Johannesburg designer, Fiona Goldthorpe launches a new range of 100% Natural handmade soap in collaboration with a South Africa’s Natures Skin Food. Fiona shares the tales  behind the birth of this collection:

“The range is inspired by the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ theme. I love the graphic nature of this theme and thought it could transfer so well into this type of product. There isn’t really anything like it out there in the market. Locally designed, locally produced –  each piece is lovingly and beautifully made by hand. We went through quite a lengthy process of painstaking tweaks – to 3 different moulds (for 3 different variants), laser cutting, silicone moulding etc – along with deciding on which ingredients to use that would work well. I was quite pedantic that only 100% natural ingredients are added (also vegan friendly – no animal fats) and only essential oils added – no synthetic fragrance oils, that could irritate sensitive skin. And we have emerged with a rather beautiful unique product.”

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

[ Great for - Detox ]

CRUSHED PEARL

[Contains:  Lemongrass Oil | Crushed Pearls from Thailand ]

[ Great for: Soothing | Anti-aging ]

ASIAN TREE BARK

[ Contains : Eucalyptus | Seaprmint Oil ]

[ Great for: Healing | Sensitivity ]

[ Stockists ]

Fiona, if death’s aroma is like what you’ve created, then I no longer fear death. Thanks for sharing your designs on the MIKU platform. We look forward to seeing more of your designs around! Fiona has whispered excitement of Buckwheat Leaf & Cacao variants to look forward to. Can’ wait!

Chris Weylandts has a beautiful eye, and over the years, created the epitome of  understated luxury in his furniture curation for his Weylandts showroom. His wine estate has recently been the buzz of Franschoek, and I could not resist but to trek into the winelands and see the beauty myself.

The Maison Estate’s wine is fairly young and have already received recognition by receiving a few wine awards. The Estate, is a quaint farm that doesn’t boast commercial sizes in production. This makes them the boutique wine makers in Franschoek. I was most curious about the décor of the Restaurant – The Kitchen at Maison which was renovated by Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects, and the décor was of course to the standards to Chris Weylandts.

My expectations were indeed quite high, and upon entering, I was rather intrigued, as the 1900’s cottage establishment was left raw on the outside. However,  it’s rough exteriors certainly drew me like a magnet.

How amazing is this place? Like his showrooms, every element of the décor is meticulously placed.

I soaked this beauty in, and had a wine tasting in a less conventional way – around a Weylandts dining table

What a sight to end the week end and what a way to start a new week. Feeling inspired!

[Photos by Cindy Yeh - MIKU]

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]

This past Tuesday, due to my unwired personality I had forgotten an important accessory that people use to keep pieces of paper that have printed animals on them. Those pieces of paper are commonly known as the South African currency of Rand notes, that one could potentially use to barter for a cup of hot coffee and lunch on a unexpected cold day! I called in a favour, and dashed to a friends office by Harrington street and while finding parking nearby there was an art installation unravelling on an awkward gate situated between two buildings.

Intrigued by the installation. I met with the artist, and asked him about the project. He told me that it was an installation project for Cape Town’s Creative Week, and kindly asked me to join his crew while he explained the project to me.

He introduced himself as Heath. I took out out my notebook and started jotting notes, only to find that it was Heath Nash in person. I’ve always admired his works, followed his blog, and I felt a rush of my cheeks brightening up with excitement when the Nash word came to play during the informal interview. He has made amazing pieces, and contributed immensely back to society, and all of which is achieved through his gentle and friendly persona. See his website here.

He had previously done a similar project in a Cape Town township, Khayelitsha using just white pieces which can be seen here. Heath brought a stash of his recycled plastic bits from his studio, and with those bits, he’d initiate in creating windmill like contraptions on the grids of the gate. I later noticed that there was no crew! Everyone assisting were by-passers, students, homeless, anyone and everyone. It was a community-driven project.

Putting the pieces together was incredibly fun. However, it was quite challenging to get them to spin when the wind blew.

After my few unsuccessful designs, the strangers that soon felt like friends encouraged, and gave a few tips and tricks. Heath sat down patiently, and showed what he had discovered to work best for this particular design. I finally managed to make one that spun with the wind. That little windmill reinforced the idea of “Simple, and yet functional”

The rain started to pour, and the few left there were still happily creating more pieces. Eventually, the weather wiped the operation to a halt. Nevertheless it still looked beautiful!

One of the volunteers was so inspired while beautifying Cape Town that day, and has organized for the project to continue today from 10am-12pm. It would be really worth your time to add your bit of love into the streets of Cape Town. It’s at the corner of Harrington & Barrack Street, directly next to The Bank offices.

Why was this an unexpected love affair? I left that day feeling as if I were falling in love again for the first time. Falling in Love in with Cape Town! A place where spontaneous sparks are just around the corner on any odd given day.

I met Lorenzo at the beginning of this year when I shared my hopes and dreams for MIKU. Lorenzo gave me such kind words of encouragement, and together we shared a passionate vision to see success and growth amongst the talented South African artists and designers.

[Below is an original biography for his press release sent to MIKU]

“The work of architect Lorenzo Nassimbeni is unique in it’s focus upon the area where the disciplines of architecture and fine art meet. The experience of studying in Venice [IUAV 1999] was significant in marking the beginning of what has become an accomplished career in the visual arts. The practical methodology which he employs is powerful, describing the essence of ‘urban landscape.’ Black line, white background, distillation. Nassimbeni’s portfolio has been the subject of wide acclaim, in South Africa, Australia, Europe and the United states.”

Lorenzo is exhibiting his most recent artworks at Salon91 Contemporary Art Collection, the REALM…an urban enquiry exhibition in collaboration with fine arts artist Gabrielle Raaff. I went to the opening this past Wednesday, and I was blown away by Lorenzo’s concept! His consistency in excellence is portrayed through every single piece. His technique is becoming a signature materpiece that is already recognized internationally. He has posted a very interesting blog post about his preparations for exhibition which can be read here.

[ Image ]

A visit to the gallery is really worth your time. Let your own eyes translate the beauty of his artworks! This artist is already beyond up and coming, securing his original pieces at this point of his growing career would be a fabulous investment!

MIKU’s online platform has his beautiful Cushion designs. Click here to view his products. His designs create a strong urban statement to any interior space, and uniquely presents itself as a collectable piece of the unusual home.

[Images]

Lorenzo is exhibiting in Europe soon, and I wish him the best of luck. I’m certain that his creations will be appreciated in all corners of the world! I strongly recommend his blog, you can find it here.

I am about to explode with excitement as I share this inspirational home with you!!! This beautiful home feels like a page torn out of an inspirational Danish home decor magazine that inspires people give their homes a living heartbeat. My very special friends are the home makers of this home, and the stylish pair have put so much soul into their space, that the walls whisper stories upon entering their stylish apartment.

As you step out of the elevator, you enter the apartment, and a swoop of beauty in the air scoops you off your feet. The scent of candles and fresh flowers lures you deeper into this apartment.

The details of decor have really inspired me to bring more greens, clear glass and ceramics into my own space.

The beautiful main bedroom  remains a modest comfortable resting place. If sweet dreams don’t come from this space, then surely it hums whimsical lullabies.

A sneak preview of the guest bedroom is shown through the glass panels.

The photoshoot ended as the sun was about to retire. And we lay back, had a few laughs, and enjoyed wine with fairy lights.

Dylan and Johan, thank you very much for inspiring MIKU with your beautiful home. The walls of your home spread so much inspiration, and reflect all the goodness in both your hearts.

The Freeworld Design Centre had their Exhibit opening last night. They have four pods on their main windows, where designers get to exhibit their space. If you would like to recall the previous exhibits you can find it here. It was interesting to see the direction reflected with each pod, and the diversity of each pod gave more depth to draw inspiration and themes.

Tracy Lynch

Tracy Lynch, the Freeworld Design Centre consultant styled a dressing room. her added details to each choice of item placed in this pod were creatively styled together, making this girly dressing room flow into a poetic stream.

Neil Stemmet

I was very pleased to see the involvement of Neil Stemmet. For those of you that attended the Decorex, you’ll remember how he designed the space for Bos Tea House. The sight of that entire area really blew my breath away, have a look here. His display at the Freeworld Design Centre exhibit had beautiful classic pieces, and balanced the sensitive elements of bringing antique to a contemporary space. Neil Stemmet is known for his philosophy where he often states “Decor is dead, the future lies in the past”. I look forward to seeing more of Neil Stemmet in the South African design platform.

Liam Mooney

Liam Mooney, the product designer of Dry-Goods has themed the space using black. He balances the dominance of black, by mixing many textures that softens the harsh colour.

Kerstin Eser and Christopher Strong

Kerstin Eser and Christopher Strong, both consultants of Freeworld Design Centre use the space to create a splash retail window display.

The pods will reman till the end of July on 71 Waterkant Street, Cape Town

This past Friday, I had a pretty eventful evening attending the Dale Lawrence –  The Ever-Flowing Tide Exhibition at Haas Coffee Collective’s Exhibition space.

Dale Lawrence has combined his intricate technical drawings with what he names “inventions” of certain aspects of living. It is quite interesting to see how he conveys the simple inventions for a perfect day or inventions of relationships through his technical drawings as if it could be mechanically put together to function as a unit of action. I spent that lovely exhibition with two good friends, and thus favouring this piece –  ”Invention to Keep Friends Together”

The couple purchased a beautiful piece for their apartment. I learnt the experience of purchasing from orignal artists from the couple. Always request the following: “Signed artwork to be delivered by hand by the Artist.”

The Haas Collective Coffee exhibition space is across the road from their coffee shop. The space reminds me of a quaint European coffee shop, where artisans grab their caffeine fixes. An extension leads from the coffee shop, to a little boutique store, that stock incredible collectables for the home. These curated pieces, are carefully selected, and store a range of pieces that make a space uniquely beautiful.

I would highly reccommend a visit for those who haven’t had the opportunity to visit Haas Coffee Collective, 67 Rose Street, Bo Kaap. The Dale Lawrence Exhibition will be showcasing till the 28th May

[image]

Spotted - this stunning Retro Cabinet

at Dylan Culhane’s new Photographic Art Gallery, Museum, in Woodstock, Cape Town 6 May 2011, 09:00pm. Between 10 and 5 hosted their fashion photography collaboration featuring Cape Town’s up-and-coming photographers collaborating with graduate students from the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design in Stellies.