I had the loveliest surprise opening my package for my next product launch – The Dear Deer products have landed on MIKU!

As soon as I took the sample pillow out of the packaging, I immediately gave it a big hug, and lingered onto that dreamy touch of it’s natural satin fabric.

The stunning designer, Chelle Lovatt has thoughtfully put together her first range of pillow slips, and won’t stop there …….. there’s exciting talks of more products to come.

I’ve already put a set aside for my dearest mom. The simple chic design makes these slips so easy to match up any existing linens. These slips would be a perfect unique gift gesture for christmas – the packaging of the Dear Deer is just incredibly chic.

The covers come in standard pillow sizes 45cm x 70cm, either in black or white. See the store link here for more information.

Dear Deer is supporting MOvember :{) R5.00 will be donated to the charity cause through out the month for every slip purchased.

MIKU will be taking a peek at Chelle’s apartment soon. Watch the space!

The original plan for today’s post was for the halloween decor project with my niece and nephew’s involvement. The little nephew is currently at his terrible two stage, and gracefully scrunched up my bats with his tiny little hands. He quickly fixed it by giving my the biggest naughty grin – which I’m a sucker of, and managed to melt me away. However, the skew hanging bats are not making it on the headlines of MIKU today :p

Have a look at this beautiful studio table. The little pieces of decor that bring this space together is absolutely amazing.

Here is where I spotted the most practical trash bag I’ve ever seen. So simple, and yet it plays such an important element in portraying the mood and lifestyle. I love it.

Print you own brown paperbag, and match stripes/colours/patterns to your hearts desire. Happy Friday everyone ♥

Black & White trends have been a monotonous topic in trending and design. I’ve always favoured the notion of black and white interiors, however I always felt the masculinility in black pieces took the eye away from the softer tones. This was until I stumbled onto Candy Black Design Studio website on ÓLÖF JAKOBÍNA’S Blog.

Jason Ruvino, graphic designer and Katie Culley, interior designer,  joined their talents for designing, and created the Candy Black Design Studio. Their studio serves as a boutique studio, that provides the full portfolio on creative  consulting from interiors to branding. Their studio is an absolute dream, I see this artpiece as a perfect example on how well they have achieved the balance of the two colours, as if they were never made to be used to contrast each other negatively, but made to fit like two people in love.

Let’s take a zoom into the attention to detail in this space. I have such a critical opinion, and yet the only flaw I find with this space is how smitten I am over it.

[IMAGES FROM CANDY BLACK DESIGN]

I get so inspired when I see such beauty. It just reminds me of how much beautiful things you can achieve if you do what you’re truly passionate about. So I’ll end this off today with a phrase that is often said by many, but hardly supported full heartedly -

“May all your dreams come true”

It’s never easy, but once you start chasing it, it starts chasing you

There’s a room set aside in a few homes that is usually referred to as the Study. Personally, I prefer referring to my enclosed working cave as a studio, for the simple reason being – Studios are meant for creativity and creating. It becomes a creative hub, and that hub is usually decorated with love by those that use their studios in that manner.

Here is a peek of how other creatives choose to style their studios.

[Images]

I’ve been spending quite a lot of time with my cousin’s beautiful children, Audrey and Enoch. Yesterday, it was at Enoch’s first swimming lesson. He’s around the age of two, and is the dearest little braveheart. With no hesitation, he calmly stood at the edge of the pool, and made a huge jump right into the arms of the instructor who was waiting for him inside the pool. It was one of those “tear in my eye” moments.

I’d really love to do something special for them this halloween, and got a few inspirations that can make any child or adult enjoy a little Halloween fun.

A simple bunting could give that halloween character to the room. Buntings are really simple to make, and the effect is usually stunning. See here for full instructions.

Halloween creatures suspended from the ceiling with strings is also a fun idea. The kids will absolutely enjoy painting or colouring the little creatures in. I’ve chosen this printable template to use, as it’s more of a child friendly template, otherwise theres plenty more that is available online.

For Audrey and Enoch, I’d like to use the image below as an inspiration for colour and decor. I love the softness in this mood, it creates a fun energy around decorating, rather than a gloomy approach.

The types of candy used and labelled is very clever. It would be a lot of fun, and bring out their creativity to label their jars of halloween candy.

I wish you all a happy planning for Halloween.

“Remember,

Remember,

The 31st of October”

[Instructions to Owl Costume]

Today, the Monday’s real spaces platform brings you to one of the most inspirational homes yet. The home of Susanna and Jussi Vento in the heart of Helsinki celebrate so many aspects of unique homes.

Susanna Vento, and interior designer, stylist and editor together with her husband, Jussi, a graphic artist have conveniently joint forces of creativity and made this space a spectacular home.

I love all the pieces layed out in this home. The rug, chairs, lighting, artworks – one can really feel the heart put into this home!

The bedroom is beautiful! The neutral tones that set this space as a resting room, and yet uniquely out of the ordinary.

Hope you’ve found as much inspiration as I have in this couple’s beautiful home. Happy Monday!

Wednesday was the opening to Salon91′s exhibition “The October Show”. I’ve been to the boutique gallery several times, and have loved the range of art that comes and goes. I was quite excited to see this exhibition due to the list of creatives selected for this exhibition – Jordan Metcalf, Andrew Sutherland, Daniel Ting Chong and Paul Senyol, – who are all Cape Town based artists.

The artworks presented itself in the urban category. There were several interesting pieces and the diversity between each artist was intriguing.

I found the the series of wooden artworks referred to as “Fear.less” rather interesting. It was a collaboration between Daniel Ting Chong and Jordon Metcalf. They’ve  creatively used shapes in weapons of crime that South Africans fear and placed it in a different context. My personal interpretation while viewing the pieces brought back nostalgic memories of playing “cops and robbers” with my brothers as a child. It was quite refreshing to not be in conflict with those shapes. A few years ago I was held at gunpoint, having the opportunity to leave this country I still chose to settle here. The series of artworks reminds me of the good old school South African days, where our lives didn’t revolve around as much crime as today. And the best of us living here today – is hope. And the series of artworks channelled hope in me.

The October Show has plenty of amazing pieces that might attract your interest. Personally, my heart settled at the artworks of Daniel Ting Chong and Jordon Metcalf – Aren’t they amazing?

This showcase will run through till the end of October. It would be great to drop by and have a look yourself. You can see more images from the opening night here.

When Pedersen + Lennard launched their bucket chair design, I had always kept my eyes glued on them for news on new developments. Each product since then has never failed to make my jaw drop.

I have this silly wishlist system, where I put all the things I’d wish to achieve or own one day. Last year Elle decor did a piece on their furniture collection, I made my little cut out, and made it my “one day, you’ll be mine” piece.

Pedersen and Lennard’s showroom is at the Field Office in Cape Town. They wanted to clear the existing range to make space to exhibit their new products. In celebration of the Field Office’s first birthday, they decided to host an auction on the current products on display there. I was hoping that I’d soon be able to take my “one day, you’ll be mine piece” home with me. Last week Friday, 30th of September, I registered as a buyer at an auction for my very first time

Both the designers were present at the Auction, and casually mingled with the people attending the acution. There was nothing intimidating about the auction, in fact it had a very down to earth vibe.

The items that were being Auctioned became part of the events furniture. Everyone there casually made themselves comfortable. The manger of Field Office, Will,  made the evening very entertaining with his flamboyant style of hosting the auction.

As beautiful as everything on auction was, I was qutie specific with what I wanted. I wanted a bench for the entrance hallway. I waited patiently for what I was there for. As soon as the bidding started, I waited for the other participants to set the bids. Will was about to declare the items sold at “going twice” – when I raised my auction number, and waved to his direction. Another bidder tried to get it off my hands, and I waved my number again at Will. Will started on the count down, and as soon as he yelled “Sold” I received a huge adrenalin rush. It wasn’t from the hype of winning the auction, but rather a dream come true to finally own Pedersen and Lennard pieces!

Ta-dum…. meet my beautiful collection…. I still have to set it up, but these are my core entrance hall pieces.

The crate under the bench was auctioned for separately. It was one of the first pieces that Pedersen and Lennard experimented with in their earlier years of design. I felt rather attached to that notion. Back when I was still a university student, I had a home-made coffee table with the same kind of plastic crate, with a wooden plank nailed to it. In a sense I felt truly inspired by how their passion paved their success to creating and perfecting the beautiful range they have today. To think that it started off a crate, compared to what they create now – brings goose bumps upon that thought. I’m so thrilled to finally enter my home to find the sight of Pedersen and Lennard’s beautiful designs.

Visit the field office to view their new range.

7 barrack street
Cape Town
021-4614599

[PS I have a facebook page, join me on my page to find out about these events in the future]