As I mentioned in my first blog entry, the aim of styleEAST is to showcase all that is hip and happening in terms of the Interior Design world in East London and surrounds by unearthing and discovering all that is awesome about this little town.

Such talented individuals that totally meet this brief are the dynamic duo of Freeman- Elliott Designs!

John and Tam Freeman-Elliott are the power couple behind this bespoke furniture and accessories design company.  With Tam’s background in design & her husband, John’s, in furniture production, the two of them began the design and production of Cape Cod styled furniture such as tables, side boards, chairs, head boards, frames etc 3 years ago.  Their business now combines all their skills and passions of photography, furniture production, decor and design, all imbued with their inspiration from the ocean and the earth.

All the items they make are handcrafted (and handpainted using specialist paint techniques by Tam herself!), proudly local, and each piece unique in character. Freeman-Elliott only use 100% recycled wood for all the items they make, thus making their lifestyle pieces green and as Tam proudly says ‘100 % for our earth’.

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Some lust have items from their range include very inviting daybeds to spend the afternoon lounging about on the patio, rustic-designed cheese boards (awesome gift!!) and trestle tables washed in all kinds of shades of grey ( no wonder I like them!) Their mirror and photo frames come in various hand painted shades, perfect to go on that (dark grey) feature wall!

Freeman-Elliott Designs operate out of their 50m showroom on bustling Chamberlain Road in Berea which they share with trendy ladies fashion boutique, Ivory. They also have open days a few times a year from their home studio in Nahoon. Here the public can really see how their lifestyle pieces work so well in their own home which totally embodies the casual breezy beach house aesthetic.

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So what does 2013 have in store for Freeman – Elliott Designs? John and Tam hope that their brand will become synonymous with purchasing furniture for your home in East London. With such passionate people driving the company, and such beautiful hand crafted eco-friendly products that totally embody the East London outdoorsy lifestyle, Freeman-Elliott Designs are bound to go from strength to strength.

So pop into their store at 18 Chamberlain Road in Ivory Boutique OR check them out on Facebook  www.facebook.com/freemanelliottdesigns

Ivory and Freeman Elliott Designs will be open for late night shopping til 6pm on Wednesday the 12th and 19th of December….perfect for unique Christmas gifts!

“20 questions” (….. or more like 5!)

John and Tam Freeman-Elliott

  1. What will you be drinking this summer? JimmyJaggers (T) Windhoek light (J)
  2. What is on your bedside table? The House and Leisure magazine, “It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be” by Paul Arden, a beautiful polished turquoise shell from my aunt (T) headlight, radio and ‘Screw it, let’s do it” by Richard Branson (J)
  3. What is your idea of a dream holiday? A holiday? What’s that! Any holiday…but Mauritius will do! (T) Beach, fishing, braai, sleep… in that order (J)
  4. Most lust after item? A Smeg fridge (T) My wife! (J)
  5. What do you love most about East London? The beaches (T) The lifestyle (J)