Purity. Sensuality. Intelligence. This open-plan interior in Berlin offers ample space for cooking and socializing. It combines a wall-mounted b3 system with a bulthaup monoblock. Sleek sandy-beige aluminum panels from floor to ceiling on the kitchen wall contrasts with the texture of the brick in the dining and living area. The look and feel of the aluminum changes with the light, and introduces additional elegance and warmth to the room. Moreover, bulthaup’s unique anodizing method ensures the aluminum surfaces are exceptionally robust, and well suited for kitchen use. To see what else bulthaup kitchens have to offer, please contact your African retail partner www.livingkitchens.bulthaup.com
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bulthaup johannesburg Living Kitchens (Pty) Ltd 9 Kramer Road, Kramerville Johannesburg 2148 Tel. +27 (0)11 262 5257 info@bulthaup.co.za
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17 Colour of the Year 20
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DECORADAR
ZANE PRETORIUS As the brand executive of Block & Chisel furniture, Zane ensures that people are inspired to live beautifully. What’s new with Block & Chisel? We’ve just launched our new website, with e-commerce in the pipeline. What’s on your radar? Style and design are always important but colour is strongest at the moment. Peachy nude, indigo and bright burgundy – we are playing with them all. What’s trending with chairs? Lots of organic forms with bold colours and prints. My all-time favourite is the Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen. What’s your favourite bathroom idea? Anti-fog mirrors and underfloor heating. Your dream collaboration would be with designer Sir Terence Conran. If you quit your day job you would be a food critic in Italy. Who should we follow on Instagram? @designseeds and @interiordesignideas. a @blockandchisel
TAMMY JOUBERT This visual communicator has raised the bar of design with her illustrations on page 67 and 158. What trends are on your radar? Ugly things made beautifully, individualism, technology and shiny textures. What puts a spring in your step? Going for an early morning stroll and consuming inspiring media before I start the day. What’s your favourite bathroom idea? To avoid cluttering the bathroom, using functional but personalised objects as decoration. What are your spring no-nos? Ironically enough, floral prints. But floral textures could be big! A worthwhile pursuit results in me learning something. If you quit your day job you would move to Japan. Your dream collaboration would be with a furniture designer. x @tammyjoubert
SVEN ALBERDING Sven is the creative director at Bureaux, the agency behind the botanicals feature on page 71. Tell us about Bureaux. We are an editorial content agency specialising in homes and lifestyle features, which include food, garden ideas and travel. We’ve got two international shoots lined up this year so there will be more exciting and beautiful stories coming up. What trends are on your radar? I still like anything to do with indoor plants, particularly in industrial settings. What puts a spring in your step? A Negroni (one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, one part Campari, garnished with orange peel), hands-down. What’s your favourite bathroom idea? Open wet rooms, hammam-style without the mosaic tiles. If you quit your day job you would cultivate endangered plants or animals. bureaux.co.za
EDITOR | BIELLE BELLINGHAM bielle@elledecoration.co.za | @biellebellingham MANAGING EDITOR | MEGAN SCHUMANN megan@elledecoration.co.za | @megan_carla ART DIRECTOR | MARUSHKA STIPINOVICH marushka@elledecoration.co.za | @ELLE_Deco DESIGNER | JESSIE BELL jessie@elledecoration.co.za | @jessbowbess DECOR STYLIST | SANRI PIENAAR sanri@elledecoration.co.za | @sanripienaar DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER | SAMANTHA EVANS sam@elledecoration.co.za | @samwest10 ACTING COPY EDITOR | STACEY NEL CREATIVE ASSISTANT | HEIDI VAN BERGEN heidi.vbergen@gmail.com | @heidivanberg DESIGN INTERN | TAMMY JOUBERT | @tammyjoubert EDITORIAL INTERN | AMY SCOTT | @amz.scott DIGITAL INTERN | ZEENAT MOWZER | @zeenat_mowzer ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT | NAAZNEEN BAULACKEY | naazneen@elle.co.za ACCOUNT MANAGER (JHB) | HOWARD HEYMANS | howard@elledecoration.co.za ACCOUNT MANAGER (CT/DBN) | BERNICE BLUNDELL | bernice@adplacements.co.za MARKETING MANAGER | RYAN SORGENTE | ryan@elle.co.za ADVERTISING PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR | NAAZNEEN BAULACKEY | naazneen@elle.co.za REPRODUCTION | Hirt & Carter PRINTING | CTP Cape Town DISTRIBUTION | RNA: Bianca Davis 011 248 3607 ENQUIRIES ELLE DECORATION, PO Box 2316, Randburg 2125 EDITORIAL 011 801 9176 / 021 045 0121 ADVERTISING 011 801 9176 SUBSCRIPTIONS 0860 123 300 COMPETITIONS | Jeanine Fonseca | jeanine@elle.co.za WEBSITE www.elledecoration.co.za 2nd floor, MLT House, Longkloof Studios, Darters Road, Cape Town 8001
TRADEMARK NOTICE: ELLE® and ELLE DECORATIONTM are used under licence from the trademark owner, Hachette Filipacchi Presse. MANAGEMENT PUBLISHER Gisèle Wertheim Aymés gisele@elle.co.za BUSINESS MANAGER Louise Birkner louise@elle.co.za MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT Robert Hood roberth@longevitymag.co.za LAGARDÈRE ACTIVE Chairman and CEO Lagardère Active Denis OLIVENNES CEO ELLE France & International Constance BENQUÉ CEO ELLE International Media Licenses François CORUZZI Brand Management of ELLE DECORATION Sylvie DE CHIRÉE SVP/International Director of ELLE DECORATION Cristina ROMERO SVP/Director of International Media Licences, Digital Development & Syndication Mickael BERRET Editorial Executive of ELLE DECORATION Linda BERGMARK Marketing Executive of ELLE DECORATION Flora RÉGIBIER Syndication Coordinator Audrey SCHNEUWLY INTERNATIONAL AD SALES HOUSE: LAGARDERE GLOBAL ADVERTISING CEO François CORUZZI SVP/International Advertising Stéphanie DELATTRE Stephanie.DELATTRE@Lagardere-Active.com ELLE DECORATION (ISSN 1028-9240, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016). Editorial contributions are welcome and should be sent to The Editor, ELLE DECORATION, PO Box 15793, Vlaeberg, 8018. All due care will be taken with material submitted but the magazine cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. ELLE DECORATION assumes no responsibility to return unsolicited editorial, graphic or other material. All rights in letters and unsolicited editorial and graphic material will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and material will be subject to ELLE DECORATION’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. ELLE DECORATION is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole or part without written permission from the publisher. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, publisher and proprietor cannot accept responsibility for any damage or inconvenience that may arise therefrom.
DECOCONTENTS
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THE SPRING ISSUE SHOPPING Take the time to reflect on our glassy palette to bring the light into your home this season 27 CONSTANT GARDENER
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Green is the new black with these progressive and beautiful ideas in gardening 51 DECO LAB: BATHROOMS
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Be inspired by the latest trends to turn your bathroom into your private haven of rejuvenation
LIVING 70 BOTANICAL BEAUTIES
Find out more about the classic art of flower pressing, and learn how to create beguiling living art 83 SAFAR SO GOOD
For a little decadence, visit Coco Safar, the first couture patisserie of its kind in South Africa 90 C IS FOR CHAIR
Get to know the inspiration, history and designers behind a selection of iconic chairs
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HOMES 100 STYLE CENTRAL
An industrial loft in Cape Town incorporates lush greenery, antiques and natural light 114
PAST PERFECT Contemporary colours and comforts bring a 1930s Milanese apartment to life
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SPACE CRAFT Near Plettenberg Bay lies a beach house like no other, its form both fits in and stands out against the landscape
136 NOW AND ZEN
A home on the slopes of Table Mountain has uninterrupted living spaces and a fresh aesthetic
WINS & OFFERS COVER IMAGE: MARCO BERTOLINI FOR LIVING INSIDE AS SEEN IN PAST PERFECT, PAGE 115 Visit www.zinio.com/ ElledecoSA or www.mysubs.co.za/ magazine/elle-deco or www.appstore.com/ ElleDecorationSouthAfrica to download your digital version of ELLE DECORATION
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WIN SIX WOODBENDER SOHO CHAIRS One ELLE Decoration reader will win six Soho chairs to the value of R33000 WIN TWO NIGHTS OF LUXURY One ELLE Decoration reader and a partner will win a two-night stay at The Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff worth R25 000
PHOTOGRAPHS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: GLASS BY INGE PRINS, MILAN HOME BY MARCO BERTOLINI/LIVING INSIDE, CHAIR BY ARTEK, HORTUS BOTANICUS AMSTERDAM BY JANNEKE LUURSEMA BOTANICSTILLLIFE.COM, BATHROOM BY DOT LINE BY AGAPE GARCIA CUMINI, VASES BY BOUROULLEC, COCO SAFAR BY ADEL FEREIRRA
22 DECO PALETTE: SHEER BEAUTY
modern kitchens have a new home our new showroom kindles the story of authentic kitchen design. each area explores the fusion of technological advancements along with newly discovered materials while maintaining that functionality comes standard. unrivalled kitchen design is seen throughout the new showroom as our latest ranges are displayed for the first time.
coachmans park peter place bryanston johannesburg tel 0860 548 464 info@blu-line.co.za www.blu-line.co.za kitchen architects locally designed and manufactured cabinetry
Cape Town: 021 510 2846 | Paarden Eiland Johannesburg: 011 262 3117 | Sandton Durban: 031 000 1000 | Umhlanga nicholas@oggie-sa.co.za www.oggie-sa.co.za
Waterfall Estate, Gauteng. Oggie FSC European Oak Herringbone 15/4x122x610 with Woca Denmark Diamond Oil
...floors by Oggie
PORTRAIT BY JESSIE BELL, SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE ELLE DECORATION ‘WIN A HOME’ APARTMENT AT VAL DE VIE ESTATE
ED'SNOTE
‘Rushing back from the crag, Montagu’ screen print by Daniella Mooney R2 500, 50TY/50TY Frame Wessel Snyman Creative Scatter cushions from R79.99, H&M Home Linen throw (Olive) R1 195, Weylandts Custom designed couch Leon CCXIX in Drama (Peridot) fabric R239/m, Hertex Addo Skin paint Plascon
EDITOR'S NOTE I will begin at the very end, as it’s just easier that way. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to you, our dear readers, and my extraordinary team, as this is my last issue as the editor of my favourite magazine in the world. Just as spring is synonymous with new beginnings, I too am starting a new chapter in my life. But enough of that and onto the good stuff. What a feeling it is to actively press refresh… and to get that zip of fresh energy that comes with a new season. Revitalise yourself, take stock and importantly, get your home and lifestyle into tip-top condition in preparation for the glory of summer. It’s all about looking forward, about change and about recharging so that you can be at your best. Design expert Esther Mahlangu puts it well on p43: ‘I realise that the old must change, otherwise it dies.’ As you’ll find out, Esther’s iconic style balances the old and new: venerating the designs of her ancestors, while at the same time trailblazing with exciting new ideas and media. The future is fresh, and it is waiting for us to grab it with both hands. In order to truly look forward, one has to consider our past and the trajectory that it has lead us on. I am busy reading B is for Bauhaus by Deyan Sudjic – I can HIGHLY recommend it. One of the chapters ‘C is for Chair’ has inspired our mini-retrospective of the importance of chair design throughout history. Deyan explains: ‘It’s not hard to see why designing a successful chair would appeal to a designer. To have a chair with your name attached to it confers a certain professional longevity, in a way that so few categories of design make possible. To work on the design
of a smart phone or a laptop is to see your efforts fade into irrelevance heartbreakingly quickly.’ There is just so much in that simple statement that I am dying to chat to you about… but in the interest of brevity (one of my most favourite qualities in the world), I ask you to take a gander at the feature, and we can then chat about it at length on Twitter. A little later on in the same book, the far-sighted and lucid critic Victor Papanek is quoted as saying that ‘by creating whole species of permanent garbage to clutter up the landscape, and by choosing materials and processes that pollute the air we breath, designers have become a dangerous breed’. I repeat: ‘Designers have become a dangerous breed.’ Yes, perhaps a slightly overzealous statement, but this time last year we presented our guide to sustainable design and green living, and I have to tell you, there sadly isn’t a significant number of new designs and solutions to report on locally. If I am to have a parting shot, I’ll leave you with this: think carefully about the kind of designer and/or homeowner you want to be. Yes, we advocate a stylish lifestyle, but this is never going to be as important as living sustainably. And this is the reason that environmentally conscious design is at the core of the SOLVE 2017 competition. See p42 for the full brief. And with that, sayonara friends, I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.
@biellebellingham THE AFRICA ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 15
DECOPROMO
From left: Andre Jansen, Simone Scott, Carl Fitschen, Dominic Da Silva, Bielle Bellingham, Melissa Ward and Sanri Pienaar
BEHIND THE SCENES ELLE Decoration collaborated with @home to launch its summer collection that embraces our wanderlust and brings global design home with a local flavour. Cool metallics are warmed up with touches of tan leather, bright summer hues and natural textures This Gatsby drinks trolley (R4Â 999) makes the perfect addition of golden glam. The African-inspired wallpaper was designed by Tammy Joubert
To recreate this look in your own home visit your nearest @homelivingspace store. Homeware is available online at home.co.za and furniture is available for in-store purchase only.
DECOONLINE
GET YOUR DI G I T A L DE S I G N F I X ELLEDEC O R ATI O N . C O . Z A Bathroom Beauty
#BTS of Coco Safar
DECO Palette
Gardening 101
@ELLEDecorationSA @ELLE_DecoSA @ELLE_Deco @ELLE_Deco 18 ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA THE SPRING ISSUE
NEWSLETTER Get all the ELLE DECO news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at elledecoration. co.za/subscribe-to-ournewsletter/
CO ZA GO ONLINE Whenever you see this online icon, it means you’ll find even more information on our website
@ E LLE _ DE C O
PHOTOGRAPHS: COCO SAFAR BY ADEL FEREIRRA, BATHROOM BY NORM ARCHITECTS, THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN, UK BY MAGNUS EDMONDSON AND INDIA HOBSON HAARKON.CO.UK, GLASS BY INGE PRINS
Step inside our world as we take you behind the scenes of some of our most beautiful shoots, show off our favourite social spots and share useful decor tips. Join our visual journal by using these hashtags:
#SPRINGISSUE / #KEEPITFRESH / #BOTANIC ALBE AUT Y
KEEN TO GET TO KNOW THE SECRET STYLIST WHO CURATES OUR FEED? SAY HELLO HERE – @JESSBOWBESS
Arabesque, Vintage Collection
021 461 2024 • www.maerugs.com • mae@maerugs.com • 59 Roeland Street, Cape Town
SHOPPING IMAGE: ARTWORK BY STUDIO KIM. CONTACT DIRECTLY FOR SALES OR PRIVATE COMMISSIONS. VIEW COLLECTION AT KIMVV.COM/FORMS
ELLE DECORATION's pick of current home buys – everything you need to stay in style
Take time to reflect with our glass-filled spring palette (p22) and be inspired by the most progressive ideas in gardening (p27). Spruce up your washroom with our exclusive feature on bathroom trends and finds (p51)
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this page: 1. Amber Water glass R6 000/m2; 2. Red Water glass R6 000/m2; 3. Amber Cath glass R3 000/m2; 4. Green Water glass R6 000/m2; all Glasscraft 5. 6600 Nougat tile price on application, Caesarstone 6. Toffy Art glass R6 000/m2; 7. Red Water glass R6 000/m2; both Glasscraft 8. Bronze tinted mirror from R600/m2, Massa Glass and Mirrors CC opposite: 1. Pan De Oro by Dune tile R1 122/tile, Kenzan Tiles 2. Toffy Art glass R6 000/m2, Glasscraft 3. Bronze tinted mirror from R600/m2, Massa Glass and Mirrors CC 4. Lemon Ice tile by Douglas Jones R86/sheet, Kenzan Tiles 5. Aurum by Dune glass R552/sheet, Kenzan Tiles
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SHEER BEAUTY Let the light in this spring, with the reflective elements of glass in all shades, shapes and sizes PHOTOGRAPHS INGE PRINS PRODUCTION SANRI PIENAAR ASSISTANT AMY SCOTT
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this page: 1. Grey tinted glass from R520/m2, Massa Glass and Mirrors CC 2. Georgian wired fireproof glass R2 508/m2, All Glass 3. 3100 Jet Black tile price on application, Caesarstone 4. Red Water glass R6 000/m2, Glasscraft 5. Sansui (Snow Peaks) wallpaper by Zoffany R1 720.49/roll, St Leger & Viney 6. Standard clear glass R274/m2, Massa Glass and Mirrors CC 7. Pan De Plata by Dune tile R1 122/tile, Kenzan Tiles opposite: 1. Supernova (Champagne); 2. Supernova (Copper); both metal tiles by Douglas Jones R399/tile, Kenzan Tiles 3. Bronze tinted mirror from R600/m2, Massa Glass and Mirrors CC 4. Cool grey glass R650/m2, Novray Glass 5. Yellow Ring glass R3 000/m2, Glasscraft 6. Arctic glass R570/m2, Glassmen
DECOPALETTE 1
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GO ONLINE for our essential list of glass suppliers
3 THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 25
JUST ADD YOU.
ME by Starck. Sleek lines, iconic shapes, pure aesthetics, sustainability and durability. An ideal, adaptable design that emphasizes your unique personality. For more information: Duravit South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 30 Archimedes Road, Kramerville, Sandton, Johannesburg, Telephone +27 (0) 11 555 1220, info@za.duravit.com and at duravit.co.za
DECOGROW
It’s no wonder that gardens and philosophy are often related. Considered both an art (arranging plants harmoniously) and a science (employing the principles and techniques of cultivation), gardening is a cathartic form of creative expression. These earthly paradises connect humanity to nature, so whether you’re an amateur or professional here’s a little inspiration to foster the connection COMPILED BY MARUSHKA STIPINOVICH AND JESSIE BELL OPENER PHOTOGRAPH VILLANDRY IN FRANCE’S LOIRE VALLEY, COLINE BRUN-NAUJALIS FOR THE GARDEN EDIT
THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 27
WE HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT ROCKS, PLANTS, AND ANIMALS STILL KNOW. WE HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW TO BE STILL, TO BE OURSELVES, TO BE WHERE LIFE IS: HERE AND NOW — Eckhart Tolle from Stillness Speaks
DECOGROW WHERE TO START? It’s important to consider what style you want for your garden (wild, Japanese, indigenous etc.), how it will be used and how your garden will connect to the homes or other structures in the area.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished – Lao Tzu
DID YOU KNOW:
Angiosperm is the scientific name for flowering plants that produce seeds within capsules or fruits. Nonflowering plants such as pines, cycads and ginkgoes are called gymnosperm. this page clockwise from top left: The Walled Gardens of Cannington, UK Photograph by Magnus Edmondson and India Hobson for Haarkon haarkon.co.uk ; Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, The Netherlands Photograph by Janneke Luursema botanicstilllife.com; Garden by Art in Green, Sydney Photograph by Peter Brennan artingreen.com.au opposite: Berlin Botanical Garden, Germany Photograph by Magnus Edmondson and India Hobson for Haarkon haarkon.co.uk THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 29
DECOGROW
TOPIARY: the art or practice of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes. The word topiary originates from the Latin word for an ornamental landscape gardener, topiarius — a creator of topia or places. In modern topiary, shaped wire cages are used to guide inexperienced shears, but traditionally, topiary is as much about patience and a steady hand. The hedge is a simple form of topiary used to create boundaries, walls or screens. Villandry in the Loire Valley, France Photographs by Coline Brun-Naujalis for The Garden Edit thegardenedit.com
I LIKE GARDENING – IT’S A PLACE WHERE I FIND MYSELF WHEN I NEED TO LOSE MYSELF – Alice Sebold
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ON YoUR
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Introducing the Bravo outdoor lounge - YES! it can stand outside!
NEW WEBSITE mobelli.co.za Paarden Eiland | Sea Point | Strand | Illovo Fourways | Durban | Opening Menlyn in September
DECOGROW PLANNING IS CRUCIAL Don’t make the mistake of buying every plant that you find pretty and hope that it will thrive, let alone survive. Do your research: assess your garden’s conditions (soil, light, exposure), establish which plants you particularly like, and think about how much time you can dedicate to maintaining them. Then plan exactly what will work best for your garden. In time, the satisfaction of seeing your plants flourish will outweigh the instant gratification of an impulse buy. Photograph by Magnus Edmondson and India Hobson for Haarkon haarkon.co.uk
A GARDEN IS A GRAND TEACHER. IT TEACHES PATIENCE AND CAREFUL WATCHFULNESS; IT TEACHES INDUSTRY AND THRIFT; ABOVE ALL IT TEACHES ENTIRE TRUST — Gertrude Jekyll
DECOGROW
Xeriscape gardens use indigenous plants that eliminate the need for additional irrigation or extensive use of other resources. They are the way of the future.
DID YOU KNOW:
There are six floral kingdoms in the world. Fynbos makes up one of these, and is the only one found entirely within one country. this page clockwise from left: Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, The Netherlands Photograph by Janneke Luursema botanicstilllife.com; Balenciaga by Elysian Landscape Photograph by Tom Mannion tommannion.com; Native garden by Terremoto, California, US Photograph by David Godshall terremoto.la; Drought-tolerant garden, California, US Photograph by Jessica MacCormick jessicamaccormick.com; Cactus nursery, UK Photograph by Coline Brun-Naujalis for The Garden Edit thegardenedit.com opposite: Royal Botanic Garden, UK Photograph by Magnus Edmondson and India Hobson for Haarkon haarkon.co.uk THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 35
SHOW ME YOUR GARDEN AND I SHALL TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE — Alfred Austin
DECOGROW
GARDENING TRENDS Gardening is at once a collective and personal form of self-expression that is as affected by trends as decor and design. These are the ideas that have us itching to get our hands in the earth... GARDENING WITH PURPOSE No longer merely decorative, gardens are becoming functional: attracting and feeding pollinators, birds and wildlife, growing healthy heirloom vegetables and hops for making beer and raising cut flowers. It’s all about sustainability.
RAINWATER HARVESTING With water shortages a constant threat, it’s becoming more and more important to capture and store rainwater. Designs for harvesting rainwater, like a catchment pond, can function both as a water feature and auxiliary water source.
POLLINATOR GARDENS
LAYERED LANDSCAPES
Their sweet honey aside, healthy honeybee colonies are vital for our food security as they pollinate many crops. Concerned gardeners are now creating habitats that support populations of bees and Monarch butterflies, another important pollinator.
A beautiful garden shouldn’t only be a summer attraction. To take advantage of all the seasons, a greater variety of species, like evergreens, woody shrubs, bulbs and annuals are being chosen, and planted at varying heights for another layer of interest.
TECH IN NATURE
PLANTS-IN-POTS With small spaces, balconies and city living in mind, plants in pots are being used to create miniature landscapes, whether for colour or growing herbs.
Basic gardening apps have been around for a while. Now they are being taken to the next level with infrared cameras that give a better picture of plant health and apps that monitor your houseplants’ moisture and pH levels.
this page: Illustration by Jessie Bell opposite: Native garden landscape by Terremoto, California, US Photograph by David Godshall terremoto.la
CO ZA
DOWNLOAD and share this infographic
THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 37
DECOGROW
TOP TIPS FOR EVERY GARDENER Cured manure Only apply compost that has cured for at least six months to your soil. Fresh manure is too high in nitrogen and can ‘burn’ plants. It may also contain pathogens or parasites. • Deadheading Removing dead and tired blooms is a good practice as it encourages production. The goal of plants is to flower, set seed and die. Removing the old flowers therefore tells annual plants to produce more flowers. However, avoid deadheading plants grown especially for their fruits or pods. • Eight hours of sunlight Grow your vegetables in an area that gets at least eight hours of direct sunlight every day, as most vegetables need full sun for optimum growth. If you have a particularly shady patch, grow crops like lettuce, spinach and cabbage. • Transplanting When relocating container-grown plants, dig a hole bigger than the soil ball of the plant to aid root establishment.
Dedon Ahnda wing chair and foot stool R79 000, Cane Time dedon.de
TOUR DU MONDE
DEDON Collection TIGMI Design by Jean- Marie Massaud www.dedon.de
CANE TIME Loop Street · Maitland · Cape Town · Tel: +27 21 5101072 12 Kramer Road · Kramerville · Johannesburg · Tel: +27 11 2622752 cane@canetime.com · www.canetime.com
DECOGROW
TOOL KIT
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THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 41
Print adapted from the Sankara Rug designed by The Ninevites
ARE YOU THE NEXT BIG THING IN DESIGN?
The 2017 ELLE Decoration SOLVE competition, in association with Adams & Adams, is the ultimate search for new talent SUSTAINABLE DESIGN We are on the brink of a paradigm shift. Sustainability is no longer limited to saving the planet, but has become the essence of how we survive and thrive in a dynamic, competitive market. We have to acknowledge the impact that design and the built environment has on our access to finite resources, and design conscientiously. It is no longer about who is going green, but who is doing it best. This is the reason sustainable design is at the core of the 2017 SOLVE competition.
THE BRIEF Designers are challenged to create a functional, desirable and innovative product for the home and/or garden that is sustainable in design and practice. For the full brief, go to elledecoration.co.za
WHO CAN ENTER? Anyone can enter, as long as you were born and live in South Africa. Submission deadline is 1 February 2017.
HOW TO ENTER Entrants must complete an official entry form (find it on elledecoration.co.za) and submit it with the following: • Technical drawings and renderings of the product, which show exactly what the product will look like; • Material swatches or illustrations; and • A short vlog motivation describing the product, the inspiration behind the design and a short biography. Go online for our vlog description
PRIZES 1ST PLACE: R10 000 TO WINNER / 2ND PLACE: R5 000 / 3RD PLACE: R3 000 CO ZA
GO ONLINE FOR MORE INFORMATION
ADAMS & ADAMS IP CONSULTATION FOR THE TOP THREE FINALISTS Adams & Adams is the largest intellectual property law firm in the southern hemisphere, as well as one of the biggest corporate and commercial law firms in South Africa. Adams & Adams has supported the creative industry for many years, having been an associate sponsor of the Design Indaba and the Loeries for the past three years. Passionate about the protection of innovative designs, the firm has been active in advising emerging young designers on how to protect their designs and how to avoid the many pitfalls of the business world. The firm will be looking for new, unique and fresh designs that are commercially viable both locally and internationally. The top three finalists of the 2017 SOLVE competition will each receive a free consultation with one of the firm’s experts.
‘We are proud to collaborate with ELLE Decoration on the 2017 SOLVE competition and to alert designers about their intellectual property rights and to encourage them to protect their designs’
*T&Cs apply. The finalist event will be held in Johannesburg in 2017. Please note that all finalists are responsible for their own travel expenses to Johannesburg.
DECOICON
DECO ICON: ESTHER MAHLANGU One of South Africa’s most widely recognised artists, this maven of Ndebele art has been painting for more than 70 years with no sign of her spirit or popularity waning
PHOTOGRAPH: TRAVYS OWEN FOR EYTYS.COM
TEXT ANNEMI CONRADIE
Adorning architecture with murals is characteristic of most indigenous compositions are harmonious in their symmetry. When not working on Southern African rural traditions, including that of the Ndebele people a regular surface, she stretches and compresses her designs to echo of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Ndebele architecture and mural the form of the object, be it a skating deck, mannequin or luxury sedan. painting show the influences of their Sotho, Pedi and Tswana Esther’s painting was brought to international audiences in 1989 neighbours, but its bright contemporary colours and bold geometry is when she participated in the Magiciennes de la Terre (Magicians of the firmly established as Ndebele tradition. Earth) exhibition at the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Although not From the 1880s until the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, the without controversy, this mega-show was the first to present a global Ndebele people struggled for overview of contemporary art, possession of their land and showing Western and nonrecognition of their culture, and Western artists side by side. over this period their distinct style A replica of her own house was of mural painting emerged as an constructed for the exhibition outward sign of cultural integrity, and she adorned its walls in front identity and open defiance. of French audiences. Practiced only by women who In 1991 Esther became the are taught the art by their first woman to receive mothers, these striking murals a commission to paint one of proudly declare, ‘We are BMW’s Art Cars, following in the Ndebele, Ndebele live here.’ To footsteps of Andy Warhol, Roy those adept at interpreting the Lichtenstein and Alexander intricate graphic language, it also Calder. Esther’s choice of tells of the family lineage, political horizontal bands along the views, religious cosmology, sedan’s exterior complimented personal style and fertility of the the aerodynamic form of the women of the house. BMW 525i and created structure Born in 1935 near Middleburg, in a design teeming with Esther Mahlangu started painting geometric shapes in bright blues, at the age of 10, but as her greens, pinks, white and ochre. mother and grandmother were She’s also worked with Fiat, not too keen on the child’s Fifa, footwear brand Melissa, doodles around the front door, British Airways and in 2015, the she had to practise her hand on year of her 80th birthday, Swiss the back walls of the house until brand Eytys for its launch of the they were satisfied with the Eytys x Esther Mahlangu amateur’s skills. sneakers at Paris Fashion Week. Prior to the introduction of Embroidered on suede sneakers, synthetic paints to South Africa in her signature geometric patterns the mid-twentieth century, overlaid a wash of blue that ‘I realise that the old must change, otherwise it dies’ Ndebele paintresses produced wrapped each shoe’s heel. – Esther Mahlangu monochromatic paints from earth When at home in the pigments mixed with cow dung and water. Their natural palette of red, KwaMhlanga district in Mpumalanga, Esther runs a self-funded yellow, black and white was augmented with a range of luminous school where she shares her knowledge of Ndebele painting and colours when acrylics became available after 1940. Ester prefers beading with young girls. She believes that the art will help to root traditional tools: brushes made of chicken feathers, fat daubing them in their culture, thus keeping Ndebele heritage alive. brushes made from the baboon tail plant and her own fingers. These girls have much to learn from this doyenne of traditional Her style blends the old and the new, honouring the designs of her craft, who has masterfully balanced the demands of a contemporary ancestors yet unafraid of experimenting with new ideas and media. globalised world and devotion to her cultural heritage. In her ‘I realise that the old must change otherwise it dies,’ she says. Her work collaborations, Esther moves effortlessly between art and design, is characterised by fluorescent colours, bold zigzags and razor blade tradition and innovation, illustrating that these categories are perhaps motifs in flat geometric shapes outlined in crisp black lines. Always just a little arbitrary and less important than hard work, joie de vivre working freehand with no preliminary sketches, no matter the scale, her and a spirit of Ubuntu. Q THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 43
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DECOL A B K EEP IT CL E A N A luxurious, private place of pampering, or a tranquil room of respite? Your bathroom is where you pause, percolate and prepare yourself for the world beyond. Immerse yourself and wash away the cares of the day by creating your own personal sanctuary COMPILED BY SANRI PIENAAR TEXT URSULA BRUNNER
Cuna freestanding bath by Patricia Urquiola for Agape, available at LAVO Bathroom Concepts
THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 51
Opposites attract, so incorporate vintage elements to your modern bathroom. Antique mirrors and small accessories are an easy way to effortlessly heighten interest
Vedbaek House III by Norm Architects, normcph.com
DECOLAB
OLD-WOR LD GL A MOUR Metallics add a splash of grandeur to any bathroom. Pair contemporary brass accessories with antique accents for that air of sophistication Enter Mirror by Søren Rose Studio for Ferm Living, fermliving.com
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HAMPTON PENTHOUSE BUILT BY BUILDARK, CREATIVE DIRECTION BY MARSHA GOLEMAC, PHOTOGRAPH BY BROOKE HOLM
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Hampton Penthouse by We are Huntly, wearehuntly.com.au
Suite bathroom at the Hotel Vernet in Paris, hotelvernet-paris.com
1. Mirror R229, H&M Home 2. Ceramic tile (Tabaco) R25/tile, Douglas Jones 3. Rosso Verona marble tile R823/m2, Union Tiles 4. Citterio tall cabinet R20 520, Geberit 5. Kate Woburn Libra bath R16 977, Flush Bathrooms 6. Wave towels and facecloths (Mustard) from R139, Loads of Living 7. S&P Suds soap dish R99, @home 8. Fantini faucet (Matt British Gold) R21 653, LAVO Bathroom Concepts THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 53
Keep things simple for maximum effect, but be sure to use a myriad of textures, finishes and unexpected details to soften the space. Couple cool materials like marble and concrete with natural fibres, wood and plush textiles for a touch of warmth Fontane Bianche by Elisa Ossino for Fantini and Salvatori, fantini.it
DECOLAB
NO MESS, NO FUSS Efficient and stylish with minimalist decor, the modern masculine bathroom is a careful balance of functionality, form and comfort. Declutter for a monochromatic, no-nonsense look
Swoon AW16/17 by Fredrik Wallner, swoon.se
Frame by Norm Architects, normcph.com
Raw in Bianco Carrara by Piero Lissoni for Salvatori, salvatori.it
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7 6 5 1. Statuari mix gloss glazed ceramic tile R229/m2, Italtile 2. Angola Black granite slab R4 104/m2, WOMAG 3. Tulum bath towel R249, Country Road 4. iCon sink R5 985, Geberit 5. JEE-O Original freestanding shower 04 R25 831, Dado Baths 6. Soap dispenser R129, H&M Home 7. Mild steel towel rail R2 680, LIM 8. Venezia by Fantini tap (Gun Metal Black) R13 350, LAVO Bathroom Concepts 9. 28+ Concrete basin R7 500, 20eight
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DECOLAB Dot Line by Agape Garcia Cumini for Agape, garciacumini.com
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Oblon by Stefano Cavazzana for Novello, novello.it
B AT H R O O M B A S I C S Bathrooms have become havens of private luxury, offering relaxation and rejuvenation. Recharge in your own sanctuary with a little help from Belgotex Floors Open-plan oasis Use different flooring options to create a sense of connection, while seamlessly flowing from one functional area to the next. The combination of soft and hard flooring provides visual cues that delineate the space without a physical barrier like a wall. Reconnect with nature Nothing soothes the soul and indulges the senses quite like the sights and sounds of nature. Install floorto-ceiling glass windows to invite the outdoors right in, creating your own Garden of Eden. Water-resistant vinyl in warm timber tones provides a fuss-free foundation that echoes the organic beauty of Mother Nature. With its protective wear layer that’s ideal for wet areas, these PVC lookalikes won’t lift or swell, are quick and easy to install and simple to clean, providing total peace of mind.
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DECOLAB
THE NEW ZEN The perfect remedy to the stresses of everyday life must be downtime in your own spa-like haven. Design an intimate, tranquil bathroom that's light and airy by using use soft tones and natural textures
Stand by Norm Architects, normcph.com
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Kato easel by kreoo, kreoo.com
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1. Vips toothbrush holder R1 800, Victorian Bathrooms 2. Bath tray book reader R449, @home 3. Sultana of Soap bar R51.50/100g; 4. Herbalism cleanser R165/100g; both Lush 5. Rainmaker Select 460 3jet overhead shower 460mm R26 680, Hansgrohe 6. Persienne stackable storage modules by Arnaud Lapierre from R7 055, Ligne Roset 7. Tolve face towel R89, Country Road 8. Toilet roll holder in chrome finish R900, Handles Inc 9. TR4107L KAI C mounted basin R995, Bathroom Bizarre THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 59
The Penny Drop by We are Huntly, wearehuntly.com.au,
DISCOVER more beautiful bathrooms online
THE PENNY POP BY POP & PAC, BUILT BY S&K GROUP GRAPHIC DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPH BY BROOKE HOLM
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BOLD & BE AUTIFUL Tropical-inspired washrooms offer an idyllic escape all year round. Get that laid-back feel with playful exotic prints, natural textures and white hues Tresham and Artifacts bathroom by Kohler, africa.kohler.com
Summertime at Home by Duravit, duravit.com
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1. Patterned shower curtain R249, H&M Home 2. Round Croco mirror with studs R10 995, Weylandts 3. White cloud towels and face cloth from R149, Loads of Living 4. Dream Emperor marble slab R3 306/m2, WOMAG 5. Santuari gloss glazed ceramic tile R199/m2, Italtile 6. Whoosh Shower Jelly R89/100g, Lush 7. Tall mono basin mixer R5 500, Victorian Bathrooms 8. Seagrass laundry basket R649, @home
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DECOLAB
M A KE IT GLOW Take some time to pamper yourself to keep your outer layers polished to perfection. These are our favourite finds... PHOTOGRAPHS BY INGE PRINS PRODUCTION JESSIE BELL
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1. Enzyme exfoliating clay R455, Skoon Loft marble tray R449; Tam spoon R55; both Country Road 2. Resurrection aromatique hand balm R370; Rosehip seed lip cream R200; both Aesop at Loading Bay 3. Whipped cleanser from R608; Weekly revival R896; both BOTANe Skin Actives 4. Everyday cream R285; facial cleansing powder R250; both Skin Creamery 5. Aloe, rose and frankincense toning mist R200; Rosehip seed and avocado face oil R220; both Deity Skin THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 63
DECOPROMO
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Dave Coleman 2014 Western Cape Barista champion. Runner up 2015.
THE BREVILLE BARISTA EXPRESS A barista will quickly tell you that the most important ingredient to deliver an amazing espresso is to use fresh beans and to grind them as close to the time of use as possible. Actually, it’s best to limit the time between grinding and extraction to seconds, not minutes. That’s why we’ve built espresso machine. With a dedicated hot water outlet, impressive steam pressure and single wall filters, you’ll move from novice to home barista in no time at all.
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DECOART
Follow these points to survive a poncy art exhibition without sounding like someone whose last artistic effort was scrawling a landscape with crayons TEXT MATTHEW FREEMANTLE ILLUSTRATION TAMMY JOUBERT
The meaning of an artwork is not always simple, nor should it be, and the language used to describe it can be complex. But galleries, journalists and artists themselves often do a bad job of deciphering the cryptic message their art aims to convey, preferring to shroud it in thick layers of nonsensical ‘artspeak’. Though this is often the point: if there’s nothing meaningful to get across, or the art is not very good, then the work’s vacuity must be camouflaged. Vacuity means emptiness. Write that down, you will definitely need it. Along with these other useful tips... Find the artist and make sure you’re seen communicating. Nobody needs to know that you asked where the bathrooms are. When you overhear an insightful yet baffling critique, immediately move to another circle and recite it, passing it off as your own. Saying ‘This work asks more questions than it answers’ is enough to get you out of most awkward interrogations. Artspeak is, after all, the art of speaking a lot without really saying anything. It is often sufficient to look at a work and wistfully say, ‘This reminds me of something’, provided you say the words very slowly and preferably in a whisper.
Start smoking. Just do it.
People assume that those who know about art know about wine. This is wildly untrue but helpful: if you can twirl wine without splashing, you will be mistaken for an expert on cubism.
You need to know what DQ RHXYUH LV %XW ÀUVW abandon the idea that it has anything to do with eggs. Do: walk up to a painting, lean in close, pause, lean back, pause again and nod slowly. Don’t: do anything but perform this action all evening. Most journalists are only there for the free wine, particularly that one from iheartart.wordpress.com who, after spending his evening at the bar, will tweet an unfunny 140-character review to nine family members from the back of an Uber home.
To pass time, play Artist Statement Bingo with a friend. The first one to hear the words ‘juxtaposed’, ‘oblique’ and ‘synesthesia’ wins. Extra points are awarded for a sentence containing all three.
Disagree a lot. Seldom give a reason. When pressed for one, impatiently ask whether they still haven’t read Derrida’s essay Structure and Sign Play in the Discourse of Human Sciences. Sigh deeply.
Remember: artists don’t simply have memories. They harness nostalgia. Have an #ArtSpeak hack of your own? Tweet us, we’d love to hear from you. @elle_deco
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People, places, things and ideas on our radar right now
Try your hand at the classic art of flower pressing with a modern twist (p70), visit the luxurious patisserie Coco Safar (p82) and dive into the fascinating history of chairs and their designers (p90)
DECOINSPIRATION
B O TA N ICA L BE AU T I E S The classic art of flower pressing has been resurrected in a thoroughly modern manner to include sculptural leaves and floral forms. The result is beguiling living art PHOTOGRAPHS WARREN HEATH STYLING SVEN ALBERDING TEXT VICKI SLEET/ ALL BUREAUX PRODUCTION JANINE VERMEULEN/FORAGED.CO.ZA
There are no hard and fast rules to decorating with pressed plants and flowers, the beauty being that they can be used to create ‘living’ artworks. Here, a mismatched collection is teamed with a sculptural hanging plant to create an attractive foil for the garden outside.
DECOINSPIRATION PLANT ART Tall, sculptural plants and flowers can be used to great effect in interior settings – think pampas grasses, lilies and irises. In this bedroom, a pair of majestic Strelitzias have been carefully dissected, then pressed to preserve their shape. Used as a headboard, the result is one of modern day Ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arrangement) performing a pretty but practical function.
SEE THROUGH These pressed leaves and plants have been sandwiched between sheets of glass, allowing light and glimpses of the interior to filter through. It’s a contemporary approach to the classic art of plant pressing for posterity. To enhance the ethereal nature of plants pressed between glass, choose leaves that have a translucent element or which can be arranged to allow the viewer to ‘see through’ them.
THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 73
DECOINSPIRATION NATURE’S BOUNTY Any space is transformed into something special with the addition of fresh plants and flowers. Pressed botanicals help to preserve that sense of everyday luxury. Whether you gather leaves, sprigs or blooms from your garden or on a nature walk, all you need is an appreciation of colour and form to create something special. Marry your pressed plant displays with bulbs and succulents to extend the idea beyond your walls.
TEXTURE TALK Whether you choose to display them in a pared down, minimalist space or against a backdrop of texture and detail, there’s no denying the timeless beauty of pressed botanical elements. While waiting for bulbs and cuttings to become ready for planting outdoors, keep them happy indoors in suitable glass containers – a backdrop of pressed ferns means you can create a tablescape with your works in progress.
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DECOINSPIRATION
HOW TO PRESS PLANTS AND FLOWERS You will need: secateurs or scissors . vessels for sorting and storing stems in water . a small roller for flattening leaves and flowers . a craft knife for dissecting bigger flowers like hibiscus . flower press . cotton sheets/muslin/blotting paper for placing between flowers and leaves . thick card as stabilisers in your press . glass and/or frames Pick flowers first thing in the morning once the dew has evaporated and when they have just opened (by midday they are likely to be a little past their prime). Immediately after cutting, plunge the stems into cold water and recut the stems under water and at an angle. Allow them to stand in water to absorb as much water as possible. • Remove any stamens and wipe leaves clean. Carefully roll flowers and leaves flat with roller. If you don’t have a press, heavy books weighted down with a brick or two will work. Place absorbent or blotting paper or muslin cloth between flowers – leave ½cm between each item. • Leave the press in a cool, dry place for a week, replacing the paper if necessary. Leave for a further two to three weeks. • Carefully remove from the press and frame.
Roses are notoriously difficult to press; rather look for flowers with flat petals like poppies. Other flowers that press well include: tulips, cosmos, freesias, Calla lilies, Alstroemeria, Narcissus and Lisianthus. Leaves that press well include those from the asparagus, sword, maidenhair and leatherleaf ferns, Dusty Miller, pepper tree, monkey grass, Delicious Monster and certain Philodendrons.
For pressed and framed botanical and floral artworks, contact local pressed flower star Janine Mollentze (foraged.co.za)
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DECOPROMO
YOU ’RE I NVITE D
PHOTOGRAPH: SUPPLIED BY WEYLANDTS
Join our exclusive ELLE Decoration decor workshop at Brooklyn Mall
Join ELLE Decoration and Brooklyn Mall for the ultimate decor workshop on 8 October, with Weylandts and Con Amore creating the spectacular backdrops in Brooklyn Square. The workshop will include talks from top industry decor specialists, and guests will be treated to a delicious breakfast, experience Saronsberg’s award-winning wines and receive a fabulous ELLE Decoration goodie bag. Brooklyn Mall’s specialised decor stores will also set up displays throughout the mall showcasing their latest interior trends for great ideas and inspiration for your home. WHEN: Saturday, 8 October 2016 TIME: 10am for 10:30am VENUE: Weylandts, Brooklyn Square, Cnr Veale and Middle Streets, New Muckleneuk, Pretoria COST: R250 per person For bookings, please contact Jeanine at jeanine@elle.co.za
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DECOREAD
R E A DI NG ROOM Line them up for your reading pleasure. Find the time for books that reveal the beauty of design in all manner of spaces PHOTOGRAPH BY JESSIE BELL STYLED BY SANRI PIENAAR SHOT ON LOCATION AT GIULIO’S CAFÉ
LISTEN TO You Bet Your Garden podcast on npr.org for the latest in organic garden advice
books from left: Plain Simple Useful: The Essence of Conran Style by Sir Terence Conran R469; 30:30 Landscape Architecture by Meaghan Kombol R1 131; This is Not a House by Dan Rubinstein R1 409; Remarkable Gardens of South Africa by Nini Bairnsfather Cloete R659; Up Up: Stories of Johannesburg’s Highrises by Nele Dechmann R734; all from Exclusive Books furniture: Book Sandwich Bookends R850, elizabethannbradley.co.za
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CA FÉ GOU R M A N D
Coco Safar believes in delivering a crop-to-cup ritual offering, using globally sourced beans and executed with technical skill, craftsmanship and authentic passion. The standard flat white is served with a small glass of sparkling water and a flavoured safajore.
SOIGN É SA FA JOR ES
These colourful, sweet and textured safajores are a take on the Argentinian alfajores. The passion fruit (yellow) alfajor pairs deliciously with the subtle and fruity Saint-Tropez espresso, and the salted caramel (pink) is suited to a robust Napoli capsule macchiato.
DECOEAT
Conceived in New York, designed in Toronto and brought to life in Cape Town, Coco Safar was a decade in the making and now offers a daily escape from the ordinary. Founders Wilhelm Liebenberg and Caroline Sirois make luxury accessible with this first-of-its-kind couture patisserie. With its unique flavour pairings in a retro-chic setting, it is rather revolutionary PHOTOGRAPHS ADEL FEREIRRA PRODUCTION BIELLE BELLINGHAM SHOT ON LOCATION AT COCO SAFAR, CAVENDISH SQUARE FLOWERS THE HOLLOWAY SHOP
‘For us it has always been about excellence, authenticity, relevance and elevating the daily café food experience’ – co-founder Wilhelm Liebenberg
DECOEAT W HITE CHOCOL ATE PISTACHIO, ROSE & CHOCOL ATE CROISSA NTS
These sweet treats go best with a traditional unsweetened loose leaf red rooibos or the grassy and peach-like unfermented green rooibos. Or you can opt for the iced rooibos espresso, shaken with a dairy blend and finished with a sprinkle of maple cardamom and rose petals.
W HITE CHOCOL ATE DOME W ITH PISTACHIO & PA SSION FRU IT
The richness of these domes pairs perfectly with the bitter-sweet spiced citrus tonic, which is brewed from scratch with fresh citrus zest, cinchona bark and a mix of spices. For a further layer of complexity, sample this delicacy with a flat white. THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 85
BOU NTIFU L BON BONS
All the viennoiserie, patisserie, desserts and chocolates are made daily and styled in-house. Classics are given contemporary twists and flavours: guava ginger (orange), espresso, cinnamon and cocoa nibs (white), honeybush and lemon (yellow) and mango liquorice (navy).
GUAVA , BA SIL & BL ACK CHER RY OPER A
The herbaceous sweetness of the green rooibos macchiato (with microfoam milk) fuses most marvelously with the fresh flavours of the opera. Coco Safar's soil-to-sip red and green rooibos capsules are infused with its secret maple syrup.
DECOEAT
CO ZA
WATCH our behind the scenes video
THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 87
‘Third wave coffee is a movement to produce highquality coffee, and to consider coffee as an artisanal foodstuff, like wine, rather than a commodity’
E X PER IENCE COCO SA FA R FOR YOU R SELF
021 671 1607
cocosafar.com
Ground Floor, Cavendish Square, Dreyer Street, Claremont, Cape Town
DECOEAT COCO SA FA R HIGH TE A BOA R DS
These boards are intended to be paired with one of the plethora of rooibos and coffee offerings. Choose from the maple lamb bacon BLT, wasabi-mango-cantaloupe bijoux, key lime kumquat éclair or guava-basil-black cherry opera, to name but a few...
SA LTED CA R A MEL & PECA N DOME
Savour this with a voyage blend flat white that has a creamy caramel and nut-like character of its own. An element of sweet mandarins comes through in this coffee, adding yet more flavour sensations. All hot beverages are served in rustic handmade crockery . THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 89
C IS FOR CHAIR 'A chair is the first thing you need when you don't really need anything, and is therefore a peculiarly compelling symbol of civilisation. For it is civilisation, not survival, that requires design' – Ralph Caplan An extract from B is for Bauhaus: An A-Z of the Modern World by Deyan Sudjic COMPILED BY SANRI PIENAAR
CO ZA
DISCOVER DECO’s choice of top chair designs online
DECOINSPIRATION
‘Few objects have attracted so much attention from so many designers as the chair. Perhaps only the bicycle and the corkscrew have gone through such questionable variations, modifications and reinventions in ever-more excitable attempts to make a new and distinctive solution for a problem that has already been solved so often.
PANTON CHAIR AVAILABLE FROM VITRA.COM
It’s not hard to see why designing a successful chair would appeal to a designer. To have a chair with your name attached to it confers a certain professional longevity, in a way that so few categories of design make possible. To work on the design of a smartphone or a laptop is to see your efforts fade into irrelevance heartbreakingly quickly. Chairs last, both as physical objects and as designs. They continue in production for much longer than almost any other kind of industrially made artefact. Or at least, they used to. A version of the bentwood café chair that Michael Thonet first made in 1859 is still in production today, many millions of examples later. The Eames Lounge chair, first commercially manufactured in 1956, is still made by Herman Miller in America, and by Vitra in Europe, with scores of unauthorised pirated versions in China. At the end of the 1950s, Ettore Sottsass suggested that Eames had designed not so much a chair as a way of sitting. It looks as modern now as it did then. That is not something that can be claimed for two other once equally charismatic designs from the same year, the Cadillac Coupe de Ville, with its flick-up chopped tail fins, or a Raytheon 405-line black-and-white television sitting on spindly legs.
But there is evidence we see the chair is being forced closer relentless search is consumed in a sophisticated for people who ‘People rarely is common. It is feet, arms, and like ourselves.’
that the way in which changing,too.Thisviewis to the fashion cycle by the for novelty that has overtaken the way that design modern times. Peter Smithson, one of the few architects of the 1960s with understanding of design, believed that the continuing charm of the chair are not designers came down to its cute, anthropomorphic looks. collect cupboards or dressing tables, or stools, but to collect chairs probable that we see them as domestic pets; they have legs, backs.Theyaresymmetricalinonedirection,likeanimals,or
I had never seen them quite like that. Some chairs you want to own because you want to sit in them. Others, the Rietveld Red Bluechair,forexample,or at least the version I have, made by Italian brand Cassina, which acquired the vital licence to manufacture it after Rietveld died, are better to look at from the other side of the room than to sit in. And the Ron Arad Rover chair in my study is a reminder of a particular moment at the beginning of the 1980s when Arad’s career was just getting started on the basis of creative salvage and I got to know him...’ To continue this chapter, read B is for Bauhaus: An A-Z of the Modern World by Deyan Sudjic.
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1859
B E N T WO O D C HAI R
B Y M IC HA E L T HO N E T Produced using new steam bending technology, the afordable price and simple design of this chair made it one of the most famous ever made.
1902
H I L L HOU SE C HA I R 1
B Y C HA R L E S R E N N
MA
Mackintosh was inspired by the abstract graphics of Japanese design and created this chair to be a functional geometric work of art.
1918
R E D A N D B LU E C HA I R
B Y G E R R I T T HOM A S R I E T V E L D Designed according to the classic De Stijl principles, the planes of primary colours of this ‘spatial creation’ were designed for the well-being and comfort of the spirit.
OS
DECOINSPIRATION 1926
B I B E N DUM C HA I R
B Y E I L E E N G R AY Inspired by the bulbous Bibendum ‘Michelin Man’ of tires, this was a feminist response to Le Corbusier’s Grand Confort armchair.
1926
C A N T I L EV E R C HA I R
B Y M A RT STA M Wanting to develop a chair that would suit the modern buildings of the time, Stam developed this design by experimenting with gas pipes.
1926
C E S C A C HA I R W I T H A R M S
BY MARCEL BREUER The continuous line of tubular steel supporting a cantilevered seat is one of the most copied designs in 20th century furniture.
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1928
BA R C E L O NA C HA I R
B Y LU DW IG M I E S VA N D E R R O H E The Barcelona chair was designed for the Spanish Royalty and is now a symbol of the modern movement. Despite its industrial appearance, it requires significant craftsmanship.
1931
PA I M IO C HA I R
B Y A LVA R A A LT O Aalto named this sculptural and comfortable chair made from bent plywood after the Finnish town in which a tuberculosis sanatorium he designed was built. It aimed to help patients breathe a little easier.
1956
E A M E S L OU N G E C HA I R
B Y C HA R L E S & R AY E A M E S This icon of mid-century design is synonymous with stylish comfort. The vision was to have the ‘warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt’.
DECOINSPIRATION 1964
P O LYSI D E C HA I R
B Y R O B I N DAY This was the first time that the durable, cost-efficient material polypropylene was used in furniture design. The afordable chair has mass appeal, and played an important role in design history.
1965
4 8 6 7 C HA I R
B Y J O E C O L OM B O Another furniture first was this one's creation out of a single injection mold. Combining aesthetics with convenience, the grooves allow for stacking and the central opening circulates air and water.
1968
PA N T O N C HA I R
B Y V E R N E R PA N T O N The curvaceously legless S-shaped plastic chair was the very first moulded chair with a cantilevered base, and is considered a masterpiece of Danish design.
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Opening in Menlyn soon! Paarl: showroom@incanda.co.za | Durbanville: durbanville@incanda.co.za Somerset West: somerset@incanda.co.za | Gauteng: greenside@incanda.co.za
www.incanda.co.za
DECOINSPIRATION 1968
SE L E N E S TAC K I N G C HA I R
B Y V IC O M AG I S T R E T T I Aavant-garde architect Magistretti utilised the strength and fluidity of reinforced polyester for this classic chair that balances function, versatility and style.
1981
R OV E R C HA I R
BY RON ARAD Made by combining a car seat with a structural tubing frame found in a junk yard, this postmodernist chair launched Arad's career, and became his best selling piece.
B I S F O R BAU HAU S
R252, available from exclus1ves.co.za This an essential tool kit for understanding the world around us. It’s about our obsession with collecting, the quest for authenticity and the creation of national identities. It’s about Hitchcock’s film sets and why we value imperfection. It’s about fashion and technology, about politics and art.
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LUXURY SERVICED APARTMENT HOTEL LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SANDTON
M O R E T H A N I S A WAY O F L I V I N G . I T I S A B O U T D O I N G M O R E . B E I N G M O R E , S O T H AT YO U C A N A LWAYS E X P E C T M O R E .
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HOMES IMAGE: ARTWORK BY STUDIO KIM. CONTACT DIRECTLY FOR SALES OR PRIVATE COMMISSIONS. VIEW COLLECTION AT KIMVV.COM/FORMS
ELLE DECORATION's pick of the world's most beautiful homes
Step inside a lush, industrial loft in Cape Town (p100) and a revamped 1930s apartment in Milan (p114). Discover a rather alternative find in Plettenberg Bay (p126) and a fresh aesthetic on the slopes of Table Mountain (p136)
this page With his love of gardening, Rupert Smith has given this industrial space the feel of a lush oasis. His primary rule is to create a monochromatic canvas on which to layer contrasting textures and juxtaposed design features from different periods
HOMECAPE TOWN
ST YLE CENTR AL Rupert Smith’s industrial loft in Cape Town is an exercise in storytelling, with natural light, luscious plants and antiques in the starring roles PHOTOGRAPHS GREG COX TEXT LAURA TWIGGS STYLING SHELLEY STREET/ ALL BUREAUX.CO.ZA
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HOMECAPE TOWN
this page A worn Persian offsets the slick leather, wood and steel lounge suite, and an antique French marble and brass table complements the whole look. The view, looking out over the rooftops, reminded Rupert of London
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this page The compact loft space has generous doublevolume proportions, an abundance of natural light and industrial ‘bones’ opposite The bedside table is home to a Poe-esque taxidermied crow
HOMECAPE TOWN
isual merchandising is ‘the art and science of attracting and engaging potential retail customers by bringing merchandise alive,’ explains Rupert Smith, co-owner of VM Central & Olive Studio, South Africa’s only accredited visual merchandising school. ‘It’s all about creating a visual narrative.’ While his portfolio includes work for iconic international brands such as Harley Davidson and Heineken, it’s hard to imagine a more distilled demonstration of what he means than his own living space. This compact loft is infinitely more than the sum of its parts – in Rupert’s hands, the somewhat clinical, static industrial steel and concrete space breathes with life and vibrancy. It’s at once both dramatic and nurturing, both streamlined and layered: a sublime balancing act in which seemingly contradictory elements find coherence and consistency. ‘I was drawn to the industrial elements, like the steel windows and staircase, and to the volume, but I didn’t want a soulless, run-of-the-mill modern, cold space,’ says Rupert. ‘What I also liked was the sense of life unfolding all around me (the block and the surrounding area hosts residential and commercial units equally). The bigger context is one of people working, playing, living, resting, retreating, entertaining, and I wanted to bring this multi-dimensionality into the heart of my home.’ The biggest drawcard was the interplay between the loft’s airy volume and its abundance of natural light. ‘With this in place, I knew I had the essential elements for my own canvas,’ he says. And he followed his own golden rules. ‘First of all, I start with a black and white frame and then build and layer from there.’ And while it might seem counter-intuitive, the dramatic black feature walls in no way shrink the space, nor do they add any sense of confinement – thanks to the swathe of glass windows, the natural light, and the clever way that Rupert then layered over the monochromatic base. Maximising available light is another design rule that Rupert swears by, and it’s masterfully achieved in this loft. ‘Then it is all about texture, gloss and reflective surfaces,’ he says. It’s to this end that one of the apartment’s most dominant features is the ongoing repetition of glass vessels and glossy finishes. On every available surface and at every level, these refract and accentuate light, shining and drawing the eye while seemingly extending the actual spatial footprint by linking the interior to the outside. Another equally powerful layer is added by the proliferation of greenery and living plants – a direct counterpoint to the bones of the building. They turn the entire notion of a sterile urban industrial space on its head and imbue the loft with the overall feeling of an incongruent but welcoming, lush oasis. It’s this abundance of greenery and light that underpins everything, and it’s greatly enhanced by juxtaposing it with a deeper layer of rougher, less refined texture – the hessian artwork against the black wall in the living area, the throws in the mezzanine bedroom, and the sumptuous natural pile of the white fleece rugs. The last layer of all is the detail – to which Rupert meticulously applies his eye. Various groupings of interesting objects punctuate and add further depth throughout the loft; most notable among these are the taxidermal birds. ‘I’m obsessed with birds’, says Rupert. ‘And I’ve always been a bit of a Goth!’ Q THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 105
this page Wood creates a linking dialogue between vintage, Mid-modern and industrial elements opposite an abundance of living foliage brings the space to life
HOMECAPE TOWN
‘IT’S AT ONCE BOTH DRAMATIC AND NURTURING, BOTH STREAMLINED AND LAYERED: A SUBLIME BALANCING ACT’
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‘I WAS DRAWN TO THE INDUSTRIAL ELEMENTS, BUT I DIDN’T WANT A SOULLESS, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MODERN, COLD SPACE’
HOMECAPE TOWN
this page Rupert's son, Hero describes the home as a museum. Birds are an obsession, and taxidermied parrots, crows and ravens feature strongly, as do skulls opposite The Gothic leaning is balanced with omnipresent reflective glassware
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‘THE DRAMATIC BLACK FEATURE WALLS IN NO WAY SHRINK THE SPACE, NOR DO THEY ADD ANY SENSE OF CONFINEMENT’
HOMECAPE TOWN this page On the mezzanine, the bedroom is a luxurious retreat filled with texture from wood, wool, brick, bone, fleece and linen opposite The bathroom has a bleached animal skull, wooden shaving brush, glass vessels and foliage. An ornate antique mirror gives the space a sense of drama and opulence
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shop the look . COMPILED BY SANRI PIENAAR
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Balance a monochromatic palette with luscious plants, natural light and neutral timber Sandalo water soluble essence 15ml R199, @home
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this page 1. Z table lamp R499; 2. Drama cushion R349; 3. Soft velvet cushion R299; all Superbalist 4. Distressed block mirror R8 995, Weylandts 5. James Swivel chair R6 995, Block & Chisel 6. Bistro table R3 595, SHF opposite 1. Swatches from left: Magic Noire (B5-E1-1) paint, Plascon Imported white sheepskin from R741/ hide, Woodheads Blanco Katerina marble R1 106/m2, Natural Stone Warehouse 2. Calathea pot plant R199.99, Woolworths 3. Cow skull plate with horns R1 795, Weylandts 4. Side plate R299 (set of 4), Superbalist 5. Smoked glass vase R720, Cécile & Boyd 6. Dining table in distressed elm R9 495, Trade Secret 7. Saarinen chair by Knoll Studio R22 800, Limeline
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this page The mirror and brass TV cupboard and wall lamps were custom made by Hannes Peer Architecture. Double hanging lights by Stilnovo are reflected in the mirror. The fireplace was built out of Sicilian Breccia marble and the checkered coffee table is a 1970s original opposite The Fontainebleau wallpaper is by Cole & Son
HOMEMILAN
PA S T P E R F E C T Layers of modern colours and comforts are incorporated into a 1930s structure, bringing contemporary ease to a previously tired space TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS MARCO BERTOLINI STYLING ORAZIO FABIO SAPIENZA
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ust a stone’s throw from the Rotonda della Besana in Milan, this exquisite apartment honours its strong historical identity, while serving as the perfect habitat for a modern lifestyle. Architect Hannes Peer imagined this 1930s apartment as a ‘container for contemporary life’, redefining the space while respecting the existing architecture. Owner Valerio Leone, a young and talented fashion designer collaborating with fashion heavyweights like Dolce & Gabbana, Jil Sander and Giambattista Valli, together with his wife Nastya – fashion model icon and muse– wanted their home to have an eclectic look and feel – they wanted the design to be ‘radical and very rock ’n’ roll’. Entering the drawing room, it is diicult not to look up to the plaster decor ceiling with its gigantic suspended calder-inspired Mobile pendant lamp in oxidised aluminium designed by Hannes. The colourful Fontainebleau wallpapers instead divert your attention to the objects at eye level, which are luminous in comparison, such as the glass dining table with concrete base, the brass applique designed by the architect, or the tall golden standing lamp with palm leaves. The rooms are a series of vignettes rather than a singular volume or gesture. They’re not outwardly grand in terms of scale but the apartment is certainly grandiose. This has much to do with the richness of the palette: silk rugs, oxidised metals, aged timbers, glossy table surfaces and textural artwork. The opulence of these textures mixed with the drama of the natural lighting imbue this space with a sense of theatre. Although the objects have been sourced from other times and places, they have been brought together with a contemporary Milanese sensibility. Hannes has deconstructed and transformed this apartment, adding or subtracting historical authenticity as necessary. He used the original architecture, just as artist Gerhard Richter would use his canvas to paint, layer over layer, colour over colour, material over material, creating an architectural palimpsest. Hannes employed strong architectural elements that juxtapose the historical features. Some, like the marble fireplace, were added during the refurbishment, and some were part of the original home, such as the plaster ceiling decor and the Carrara marble flooring with oxidised brass dividers. The built-in furniture presents itself like a stainless steel spaceship that has landed between the living room and bedroom, one side functioning as a couch alcove, and the other as a wardrobe. The outline of the master bedroom is defined by the green silk Marta Sala carpet, as its interior is filled in by a low, glossy, black Chinese bed and several art pieces and exotic plants. In a graphic and precise manner, several walls have been left bare, standing imperfectly against the walls and ceilings that have been finished in smooth opaque white. In contrast to the light, white rooms, the kitchen is a high-tech, high-shine black on black space crowned by a Venini chandelier. In the bathroom, the modern conveniences in Sicilian Breccia Verde marble have been layered over the original hand-laid Art Deco mosaic. In this apartment, walls become embellishments for the display of colour and light, while the lighting fixtures and form and size of the furniture pieces define the spaces. The permanent features of the building have become backdrops to the arrangement of objects, and location or function no longer give fixed spaces authority. ‘We are becoming nomads again, sharing and converting,’ says Valerio about his home. Here, notions of permanence are turned upside down: the immovable can be transformed and the movable holds gravitas. Everything has its place. Q
HOMEMILAN this page A brushed stainless steel room divider contrasts against the exposed brick. The aluminium wall lamp is by Stilnovo
‘IN A GRAPHIC AND PRECISE MANNER, SEVERAL WALLS HAVE BEEN LEFT BARE, STANDING IMPERFECTLY AGAINST THOSE FINISHED IN SMOOTH OPAQUE WHITE’
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HOMEMILAN this page The central aluminium floor lamp is by FontanaArte. The leather and chrome chair is a 1970s Percival Lafer and the blue Pylon chair is by Tom Dixon
‘NOTIONS OF PERMANENCE ARE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN: THE IMMOVABLE CAN BE TRANSFORMED AND THE MOVABLE HOLDS GRAVITAS. EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE’
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this page The kitchen has a glass Giogali chandelier by Angelo Mangiarotti and glossy black Maruinia finishing. The countertops and finishings are produced by Arrex and the ceramic flower vase is by Ettore Sottsass opposite The Hannes Peer Mobile pendant lamp draws attention above the glass-topped sculptural table by Giovanni Offredi
HOMEMILAN
‘THE ARCHITECT HAS DECONSTRUCTED AND TRANSFORMED THIS APARTMENT, ADDING OR SUBTRACTING HISTORICAL AUTHENTICITY AS NECESSARY’ THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 121
this page A 19th century beaded chandelier, a Juergen Teller photograph and the carpet by Marta Sala Editions decorate the bedroom opposite The bathroom is tiled in hand-cut mosaic, complemented by a velvet pouf by Marta Sala Editions
‘THE ROOMS ARE A SERIES OF VIGNETTES RATHER THAN A SINGULAR VOLUME OR GESTURE’
HOMEMILAN
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shop the look . COMPILED BY SANRI PIENAAR
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this page 1. Hara small decorative dish R699, Country Home 2. Infinity floor mirror R11 995, Weylandts 3. Shadow rug by Alexandra Champalimaud R19 879/m2, The Rug Company 4. Gamma Kate chair R42 000, Casarredo 5. Elegant Square Edge dining table R5 899, @home opposite 1. Swatches from left: Drama (Lettuce) fabric R342/m, Hertex Bamboo Archive Anthology wallpaper R2 019/roll, St Leger & Viney Silver Bello marble tile R1 138/m², WOMAG 2. Wells Tall basket R449, Country Road 3. Birma Flamingo scatter cushion R595, SHF 4. Pylon chair by Cappellini R104 650, Afritaly 5. Dotted rectangular table lamp R1 595; 6. Black stoneware crockery from R125; all Weylandts 7. Metropolitan chair R2 950, Dark Horse
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S PAC E C R A FT A spectacular beach house near Plettenberg Bay revisits the exuberant organic architecture of the 1960s while making a gallery for its owner’s collection of rare furniture, art and design PHOTOGRAPHS GREG COX TEXT GRAHAM WOOD PRODUCTION SVEN ALBERDING/ ALL BUREAUX.CO.ZA
this page The asymmetrical curving form is inspired by the dunes, the waves and by the architectural language of the likes of Oscar Niemeyer, Eero Saarinen and Zaha Hadid. Architect Lesley Carstens compares it to a whale bone eroded by the sea, and yet from other angles it resembles a ship
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this page Some compare the form to a space ship (think Stanley Kubrick’s space station in his 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey). On the main deck a 25m rim-flow swimming pool creates a gentle visual transition from architecture to the landscape beyond
HOMEPLETT
remarkable sight greets you on the rolling, fynbos-covered sand dunes of Keurboomstrand, north of Plettenberg Bay. Some liken the white, organically shaped building to a space station, others to a ship. Architect Lesley Carstens, who, with her husband Silvio Rech, designed the curious form, says it ‘looks as if it has been eroded like a piece of whalebone on the beach’. Silvio suggests that from certain angles you might discern the motion of a pair of swimming whales. The building is something of a contradiction: it stops people in their tracks, yet because of its wavelike form, it is unobtrusive and sensitive to its surroundings. Called K Cottage – although at three storeys high, it’s substantially bigger than a cottage – it is the holiday home of South African-born, UKbased activist investor/fund manager Julian Treger. Julian is also a collector of design and art, and is passionate about architecture. Julian, Silvio and Lesley explored the futuristic art and architecture of the 1960s, such as Oscar Niemeyer’s design for Villa Nara Mondadori in Cap-Ferrat, France, Eero Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and John Lautner’s futuristic California homes, as well as the more recent organic architecture of Zaha Hadid. As architects of some of the most luxurious lodges and island resorts around the world, Silvio and Lesley have refined their approach to architecture as a mediator between man and nature. They brought that philosophy to bear in their design for K Cottage. Just as the weather and light are constantly changing in Plettenberg Bay, they designed a kind of dynamism into the forms of the building. ‘You sense that this building is ever moving, and it’s just frozen at the moment you see it,’ says Silvio. From the inside, it is a device for viewing nature. In the main living area and master bedroom, the windows are gigantic, sucking in views of the sea, sky and landscape. ‘I think the best aspect of the house, selfishly, is the view from my bedroom,’ says Julian. ‘The windows are enormous, and it’s an extraordinary thing to wake up to.’ The views are all 360 degrees. While the vast glass curtains in some areas provide as pure and unmediated vistas as is possible, at certain points the glass seems to slip behind what Silvio calls ‘a kind of exoskeleton’; here, the building becomes more a ‘drum-like skin that is punctured in various places’. ‘As you move through the building you get these views in all directions,’ says Silvio, ‘either through this curtain walling that bends and rides around or these oval-type openings that have been selected so that as you come around a corner, there’s a perfect view.’ The house is also a gallery for pieces from Julian’s collection of furniture and art. He selected objects that were ‘appropriate to the architecture’ and reflected some sort of organic design. ‘Most of it is Midcentury Modernism,’ he says. A number of items, some of them almost extensions of the architecture, were designed by the architects, including tables, shelves and cabinets. ‘They were built into the walls themselves, as if parts of the architecture just morphed out,’ says Silvio. One of his favourite pieces is the built-in desk at the top of the stairs, forming a type of balcony that protrudes into the double-volume living room. ‘It puts you right into the space.’ The white-on-white interior not only captures the light but forms a neutral, restful backdrop for the contents of the house and its views. ‘It has a very spiritual quality,’ says Julian. ‘You feel grounded and it’s very restful somehow.’ Q
‘YOU SENSE THAT THIS BUILDING IS EVER MOVING, AND IT’S JUST FROZEN AT THE MOMENT YOU SEE IT’
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this page The Corian kitchen table was designed by architects Lesley and Silvio Rech. The Mid-century Tulip Chairs are by Eero Saarinen opposite The lamp is a Tom Dixon Mirror Ball Tripod Stand, the sofa is a Zaha Hadid prototype, the Phoenix coffee table was designed by Patricia Urquiola and the Pod chairs are by Overman. The silver organic configuration of benches is an edition from an Ivorypress exhibition
‘FROM THE INSIDE, IT IS A DEVICE FOR VIEWING NATURE. THE WINDOWS ARE GIGANTIC, SUCKING IN VIEWS OF THE SEA, SKY AND LANDSCAPE’
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this page One of the giant prongs that supports the roof takes on a sculptural form. A painting by South African artist Douglas Portway and a Prived Oca chandelier by the Campana brothers hang in the stairwell opposite Homeowner Julian Treger believes the best view is from his bedroom. The bed was designed by Lesley and Silvio and the Curved Sofa is by Ico Parisi. The shape of the bathroom window, bath and shower floor echo each other THE SUMMER ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 133
this page The main outdoor area is designed to be protected from Plettenberg Bay’s notorious wind with a sheltered deck, another sunken deck and a curved pillar. The Little Albert armchairs are by Ron Arad opposite A sheltered plunge pool is built into the terrace
HOMEPLETT
‘THE BUILDING IS SOMETHING OF A CONTRADICTION: IT STOPS PEOPLE IN THEIR TRACKS, YET BECAUSE OF ITS WAVELIKE FORM, IT IS UNOBTRUSIVE AND SENSITIVE TO ITS SURROUNDINGS’
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this page The Japanese-inspired wood-panelled feature wall in the living area links the interior with the exterior. The dining table is made from Monterey Cypress trees that grew on the original site. The light fitting is by Jasper Eales
HOMECAPE TOWN
NOW AND ZEN On the slopes of Table Mountain, a Newlands home masterfully blends its natural environment with uninterrupted living spaces and a distinctly fresh aesthetic PHOTOGRAPHS GREG COX AND LAR LESLIE TEXT LAURA TWIGGS PRODUCTION SVEN ALBERDING/ ALL BUREAUX.CO.ZA
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this page Both the downstairs living area and upstairs master bedroom look out onto a courtyard planted with indigenous plants
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et against the mountain in Cape Town’s southern suburbs, Yola Bergh describes her weekend home, Fabaceae, as ‘contemporary, modern, with a peaceful, uncluttered ambience inspired by Japanese homes. I have been to Japan many times,’ she adds, ‘and aesthetically, their architectural simplicity and use of natural materials, without clutter, resonates with me. The emphasis on functionality also appeals to me.’ Fabaceae bears testimony to this in its every feature – from the master bedroom’s Monterey Cypress timber (the original trees stood on the site), to superb furniture pieces (an Eames chair, a Jasper Eales light fitting), and from the large granite boulders punctuating the indigenous garden to her choice of architect, Chilean-born Antonio Zaninovic with his design philosophy of ‘being guided by the landscape’. The senior Berghs spend their weeks at their Cederberg farm (they’re rooibos tea producers and, appropriately, Fabaceae takes its name from the tea’s botanical family) while daughter Alexandra lives in Newlands full-time. ‘We love that the compact nature of the bedrooms allows for more rooms rather than bigger rooms to accommodate our large family – we have four children,’ says Yola. ‘And the open-plan living area allows us to see our children and their friends all together.’ Several distinct but seamlessly-joined outdoor areas further expand the living space. There’s a patio with mountain views that’s perfect for parties, braais and early mornings. The garden and courtyard become part of the living area once the glass doors are opened, and an upstairs deck with a gazebo and pool provide yet more views and another social hub. For Antonio the house is ‘modern, yet grounded. Light is the most important aspect of my work and the house is oriented in such way that every room gets light throughout the day,’ he says. The other key feature is the courtyard – an integrating pivot with its mountain views, connection to all the rooms and incorporation of the natural environment. Equally striking are the tensions and harmonies at play in the building materials, which function as far more than just practical structural elements. It’s the perfect backdrop for carefully selected Modernist furniture, such as the 1950s wooden bench from Denmark, the collectible ’60s coffee table and the pair of Parker Knoll chairs, also from the ’60s. These retro gems sit easily alongside contemporary pieces, such as the Phillemon Hlungwani artwork in the entrance hall, the light fitting above the dining table and the Rawbots figurines, both by Jasper Eales. Strategically-placed timber features create a warm counterpoint to the architectural austerity. A meranti panelled wall lends a distinctly Japanese feel to the downstairs open-plan living, dining and kitchen space. This is continued upstairs in the screens in the bedroom and bathroom, while smoked kiaat window frames and decking soften what might otherwise be a severe border, without detracting from the house’s sleek lines. Steel, glass, wood, concrete and corcoleum engage in a dialogue that brings in East and West, old and new, hard and soft, engineered and organic. ‘This is something that I try achieve in my work, as a way of balancing nature and man made,’ says Antonio. ‘That is why the rocks in the courtyard are so important, and the wild cushion of vegetation that helps to balance the austerity of the architecture.’ Of Fabaceae’s essence, Antonio says ‘hopefully, well-balanced’. It’s hard to imagine that anyone could disagree. Q
‘THE SIMPLICITY OF JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE, THE USE OF NATURAL MATERIALS, WITHOUT CLUTTER, AND THE EMPHASIS ON FUNCTIONALITY RESONATES WITH ME’
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‘THE HOUSE IS ORIENTED IN SUCH WAY THAT EVERY ROOM GETS LIGHT THROUGHOUT THE DAY’
HOMECAPE TOWN
this page Yola Bergh’s daughter, Alex, and her partner Jasper Eales opposite Fabaceae offers perfect privacy while strategically-positioned windows maximise the light at every turn
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this page The interior living space opens out onto the courtyard, while a wood-burning stove keeps the entire house warm
HOMECAPE TOWN
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this page The combination of wood, steel, concrete and glass makes for a contemporary and modern aesthetic opposite Against the elemental backdrop are powerful pops of statement shapes and colour, such as this imported Italian purple swivel chair
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‘FABACEAE IS CONTEMPORARY, MODERN, WITH A PEACEFUL, UNCLUTTERED AMBIENCE INSPIRED BY JAPANESE HOMES’
HOMECAPE TOWN
this page The upstairs bedroom has artworks by Joanna Mell opposite In daughter Alex’s bedroom, an acrylic painting by Michael Taylor echoes the natural rock featured in the en suite bathroom. The guest bathroom has Cypress wood flooring and Japanese accents
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this page The light-filled guest bedroom opens onto the outside area. A Michael Taylor monoprint hangs at the foot of the bed and a blue bedside lamp adds intrigue opposite The Japanese-inspired sliding screen door creates a corridor effect
HOMECAPE TOWN
HOMECAPE TOWN this page Cast concrete benches and stools form a simple entertaining area with a forested outlook. The interior timber features are echoed in the Monterey Cypress coffee table opposite The courtyard’s granite boulders, slate wall and indigenous planting create a visual and textural link to Table Mountain
THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 151
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shop the look . 1
Give global trends a new look with a touch of local flair. Mix traditional styles with modern design, and get instant African glam with gold accents
Millefiori cold water diffuser R349
7
Now Playing Fire by Majozi
To recreate this look in your own home visit your nearest @homelivingspace store. Homeware is available online at home.co.za and furniture is available for in-store purchase only.
this page 1. Archin side table R1 199 2. Metal clock with gold pendulum R449 3. Pharmacy desk lamp R1 299 4. Velvet pom pom cushion R499 5. Butterfly leather chair R4 999 6. Hindi cabinet R15 999 7. Chesterfield three-seater sofa R39 999 all @home
DECOWIN
A SET OF SIX SOHO CHAIRS TO THE VALUE OF R33 000 FROM WOODBENDER One ELLE Decoration reader will stand the chance to win six unique Soho chairs, worth R5 488 each, to give your dining room an update
SMS 'D yo u r e c o S o h o', an surn swer, na a me m p os t e al ad , email, , d ress cod e and to SMS Â *3 4975. s co s R1.5 0 ea t ch
Inspired by a love of woodwork and a passion to explore the art of bending, Woodbender specialises in bending solid wooden timber, reviving a closely-guarded old-world tradition from 18th century Europe. Crafting seating (primarily chairs) for the hospitality sector, Woodbender sells a wide range of dining chairs. All furniture pieces are handcrafted in Cape Town and finished in clients’ choices of timber and fabric. From the 2016 Inspired Collection, the Soho chairs are finished in oxblood and acid yellow and grey fabric. Over the years, the name Woodbender has become synonymous with high quality furniture known for its durability, comfort and excellent value. All products are made from solid Ash timber, imported from North America where the certified forests are so vast that they replenish themselves naturally. Every item is individually handcrafted by skilled crafts-people using masterful process and is as unique as the tree from which it originated. Woodbender products will add distinction to any living space. To enter, SMS to tell us why you need an update for your living room.
For more information visit woodbender.co.za facebook.com/Woodbender TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The SMS line will close on 25 November 2016. The winner will be selected randomly and notified telephonically and via email. The decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize may not be transferred or exchanged for cash. Employees of Isiko Media (Pty) Ltd, the promoters and their families are not eligible to enter. The SMS service is operated by MobiMedia on behalf of Isiko Media. Free SMSs and minutes do not apply. Errors will be billed.
Meiré und Meiré
Dornbracht Water Dispenser
Cape Town: FLUSH BATHROOMS, Phone 021 5117888, STILL BATHROOMS, Phone 021 4219970, Johannesburg: LIFESTYLE CERAMICS, Phone 016 4551909 dornbracht.com/water-dispenser mail@dornbrachtgroup.de Product Design Sieger Design
Culturing Life
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COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS Each SMS entry costs R1.50. Errors billed. All competitions end on 25 November 2016. Winners will be selected randomly and notified telephonically. The decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The prize may not be transferred or exchanged for cash. Employees of Times Media, the promoters and their families are ineligible to enter. Service operated by MobiMedia on behalf of Times Media. Problems? Please call MobiMedia’s customer service line 082 239 5599
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A LUXURY GETAWAY FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNER WORTH R25 000 One ELLE Decoration reader and a partner will win a two-night stay at The Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, to enjoy nothing but serene relaxation
'D e S M S your coWestc lif an surn swer, n f', p o s t a m e, e m a m e, al a ai cod e d d r es s l, and t o * 3 49 SMS s co 75. s R1.5 0 ea t ch The iconic Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg commands an elevated position in the historic Westcliff suburb, overlooking a prestigious collection of leafy neighbourhoods, with views all the way to the distant Magaliesberg. On a bed and breakfast basis including one dinner at the View restaurant, one reader and their partner will win a two-night stay in one of the 117 spacious suites that feature cool, contemporary decor inspired by modern Africa, most of which open to a garden terrace or balcony, furnished for outdoor dining or lounging. The hotel’s five restaurants, bars and lounges provide a vibrant social centre for every occasion – from breakfast to late-night cocktails. Enhancing this singular restaurant experience is legendary Four Seasons service: warm, friendly and anticipating your every request. Guests may also enjoy the nature-inspired day spa – a resort-style, urban retreat featuring nine treatment rooms, including a deluxe couple’s suite and an outdoor infinity lap pool. Relax at Après Spa, the city’s only outdoor spa lounge, before or after a treatment while enjoying drinks and light cuisine. As the festive season approaches, guests can enjoy lavish brunches, lunches and dinners at Flames and View restaurants and the ever popular Deli. The ‘Kids for all Seasons’ programme will return with live entertainment throughout the season, plus unique spa treatments in which to indulge for extra festive pampering. To enter, SMS to tell us why you and your partner deserve this luxury getaway.
For more information visit fourseasons.com/johannesburg TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The SMS line will close on 25 November 2016. The winner will be selected randomly and notified telephonically and via email. Employees of Isiko Media (Pty) Ltd, the promoters and their families are not eligible to enter. The SMS service is operated by MobiMedia on behalf of Isiko Media. Free SMSs and minutes do not apply. Errors will be billed. Winners are responsible for their own transport to the hotel. The prize must be taken up within six months of the winner being notified. It cannot be exchanged for cash or passed on to a third party. It is subject to availability and may not be taken over public holidays, high season or over a weekend. Other meals, drinks and expenses are all for the guests’ own account.
MAKING ROOM TO WRITE Finding the perfect space from which to write is about far more than the right desk TEXT TOM EATON ILLUSTRATIONS TAMMY JOUBERT
The interview had come to an end. It was time to open things up to the floor. ‘Are there any questions?’ asked the interviewer. Eight eager hands shot up, one quivering more urgently than most. ‘Yes, ma’am, in the red jersey?’ – ‘Do you write by hand or on a computer?’ – ‘On a computer. Yes, you, sir?’ – ‘Is there any particular font you prefer?’ – ‘Um…Times New Roman? Twelveish? The man at the back, you have a question?’ – ‘Yes, hi. Where do you write?’ When you write a book and get invited to talk about it in public, you imagine that people will want to know about your inspiration, grand themes and glorious prose. But in reality, all people really want to know is whether you prefer a laser printer or an inkjet. That’s because the vast majority of people who go and listen to authors muttering about their books are there because they, too, want to be an author muttering on a stage. And despite being sensible adults, they can’t shake a deep-rooted belief that if they just copy the mundane habits of a writer, they will magically be transformed into one. Most authors have faced this barrage of chicken-orbeefquestions,andmostwill roll their eyes. But not me. That’s because I’m exactly like those people waving their hands. I, too, nurture a magical delusion that if I do just one thing, I will become the writer I want to be. And for me, it’s all about the room.
Because, in the end, it really is all about finding the perfect space, but not a physical one... In the end it’s not about finding the perfect location or chair or desk or lamp: it’s about finding a sanctuary, a space that is private without being isolated, calm without being comatose
You can tell me that literary success is about doing the work. Tell me it’s about characters, plot, dialogue, a good agent, a lucky break, effective marketing, a national reading culture. You can present the entire complex, quirky catalogue of what it takes to be a successful professional writer, and when you’re done, I’ll still be thinking, ‘Yes, but really it’s about having the right desk lamp.’ Putting the ‘pro’ in ‘procrastinate’. Luckily, I’ve figured out what this voice is, that endlessly whispers, ‘If I just do X, it will all fall into place.’ It’s not delusion or even naivety. It’s just plain, oldfashioned procrastination. And, without wanting to boast, I have to say that the dream of the perfect writing room is pretty higher-grade procrastination. That’s because it’s completely unattainable. Amateurish procrastinators set the bar way too low. They tell themselves, ‘I’ll start once I’ve tidied the kitchen.’ But that’s really shoddy procrastination because, of course, tidying the kitchen is very achievable. No, the trick to A-grade self-sabotage is making a promise you can never fulfil: ‘I’ll start once I’ve found, bought, renovated and decorated a room with a wonderful view, in the city of my dreams, in which I will achieve aesthetic perfection. Really, I’ll start then.’ It’s the perfect formula for a lifetime of doing nothing. In my defence, though, it’s hard to settle on a single vision of a single aesthetic, mainly because I write in all sorts of genres and voices and media, and when I imagine one of the great visual clichés, its obvious charms seem to prescribe only one kind of writing. For example, the cosy Victorian study, with firelight glowing off bookshelves and an antique globe gleaming on a vast mahogany desk, is an ideal spot in which to write the definitive history of 19th century cricket, but could I write a rom-com script in that deep leather chair where the beagle is snoozing? The beautifully austere studio, as Scandinavian as a snowstorm in Stockholm, with a view over rainy rooftops, would be a perfect place to write a bleak, harrowing bestseller which is both a crime novel and a discussion about the pointlessness of everything;
DECOINSPIRATION
but is it the sort of room that would nurture a gently comedic novel about middle-aged people falling in love? The garden shed or cabin is another writerly favourite, a modest, comfortably run-down space full of exotic treasures (an antique stuffed otter, a sextant, a faintly saucy print autographed by a long-forgotten Italian film star). Here I could write ripping yarns, page-turners full of action and intrigue; but could I write the Great South African novel? I must confess, however, that even this practical-sounding nit-picking is just more procrastination. I really don’t want to write the Great South African novel, mainly because it would be so depressing that only 40 people would buy it. But more importantly, I’m already writing for a living in less-than-ideal spaces. I wrote my first novel in the bedroom of a digs I shared with two friends. My last sitcom popped out between my dining table, the corner of my couch and various coffee shops. My career so far is proof that you don’t need a perfect space before you start putting finger to keyboard. What would Jane Austen do? The unforgiving truth at the bottom of all this day dreaming is that if you want to write, you’ll write anywhere. It’s not about fancy software that visualises your plot, or a glorious view of trees. Jane Austen wrote six novels by hand, scratching away with a quill pen on small sheets of paper, on a table not much bigger than a dinner plate. So should I surrender the fantasy and just knuckle down and forget about the sheds at the bottom of lush gardens? Well, not quite. Because it turns out that beautiful, nourishing writers’ rooms really do exist. Well, almost. About seven years ago, The Guardian took its readers into the secret lairs of various well-known, mainly British authors. The series is still online (find it at theguardian.com/books/series/writersrooms), and if you scroll through each article you’ll see dozens of photographs showing everything I’ve described here. You’ll also have a glimpse into a world that seems light-years from the reality of being a writer in South Africa: most of the featured rooms are in houses, often on an upper floor with a view of a garden; and if you’ve bought a house with a garden in the southern half of the UK it means the cash between
your couch cushions is worth more than the entire South African publishing industry. But among all the fireplaces and sash windows, the Oxbridge cosiness and settled assumptions about writing’s place in the world, you’ll also see something that I find reassuring: traces of the frustrations, the fantasies and the failings that haunt all writers. Hurrah! Everyone is a mess! Mountains of what-if-I-need-it-later clutter, piles of books that you’ll never read yet still feel compelled to keep, tables and computer screens turned away from windows because the temptation to gaze at the captivating nothing is too strong to resist: every writer – professional or aspiring – on the planet knows these constant companions. One of my favourite novelists, Sarah Waters, sits under the now-overexposed wartime instruction to ‘keep calm and carry on’. Even the clearest thinkers and calmest writers can feel like it’s all going to hell. These flickers of anxiety and small admissions of failure are the key to the enigma of the writer’s room. Because, in the end, it really is all about finding the perfect space, but not a physical one. In the end it’s not about finding the perfect location or chair or desk or lamp: it’s about finding a sanctuary, a space that is private without being isolated, calm without being comatose. The rest – the decor, the lighting, the view out of the window – are simply by-products of that quest. Paradoxically, the most belovedandpublicwritershaveachievedtheir fame precisely because they’ve managed to shut the door on the world. They work in beautiful or interestingspacesbecausethey’vemanagedto create a space within themselves in which to work. For me, the way forward is clear. I need to stop procrastinating and start creating that space. So I’m going to go onto the internet, check Facebook and Twitter, and then Google ‘creating head space’. After that I’ll go for a walk, and maybe think about supper. And once I do that, I know everything will work out for the best… Q THE SPRING ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 159
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‘A WELL-DESIGNED ROOM OR ITEM SHOULD BE USED INTUITIVELY AND EFFORTLESSLY’
MY STYLISH LIFE Michele Roda Every issue we ask a tastemaker what makes them tick. As one of the directors of the architectural firm SAOTA, Michele Rhoda speaks to us about their focused interior studio ARRCC and the importance of good design
ARRCC is the interior studio of SAOTA. What else does it stand for as a brand? We felt a strong need for a focused interior studio for SAOTA and ARRCC was the answer. We see it as the spirited crafting of unique interiors that captivate and move within our designed spaces. What defines your design philosophy? Design should better the lives of its users in some way. A well-designed room or item should be used intuitively and effortlessly, while instilling a sense of delight in users. How have you placed emphasis on sustainability? Our building’s location and orientation form part of the essence of the design, allowing the interior to have much more context to its natural surroundings. We also work closely with specialists to ensure sustainable water and energy consumption. How have you incorporated technology into your planning process with clients? ARRCC has converted to Revit, the leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) software. This allows us to develop and document a building in a 3D environment as we work on it. Any changes are immediately co-ordinated through the entire documentation package and nothing is left to surprise the client. What was the most inspiring project you’ve worked on? A project in Moscow – the client’s brief was to create an interior with subtle references to Lamborghini and yacht designs. The 160 ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA THE SPRING ISSUE
design is completely tailored but still retains an element of surprise and attitude. What is the best-kept secret about interior architecture? Minimise the number of finishes and feature elements in your interior – your design can be powerful and sophisticated with just two or three key finishes. What are the emerging trends in interior architecture? The increased awareness of healthy lifestyles has increased the demand for sustainably designed homes, with continued expansion in open-plan living and inside/outside interaction. What are you having fun experimenting with? We’ve been using bright colours and unexpected materials such as bronze and copper in sanitaryware. It offers a complementary element in an otherwise neutral interior. Which South African designers would be your first choice to furnish your buildings? We custom design most of our decor pieces, and combine them with a layered and eclectic mix of uniquely crafted pieces from local furniture designers such as OKHA, Mabeo, Studio Studia and Tonic Design. The ultimate sophistication is simplicity, with an understated attitude. The best design is a powerful story expressed through a few key elements and materials. a @saota
saota.com
PHOTOGRAPHS: SUPPLIED BY SAOTA, COUCH BY OKHA, TABLES BY TONIC DESIGN
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