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Repurposed Ladders
It was my intention to write a little décor Quick Tip about re-using old ladders in and around the house after stumbling across this beautiful image (right below) while browsing through Stylizimo (a funky Scandinavian décor blog). However, after doing a quick search I found a good dozen of excellent ideas and images illustrating ways in which you can repurpose your old run-down ladder. So, this is no ordinary Quick Tip, as instead of the customary one image, I included all the gorgeous images to inspire you!
#11 Don’t toss away your old wooden ladder – repurpose it. Your old ladder, whether you give it a fresh lick of paint or keep it paint-splattered & earth-stained, can be used in a variety of interesting ways: as a rustic book shelf, funky bathroom storage or even a shabby chic way to store and display your beautiful shoes. All you need is a bit of inspiration.
I adore this gorgeous use of a ladder display a few fashion items - if styled, it can be a powerful bedroom décor feature.
Scarves, necklaces, shoes and handbags and you are one rung away from a beautiful and original dressing area.
This ingenious pots & pans hanger would look amazing above the island of any rustic or shabby chic industrial kitchen
Use your ladder to store and display dishcloths, napery or other linens.
Keep the guest towels close at hand.
Every reading nook needs one of these - a funky ladder book rack! And isn't it absolutely genius to use a ladder as a way to store and display your newspapers and magazines!
My patio is asking for this - a stepped garden of potted herbs! I'm going to patch up our dilapidated ladder - herb garden here I come!
Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
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Décor Dictionary: Vintage vs Antique
With the current Nostalgic trend words like “Vintage” and “Antique” gets thrown around regularly. Often confused, its definition boundaries have become seriously blurred and vague. So here, to relieve you of all confusion are the most acceptable definitions of Vintage and Antique we could find…
Vintage 60s Teak Sideboard
Vintage: is defined as something that is 20 years or older. The term “vintage” is actually a wine-making term used to define a season’s harvest at a specific vineyard. Like wine, an furniture item described as “vintage” should also speak of the era in which it was produced. Vintage can mean an item is of a certain period of time, as in “vintage 1950′s” but it can also mean (and probably always should) that the item exhibits the best of a certain quality, or qualities, associated with or belonging to that specific era. (Defined with a little help from Ruby Lane)
Exquisitely-made antique Chippendale chairs, Circa 1770
Antique: applies to an object or piece of furniture at least 100 years old. Its rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features plays a big part in whether it is desirable as a collectors’ item. Well looked after antique pieces often appreciate in value over time and is seen as an investment, unlike the mass-produced contemporary furniture pieces of today.
Related articles
- The Antique Dealer’s/Collector’s Guide to Fitness (rubylane.com)
- Décor Dictionary: Voile (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Décor Dictionary: Hollywood Regency Style (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Décor Dictionary: Armoire (thedesigntabloid.com)
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Vintage-Inspired Treasures
By Marica
Look, look, look what I found! Revel in the complete awesomeness that is Mitat – a local Cape Townian creative duo. They have a collection of gorgeous vintage-inspired products – all beautifully designed and screen-printed by hand. I should really try and get a hold of these talented ladies so we can do a decent interview and post about them! Feel free to drool over these cushions for 15 minutes… that’s what I plan to do!
Images via Mitat
Related articles
- Quick Tip #8: Scatter Cushions – It’s All In The Stuffing (thedesigntabloid.com)
- A Love Affair With Interiors (thedesigntabloid.com)
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2011 Trend Watching – Part One
By Marica
Rose and I regularly have awesome (and sometimes quite extensive) discussions about design and decor trends. Now, while we are in the process of review and reflection, and before the 2012 trend reports start flooding in we would like to take a look at some of the trends we observed in 2011.
We are by no means Li Edelkoort, but if you watch the blogs and image sharing websites long enough it is quite easy to recognize popular content and before you know it a definite trend pattern emerges. So without further ado, here are our favourite observed trends of the past year…
Nostalgia:
The primary trend that explains the popularity of most of the subsequent trends (some of which we are discussing below) is aptly labelled Nostalgia. Rose had the following to say about the rise of Nostalgia:
“Despite the fact that there is never a time when change is not happening on a global scale, the uncertainty of the current times in terms of climate change, economies, etc, has been and is very real to us. Experts have shown that when there is a prevailing sense of threat and insecurity, the over-riding trend towards nostalgia and all things from the past, become evident.
That is exactly what our current Nostalgic trend is all about. We have reached into a time past, back into eras that speak the fundamentals of our value systems, with the hope of finding stability in our roots. Nostalgia is all about being “homesick”, yearning and idealizing the past, while fondly recalling memories of times that seem to us much better than that which is our immediate experience.
So, it comes as no surprise, that as the Nostalgic trend stands on the shoulders of the Past, it has gained huge momentum in all walks of life. We draw our inspiration from décor of eras past, motivated in an almost “pick-me-up” fashion for the strength to push on as those from that past era must have done. Despite the fact that Nostalgic styled décor & accessories have been given a fresh and contemporary twist, in a very real sense it is creating a sense of “time standing still” or timelessness.
The Nostalgic vein runs though most of popular trend of the past year – think Vintage, Shabby Chic, Retro & Mid-Century Modern, Rustic Scandinavian, Contemporary Country, and even the glamorous Hollywood Regency, the list goes on. All of these contain tributes to the past, little collections of bygone eras.
As we sat down to review the trends and styles of the past year, it is evident that Nostalgia is the TREND, into which ever expanding styles from the “Golden Ages” of past eras have come to find home.
I am very grateful for the rise of this Nostalgic Trend, as it is a very necessary phase, a breathing space in which to appreciate the past, in order to continue moving forward.”
Handmade Revolution:
A lot of emphasis has been placed on craft this past year – this Handmade trend is definite secondary arm to the primary Nostalgic trend. Who would have thought that crafts like crocheting, knitting, quilting and other general DIY decor projects & products would become so overwhelmingly fashionable? Is it a protest against consumerism or an attempt to save some moola? I don’t know, maybe it’s the emotion behind Handmade that makes it so popular – it’s personal, it’s sentimental, it’s my own…it’s perfectly imperfect.
REcycled / UPcycled:
It makes me happy to see that decor & design trends have, in some small way, taken a cue from our planet’s environmental crisis and adopted a waste not want not approach. We have seen some excellent examples of innovative use of old, discarded trash transformed into beautiful pieces of design. Also, slotting in with the Nostalgic and Handmade trends, a lot of Upcycled designs – like the painted vintage furniture trend or converting an old suitcase into a chair or a rusted cheese grater into a lamp, etc. It’s all about being eco-aware – REclaim, REpurpose, REcycle. This trend is far from dead.
Mid-Century Modern:
Eames Lounge Chair
Seen as one of the most influential and significant design movements, the Mid-Century Modern style is synonymous with furniture design greats like Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen and Eero Saarinen (to name but a tiny few). The Mid-Century style can also be linked to Scandinavian Design, as they had a significant influence on each other. The use of Mid-Century Modern furniture and elements in interiors and decor has always been an admired choice between decorators, designers and architects alike. However, the Nostalgic trend of the past couple of years has boosted this classic vintage style back into mainstream popularity. It is said that Mid-Century Modern is the perfect balance between function and aesthetic. And I don’t know about you, but I sure want to own an Eames chair….
Industrial:
This funky style has made a smashing comeback in the past couple of years can also be tied to the Nostalgic and Mid-Century Modern trends. The core of Industrial Style is to expose elements that are usually hidden – brickwork, exposed I-beams, unfinished wood and all the nuts, bolts and mechanisms that we generally hide.
Nautical:
The Nautical interior & decor style spilled over from the recent nautical fashion trend. Bold stripes in shades of blues and splashes of reds and oranges, rustic and distressed timbers, and ocean-inspired baubles make for a perfect sailor’s sanctuary. Rehashed this cool and fresh style is often paired with Industrial and Mid-Century Modern elements.
Stick around for Part 2 of our 2011 Trends report where we discuss the past year’s colour and pattern trends…
So, what trends patterns did you notice in 2011? We would love to hear about your favourites!
Images sourced: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Related articles
- A reflection on 2011… (thedesigntabloid.com)
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St. George’s Cathedral Save The Roof Market
By Marica
There is a handful of things every Cape Townian MUST do in his or her lifetime – for instance a trip up Table Mountain, Sundowners at Camps Bay, Wine Route wine-tasting or a boat ride to Robben Island and the list goes on… You can also not really call yourself a true Cape Townian without having set foot in the beautiful stone landmark which is St George’s Cathedral.
The Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr (in full) is the Anglican cathedral in the centre of Cape Town, South Africa and is the seat of the Archbishop of Cape Town.
The cathedral was designed by the masterful architect, Sir Herbert Baker and the foundation stone of the cathedral was laid on 22 August 1901 by the Duke of Cornwall and York (later to become George V). The cathedral replaced a church built in 1834 on the same site. Since then building has progressed by fits and starts. In 1939 the north aisle was finished; in 1963 the Lady Chapel and south aisle were completed, and in 1978 the belfry and the Link section, with additional seating, were built. But to this date St George’s Cathedral is still incomplete.
The Cathedral is fortunate in having some fine Gabriel Loire stained-glass windows and over the south transept is the most breathtaking rose window. Another must see (or rather must hear) is the beautiful ring of the cathedral bells. I once lingered around St George’s in order to hear the wonderful chimes of the cathedral’s majestic ten bells (each bell with its own name) which are usually rung as a call to worship or on special events.
St. George’s also played it’s own part during our difficult struggle during the apartheid era. On September 13 1989, about 30000 people marched from the cathedral to call for the release of political prisoners, unbanning of political parties and an end to the tricameral parliament.
” … this cathedral became widely known as a site and focus of resistance against apartheid. And so St George’s won the splendid accolade contained in the title The People’s Cathedral.”
–- ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
The Cathedral has withstood many a storm and even a couple of wars but is now in serious need of repair. ”Over the years we have repaired the roof. Now, alas, it is beyond repair and is in need of replacing. Estimates range from R7-million to R9-million.” In an effort to save this historic and cultural gem, St. George’s has organised a side-walk ”White Elephant” sale to raise some much needed funds. Please visit the market this Saturday and Sunday (the 26th and 27th) to support this excellent cause! Browse through the collection of bric-and-brac items, secondhand books and other handmade crafts – you might even stumble upon some gorgeous vintage treasures for your home. For more details please visit the St. George’s website and if you feel inclined to give, please see this page.
St. George’s Cathedral White Elephant Side-walk Sale: When: Saturday & Sunday, 26th & 27th of November 2011 Time: 10am to 3pm Where: Area outside the St George’s Cathedral shop Contact: (021 424 7360) : Pat Ellis
Images via Flickr here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
