Season’s Greetings From Design Monarchy

December 17, 2020 Rose McClementLeave a comment

Wishing all our readers and friends a Merry Christmas and a joyous festive season!

Festive Season is upon us. Can you believe it?

“Can you believe it… it’s the end of 2020 already?” “Christmas is literally around the corner!” “Where did the year
disappear to?” If, like me, you are reading plenty of Festive Season greeting emails you could well be muttering the same well-worn phrases!

Every single year, without fail, once we have passed the end of June (the year’s halfway mark) – the days, weeks, months just melt one into the other. Then – BOOM! – before we know it, it’s time for the annual shut down. Every year, at this time, just before we are about to shut our office doors for that well-deserved time out, I feel like the lead-up and the arrival of Christmas takes me by surprise – AGAIN!! I guess it could have something to do with the fact that as soon as the end of September has swung around, our industry busy season kicks in. Or, MAYBE, it’s just a game that Xmas likes to play with me.

I had intended to say something about what an exceptional and strange year 2020 has been. However, Marica kinda reminded me that in our recent email newsletters, I had already kicked-off with a chirp about 2020. So, I had to stop and consider, what is it I would really like to say about 2020?

I think it would be short and sweet: IT IS A YEAR I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET!

It reminds me of 1994, the year South Africans had their very first democratic elections. Previously disenfranchised folk stood for hours, in long snaking queues, to cast their vote for the first time. That too is a year I will never forget.

So, without any further ado, allow me to thank you for being such faithful readers and supporters of The Design Tabloid. Know that we deeply appreciate your presence. THANK YOU SO MUCH! See you on the other side of this unforgettable year in January 2021.

We have lovely plans for 2021. Plans hatched many years ago but found plenty of momentum in 2020. I guess that is one thing we can thank 2020 for.

KEEP CALM AND STAY SAFE.

Ciao, Rose and Marica

P.S. I would so very much love to hear what your short and sweet response to the year 2020 would be? Did you manage to hatch any plans for 2021? Love to hear about those too!

Our studio will be closed for business from 18th of December 2020 and will reopen the 13th of January 2021. Ergo, The Design Tabloid and our social media accounts will slow its pace a bit in terms of posts.

…

Frame vector created by BiZkettE1 – www.freepik.com

Currently Coveting: Kirsten Goss ABODE

July 10, 2020July 9, 2020 Design Monarchy1 Comment

by Marica Fick

I’ve gone and done it again… lost my heart.

I know, not too long ago I was pledging my undying love to something completely different. At that moment I was head-over heels and coveting the funky, contemporary, African-chic ZCafe Rope Chair designed by Egg Designs (and it is still gorgeous by the way).

What can I say, my heart is a bit fickle – but luckily – I have a BIG heart so there is room for far more beautiful things. I’m a sucker for a bit of local eye-candy.

What, you my ask, has got me drooling this time around? I’m currently coveting the beautifully chic ABODE collection by South African jewellery designer, Kirsten Goss. This elegant homeware addition to Kirsten’s established jewellery brand is both refreshing and unexpected.

Kirsten who opened her flagship jewellery store in London in 2005, has designed pieces for Kate Middleton and Prince William’s royal wedding and her jewellery designs have been worn by several A-list celebrities.

Kirsten’s “Lily Pad Ring” won the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) at the Design Indaba Expo 2012. The ring’s contemporary design, intriguing organic lines and playful edge exemplifies Kirsten’s award-winning style aesthetic.

Season’s Greetings From Design Monarchy

December 13, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Wishing all our readers and friends a Merry Christmas and a joyous festive season!

It’s that time of the year again! Time to eat & drink too much, celebrate and be merry – not to mention put the feet up! Thank you for all the tons of support during the year – we truly appreciate every like, comment, share and high five! As always, we loved sharing our passion for design, décor and pretty things with you this past year!

Our studio will be closed for business from 19th of December 2019 and will reopen the 16th of January 2020. Ergo, The Design Tabloid and our social media accounts will slow its pace a bit in terms of posts. Keep your eyes peeled however – next year brings new and interesting changes for us here at the Design Monarchy!

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

♥ ♥ ♥ Love, Rose & Marica ♥ ♥ ♥

…

Leafy background vector created by Photographeeasia – Freepik.com

Currently Coveting: ZCafe Rope Dining Chair

November 6, 2019November 5, 2019 Design Monarchy1 Comment

by Marica Fick

I recently fell in love.

Who, you might ask, has captured my heart? Well, my dear readers, it is not a who but rather a WHAT. You see, I have fallen in design-love. My eyes have been a-wandering and my heart has been a-coveting.

Last month I was doing a little bit of online research and sourcing for our blog article, 10 Sleek & Chic Bar Cabinets for Your Home. The search for some locally-designed bar cabinets led me to Egg Designs where I not only found their eye-catching Parquet Cabinet (featured in our post), but also a gorgeous chair that had me crushing hard.

The ZCafe Rope Chair is a gorgeous dining chair with a funky, contemporary African-chic feel. The chair has an almost tub chair-like design with a steel frame that features a woven two-tone rope back and a brown leather seat. I found the various colour combinations especially beautiful. The copper frame with turquoise and orange nylon rope detail must be my personal favourite… although the black, burgundy and yellow combination is just as lovely.Read More »

10 Sleek & Chic Bar Cabinets | via The Design Tabloid

10 Sleek & Chic Bar Cabinets for Your Home

October 23, 2019October 22, 2019 Design Monarchy1 Comment

feature image: PepperJack Interiors via Elle Decor

by Marica Fick

Last month, inspired by a post we spotted on Emily Henderson’s blog, we wrote an article about the current trend of using armoires, traditionally meant for the bedroom, as feature pieces in the rest of the home.

We accompanied the post with a lovely roundup of locally-found contemporary storage cabinets that could serve as statement display units in every room of your home.

Now, while I was prepping the article and curating our “8 Contemporary Storage Cabinets for Your Home” shopping list, I was quite astonished by the number of striking bar cabinets I came across during my search. Not only were these drinks cabinets absolutely gorgeous, they were also all local available – the majority being exclusive pieces designed and manufactured by South African designers. Elite to say the least!

I immediately bookmarked a few designs and made a mental note to follow-up our contemporary storage unit article with one about bar cabinets.

Where previously the open display of alcohol in the home might have been deemed a tad vulgar and Mid-century kitsch, the ever-growing popularity of boutique and craft spirits and liquors has resulted in a home bar revival. I mean, what is the point of owning beautifully designed bottles filled delicious, locally-stilled, limited-edition drinks and then not being able to show it off?! I bit hipster, I know, but I can’t help it!

Simonsberg Silos: Unique Cottage Break-Away

September 19, 2019September 18, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

by Marica Fick

If you are looking for rather unusual and whimsical weekend getaway accommodation, we might just have found the place!

Positioned on the shadowy lower slopes of the beautiful and majestic Simonsberg Mountains just outside Stellenbosch you will find two unique self-catering cottages. Used as grain storage and then stables in a previous life, the dilapidated old silos were lovingly restored by farm owners Alex and Sumari Milner into something all-together different.

The Simonsberg Silos are located on the leafy and historic farm, Natte Valleij, in the Klapmuts winelands district. The farm and manor house overflows with rustic charm. Seeped in history, the Cape Dutch homestead, old wine cellars, brandy stills, magnificent mature gardens with ancient trees, pergolas and ponds are all surrounded by whitewashed walls.