“Live like it’s heaven on earth. Dance like nobody’s watching. Sing like nobody’s listening. Work like you don’t need the money. Dream like you’re going to live forever. Pray like you truly believe. Love like you’ve never been hurt.”……these are the beautiful words adorning one of Decorative Details most popular items, “The Script Plate” and for me, it totally captures the essence of this proudly local company, where it’s not so much about the quirky authentic handmade products they make, but more about the feelings and soul that their products embody
Last week I caught up with the team from Decorative Details to find out a bit more about them and how they started out. Decorative Details has been in the decor industry for over 2 decades. { So they know their stuff! } After specialising in manufacturing accessories for other contractors, they then re-invented themselves 3 years ago and now manufacture home-decor items that have become synonymous with being distinctly different, playful and edgy.
Their large range of handmade products are made mostly from resin and reclaimed wood as well as re-purposed items, up-cycled furniture and wall works. So they are bang on trend with the worldwide shift towards recycling and all that is ‘green’ in interiors. { Just love the books made into lampbases! }
Decorative Details products can be found across Southern Africa – from Namibia to Phalaborwa – at various gift and decor shops, and lucky for us “Slumtowners”, they also have their very own popular shop here in East London in the vibey Chamberlain Square. { This is managed by the delightful Sheila, who just like the products, is full of warmth and soul! } Decorative Details is the most perfect place to shop when looking for a special unique gift or cute item for a kiddies room – from designer Kewpie Dolls to candy-coloured bunny rabbits to delicious-monster leaves! A lot of their sales are also generated by the casual browser who has popped in for a squizz and then left with something that has just “spoken” to them!
This is something very close to the Decorative Details team -made up of Anne, Vanessa and Ross, along with their 14 loyal staff members, – who have worked for them for over 20 years! As I mentioned earlier, for them, it’s all about the feelings that their products convey…. a lot of their work comprises of happy cheery colours and text with inspirational sayings and words. I think it’s quite apt to say, that during times like these { dare I say that swear word “recession”! } we are drawn towards more meaningful, expressive products, so a reclaimed timber panel washed in a calming shade of powder blue, bearing the words ‘”my happy place” or “hopelessly, i’ll love you endlessly” most definitely fits that need!
Chatting with the Decorative Details team and hearing about their plans for the future was very exciting as they have all kinds of plans to expand and take their products both viral and international! { Can you say online shopping! }
If you haven’t heard about them, or popped into their shop before { where have you been hiding?! } go check them out at Chamberlain Square on Chamberlain Road. It will be hard for you to leave without a purchase……….. or at the very least a smile!!
http://www.facebook.com/decorativedetails
www.decorativedetails.co.za
“20 questions” ( or more like 5……….)
1.What is your favourite colour: Yellow (A) Chartreuse (acid dirty yellow/green) – you can tell she’s a designer ;) (V) Blue (R)
2.Most lust -have decor item? A Barcelona chair (V) an indoor/outdoor swimming pool (R)
3. Next travel destination? Mauritius (A) Anywhere where I don’t need to cook or clean! (V) Kenya (R)
4. Trends for 2013? Individualism, confidence in expressing yourself (V) Surrounding yourself with things that make you feel good (R)
5. What do you love most about East London? It has one of the best golf courses in SA, and the lifestyle (R)