Category Archives: Eco-Friendly Design
The Rare African Leprechaun
St. Patrick’s Day had us thinking – if the lucky Irish Leprechaun had an African cousin he would probably look like this…
Rose and I spotted this intricate green beaded suit at Design Indaba and we thought St. Pat’s would be the perfect time to share it with you.
But all jokes aside – this crafted masterpiece has an excellent story behind it. It’s handmade by over 40 women from several communities in the Valley of 1000 Hills region, and made up of over 400 individual patches of bead work. The suit was designed by international award-winning fashion designer, Terrence Bray, for Woza Moya an income-generating project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust. The project spanned eight weeks from conception to completion and was designed as a “go green” initiative. It also provided an income for the 40-odd women who worked on it.
The suit consists of a suit jacket, pants, a top hat and an isagila (a traditional Zulu walking stick). Believed to be the first of its kind in the world, it will hopefully provoke discussion around environmental issues. Words and phrases related to green issues are featured on the suit.
“The Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust assists men and women infected and affected by HIV/Aids, as well as families in need of an income. They support over 300 crafters with sustainable employment and provides training and a market for beautiful, handmade, contemporary crafts. Woza Moya is known for its beautiful beaded jewellery, which is sold around the world. It also produces a range of wirework, fabric-painted mats, conference bags, crochet and ceramic items. Woza Moya is the home of the Little Traveller, which is a tiny beaded doll that travels the world spreading a message of love and hope. By making Little Travellers, families have been fed, lights have been switched on, children have gone to school, water has poured out of taps and, most importantly, hope has been restored.” - www.designindaba.com
If you can recall, Woza Moya is also responsible for last year’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa winner, The Dreams for Africa Chair, which symbolises hope and the importance of dreams, whilst also raising HIV/Aids awareness. On display at this year’s Design Indaba, the chair usually travels around South Africa and abroad.
A happy St. Paddy’s Day to you all!
Love, Rose and Marica x x
Images and info via Design Indaba & The Hillcrest AIDS Centre TrustLike this:
Decorex 2011 – Talking Trends With Dave Nemeth
Dave Nemeth’s Trend Talk at Decorex CT 2011
One of the interesting features of the recent Decorex Cape Town Expo was the Trend Talk given by Trend Forecast guru, Dave Nemeth. Here in our office we seem to inadvertently watch the trends by being avid bloggers. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to listen to Dave open them up like the expert that he is. He has been a player in the interiors trade for many years and it seems that the last few years have seen him trotting around the globe, trend watching. I like that we have our own proudly South African Trend gurus.
This beautiful Salvatore Ferragamo crochet number can easily influence future Interior trends, for example this gorgeous chair for Casamento
How is a trend established? I guess most of us are aware of the fact that Fashion and Interiors walk side by side, in terms of pattern, texture and colour trends, particularly the Cat Walk. However, trends are not just established willy nilly. Other factors that influence the establishing of a trend are: What is the consumer experiencing; how are global politics and economics impacting consumers and then of course what impact is technology having on the consumer? Research Information coming out of these influences is collated by Trend Forecasting Agencies for the benefit and application by Interior Designers, Retailers and Manufacturers who develop it further.
Pink & Berry Colours
FACT – Two types of trends – micro trends and macro trends. Micro trends are those that fleetingly come and go. Naturally that would make a macro trend the stayer- for a good few years, much like the few I am about to highlight.
Colour – the impact of the recession in our global economy was reflected in the muted colour palette of grey and neutral tones. (Mood influences colour). Now that the movement in the economy is more optimistic, the inclusion of strong pinks and berries colours are evident. We are feeling upbeat and even if you aren’t at that place yet, indulge these colours and you soon will.
Upcycled & Industrial Cabinet from Weylandts
Furniture: Dave highlighted the fact that coming out of the recession, the consumer has become a cautious and conscious buyer. As such quality is a strong determinant in the furniture we buy, with resurgence of solid woods. Solid woods in the form of re-cycled furniture, or up-cycled furniture (vintage, heritage or retro second hand pieces, that get the conversion treatment to a snazzy modern furniture item). Handcrafted furniture is also very big, as is the industrialised look and feel.
It seems that tactile is the buzz word – we are experiencing a great deal of texture in our furniture, with open grain tables being more the rage. (I personally love this trend, as authenticity is one of my values in life).
Recreate
Restore
LIM
Open bulbs or bulb-shaped lighting
Have you noticed that there is a lot of deep buttoned upholstered furniture to be had? And Listen, don’t let you mom or aunt throw out that old suitcase or trunk, or even the crate she stored the cool drink bottles in. (there are still a few of those cool drink vendors that drive around the suburbs – they have loads of those crates – convince them to part with it)
Lighting: The shapes we find in table and standing lamps are both organic and angular. That was seen in the products on display by Newport Lighting, a local-is-lekker company. Expect to see more lighting that feature exposed bulbs (frosted bulbs – not your standard bulb). Wire caging surrounding the bulb is apparently also the way to go. Nice.
Knitted Decor via Etsy
Accessories: Now this is the exciting part – it’s affordable. Textured scatter cushions – embroided, felt, cable knit, plenty of bright colours.
Handcrafted is so big.
Then Typography – words, letters, phrases all available to you to display in your favourite rooms. Add into this collective mix, Anglophilia – all things Brit.
Green: There is however one distinct characteristic that runs through all categories – sustainability. Green is here to stay!!!
Newspaper Pendant
Moonbasket
MohairSA
Dave presented a bucket load of information and I could go on and on.
However from my observation, Decorex actually nailed the theme of the show – basic and beauty. We are living in a time where the superfluous has been and gone. We want to get back to our roots, our heritage and in doing so, find that grounded, safe and secure place again.
Anglophilia via Loads of Living
Anglophilia via Etsy
Heath Nash
So, we turn to the past and the heritage that is connected to that. We surround ourselves in colours, crafts and textures that add optimist depth to our being, bringing hope and meaning to our lives.
Typography via Etsy
Typography via Etsy
Typography via Etsy
What the future holds – we will allow the trend gurus to unfold that with each passing season.
Related articles
- Why Decorex CT 2011 is going to be awesome… (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Interior Attractions With Lasting Impressions (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Lasting Impressions continued… (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Inspiring Designers (thedesigntabloid.com)
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Design Indaba 2011: Raw Studios
By Marica
Raw Studios, another Design Indaba 2011 exhibitor, also caught my eye (they’re my secret favourite, shhhhh).
Under the creative guidance of Pretoria-based furniture designer Peet Van Straaten, Raw Studios design and manufacture beautiful furniture pieces from sustainable engineered materials often making use of CNC machining processes. Their natural birch plywood product ranges can be customized with funky colours and quirky prints.
Peet van Straaten from Raw Studios - Image via Visi.co.za
Now if there is one thing I appreciate more than an attractive design, it’s a clever attractive design. The genius of Raw Studios’ product ranges (other than the sleek and simplistic good-looks) is the intelligent, and might I add environmentally friendly, way it’s all put together. They have spend some time designing and perfecting joining and clipping systems that, in some of their designs, renders toxic glues assembling tools obsolete. Truly masters of innovation.
As for that sleek and simplistic product, Peet must have picked that up in Rotterdam – he spent 6 years there cultivating his design and joinery skills. The Dutch are renowned for their simplistic, functional and often quirky designs.
Raw Studios - Ikonik
Ikonik is Raw Studios’ take on the original old school steel locker. It is fully modular, flexible and durable.
Raw Studios - Klik
Klik is a modular storage system with magnitude of possibilities from office workstations to shopfitting and children’s rooms. A smorgasbord of modular elements such as shelving, work tops, cupboards, drawers and storage boxes simply “klik” into the base panel and can be reconfigured as requirements change. I would love this for our studio.
Raw Studios - Tressel
Tressel is Raw Studios modular interpretation of the traditional trestle table. The Tressel top is available in natural birch and white, but the legs can be stained – the table looks seriously funky with colourful legs.
Raw Studios - Sideklik
The Sidekik server has the added functionality of a removable table component that effectively doubles the serving area. Two tables arranged back to back will produce a full size dining table for 6-8 people.
Raw Studios - Slowfa
Slowfa is a very simple little bench seat in three different sizes. Several colours can be applied to the inside of the Slowfa for extra effect. It’s cute, né!
In a recent interview with Visi, Peet stated that he believes plywood is the new hardwood (only better). We have undoubtedly seen a general trend in furniture design gravitating toward plywood and particle board products. Why? Well, plywood is flexible, cheap, workable & recyclable. It is also resistant to cracking, shrinkage, and twisting/warping. It has a general high degree of strength… oh and don’t forget that it’s more eco-friendly and sustainable than hardwood. I can definitely see why this is Raw Studios’ material of choice.
Images & Info via Raw Studios.co.za – do yourself a favour & check out their website…
Related Articles
- At Design Indaba XIV (10and5.com)
- Design Indaba 2011: Design Kist (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Design Indaba: Expo, Conference & Filmfest Cape Town, South Africa (apartmenttherapy.com)
