Andrew James Hofmeyr - Artist Illustrator

Creative SA: Andrew James Hofmeyr

July 24, 2019August 23, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

by Marica

VISI recently shared a post on their website that piqued our interest. Printing and photography studio ORMS launched their own boutique range of wallpapers.

For this limited-edition collection, ORMS collaborated with 16 local creatives – South African artists, illustrators and designers – to create a lovely selection of unique and show-stopping wallpaper designs.

One of the motivating factors behind the launch of this exclusive range is that ORMS believe their clients are looking for individual designs with local flavour rather than the generic image spread offered by stock libraries. “We get a lot of requests for custom-printed wallpaper designs, as our customers are wanting something unique for their homes and businesses,” says Leanne Barling, Head of Décor Printing at ORMS.

The artists involved in the collaboration are Ahimsa Ali, Aimee Hall, Andrea Brand, Andrew Hofmeyr, ARK Paper Studio, Cecile Nowars, Fleur Le Cordeur, Frances White, Gany Beyers, Liffey Joy, Katie Lund, Lisa Strachan, Maria Baumann, Mariette Kotze, Nicole Carr and Si Maclennan.

While all the wallpaper designs are absolutely lovely, the work of one artist, in particular, jumped out at us. It was the playful, quirky and utterly whimsical designs of artist and illustrator Andrew James Hofmeyr.Read More »

How to Be Daring: Wallpaper Your Staircase!

June 27, 2017 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

by Marica Fick

It is no secret that wallpaper is not solely for walls anymore. One can use wallpaper in all kinds of interesting and unusual ways. In fact, we dedicated a whole mini Décor Quick Tips series to out of the ordinary wallpaper uses a few years ago. The collection of clever tips included wallpapering your furniture, using wallpaper to create a quirky lampshade, framed wallpaper “art”, and fun wallpaper headboards.

There is one more appealing use for wallpaper that recently grabbed my attention – using wallpaper on staircases.

Not only this quirky decorating idea quick, simple, and easy on the wallet, it will add a conversation-starting focal point to your home. It truly is an inventive way of introducing pattern, colour and personality into an otherwise drab and utilitarian space.

As Holly Becker of decor8 said recently while discussing this wallpaper idea on her blog, it “has such a huge impact for little effort and I think it adds a PUNCH of happiness and colour to our understated white space.”

The trick to successfully pulling off this feature is to not paper a staircase in an already busy interior. You will notice that all the example interiors in this post have one important thing in common – they all have relatively white surroundings. It is this bare Scandi-like minimalism that forms the perfect calm backdrop for such a bold and visually busy feature.

The beauty of this idea is that you can select any wallpaper that will compliment your home and interior style. Your chosen paper can be sleek and contemporary with minimal colour – something geometric maybe? Otherwise go bold with a dramatic, colourful pattern or soft and feminine florals for a more Shabby Chic or Country Farmhouse flavour. Feel free to mix and match.

If you are renting your home, or hesitant to commit to such a bold interior statement, you can use peel-and-stick wallpapers for a temporary no-hassle no-glue solution.

Just be careful with your wallpaper selections – one can easily venture into tacky territory – try to keep it tasteful.

source: decor8 | photo: Rachel Whiting

Source: The House That Lars Built | Photo: Chaunte Vaughn | Styling: Meta Coleman | Source Link: http://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/2017/06/diy-floral-staircase-old-home-love.html/

source: Claire Zinnecker Design | photo: Molly Winters

source: Ideal Home | photo: Lizzie Orme

source: Pinterest | photo: unknown

source: Libelle (Issue 18) | photo: Sjoerd Eickmans | Styling: Tamara van Gelderen

source: Spoonflower (catalogue)

source: Chez Larsson

source: Home Depot

source: Lonny | photo: Patrick Cline

Lovely Local Kiddies Wallpaper

June 25, 2014July 9, 2014 Design Monarchy2 Comments

By Marica

One of the easiest ways to incorporate instant fun and playfulness into your child’s bedroom or playroom is to buy a roll or two of quirky wallpaper. I think one can easily underestimate the power of well-chosen wallpaper – it has this amazing ability to tie all the décor elements of your room together.

Rose and I were recently reminded of just this fact. We are currently working on a very exciting interior design project and had a striking wallpaper custom designed to fit the space. Boy oh boy, did that wallpaper tie it all together – it complements our design perfectly. BUT more on that later, we’ll be sure to share the project with you once it’s completed!

Now, back to wallpaper! As we’ve said in past posts on kids’ bedrooms (read them here & here) it is very important to gift your child with a unique space that will encourage imagination and make your little monkey feel extra special! Wallpaper can add the interest needed to make your little boy or girl’s room the envy of the whole neighbourhood. You don’t have to paper the whole room – just a small feature wall can make the world of difference.

Need a bit of inspiration? Check out these funky wallpaper designs –all from local South African designers! I have to say I’m super proud of our local peeps – they are SO talented! The wallpapers below are either available through Robin Sprong or Design Kist – please see the image captions for more info…

{click image to enlarge & view sources}

“LovemyAfrica” Wallpaper by Kristen Morkel available through Design Kist | via http://www.designkist.com/kids/860-lovemyafrica.html

“Zoo Koekie” Wallpaper designed by Kristen Morkel available through Design Kist | via http://www.designkist.com/kids/789-zoo-biscuits.html

“Choppers and Wheels” Wallpaper designed by Kristen Morkel available through Design Kist | via http://www.designkist.com/kids/757-kids-transport.html

“Origami Animals” wallpaper designed by Kristen Morkel available through Design Kist | via http://www.designkist.com/kids/864-origami-animals-wallpaper.html

“Hope Floats” retro hot air balloon wallpaper designed by aLoveSupreme available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/a-love-supreme/a-love-supreme/

“It’s A Hoot” owl wallpaper designed by aLoveSupreme available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/a-love-supreme/a-love-supreme/

“Bear Necessities” polar bear wallpaper designed by aLoveSupreme available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/a-love-supreme/a-love-supreme/

“Fishbowl” wallpaper designed by Nicole Long available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/nicole-long-the-striped-flamingo/

“Vintage Vibes” wallpaper designed by Nicole Long available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/nicole-long-the-striped-flamingo/

“Wild Flower” wallpaper designed by Skinny laMinx available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/skinny-laminx/

“Mice In Boats” wallpaper designed by Sandy Mitchell available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/sandy-mitchell/

“Flying Harry” wallpaper designed by Victoria Verbaan available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/victoria-verbaan/

“Home Sweet Home” wallpaper designed by Nicole Long available through Robin Sprong | via http://www.robinsprong.com/collections/nicole-long-the-striped-flamingo/

{DIY} Fabric Covered Letters via IDEAS

October 16, 2013February 9, 2018 Design Monarchy2 Comments

We found the cutest DIY project on the IDEAS Magazine website and we just had to share it with you. These fabric covered letters will look smashing in a nursery or kids bedroom. It seems like an easy little project that will also give you the opportunity to get rid of leftover pieces of fabric. I’m sure you can also try the same trick with wallpaper samples, scrapbooking sheets, or beautiful gift wrapping.

You will need
• polystyrene letters
• fabric remnants
• pencil
• set of compasses
• ruler
• needlework scissors
• modge podge
• paintbrush
• cutting mat

See the original DIY post on the IDEAS website: here

{Click on the images to enlarge and view the step-by-step instructions}

1) Cut a fabric square a few centimetres larger than your letter.

2) Place the letter on the fabric as a mirror image and trace the outlines of the letter with a pencil.

3) Measure the thickness of the letter with a ruler or measuring tape. Our letter measured 15mm.

4) Place the pencil in the compass and measure 15mm then set the compass accordingly.

5) Place the point of the compass on the pencil outline of the letter on the fabric so the pencil is 15mm from the edge. Follow the line of the letter with the compass point and draw a pencil line 15mm right around the letter.

6) Cut out the fabric along the new outline that you have drawn.

7) Paint the right side of the letter with a layer of modge podge.

8) Turn the letter over and stick it in position on the wrong side of the fabric inside the lines.

9) Turn the letter over and paint another layer of modge podge over it, then leave it to dry for an hour or two.

10) Cut notches in the fabric at the corners and curves.

11) Paint a coat of modge podge on the sides of the letter and stick the fabric in place, smoothing it down with the paintbrush. Leave to dry.

12) Once the modge podge is dry you can turn the letter over and trim away any excess fabric that sticks out at the back with your needlework scissors.

13) Paint a piece of fabric with modge podge on the right side and leave to dry. Now cut the fabric into 15mm strips using a rotary cutter.

14) Stick the strips around all the edges of the letter with modge podge and leave to dry.

Robin Sprong Wallpaper

August 15, 2013 Rose McClementLeave a comment

About two years ago I met Robin Sprong at either Decorex or Design Indaba. Prior to that occasion I had heard of him and had probably ‘met’ him via one of our social media portals. But when Robin shook my hand that day at the Expo, it felt to me that we had been friends for a long time. He greeted me with the ease of familiarity, totally relaxed. I must say that created a lasting impression on me.

I have always been intrigued with his product and service. This custom designed wall treatment came at a time when walls were once again regaining the status of being a ‘room feature’. Over the course of the past few months, we have been able to include Robin’s wallpaper finishes into our interior design projects. And still today, both he and the creatives in his office, are warm and welcoming people to work with. So, without further ado please stop, take a moment to allow Robin Sprong to tell you more about himself, his product and his service…

{To find out more about Robin Sprong and his awesome wallpapers check out his website: here or his Facebook page: here.}

Quick Tip #21: Wallpaper Headboards

March 18, 2013 Design Monarchy3 Comments

Complementary wallpaper panels creates a striking headboard | via http://www.bhg.com

This honeycomb of wallpaper offcuts makes for a bold and eye-catching headboard | via http://www.101woonideeen.nl

Wallpaper pasted unto a traditionally headboard-shaped template | via http://www.bhg.com

{click to enlarge}

Part four of our little Décor Quick Tip series on wallpaper. Need an inexpensive, space-saving, easily-changeable, and ultimately one-of-a-kind headboard for your bedroom or guest room? Then this tip is for you….

#21 Add an unique focal point to your bedroom by creating a headboard using left-over wallpaper. Depending on the wallpaper used it can be either chic and glamorous, or playful and trendy. Play with panels, framed pieces, patterns, or headboard-shaped silhouettes. Stick the wallpaper directly onto the wall or use a backing board that can be easily re-wallpapered as your mood and room décor changes. An inexpensive, individual headboard that will fit your colour scheme, style and personality like a glove…

[Image sources: 1, 2, 3]

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