Category Archives: Interviews & Features
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.
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The Dynamic Design Team
I can’t remember exactly when it was that the fabrics of the Design Team first came to my attention, but it was many years ago. I just remember being very impressed by the fact that it was very different to any other local designers I had seen before. Their style and patterns had a strong local influence and flavour. I remember seeing Proteas, head and shoulder medalions of African ladies, birds on branches – all illustrated so differently to the general run of the mill fabric patterns that we were being exposed to. To me anyway, it was the introduction of a completely new genre of fabrics. (I have no doubt that my good friend James Russell, could correct me on this score, since he has this amazing historical knowledge of fabric… coupled with the fact that he is their agent here in Cape Town.
Through the past years, I have managed to attend most of their new range launches here in Cape Town. Each new range delights more than the previous. Each new range just adds further depth to their collection and each new range has them running ahead of the competition.
And speaking of competition… these are my thoughts and opinions on what the two fabulous ladies from the Design Team, Lise Butler and Amanda Haupt have done for the local fabric industry: The Upside – they were among the very first textile designers (surface designers as they are known as well) that illustrated pattern differently. But like a most trail blazers, they have craved a path for others to follow in. By them braving the frontier and penetrating the fabric market as they have, other talented surface designers could take courage and endeavour to follow suite. The Design Team has shown other creatives that Local is indeed Lekker. That it is possible to get out there, not only to make your talented products visible, but that it could turn into a good business venture as well.
The Downside - in doing this, the field became more competitive. But true to form, they have an awesome philosoply towards competition. To quote them: “We have a ‘no negativity policy’ and we rather wear the copycats out by staying one step ahead with new designs.”
So, competition only has them taking their design to the next level. What I hear is this: competition aids our business maturity, bring it on. And their newest range of fabrics attests to this fact. It was first launched and released at Decorex 2012, together with a very special feature – a video showing their historical background and business growth. The new range, called Barcelona-Paris-Istanbul, is strongly influenced by the duo’s recent visits to these cities. The designs are a beautiful visual representation of the “feel” and ambiance of the cities – more figurative than literal… don’t expect Eiffel Tower sketches or tiny bullfighters…
But I wanted to scratch a bit deeper down, below the skin and try to catch more of their heart beat. I wanted to get to know what made them tick as a Design Duo originally, as well as today. Lisa opened up to The Design Tabloid. I invite you to catch it below and enjoy their story…
Q: I am interested to know, and feel readers should as well, what it is that inspired you to take the bull by the horns and do textile design that was just so different at the time you started?
A: We really had and still do have a passion for creating beautiful things and we were blessed with very supportive parents and lecturers at the time. Ignorance is truly bliss when you are so young! We had nothing to loose and one thing we have never been is scared! Both Amanda and I had produced work during our studies that were recognized in industry related competitions or projects and I think that this gave us the confidence to believe in ourselves. We are both work horses and still put in 10 hour working days even though they are now split up at times fitting in our children’s schedules! We just have this attitude of not being scared to tackle anything, if you have put everything into it and you have planned well it has a very good chance of succeeding and if not, you will have learnt something from it!
Q: What inspired you both?
A: To set up a business from scratch and build it into a recognized brand means that you have to “live” it, and I think it is just something that some people have in them and others don’t. Many designers have incredible creativity but lack organizational and entrepreneurial skills – we have an unbelievable partnership that balances each other and offers a support system that has seen us through the many tough times.
Q: What motivated you to be so authentic?
A: We believe that you need to be honest and unpretentious, so it was easy, we had to do something that was close to us and that we could find some sort of connection with. Only after ten years of having the business did we start traveling overseas, up until then we used magazines to keep in touch with global trends and we always aspire towards designing fabrics that can compete anywhere in the world but is still authentic to our own frame of reference.
Q: How did you manage to finance your venture initially?
A: Many think that we had a secret source of set up capital! Not at all, we both had waitressing jobs while we studied and this financed our initial raw materials. We lived with our parents for many years to keep our own expenses to a minimum and didn’t take salaries for a very long time. The technikon helped us to pay for the first stand we did at Decorex as it was such good marketing for the textile department and the training they offered. Our moms helped us sew the finished items and we mostly printed and cut everything ourselves for the first few years. Once we had built up enough cash flow, we moved away from the technikon facility we shared with the students and rented a small factory space. Growth was significant and so were the costs! We each took a R50 000 personal loan to finance the next move to a larger factory and 12 years later this has still been the only capital injection we have had! We have built up incredible relationships with some of our clients and many have been willing to help us with advance payments if really needed!
Q: What did you see happening in the South Africa interiors / textile industry that lead you to swim upstream?
A: Everyone was trying so hard to keep up and mimic what was happening globally that they missed the hunger for local inspired textiles that had an international appeal and was not ethnic but more contemporary.
Q: How was your product received initially? What did it take from the two of you in terms of sticking with your plans?
A: We had an overwhelming response but the trick was figuring out which products would really be viable and then to set up the production line to support it. We are still fine tuning! One of our biggest “assets” has been the ability to analyze what we do and to make changes where we had to, as wells an openness to learn.
I am pretty sure that you will agree with me when I say that Lise and Amanda as the Design Team inspire us to authentic design; to persevere through tough times; to be clever, resourceful entrepreneurs and to be Proudly South African creatives.
Check out Design Team’s website: here for more of their GORGEOUS fabrics or find them on Facebook: here and on Twitter: here.
Related articles
- Decorex 2012 – Lasting Impressions (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Leila Fanner’s issiMya – Whimsy African (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Skinny laMinx And Her “Flower Dreams” (thedesigntabloid.com)
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Leila Fanner’s issiMya – Whimsy African
Marica and I have a fascination with ‘discovering’ new South African talent. They may not be new on the design scene, but new to us. After all, the philosophy of our blog is to uphold and honour our local talented creatives. The reason for that philosophy by the way, came out of the time that I spent working on the Irish hotel interior design projects. We had to export most of the interior furnishings and finishes from SA.
As a decorator, when I spend a great deal of time sourcing products and fabrics, I come to appreciate just how well our South African creatives compare with those abroad. We bring a unique flavour to the world of design. This is what Marica and I desire to showcase. The burning desire is to continue ‘exporting’ the talents and wares of South African designers to the world at large – the blog being one of the mediums we use.
I cannot recall just exactly how it was that I recently ‘discovered’ the work of Lelia Fanner – somewhere and somehow on the internet. But I was so thrilled with my discovery, that I hurriedly contacted her to chat to her and today we are proud to introduce you to the ‘Talented Lelia Fanner.’ Her surface designs are striking, inspired by local fauna and flora, trendy, colourful and so much more. But I will leave Lelia to tell you more about herself in the interview below… ENJOY!
As always… yours in service of design… Rose.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself – where are you from, what makes you tick, how did you get started?
I illustrate, design, paint, print, photograph, create surface patterns, and write as much as is humanly possible.
I dance a lot in my lounge, eat mostly raw food and masses of chocolate and believe love is stronger than hate. I’ve was born an artist and crafter – driving my mother batty as a youngster cutting up my clothes to re-make them in my own way. I sold my first artworks at the age of 10 from my mum’s art studio/gallery. Nowadays, I create designs for business, make my own gorgeous products, paint photograph nature and write about finding your own creative currency.
Q: Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?
I could say self -taught – but that isn’t ever strictly true. My mother, my unknown father, my grandparents and many more wonderful human beings who have influenced my life and were all creative entrepreneurs, have directly and indirectly taught me what I know now.
Q: Tell me more about issiMya (interesting name by the way) and your range of services/products?
Thank you. I’m not sure what it means – it popped into my head while rumbling along a farm road. It’s the name of my Cape Fynbos inspired range of textile designs. As an illustrator and graphic artist – I also design logos and illustrative themes for businesses. Last year I signed up with UK agents Advocate Art, to make a selection of my designs and art available for licensing worldwide.
Q: I notice you use quite a wide variety of mediums in your art pieces – what’s your favourite?
Drawing. Everything starts with a pencil line.
Q: What inspires you and where do you draw your inspiration from?
Nature and my belief in worlds we cannot see with our physical eyes.
Q: Do you have a particular style and if so could you describe it?
Ridiculous amounts of detail right up against simplicity and extremes in colour, line and form.
Q: I see you have a fabric range in the pipe line – tell us more about it…
Well, there is the protea and fynbos inspired issiMya range – I spent a year on our farm on the west coast creating the initial ink and aquarelle illustrations that I then digitized and turned into patterns. I am totally in love with this range.
Then there’s the newer Natural History photographic collection; west coast and Karoo veld treasures with a sprinkling of man-made finds, naturally weathered into fascinating sculptural objects. They started out as box framed collections available at Cecile & Boyd’s Trade Showroom and The Haas Collective in the Bo-Kaap. The photos I took of each treasure collection inspired a range of fabric designs as well.
I am presently looking for the right fabric house or savvy business person to collaborate with in producing the range. If I don’t find that person/business I am going to launch it myself.
Q: When is it launching?
This year. TBC
Q: Are you considering developing any specific product from the fabric? (Ex. scatter cushions)
I’ve already started with some samples: Gorgeous cushions, gift wrap, gift cards, wallpaper, vinyl wall art and fabric by the meter.
Q: You’ve got some product on Etsy – a relatively unfamiliar avenue for most South Africans. How’s Etsy working for you?
I started my Etsy shop as an experiment in getting myself used to the whole online selling world. I made some sales, then started my website and got thoroughly side-tracked into making that into a gallery /shop / blog. I think in order to make Etsy shops work as a business one has to be dedicated to spending enormous amounts of time online and marketing it everywhere. I’ve only just started with that, so we’ll see.
Q: Tell us five things on your Bucket List…
Buy a farm with mountains and a river running through it, skydive, be in a flashmob dance, find lasting inner peace, and travel into outer space.
Q: Future plans?
All of the above ; )
…and an up-coming photographic exhibition called ‘A Fragile Nature’ – photo’s taken on a road trip to the Karoo.
Check out Leila’s website: here, or drop by her Etsy shop if you want to purchase any of her beautiful stationary and prints!
Be sure to catch our next post as Leila designed something special just for our The Design Tabloid readers!
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Design Indaba 2012: High Thorn
By Marica
After a VERY busy 2 weeks, the dust has finally settled and we can focus on the long overdue Design Indaba 2012 feedback we have been promising. Since the Conference part of our feedback is a little bit meaty and requires more thought, we thought it best to start with the Expo. Rose and I will be posting our general take on the Design Indaba 2012 Expo this week, including highlights and our favourite products and designers.
One stand close to the entrance caught my attention immediately – the beautiful African-inspired designs of Pietermaritzburg company, High Thorn.
Their handcrafted products include a wide range of lighting designs, coffee tables, ottomans, massive twig mirrors, leather pots, solid wood lampbases and turned vases, and even crochet leather scatter cushions & pouffes.
Now, I am not one that usually fawns over traditional African design, and I’m sure you are picturing tacky African masks, bowls and other general Greenmarket Square touristy junk in your mind as I speak. Not High Thorn – they have taken “African” to a whole new aesthetic level – it’s chic, contemporary, whimsical and trendy. If High Thorn is the proverbial traditional Zulu mama…she is carrying around a Louis Vuitton handbag (if you catch my drift).
It was the High Thorn lighting designs that totally stole my heart. Big, intricate chandeliers made from driftwood-like stripped jacaranda twigs hung with crystals, beautiful crochet leather pendants suspended like a collection of weaver’s nests, beaded bell pendants made from Imfibinga seeds, and a massive dramatic leather tassel chandelier interwoven with strings of glass beads.
The stand also featured stunning wildlife shots by Greg Anderson Photography including a drop-dead-gorgeous triptych of beautifully coloured birds in flight. To compliment this, a handful of High Horn’s trendy solid wood vases were painted in shades of aqua, lime and gorgeous coral to match the colouration of the birds. This combination of rustic nature and spring colours gave the stand a contemporary freshness not often associated with African products – gorgeous! I really have to commend them for this brilliant use of colour.
Because most of their designs are adapted to suit a contemporary style their products would not look out of place in a shabby chic, nostalgic or even minimalist residential interior. Although, Rose and I are secretly hoping there is a game farm / African hotel interior design project in our near future in order for us to use some of High Thorn’s beautiful designs.
Do check out High Thorn’s website for further in and product: here
Images: 1, 2, 3, 5 – High Thorn 4 & 6 – Copyright of The Design Tabloid 7 – SA Décor & DesignRelated articles
- Design Indaba 2012: The Conference (coolhunting.com)
- Most Beautiful Object In SA 2012 Finalists (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Design Indaba 2012 Is Here! (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Design Indaba Expo 2012: A Snapshot of South African Design (core77.com)
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5 Tips For A “Bright And Beautiful” Christmas
We asked Neva Ward of Bright And Beautiful - a local event decorator and flower & table décor guru – to share her passion with us. She also gives us a handful of awesome and helpful tips to make our Christmas tables pop with individuality and style this festive season!
Neva (on the right) and Gill of Bright And Beautiful
Q: How did you get into Event Décor and co-ordination?
I have always had a passion for flowers and all things beautiful. I did a flower arranging course with Joan Pare when I matriculated although I never pursued floristry as a career path. I continued to enjoy arranging flowers in my home and was always on the lookout for new ideas.
Later in life I was involved on the Child Welfare Society fund raising committee. We organized an annual charity ball in Cape Town which was always very kindly hosted by the Mount Nelson Hotel. Beautiful, stylish table settings were very much part of the ambience of the whole evening. I was never personally involved with the flowers but it was good experience and I gained confidence. At this time I was also involved in other fund raising events and started to learn what working under pressure was all about. Being the one responsible for an event being a success or failure can be daunting but I discovered that I was really good at working under pressure and thrived on it.
Between 2000 – 2007 I worked at a private restaurant in Cape Town and became responsible for the table decor along with the other administrative tasks. During this time I was able to observe various dining dynamics eg. What made a successful party and was it good food alone or a variety of elements that contributed to the success? In 2007 I decided to branch out on my own and concentrate all my efforts on what I love best - flowers, table decor and the many elements that make the dining experience a success. Bright and Beautiful became a reality. I was lucky enough to have a very good friend who offered to be of assistance and as we have grown she has become my confidante and partner. Gill is my right hand. I am so blessed because we work well together and have the same value system.
Q: What is the focus / core services you offer?
A: Consultations for brides who are personally managing their own weddings, we provide assistance and guidance to realise their vision. This includes a consultation, styling and recommendation of reliable service providers). We also offer full co-ordination which can include stationery design, photographers, videographers, entertainment, music, bar service and specialised caterers. However, our main strength lies within flowers and table decor and design. We are available for weddings and all celebratory occasions, large and small, formal or informal.
Q: What inspires you and where do you draw your inspiration from?
A: I try to keep abreast of local and international decor trends by travelling, magazines, photographs and the internet.
Q: What strength would you say has stood you in good stead in such a demanding and competitive business?
A: Being able to work well under pressure! We also pride ourselves in our honesty and integrity within the industry and always treat clients with the utmost respect regardless of budget and/or size of the function. We are meticulous in making sure that even the smallest detail is perfect.
Q: Do you have to craft many if the elements of your décor?
A: Conceptualising flower arrangements and decor to compliment both the desired style and the venue and tapping in to various craft elements to add finishing touches. We often design accessories specifically for a wedding and have a nice range of uniquely crafted décor items.
Q: What is the frustrating part of your business or an specific event?
A: Venues that are unrealistic regarding the allocated time for setting up the function. Very often service providers can only access the venue area at 15h00 for a function due to commence at 17h30. This puts a lot of pressure on all the service providers and compromises attention to detail. The most frustrating part of our business is when a sub-contracted service provider lets us down by not delivering item/s as promised or that are sub-standard.
Q: What is the current trend in table décor and event styling?
A: Vintage, vintage, vintage! We are doing so many wedding with a vintage flavour at the moment. Most people now prefer rectangular tables to round tables as you are able to create more relaxed and eclectic decor elements. We are still seeing a lot of grey/charcoal for bridesmaid’s dresses and table decor whilst navy blue is also becoming popular. Flowers like gypsophila, hydrangeas and even dahlias are making a come-back and frequently seen in informal flower arrangements. Bouquets and arrangements of gypsophila are simply beautiful and very cost effective. I always tell brides to let their decor be an expression of their own personalities and not to be dictated to by trends. Your wedding decor should reflect and suit your personality.
Neva’s Top 5 Table Décor Tips For This Christmas
1. Embrace our warm South African climate by using cool colours with a splash of bright. I will be doing a white and silver table with touches of Aqua.
2. Always have something personalised for guests on your table like a small gift (edible gifts are usually the easiest and the most enjoyed)
3. Add something quirky to your table – always a great ice-breaker!
4. If you are having an evening dinner add loads of candles and use lighting effects for impact.
5. Remember that a great dining experience is about combining different elements to create an enjoyable experience – good background music, food prepared with love, a good mix of friends and family, well chosen wines (don’t forget to make a nice refreshing fruit punch for children and guests who don’t drink) and candlelight.
1. The simply beautiful Christmas biscuits were made by Jeandre v.d. Bergh from Love at First Sight www.loveatfirstsight.co.za
2. Tablecloth - Mr. Price
3. Christmas Crackers - CNA (they have the best range of crackers, in my opinion)
4. Aqua coloured Christmas baubles and Glitter Stars – Woolworths
5. White high gloss wooden board for centre - Bright & Beautiful (these were designed by us)
6. Silver Bling Christmas Trees - Bright & Beautiful
7. Wine Glasses - Aldona
Check out Bright and Beautiful’s website: here and be sure to visit their Facebook page for all the latest news and snapshots: here!
All images via Bright And Beautiful
