a Giraffe takes an impromptu swim, to cool off in the African heat.
Only in Africa…
My friend Elmarie sent these pics in a mail. Unfortunately I have no idea where they were taken. If you happen to know the story, let us know?
Sep 082012
Aug 102012
It was with much excitement that Ninene & I set out on our annual trip to Decorex Joburg yesterday. Decorex is the largest décor & design show in Southern Africa. It features the latest on the local and international front with a fresh perspective on spaces in which to live, work and play.
A typical day at Decorex is always a long one and part of the excitement is bumping into friends we haven’t seen for a while. We end up back home late afternoon, feet on the couch and chatting about our finds & new discoveries until we are drop dead tired! Exhausting, but fun.
We’d love to share all of it with you, but it is simply too much. Hence the decision to do this post in 2 parts. This is part 1 and features “all things uniquely South African”. Be sure to catch up with us tomorrow for part 2. Apologies upfront for the poor quality of some of the images.
Uniquely South African
Photography as art is gaining popularity fast. Jan & Jay Roode of Skyhawk Photography is a couple with an intriguing story, living the African dream. He is a pilot and she a nature conservationist (to name but one of her qualifications) and together they take breathtaking aerial photographs. The story is one we’ll definitely share in another post, but here’s a little of what you can expect.
The creative talent on display is unbelievable and this year we were especially impressed by the South African Handmade Collection — a new initiative by the Department of Trade and Industry. It celebrates the fusion of heritage with the future, and tradition with the imagination. This definitive collection represents the highest quality, handmade and environmentally friendly South African craft products.
Beautiful Nguni Cattle rugs from Majayimile Trading.
Ace Maize flour packaging in a quirky duvet design by Wozobona Cultural House
Unique hand embroidered tableware and cushions made by the women of Sophumelela Women’s Co-Op
Laura Hewgill of Veldt draws on Nature for inspiration to make her gorgeous home textiles and ceramics — simply to die for.
Craig Stowe of Stowe & so. hangs yet another one of his unique handprinted tablecloths. Available in a variety of unique designs and an absolute must have!
Beautiful laser cut homewares and gifts from Doodles.
Yda Walt with some of her handprinted textiles, art and ceramics.
Johannesburg based ceramic artist, Julia K specializes in Contemporary hand painted ceramic pieces. We loved Julia’s bright, colourful shapes.
The adorable Ann (spelling!) Gadd with her equally adorable Ewe’s
Jun 302012
Along the tropical belt of KwaZulu-Natal, nestled amongst the palm and giant milkwood trees lies Teremok Marine, a luxurious five-star boutique lodge. Teremok Marine Boutique Hotel and Spa is one of those rare places with a wonderful history but is thoroughly contemporary.
Built in the late 1950’s, Teremok was intended as the holiday home of a Russian traveller. Aptly named, as the word means ‘little hideaway’ – and a hideaway it certainly is. Situated just a kilometre from the hustle and bustle of Umhlanga village’s shops, restaurants and popular beaches, Teremok is a haven of tranquillity nestled among ancient milkwood trees.
All eight suites are unique in design, layout and feel with small subtleties like individual scent and mood-music, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Each suite translates some of the house’s heritage through decor and art. The attention to detail and commitment to making guests feel at home is evident throughout — a feast for the senses indeed. We stayed in the Zodiac Suite and were totally enchanted, but it is certainly worth dragging yourself away from your suite for the delicious breakfast served alfresco or for a truly indulgent treatment in the Spa.
Teremok is the perfect combination of all the things that make for a fabulous break.
via houseandleisure.co.za; http://www.teremok.co.za
Jun 232012
I’ve always wanted to visit Babylonstoren and if I could have my way it would be this weekend.
Babylonstoren is a Cape Dutch farm with vineyards and orchards surrounded by the dramatic mountains of the Drakenstein Valley. Roughly 60 km outside of the city of Cape Town, South Africa, it has an exceptionally well–preserved werf dating from 1690. The garden is at the heart of the farm. It was inspired by the Company Gardens of the Cape, where for centuries ships would replenish with sweet water, vegetables and fruit at the halfway station between Europe and Asia. It also hales back to the mythical garden of Babylon.
The garden lies behind the main house and borders the guest suites. Every one of over 300 varieties of plants is edible. The garden is divided into fifteen clusters spanning vegetable areas, berries, bees, indigenous plants, ducks and chickens and includes a prickly pear maze. Gravity feeds water into waterways from streams into the garden as it was done for 300 years.
I can imagine wandering around smelling indigenous herb gardens, blossoms and flowers from whatever may be in bloom. Can you think of a better way to spend the afternoon than at the glass enclosed restaurant or under the Plain trees in the courtyard?
Jun 052012
This multicultural modern home in Venice Beach California, is the home of Architect Steven Ehrlich He designed his home incorporating architectural lessons he learned living in Africa, a modern aesthetic and the climate and community of Venice Beach, California. Ehrlich calls his approach “multicultural modernism.”
The design had to take into account Venice Beach’s typically long and narrow lots. He recalled lessons he’d learned from the local architecture of Nigeria and the courtyard layout of houses in the medinas in Morocco. The result is a house that takes advantage of the climate and uses natural systems & technology to boost the home’s efficiency. The design takes advantage of every inch of the narrow lot in a way that respects the neighborhood, opening wide to incorporate three interior courtyards that provide additional living space.
The home does not have air conditioning; instead its ventilation design makes the most of cross breezes. Pivoting glass doors off the dining area open up to one of the home’s three exterior courtyards. The large expanse of glass opposite the dining room doors also opens up to let in the breeze.
Materials are carried throughout the property, some repeated on the interior, exterior and fence walls. Ehrlich paid extra attention to using sustainable materials as well. Concrete floors throughout the first floor provide radiant heat during the colder months and help keep things cool during the summer.
Source: houzz.com
The home is a living, breathing entity, thanks to the combination of the movable sunshades, the changing patina of Cor-Ten steel, the large openings and the attention paid to sustainable materials and systems.
