy to remove without ruining the surface of the wall.
But whoa good news – because these decals / stickers are so reasonably priced, they could make excellent gifts, for that special person or special occasion. Even a wedding gift if you know the person’s taste and style well enough.
More good news! We have an AWESOME R300 GIFT VOUCHER from CRAZYSEXYCOOL TO GIVE AWAY to one lucky participant!
You heard right, Chantelle is giving away a gift voucher to the value of R300 to be redeemed against a Wall Decal purchase of your choice from her online shop.
Here is how it works >>>>>
To enter and stand a chance WIN you must:
1) Comment on this post below by telling us who you are, what your wall decal of choice would be, and where you will put it (check out the CrazySexyCool websitr to view all the awesome designs)!
2) “Like” our Facebook page: here AND the CrazySexyCool Facebook page: here
… additionally if you have Twitter you can also do the following…
Tweet this post and include @streaksahead @CrazySexyCoolSA (by the way…are you following us and CrazySexyCool yet?)
Unfortunately only people residing in South Africa are eligible for this competition. We will announce the lucky winner on Monday, 11 June 2012 - so be sure to enter before then.
Like this:
A Love Affair With Interiors
Tabloid skinny – Read all about it! Read all about it! – The truth is out… about Rose’s love affair.
When I set out to write this post, I did not have the content that you will read below in mind. I find that happens to me more often than not. But I have learnt to allow the stuff in my head and in my heart just to flow out onto the page. I recall one of the most moving blog posts I have read was when Holly Becker of Décor8 wrote and told about her journey. She walked us through some of her childhood activities, likes and desires, right up to the present day, which as it turned out was the time of her book release and launch.
Seems that today it is my turn to tell a little of the story of my journey in the field of interior décor and design. Its more than a journey tale, it’s about a growing Love Affair with interiors. Something that was destined to happen, yet not planned. It is amazing that like Holly, I find myself taking this look back, at a critical juncture in moving forward to the next important stage of my business life.
I have no childhood memories that speak to me of an inner desire for interior décor. Unlike Holly, I cannot recall being drawn to décor books, mags or such like. I do however recall that I did love playing “housey-housey”, with the tea parties, doctors’ visit and the rest. It seems that home was always where my heart was.
Nevertheless, after matriculating I went onto study what I thought my destiny was going to be – social work. University was such a shock to me, I only did a one year stint there. Thereafter, as fate would have it, I went on to be involved with people and their houses. But as a “Housing Assistant” nothing could have been further away from interior décor – tenant welfare. (That social work side of me)
Fast forward a good couple of years to the year 19?? (Did you really think I was going to spill the beans!?)
It all started as a décor consultant largely in the residential line at one of Cape Town’s more prestigious retail outlets at the time, Milton’s Interiors. I had no particular passion for interiors, no particular desire to decorate and certainly no driving urge for fulfilment in this field. Every bit of knowledge I gained, came from being hands on, listening, observing and doing. After a few years, I had the courage to actually call myself a “decorator” since that was exactly what I was doing. It had indeed been a baptism of fire. Imagine working with Lady so-and-so, with the rock on her finger that would make Liberace look twice. Or Lord so-and-so. Or doing the State President’s Residence!
The Love Affair had begun to take root and by now I was seriously developing a strong passion for my work. It is only in looking back that I realise that I developed aspirations I had no awareness of at the time. I yearned then, as I yearn now to take this fabric and use it there; and take that paint and pop it onto that wall. My love for all things interiors has never faded. But I wanted more – something deep inside of me knew there was more to be experienced.
One of the four Irish hotels we did the décor for. The AbsoluteHotel.com in Limerick, Ireland.
It happened a few years ago; I had what you could call an “upgrade”. If I was an employee it would have been known as a promotion. Yippee! At that time we, as a company, managed to land the interior design & décor contract for an Irish developer’s hotels. It was a seriously challenging time, filled with new experiences, people, places, plenty of stress, loads of plane flights, critical deadlines and excitement galore.
My good friend and then business partner, Miranda and I on way to the AbsoluteHotel.com official launch. There is no party like an Irish party.
PLUS, I got to stay in Kit Kemp’s Soho Hotel; have drinks in her Charlotte Street and Haymarket Hotels. Together with my client, whose love for all things hotel were more operational than interior. I took a day to run in and out of London’s bars and restaurants. No, I had not died and gone to hotel interiors heaven, but it sure felt like it.
Having drinks at the gorgeous Haymarket Hotel in London. The interiors were designed by talented Interior Designer, Kit Kemp
I had hit another of my ever increasing “learning cycles”. I became more involved with the hard finishes, plans, space planning and all and all – even managed the construction lingo.
I now know that I had found in hotel interiors, my one true love. I am totally nuts about hotel interior design. Plus through all my years of working upmarket, I had developed an eye for seeing details that speak of LUXE.
But back to the fact that not only was I smitten, I realised just this year, that hotel interiors is my true calling. (Sounds really spooky but its true nonetheless).
I have many plans still to be fulfilled – a rather big vision ahead of me, but right now, I am setting out on a campaign to take those many hotel interiors in the 3 & 4 star / budget hotel category from “DRAB TO FAB“. And being that my motto is: home is where the heart is – my market is all hotels local and South African. (For starters)
Our DRAB TO FAB campaign that we unofficially launched the end of last year. It's our aim to give the South African hospitality sector a facelift.
I have some seriously strong views on matters such as: why should we who can only afford 3 & 4 star hotels, or budget stays, have to put up with room interiors that speak of mediocrity, are totally uninspired and drab. (But clean!) Is having a clean room with totally outdated furniture (believe me, not even your Uncle from Joshua Doore wants most of that stuff back again) meant to be good enough for us? Why should the budget stay guest have to settle for less? Why can we not have “Luxe for Less”?
Oh Boy – I am going to slow down here as I am burning up inside. I will leave that for my next post along these lines.
So, that is a touch of my story to date. I am very excited about the future and in particular this campaign and hope to be able to make a difference in the hotel interiors, so that we the guests can know that we matter – in all issues of hospitality service.
I would love to hear your story about your career, or your dream, or what your love affair is all about. Be it interiors, food, wine, travel, fashion, beauty – whatever. Hopefully you will take the time to write to me.
Thanks for listening. Yours in service of Interiors
Rose xxx
“Drab to Fab” and “Luxe for Less” is the intellectual property of Design Monarchy.
Related articles
- A reflection on 2011… (thedesigntabloid.com)
- It’s A Goal! (thedesigntabloid.com)
Like this:
Colours that don’t “do it” for me…
When considering colour in décor and design, I often wonder where the starting point of this specific topic is and where it end (if ever). There is just so much to say about colour – its intentions, its effects, the trends, the do’s and the don’ts and more. But over and above all that, one thing I am always conscious of is the fact that colour is “individual specific”. What works for me may not work for you.
Which brings me to the opinion I want to share with you today- the colours that just don’t do it for me any more and those that manage to grab my attention of late.
Terracotta walls and a dark stained vanity? Definitely does NOT do it for me!
This earthy African interior is bland, dark and heavy. Give me colour that pops!
Let’s start with the DON’T DO IT: Terracotta orange and clay colours, along with that dark stained finishes on wooden furniture and joinery items. For me the days of the dark kitchen cupboard doors and drawers, as well as dark coffee tables, dining chairs and tables are long gone tired, over and done with. That whole dark wenge and dark African mahogany wooden finish seemed to walk hand-in-hand with the deeper “earthy tones” of burnt orange and clay on a background of beige colours. Pretty much that “African” look. We were subjected to such an over-exposure of it, that it became anathema to me – loathed when encountered. That is where the problem lies – total over-exposure. Could the possibility also exist that working with these dark finishes were somewhat limiting and stifling, leading to creative boredom?
It almost seems silly to be raising this style as a topic of discussion, particularly since there has been a natural progression from dark finishes to lighter natural wooden finishes with complimenting vibrant colours such as green, fresh oranges, soft browns and strong hues of blue. NOW THIS I CAN DO! The operative word here is VIBRANT.
See how this pale blue compliments the terracotta! Beautiful and FRESH!
With the gradual advent and introduction of growing eco-awareness, the shift to natural was inevitable. Somehow, that shift to all things a-la-natural has evoked a surge of creative energy, making it very difficult to grow tired of this natural trend. It is the foundation for a much broader colour spectrum and really can be such fun to work with.
HOWEVER, having said all of that, I am not writing off the colour clay completely. In fact clay can be a fab complimentary colour (and burnt orange if it comes to that) when carefully paired up with another vibrant colour, such as a strong teal blue.
Now this is colour that POPS! The vibrant teal compliments the warmer terracotta perfectly! (This bright combination is not for the meek though)
Take this bathroom for instance. The feature colour is teal, complimented by the clay bath, vanity unit and towels. When it is not the dominant colour, IT CAN DO IT FOR ME.
Images sourced from Houzz: here.
Like this:
Décor Diva: At what stage should you enlist the services of an Interior Designer?
During the course of a conversation in the office the other day, one of our old gripes emerged again. It is an old bone of contention that we tend to chew on every now and again. But I feel it is a very valid one.
Well, the beauty of the Décor Diva column is that I am able to express my opinion. Let’s always bear that in mind – it is just my opinion, but in this case I know that I am not the only one that holds this opinion.
©iStockphoto.com/Photomorphic
Here goes: It’s all about timing! What timing? This timing – at what stage do you enlist the services of an Interior Designer? The answer to this must seem pretty obvious. “At the time when the actual construction of the house, office, shop commences? Not so! The correct answer is – during the planning stages. (Please note I am talking about the Interior Designer – not the Interior Decorator. The Interior Designer deals with construct, hard finishes and space planning issues, way before the décor is considered).
©iStockphoto.com/ez_thug
If your intention is to build your home or office who would be the very first professional in the design business that you would work with? The Architect naturally – they design and plan the structure that you have in mind.
But, now this is such a special project to you and you want it done right, plus you have budgeted for the services of an interior designer to assist you with features and finishes.
Well then, once the architect has the initial plans up and running, that is the IDEAL time to include the expertise of the Interior Designer, not after construction has begun and the space has begun to take shape. The reason – a good design team consists of an architect, interior designer and developer / construction company – working hand in hand, each bringing their brand of expertise to the project. For this reason there are a great many architectural firms that have an interior designer or dept on board. They work together from the start of the planning phase.
©iStockphoto.com/Mr-Eckhart
Too often have we come on board after the planning stage, with construction well on its way already. Too often have we encountered big space planning issues on sites which puts us under tremendous pressure to perform, without having the time to go through the proper design process? Too often have we had builders demanding plans from us when we have actually just come on board? Bad Timing!!
Please don’t get me wrong, I have a ton of respect for architects and their extensive knowledge. They are a breed of professionals who come out of years of University training and carry extensive technical knowledge. Something that blows my mind at times.
©iStockphoto.com/chihhang
Interior Designers spend more time working with floor layouts, space planning, interior features (bulkheads) etc and have thus sharpened these skills and developed a keen eye. Interior spaces are their turf and as such their interpretation of space is a vital link from the start. A skill which compliments the architect.
I have seen how our skills and services can make a huge complimentary difference to the architecture and so, I would say – for a successful project build, ensure the inclusion of the interior designer happens from the start…
Like this:
Décor Diva: To Paint Or Not To Paint
By now, for those of you who have not yet met me in person, or who don’t know me on a more personal basis, would have gathered that I am not in the thirty-something or even forty-something age bracket. This means that I have seen trends come and go, and come again.
To Paint or Not To Paint?
One such a trend is the Vintage Revival and more particularly the painting of furniture pieces – the furniture from the 50’s and 60’s era. (Frankly, I was surprised to find so much of it hanging around still). This is stuff that my I grew up with – so what is it doing back here again? The truth be known, I just simply did not appreciate the style when growing up.
Revived & modernised - and it only took a lick of yellow paint! These bold beauties are from Vamp Furniture.
However, the beauty of the revival of vintage is that I am able to see it with new eyes and the application of paint is giving it a new look as well.
Isn't this AMAZING?! Sacha, the talented lady behind "Once Upon A Time" is one of my local upcycling heroes! She transformed this boring piece into an awesome "scrabble" desk!
I have a few pieces that I have inherited and suddenly the ball-and-claw coffee table and chairs, which I thought was too awful and could not wait to get rid of, have become meaningful again. This together with my mom-in-law’s old 50’s radiogram cabinet as well as the 2 Queen Anne high back chairs – plenty of potentials.
Some more Vamp awesomeness. LOVE the blue!
But do I paint them or not? I am a whole lot slower in applying paint to furniture, only due to the fact that many years ago, we used to discover the most amazing piece of wooden furniture hidden under layers of paint. And the declaration of the time was: “how could they do this to a beautiful piece of furniture. We thought they were all “Eijeets” (idiots pronounced EEGGIITTS – by the Irish).
This Canadian chick from "4 Men 1 Lady" seriously knows her stuff - her furniture transformations are stunning!
So, I have decided to apply a standard against which to judge whether to paint a piece of furniture or not. I take a long hard look at the quality of the wood and the finish. If the condition is still good, showing natural movement & texture in the wood – NO PAINT (like my little ball-and-claw table). BUT, if the wood has no particular value or happens to be non-descript and just generally in bad shape, then PAINT IT.
Another talented local company, Restore, works their magic on vintage & mid-century furniture.
I doubt you will find me painting Yellow Wood or good Mahogany grain. At times, I am even hesitant to tackle an Oregon Pine piece. I realise that I am somewhat of a purist. But by contrast, something like the Radio Cabinet – it is coated with layers of furniture polish which has made it particularly ugly to appreciate – being painted will grace it with a new lease of life.
More Vamp goodness.
Vamp Furniture is a shop that I have noticed exercises discretion as to what to paint and what to keep in its natural state. Let’s follow the trend with discretion – evaluate what to paint and what not to paint. We don’t want to be the Eijeets of the future.
Check out these painted furniture heroes:
Vamp Furniture: website
Restore: website
Once Upon A Time: website
4 Men 1 Lady: website
Related articles
- Thistle Cottage – Up-cycled Treasure Trove (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Spruce Up: Upcycled Vintage Furniture Store Profile (apartmenttherapy.com)
- Repaint Your Old Furniture for a Budget Décor Update (wisebread.com)
- Refinish Or Repaint: The Great Wood Makeover Debate (apartmenttherapy.com)
