On The Curve

Effortlessly easy on the eye, curves add instant visual appeal

to a space. For a look that’s right here, right now, combine their organic twists and turns with the latest in earthinspired, contemporary shades.

PROJECT INFO:

STYLING

Tara Sloggett

PHOTOGRAPHS Warren Heath

WORDS

Robyn Alexander

"We started thinking about making the most of small spaces, and how you can make something small actually feel quite spacious”.

Add movement to your space with a simple, handmade mobile in the nature-inspired shades of the moment. This is also a great project to do with kids: it’s about simply gathering some coloured card, folding it over and cutting out cute shapes. Don’t be too particular – the more organic the better. Plus, the folding method means you can hide the fixings inside ;)

GET THE LOOK

with… Scissors, painted or coloured card, two dowel sticks, artist’s wire and doublesided tape – all from your local art supply store. Use the dowel sticks (or chopsticks) to make a cross, and wrap some artistic wire tightly around the cross section to secure. On each of the ends, about 2cm from the end, wrap more wire tightly around, leaving a little piece to create a hook shape. This is where the strip of paper shapes will hang from. Do the same at the cross section too. On the folded edge of the coloured shapes, make a pin hole in the middle and thread through a length of wire, leaving a few centimetres at each end. We used 3-5 shapes per strip. Lay flat and space out your shapes, then when happy, stick down the wire and card, inside, using double-sided tape. Make a loop of wire at the top end of each strip, then hang each strip from the cross. Now, balance: you may need to move the strips around to get a good balance, or add/take away shapes until your mobile hangs comfortably. Trim off excess wire. To suspend the entire mobile, attach wire to the central midsection, finish with a loop at the top and hang in your favourite spot.

Maybe it’s the swivel that makes us dizzy for the Tulip chair – or perhaps its sensuous curves? Either way, this classic design makes us fall in love over and over again. Combining the Tulip’s retro feel with contemporary colours and arched and curved shapes makes for an eye-catching, layered look. And the truly bold should add a graphic dried flower stem or (if you have the space!) an entire tree branch for a look that channels the fearless style of 20th-century floristry maven, Constance Spry.

GET THE LOOK

with… Vinyl arch stickers, Stickaroo (stickaroo.com); vase holding branch and hole vase, both H&M (hm.com); all other vases, Obvi (obvi.co.za); vintage Tulip swivel chairs by Eero Saarinen, all stylist’s own.

Combine nature-inspired shades with touch-me textures to create up-to-the-minute appeal: here, a fibre rug hung tapestry-style, offset by a supersized dried palm leaf, makes for a contemporary take on the inspirational style of 20th-century floral designer, Constance Spry.

GET THE LOOK

with… Rug, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); dried palm leaf, Yes Exclusive Flowers (instagram.com/yesexclusiveflowers/); dress, stylist’s own.

Seek out curvaceous shapes and spicy shades when shopping for decor accessories and crockery. A round tray, tactile vases and handle-free coffee mugs instantly add a cosy and comforting feel.

GET THE LOOK

with… Dusty pink serving bowls, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); phone cover with strap, Zac and Gray (zacandgray.co.za); arched board and sand-coloured vase, both Obvi (obvi.co.za); off-white vase, H&M (hm.com); mugs, Nespresso (nespresso.com); mustard ceramic tray, Mr Price Home (mrphome.com).

Add an avant-garde touch to your coffee table or mantelpiece with arched vessels and a curvy candleholder. And remember, small vases aren’t just for flowers – they look just as charming when used to store stationery and art materials.