10 Gifts for HIM under R300 | via The Design Tabloid

10 Last Minute Gifts For HIM Under R300

With Valentine’s Day being a mere 3 days away, I’m sure there are some of you still scrambling for last minute gifts. Well, don’t sweat it – The Design Tabloid has got your back!

Now that we have given some gorgeous and thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas for that special lady in your life – 10 Last Minute Gifts For HER Under R300 – we turn our attention to the gentlemen.

As we have mentioned in past posts, gift shopping for men can prove to be a real struggle. A lot of the “man gifts” on the shelves are either super corny (novelty beer mug with boobs) or really boring (3 pairs of socks). Truly uninspiring, especially if you are shopping on a budget.

However, have no fear! We have scoured the internet to find 10 thoughtful and tasteful gift ideas for the man in your life – and all under R300!

Happy Valentine’s shopping! Hope you all enjoy spending the day with your loved one!Read More »

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10 Gifts for HER under R300 | via The Design Tabloid

10 Last Minute Gifts For HER Under R300

With Valentine’s Day being a mere 3 days away, I’m sure there are some of you still scrambling for last minute gifts. Well, don’t sweat it – The Design Tabloid has got your back!

We know that finding a Valentine’s Day gift that is not covered in cheesy cupids and corny slogans can be quite difficult and frustrating – especially when shopping on a budget. Therefore, we searched high and low to find 10 beautiful items, all under R300, that would make gorgeous and original V-Day gifts for that special lady in your life. Truth be told, there is a good couple of items on this here list that I wouldn’t mind getting myself!

And if you are still scratching your head for gift ideas for the special man in your life – fear not – our 10 Gifts for HIM Under R300 post will follow soon.

Happy Valentine’s shopping! Hope you all enjoy spending the day with your loved one!Read More »

Our Quirky KARE Wish List

by Marica Fick

Quirky, off-beat, unique, out-of-the-box, and sometimes… just plain weird. Those are just some of the terms that come to mind when trying to describe KARE‘s unusual style of furniture and decorative accessories.

Never heard of them? No sweat, we’ll give a quick introduction to this European design cult brand…

KARE describes themselves as an unconventional furniture company which strictly rejects run-of-the-mill concepts. Instead, they strive to create an innovative range of unique, non-conformist and authentic furniture pieces.

Friends, Jürgen Reiter and Peter Schönhofen, established KARE in 1981 as a quirky alternative after being frustrated with the either terribly drab or elitist furniture market of the time.

For unconventional and romantic spirits, for the wild and the style-conscious, for birds of paradise and all those who cast off all constraints when it comes to furnishing their own home.

AND, it just so happens that KARE has recently opened its first ever store in Joburg, South Africa! So all this weird, quirky fun could be yours!

Read More »

Creative SA: Zana

Creative SA: Zana

Last year we introduced a new blog series, Creative SA. In this series we will regularly feature South African makers.

by Marica Fick

Today we want to share the gorgeous products of Cape Town-based creative studio, Zana, with you.

Zana produces beautiful screen-printed products – textiles, bags, cushions, and other fashion and home accessories but to name a few of their “giftables”. Their trendy graphic designs are bold and fun with a definite Scandi flair.

“We love to create things that pack a punch and give you that hair-blowing-back, confetti-bomb experience. We are in love with colour, pattern and typography. This is really what gets us inspired.”

– ZanaRead More »

10 Divine Table & Desk Lamps for Your Home | via TheDesignTabloid.com

10 Darling & Divine Table & Desk Lamps for Your Home

10 Divine Table & Desk Lamps for Your Home | via TheDesignTabloid.com

by Marica Fick

A couple of months ago we kicked off a roundup series focusing on awesome locally available accent lighting.

In our very first list, “10 Amazingly Cool Standing Lamps” we sourced and selected ten stunning floor lamps for your home – from quirky and playful, to chic and trendy. Our second instalment, “8 Strikingly Trendy Hanging Lamps“, focused on pendant lights, while our third post, “7 Contemporary & Chic Wall Lights“, featured lovely wall-fixed lighting.

Today we will conclude this lighting series with a final search to find what awesome light fittings the South African shelves have to offer.

We did a little online search to see how many trendy, attention-grabbing local table and desk lamps we could drum up. While finding desk lamps proved to be a breeze, the more traditional table lamps were a slightly harder find.

So, without further ado, here is our roundup of ten delightfully divine table and desk lamps for your home…

10 Divine Table & Desk Lamps:

Wire & Cement Lamp

Combining two current decor trends, this table lamp with its copper wire frame and grey concrete base will add an edgy yet chic Industrial element to your space. Available from Mr Price Home


Gräshoppa Table Lamp

Designed by renowned designer and architect Greta Grossman in 1947, the iconic Gräshoppa Table Lamp is an excellent example of quintessential Mid-Century Modern design. The arm and base is made from solid bass while the conical shade is powder-coated in trendy coral-like colour described as “vintage red”.  Available from Crema


Weathered Concrete Belly Lamp

If you want a slightly more traditional table lamp the Weathered Concrete Belly lamp and shade will be a superb choice. While stylish and elegant, the concrete-look base will add an interesting texture and a contemporary flair to your home. Available from @Home


Copper Lamp

Want to incorporate a bit of minimalist Scandi design into your space? This tall copper lamp with its grey stone base will ensure your interiors remain on-trend. Oh, and don’t forget the naked bulb! Available from Woolworths


Bureau Lamp

Oh, Hoi P’loy how do I love thee… let me count the ways. This gorgeous walnut and brass Bureau Lamp, inspired by some of Thomas Edison’s early designs, has got me smitten. The lamp features a traditional turnkey switch (cool!) which slots through the tubular glass shade. Available from Hoi P’loy


Fixed Table Lamp

With its clean lines and matte black and brass finish, the Fixed Table Lamp is sleek, contemporary and tangibly masculine. Available from Weylandts


Blue Jeans Table Lamp

Functional yet stylish, this desk lamp will be a lovely addition to any workspace. Pairing trendy Scandi design with practical utility, the blue colourway of the lamp shade and base compliments and contrasts the wood detail perfectly. Available online through Superbalist


Urban Copper Desk Lamp

With its wooden adjustable arm the Urban Desk Lamp makes for a brilliant functional, yet aesthetically pleasing, lighting option. The contemporary design, trendy copper shade and exposed threaded cord adds an industrial edge. Available from Illumina


Max Desk Lamp

Another funky desk light. I love how the seafoam coloured shade pairs with the adjustable wooden frame and chrome base. Available online through Superbalist


Gold Foil Table Lamp

Add a bit of glamour and elegance to your home with this stylish table lamp. The clear glass lamp base features a “dipped-effect” gold foil detail which will make for an eye-catching accent piece.  Available from @Home

Block & Chisel

Creative SA: Block & Chisel

Last year we introduced a new blog series, Creative SA. In this series we will regularly feature South African makers.

by Marica Fick

The South African creatives we want to share with you today are very special indeed. Block & Chisel is celebrating an extraordinary milestone this year. 2017 marks the furniture and homeware company’s 30th anniversary – which is no small achievement for any business. They are one of the few local creatives who have built their business into a powerful, recognised local brand. One might even call them a furniture and decor dynasty.

We here at Design Monarchy hold Block & Chisel and their founders, Lynn & Sibley McAdam, in very high regard. The way in which they have developed and grown their product range over the decades is admirable.

The husband and wife team first began this journey after Lynn sold Biggie Best. With Lynn’s eye for beautiful pieces together with Sibley’s passion for restoring antiques and crafting fine furniture, Block & Chisel was born. The past 15 years has seen Block & Chisel welcome the McAdams’s son and daughter into the fold.

I, as a relatively “green” designer, love when Rose, who has been in the South African decorating industry for decades, enlightens me on the history of certain creatives and local design-related businesses. Block & Chisel is such a business – Rose can distinctly remember when they first opened their doors in 1987. Now 30 years later they own multiple successful shops.

Block & Chisel fills a very distinctive niche in the furniture and decorative accessories market. Their flavour is distinctly upmarket. They manage to create this delicious mix of eclectic, luxury, traditional but also contemporary, trendy yet timeless, oh-so-chic elements.

While Block & Chisel has their fingers firmly on the global interior trend pulse, they stay rooted in the company’s slightly colonial foundation which is evident in their classic French and English Country ranges.

Sibley first introduced these designs in the early years and to this day, it still forms the backbone of the Block & Chisel product range. In recent years more contemporary designs have been added. Lynn expertly accents these locally manufactured pieces with carefully chosen treasures to create an overall eclectic flair.

It is always such a treat and sensory experience to visit Block & Chisel in Diep River where we often shop and source for our clients. Not only does the showroom smell amazing, it is also filled with layer upon layer of the most beautiful furniture and decorative accessories. The showroom layout and various room settings tell such a wonderful decorative “story”.

We believe the key to Block & Chisel’s success (other than their visionary and talented owners) is longevity. Longevity, not only in their product ranges, but also in their business model. They keep evolving and reinventing to cater to their chosen market. And that is what we appreciate most about Block & Chisel.

Be sure to check out the Block & Chisel to see their full range of furniture & decorative accessories.

You can also follow Block & Chisel on FacebookInstagram, Twitter & Pinterest.