DAKOTA LEE BY STUDIO A

Stumbled upon this amazing project today - designed super talented South African Interior Designer, Tristan Du Plessis from Studio A

He was also short-listed for the restaurant and bar awards last year - so definitely one to keep an eye on - if design and strikingly beautiful spaces is your kind of thing!

And if you're anywhere near Gauteng pop down to Kramerville in Sandton and you can get your fix at lifestlye brand Dakota Lee - be it a Jack and coke at the Rockabilly bar or a tattoo or new piercing or a bit of retail therapy.  Looks like this is the place to get your body art done,  if that's your kind of thing or swoon over the beautiful interior design... is probably more likely where you'll be finding me than in a tattooist chair.  Be that as it may - they also have monthly live bands ... who would not want to be in the know!  Pop down and let me know what you think

Superbly striking interior design

Images via Studio A

http://www.studioa.co.za/portfolio/dakota-lee/

MINIMAL AND STRIKING BLACK KITCHEN BY MODULNOVA

No matter which way you look at it - this is one magnificently well designed kitchen - masculine without feeling overpowering.  Just sophisticated -like the kind of space where you'll be drinking good red wine and putting all the wrongs in the world right - intelligent conversation and inspiring dinner parties..... and I imagine you can easily fall in love with the man pouring you a glass of red from the other side of that island  .....  

That's what this kitchen is saying to me ... and a neat little drawing to show you how it all fits together.  

And off course this kitchen is made in Italy - like all things of good quality and sophistication - you'll find more inspiring projects on the family run Modulnova website

Does make me miss my days of designing beautiful kitchens and photorealistic renders - but I don't miss the loooooooong hours and stress - I do miss the people

Images via Modulnova

CLAYWORKS - WAGAMAMA GLASGOW

Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes

Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes

Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes

Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes

Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes

Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes

Today I am very excited to share with you these beautiful images of a recently completed project by Clayworks natural clay plaster finishes.  But more excitingly so, because this is a new client I'll be representing - and hopefully manage to promote and bring lots more interesting and beautiful projects to their portfolio.  And what a beautiful day to be starting - its not even 8 am and I'm already on the go, all set up with my little desk in the garden - wish me luck peeps!

So a bit more on this project:  Clayworks specialises in natural clay plater finishes, however they are also at the forefront of developing interesting new products and finishes within their clay plaster ranges.  They have also been short listed for the Small Business of the year award.... fingers crossed Clayworks, for some good news today!

For this particular project they used one of their new polished concrete effect tonal finishes - and the results are beautiful and luxurious, sophisticated and contemporary but still has that beautiful natural warmth and feel.  The interior design of the space is by Focus Design - an expert, fast ­track architectural design agency specialised in bar, restaurant and hotel design - working with companies to develop successful, creative spaces

Our clay plaster finishes also have a host of performance and environmental benefits, to list a few:
*  Colour and performance consistent
*  Breathable and anti-static
*  Temperature and humidity regulating
*  Durable and non-flammable
*  Very low embodied carbon and embodied energy
*  100% natural - nontoxic, zero VOC emissions and and no synthetic additives
*  Recyclable reusable or 100% compostable
And there is more yet - which I'll share in these coming weeks

Perhaps you have a project you'd like to discuss or you'd like some more information -please feel free to contact me here or visit Clayworks here

Images via Clayworks

ITS TIME TO BE SLOW

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

This time of year - somehow always arrives a bit unexpectedly - it feels like just yesterday we were still enjoying the last of the summer sun and those long September evenings ... and suddenly here we are - December is in full swing, Christmas Eve is 2 weeks away, office parties and catching up with friends -  shopping and gift wrapping and xmas card writing -  catching up on projects that were left till the last minute... trying to catch our breath as the end of the year is soon rushing closer with each passing day.

Does anyone else feel like the days are getting shorter,  the hours in the day, and how much we can actually accomplish just does not feel to quantify to the same 24 hours we used to have even just 10 years ago.  I wish time could stand still for just a couple of hours a day -  just imagine.... what would you do with you extra hours?

Strange how just one click on the net can lead you somewhere so unexpectedly.  I stumbled upon 'slow-watches' in the same unexpected manner - and before I knew it - a couple of email exchanges, and one late November afternoon I receive my first slow watch!  Almost in a flash!  What makes a slow watch somehow that much more desirable is not only the beautiful and minimalistic design, the lack of any branding or trademarks - or the very unique face - showing a full day, as in all 24 hours of the day!  Genius ... I hear you say,  yes 'genius' is what I thought too first time round!  But what I like most of all is the beauty behind the concept - to slow down in a lifetime where everything seems to be happening in the fast lane, and if you're not running at a hundred miles an hour - you're not part of the game.  No!  That's not what life is about.  Even though at times it could be exhilarating and fun, it can also be exhausting and lead to confusion and burn out.

That's not why we are living, that's not why we are here on this beautiful planet, just to make a living. The concept behind the slow brand is to stop watching time, stop counting the hours till home-time, the minutes till your next meeting - stop running to get on the tube before the doors close....
Take time out, take time to be slow - watch the passing clouds drift by your office window.... escape for an afternoon with your best mate and take a train ride out to the countryside - or the seaside or the mountains - stop clock-watching and start being consciously slow.   (eventhough I must admit, since I have this beauty on my arm - I can't keep my eyes of the slowly passing of the hours!

And I quote from their website  'slow does not describe a speed…. It’s a mindset that most of us somehow lost. As a result of our busy lifestyles, we often forget that we actually have a choice of how to live. The slow watch (we named it slow Jo) is a subtle reminder that time is the most precious thing we have so we should enjoy everything we do and stop chasing every minute. '

The watch itself is Swiss made - perfectly symmetrical - timelessly elegant.  Even the smallest of details where taking into consideration - the packaging is stunning, smooth black and perfectly squared!  I love the chunkiness of it on my slightly slim wrist - and I can easily change from my black leather band to a beautiful mesh strap with a solid and fail-proof clip.  They even include a handy little tool with your strap, which makes it seamlessly easy to change from one to the other. My photos are all with the black leather strap and over the next few weeks I will share some shots of the mesh strap also.  Not sure which is my favorite - I just love both!

The founders of slow are a couple of friends who had the same ideas, the same mindset and vision and the same motivation to create something different, something unique - a beautiful timepiece - and wow!  something very unique was created by this collaboration - not only to tell the time, but to accompany you on your journey, to live an adventurous life - and to take it slow to embrace friendships and spending time with those close to you - learn a new hobby, read a book - go for a surf!  Go be - go live - lets all get out more but take more time to fully enjoy the experience.

And .... if you still haven't found that special gift for that special someone - go on, spoil them - spoil yourself - you won't regret it, I promise you!

Happy festive season to you all...

xx

Images by me

Visit slow watches here

A big thank you to Chris and Corvin at slow for sponsoring this post - you absolutely rock

BLACK WILL ALWAYS BE BEAUTIFUL

Images via Pinterest

COTTESLOE - BARWON HEADS RESIDENCE BY ALTERECO DESIGN

Spacious with lots of natural light, this Barwon Heads home, designed by Melbourne based studio Altereco Design - is inviting and stylishly furnished throughout. The open plan living area spreads out onto the outdoor terrace and pool area with ease.  A neutral and natural palette - I love how the black elements on the facade has been drawn into the interior as well; the bathroom with its dark tiles adds drama and the use of wood adds a bit of warmth and calm.  

I would love to get my hands on one of those black lampshades over the dining room table.  I wonder if anyone knows where its from?

Oh and did I mention that perfectly polished concrete floor - j'adore!

Images via Altereco Design
First spotted via desire to inspire http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2014/6/23/altereco-encore.html