If you follow Styleast on any social media platform, you will notice that there has been very little activity over the last few months. I have a good reason for this leave of absence…. I gave birth a few months ago to my second beautiful baby girl so it’s been a busy time filled with nappies, breastfeeding, more nappies and nights and days that all blur into one! I decided to take a little break from the pressures of working, as well as all social media and writing, and enjoy this special time with my new baby and the new dynamic of been a mom of two. Now that the newborn craziness has passed and our little family has settled into a ‘new normal’, I feel that I can come up for air and catch up on what has been going on in the design world…..
1. Pink is still a thing
Apparently ‘Millennial pink’ as the colour is termed, is here to stick around for a while so we might as well get used to it. It is quite hard to define this exact shade of pink….kind of salmony-apricoty-blush-skincolourish…but whatever the colour may be; it’s hot, it doesn’t seem to be a fleeting trend and it is time to start thinking about how you can incorporate this colour into your home. I wrote a bit about Pink in interiors a few months ago so go take a read for some ideas….
2. The Zietzz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa)
Do yourself a favour and Google this! Even better, if you are in Cape Town or are planning a trip there soon, go pay it a visit. Cape Town’s new art museum is an architectural and interior masterpiece designed by the British architect Thomas Heatherwick. Situated alongside the V&A Waterfront, existing disused silos were carved out to create the most magnificent atrium. I can’t get enough of this interior and the way the cylindrical shapes were cut to create the vaults and arches reminiscent of a futuristic cathedral. In addition to its grand appearance, Zeitz MOCAA houses the largest collection of contemporary African art on the continent and is the only museum of its kind in Africa.
The Silo Hotel which is situated on top of the silos, boasts an equally striking interior that can best be described as eclectic in style, a mix of old and new in the most contemporary shell. The key feature of the hotel has to be the geometric windows that ‘pop’ out. I just love. Cape Town see you very soon!!
The restaurant of The Silo Hotel – note the windows
3. It’s a jungle out there!
In the last year there has been an increased popularity towards incorporating plants indoors. This is still very much happening and I think this has become less of a trend or design movement but more of way of life as we seek out more ‘green’ in a technological world.Read more about this here.
There are certain corners in our homes that don’t just fit with a piece of furniture, and solution to this is to place a plant behind chairs. This is most useful when you have limited space thus making the room look closer and larger without being crammed full. Another idea if you have limited space in your home and no space for a pot or basket, is to hang one instead. Through this way you can utilize all the remaining spaces and at the same time it can brighten up the area. This look isn’t for everyone tho and favours more of a bohemian look.
Foliage is still very much a popular print on fabrics, from indigenous (check out Design Teams new range) to lush jungle motifs. So whether you choose to incorporate actual plants or the designs therof, you pretty much on point.
4. The Shows.
In the last few months I missed out on the premier interior design and decor exhibition shows in South Africa. Design Joburg, featuring Rooms on View – was held towards the end of May and in 100% Design was on in August. Rooms on View in particular is one of my favourite shows as it is a concept whereby leading local interior designers and architects pair with an array of prominent brands to create imaginative “room” sets. Instagram was abuzz with one stand in particular, that of Weylandts Spaces. Layering raw textures like stone, wood, metal and linen with rich and refined finishes in shades of grey and burnished orange, it was dramatic and moody and had everyone talking. I will definitely not be missing out on next year’s show!
So hope you are now caught up like I am! Please stay tuned as I hope to start writing more regularly again and sharing my tips and thoughts on interiors as well as bringing a few new features to the blog!