Blog Archives
Top 5 MUST Haves: Kloof Street
By Marica
We took a walk-about down Kloof Street on Saturday and saw so many beautiful shops and amazing finds that we decided to compose a little wish list of our favourite Kloof Street items, here is our Kloof Street Top 5…
Mother of Pearl Side Tables – Loft Living:
Mother-Of-Pearl Side Table by Loft Living
What: Mother-Of-Pearl Side Table
Where: Loft Living, Kloof Street
Description: White ribbed side table with mother-of-pearl top.
How Much: R 1,995.00 each
Retro Dining Table – LIM:
Retro Dining Table by LIM
What: Retro Dining Table
Where: LIM, Kloof Street
Description: Superwood top with white Duco finish and solid Walnut legs. Size: 1800(l) x 900(d) x 750(h)
How Much: R 7,790.00
Nguni Loop Chair – Klooftique:
Nguni Loop Chair by Klooftique
What: Nguni Loop Chair
Where: Klooftique, Kloof Street
Description: Nguni hair on hide or leather, legs: timber, stainless steel or caster/wheels.
How Much: R 7,200.00
Brno Chair by Mies van der Rohe Replica – Eddie Zoom:
Brno Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe Replica from Eddie Zoom
What: Brno Chair by Mies van der Rohe – Replica
Where: Eddie Zoom, Kloof Street
Description: Upholstered in leather with a chrome flat bar frame.
How Much: R 3,200.00 for the pair (an absolute steal!)
Ceramic Protea Candle Holder – O.live:
Protea Candle Holder by Olive
What: Protea Candle Holder
Where: O.live, Kloof Street
Description: Ceramic Protea candle holder in glazed white finish.
How Much: R 160.00 each
Ultimate must haves! What’s your favourite…let us know!
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Kyoto Garden Sushi – Cape Town
By Marica Fick
Okay, so The Design Tabloid just moved into our new office, an adorable Victorian building in Gardens, Cape Town.
On exploring our new backyard we made an awesome discovery – a little Japanese restaurant, beautifully designed. Determined not to let this opportunity pass us by we dropped in on our new neighbours to ask a few questions & take a couple of photos.
We popped into Kyoto Garden Sushi one cold, miserable Friday evening and were amazed to find ourselves in a little Zen Sanctuary.Stepping into the restaurant, leaving the bustling Kloof Street and noisy Rafiki’s behind, we were immediately enveloped by the restaurant’s warmth & tranquillity.We sat down and had a chat with owner & restaurateur Scott Lee Wood, an American and world traveller. He said his goal was to create a space with an atmosphere that speaks to your soul; calms you from the stresses of life and helps you recharge.
We were quite surprised to learn that Scott designed the interior himself, finding inspiration in his travels to Asia – particularly the Zen Gardens of Japan.
The restaurant interior is designed in a Japanese orient style with the use of natural elements and materials. It is a perfect balance of organic texture and the simple elegance of minimalistic design. The style can be described as “Wabi Sabi”, directly translated from Japanese means – Wabi: roughness, quietness or rustic simplicity & Sabi: beauty or serenity that comes from age. Wabi Sabi – Rustic Beauty.
The restaurants main focal point is the beautiful Sushi Bar, which glows shades of greens from a glass feature wall behind, and is crowned with a dropped bulkhead wallpapered in a textured finish reminiscent of the patterns of a Zen garden. Woven pendants lights hung from the ceiling casts a warm blush over the sushi prep area where you can watch the chef prepare your food.The main eating area has beautiful solid beech tables that have been high pressure hosed to appear more rustic, the resulting grooves in the timber serves as a constant reminder of the restaurants Zen Garden roots. Rattan woven dining chairs complement the beautiful tables and comfortable bench seating, in natural cream cotton upholstery, hug the inside walls. Shoji screens bridging the gap between the low wall and the ceiling emit a green glow.
As strange as this may sound, the restrooms deserve special mention. The restroom lobby is a little indoor Japanese Garden complete with stone path and a small cascading water feature with bamboo saplings and bonsai trees. Beautiful natural finishes; simplistic palm leaf wallpaper; and dark timber floating vanity units insures your trip to the oasis loo to be rather memorable.
Scott’s amazing eye for detail, balance and quest for perfection has truly made this restaurant a magnificent example of serenity in design. If he ever gets tired of the restaurant business I’m sure he could quite easily become a very successful designer! Not to forget Scott himself is there most nights to meet and greet the customers adding a personal touch to what he does. What a character!
Kyoto Garden Sushi is truly a must visit – go sit down, have some awesome food, drink one of their heavenly cocktails and just enjoy the ambiance!
P.S. Try the “Ecstasy”…it is a dish well named.
Kyoto Garden Sushi, 11 Kloof Nek Road, Gardens, Cape Town. Give them a ring: 021 422 2001
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Life In The City Bowl
Photo: "Cape Town Pano – Night" by Aquila on Flickr
Photo: Photonogrady on Flickr
By Rose McClement
At the beginning of this month we relocated our offices to the Cape Town City Bowl district – Gardens to be exact. Oh wow – what have we been missing all this time in the “burbs”.
At one time it was the thing to work in the burbs – who wants to take on that traffic into town everyday. Well being back here where the general vibe is electric and where there is just so much happening in terms of design of any kind – I am quite happy to take on the traffic. Although don’t get me wrong – it is really taking a bit of getting used that traffic story. But as they say – make it work for you – take it on and make the most of the time in the car. (Ok – I’ve yet to get totally creative around this, but I will!)
Because after having endured the traffic – I get into the Bowl district and I am inspired. (I can now fully understand the inspiration for SEX IN THE CITY).
Inspired by what – by the architectural design all around us – in all shapes and forms.
By the history to be found in that architectural design – taking the shape of Victorian houses, Art Deco buildings and apartment blocks of the 40’s and 50’s. And then of course the fab modern buildings. And the PEOPLE – of course!
Tamboerskloof Victorian Architecture
And Oh – the absolute glut of such cool retail interior outlets – in the Gardens, in the City, in De Waterkant etc etc.
There is just so much here – so much to draw new and fresh inspiration from each and every day – something new that catches my eye.
“Hey look – have you seen this shop or that supplier or how about those cool restaurants, coffee shops and cafes” Yada Yada Yada – I could go on and on. No wonder my friend Miranda cannot be budged from living around here.
So, bear with us, as we take you on REGULAR fresh excursion of what is happening in THE CITY…
