A Charming and Beautifully Renovated Cottage in Cape Town

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Rose recently spotted this beautifully renovated Capetonian cottage on My Scandinavian Home. We were super chuffed to see a local home on such a celebrated international blog.

The remodel process of this small and, at the time, rather ordinary home was first shared by local blogger, Diana from Miss Moss.

The owners, wedding photographers Rebecca & Bruce, purchased the tiny property, located in Muizenberg – a coastal suburb of Cape Town, a few years ago. Seeing the potential, they immediately got cracking – transforming the space into something more suited to its name, Sunbird Cottage. Bruce and Rebecca, with the help of architect Donne Atkinson, did the majority of the renovation themselves – and that on a modest budget.

And what a transformation it is!Read More »

Trend Alert: Terracotta & Earth Colours

May 21, 2019May 21, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

feature image: Dulux New Zealand

by Marica Fick

Like our previous trend post about the resurgence of Rattan, the hot and spicy colour trend we will be sharing today also smacks of retro deliciousness.

With the chill of winter fast approaching, we are quite happy to see the interior colour palettes shift to richer and warmer tones. I think it is exactly this yearning for warmth, cosiness, and womb-like comfort that has made TERRACOTTA the go-to home colour trend of the past few seasons.

Trend Alert: Terracotta & Earth Colours — A perfect balanced of terracotta hues, pale blue, and earthy materials in Fonda Mexican restaurant in Melbourne. | source: Eclectic Trends

To give you a greater scope of the massive popularity of this earthy-coloured trend, let me share this tidbit:

A few times a year, Pinterest releases as a category specific report detailing the latest and greatest pinning trends from around the world. Last year, they reported a whopping 95% increase of terracotta-themed interior and homeware images in the UK alone.

Decorating Dictionary: Define Memphis Style

Decorating Dictionary: Memphis Style

May 14, 2019May 12, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

The “Lido” Sofa designed by Michele de Lucchi and produced by the Memphis Group, Milano – from the David Bowie collection. | source: Sotheby’s Home

The lacquered wood and tubular steel “First” Chair designed by Michele de Lucchi and produced by the Memphis Group, Milano. | source: Sotheby’s Home

What is the definition of Memphis Style?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “Memphis Style” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Memphis Style for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Memphis Style: is a postmodern movement pioneered by the Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture collective, in the 1980s. Inspired by earlier styles such as Pop Art, Art Deco, and 1950s Kitsch, Memphis Style has been described as “a shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price”. The somewhat bizarre and humorous style is known for its bold use of colour, abstract graphic patterns, and asymmetrical geometric shapes. The Memphis Group designed and exhibited many furniture pieces, decorative objects, and household items in this peculiar style. While Memphis Style was often seen as “bad taste” and misunderstood, the designs received much acclaim and had many admirers – David Bowie had a massive Memphis Style collection. In recent years, renewed interest in Memphis Style designs has resulted in a minor style revival both in the fashion and interiors sectors.

[Image Sources: 1, 2, 3]

Decorating Dictionary: Shagreen

May 7, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

This classic jewellery box has an embossed emerald green shagreen exterior trimmed with brass and lined in suede. A glamorous and functional addition to a well-appointed dressing table. | source: Sotherby’s Home

This chest of drawers is crafted from poplar wrapped in richly pebbled, faux off-white shagreen – a true ode to Art Deco styling. | source: Dear Keaton

What is the definition of Shagreen?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “shagreen” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define shagreen for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Shagreen: is a highly textured rawhide or leather originally obtained from the rumps of horses and onagers, and later, from the skins of sharks, stingrays and dogfish. Historically, this exotic skin was used to cover the sword hilts and bows of Japanese and Chinese civilisations past. Shagreen was popularized as a luxury decorative material in the 18^th century by Jean-Claude Galluchat, a master leatherworker in the court of Louis XV of France. It quickly became the epitome of sophistication and style amongst the French aristocracy. The decorative use of shagreen saw a revival during the 1920s and 30s as it was often used in Art Deco furniture pieces – a popular interior style during this period. Today, the majority of shagreen products are made from faux/artificial materials.

[Image Sources: 1, 2, 3]

Easter Greetings From Design Monarchy

April 18, 2019April 17, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Wishing all our readers and friends a happy (and hot cross bun-filled) Easter!

Our studio will be closed for business from today till the 23rd of April 2019 as Rose and I will depart on an important quest to see just how many Easter eggs we can successfully find and eat! Yum.

Have a good one, guys and gals! Design Tabloid out!

♥ ♥ ♥ Love, Rose & Marica ♥ ♥ ♥

…

Vector elements created by Freepik.com

Decorating Dictionary: Trestle

March 12, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

A traditional trestle leg farm table. | source: 1stdibs

A simplistic desk with two contemporary trestle legs. | source: Draumesidene

What is the definition of Trestle?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “trestle” or a “trestle table” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define trestle for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Trestle: (from the Latin trānstrum meaning “crossbeam”) a wooden or metal frame consisting of two pairs of slanting legs joined by a horizontal beam, often used in pairs to prop up a flat surface such as a table top. There are two main variants of trestle structures used in furniture design – the traditional fixed trestle and the more contemporary collapsing trestle. Furniture pieces with collapsing trestle legs are easy to assemble and store, while the fixed trestle structure is sturdier.

[Image Sources: IKEA, 1stdibs, Draumesidene]