BOS Ice Tea – The Design Tabloid

Quite a few people have asked for my opinion on Decorex 2011. My response has been that for me it was an absolute pleasure, tiring like most expos, but I derived a great deal of benefit from it, being a total interiors junkie. “You get out of it, what you came to look for” as there are so many interior disciplines featured at this expo

Decorex CT 2011 - The Design Tabloid — Image via Decorex

Getting connected – that I would say is the total benefit that I derived from trawling the exhibition stands at Decorex 2011. Connected with the most talented local retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, magazines, interior decorators /designers and the more. Decorex brings all these people into one space, they connect with us and we connect with them. Some friends we know and others are new to us. That is what attracts me. Awesome!

Decorex CT 2011 - Message Wall - Union Jack Cabinet - The Design Tabloid — Image via Decorex

I went into inspiration overload (not to mention sensory overload) but walking away from Decorex I could once again indulge that Proudly South African sensation that I often have. We are managing to keep abreast of many a global trend, but at the same time, we are adding our unique South Africa flavour.

Decorex CT 2011 - Bos Tea House - The Design Tabloid — Bos Tea House. Image via Decorex

Speaking of flavour – like at Indaba, there was no escaping the BOS ICE TEA brand. There they were large as life, in the most unique Tea Lounge, designed by the clever Neil Stemmet of Koncept Designs – offering the people of Cape Town such a unique ‘café’ experience. Who would have thought that Ice Tea would find collaboration with the world of interiors, but they have. The bright colours of the BOS brand oozed out from every corner. However, my lasting impression – sensational – maybe too sensational. This is where my sensory overload just went off the map. As much as I wanted to, I just could not take in all the stunning details – there were too many of them concentrated in one space. Maybe it will happen for me next time.

Decorex CT 2011 - Freeworld Design Centre - Plascon - The Design Tabloid — Boutique Plascon Paint Store. Image via Freeworld Design Centre

One of the exhibit partners at the Tea Lounge was a little Plascon Paint Boutique by Freeworld Design Centre. Being in the paint business, they put together some entertaining objects, painted in soft trendy colours. Inspirational again.

Decorex CT 2011 - On Site Gallery - The Design Tabloid — On Site Gallery. Image via Visi

In the furniture lines, I was glad to see On Site Gallery opening up their wares to the public. Their retail outlet in the Palms is a must do and a ‘junkie’ fix for me.

Decorex CT 2011 - Yaku - Design For Kids - The Design Tabloid — Yaku - Design For Kids - Images via Yaku

From furniture past to furniture present, a newbie in children’s furniture is YAKU. Having been fortunate enough to design some trendy children’s rooms, I appreciate that YAKU has given us yet another affordable outlet to source from.

Decorex CT 2011 - Hamilton's - The Design Tabloid — Hamilton's Spray Gun Thingy

Although I don’t mind putting my hand to a paint job, I am not wild about it not being a very ‘handy’ person. I guess that is what attracted me to the exhibition of Hamilton Brands spray gun thingy. Do-it-yourself, without the paint drips all over the place, including your hair. I have a vision of myself, clutching one of these super duper spray paint thingies, as I go about up-cycling some of my furniture – is that a sigh of relief I hear my husband breathing in the background?

Don’t go away! More awesome Decorex 2011 stuff to follow! Stay tuned for Decorex 2011 Report 2!

Why Decorex CT 2011 is going to be awesome… (thedesigntabloid.com)

Having missed out on The Design Indaba Expo for last couple of years, I was determined to go along this year. I had to resist the desire to hang around the pool on a hot summer’s day, in favour of The Convention Centre.

Like I said, it has been a good 2 or 3 years since my last Indaba and somehow I cannot recall it being as busy before, as it was on the Sunday. The exhibition hall isles were buzzing from early morning.

From a Design aspect, as I still carry the expectation of “unique’ design products being exhibited at this Expo (and there were many), what struck me was the density of the commercial atmosphere. Nevertheless, being unashamedly “Proudly South African” I was thrilled by the abundance of design talent our country produces.

Aden Thomas of Cape Talk made the comment along the lines of it being just a “fancy/larney craft market”. Something which Jonathan Cherry (Advertising Guru) duly proceeded to endorsed. Well I cannot share their take on the Expo and would like to point out that there is a difference between handmade products designed and produced by talented people, and craft market items, although both require the passion to craft something.

After four hours, I walked away an exhausted woman, heading straight for that pool at home.

Below are some of the images that struck me for odd reasons and get the “Royal Seal of Awesomeness” from Design Monarchy:

Design Indaba 2011 - Charly's Bakery - Cape Town Cake — The Beautifully Detailed Cake form Charly's Bakery

What I have termed the “Cape Town Tour” Cake from Charlie’s Bakery. I could not take my eyes of the details which were so amazingly carved, telling the story of all the magnificent places and people of our country. I must have walked around it 3 or 4 times.

Design Indaba - 2011 - BOS — The Bos Ice Tea's Branded Traditional Ice Cream Cart

The BOS Ice Tea “Ice Cream Man’s Cart and Bike” – this has more personal nostalgic value for me – of days gone by when the ice cream man was my favourite visitor to our street most days. In a time when nostalgia is big, BOS choose this clever “vehicle” for their brand.

Design Indaba 2011 - Ardmore Design - Qalakabusha Couch — Admore's Qalakabusha Couch

Ardmore’s latest development – textiles with their ever famous animale images on it. I give them the “Royal Seal’ for the appropriate choice of sofa to apply their textile design. I so wanna have this sofa in my house.

Design Indaba - Recreate - Printers Tray Cupboard — Printers Tray Cupboard by Recreate

Re-Create’s Printers Tray, with glass front door – another nostalgic item, housing novel itsy-bitsy items. Took me back to my ole printers tray which I gave someone years ago – Damn! Hats off to her for her imaginative use of all things “old/nostalgic”.

Design Indaba 2011 - Calavera — Aren't these Embroidered "El Dia De Los Muertos" Skulls by Calavera rocking?

The Mexican “Day of the Dead” Skulls, by Nicola of Calavera – never before has a skull looked so impressive. The eyes are rather haunting.

Design Indaba 2011 - Ashley Wood - Chasing Bees — The Chasing Bees Chandelier by Ashley Wood

Staying with haunting items – this Rocky Horror Show type light fitting by one of the Emerging Designers, Ashley Wood, just did it for me. Believe it or not, the material is Gauze Bandage.

I salute all the brave Designers and Emerging Designers who put themselves out there by exhibiting their talent at the Expo. It takes courage to “expose” your talent and passion to the public at large.

For more info check out the Design Indaba’s Website.

Images via Design Indaba & the various designers.