Every piece is made in Cape Town, and I know it’s good stuff, as I’ve got a gorgeous Hope cafe table on my very own [...]]]> Hope is a range of garden furniture made in the traditional method from timber, stone and iron, based on a collection of original pieces from the turn of the 20th century.

Every piece is made in Cape Town, and I know it’s good stuff, as I’ve got a gorgeous Hope cafe table on my very own balcony!

See all the lovely things from Hope at their website, where there’s a full catalogue available too.

This one is simply brilliant – who thought anyone could reinvent the ladder? Well it’s been done with the Cima Ladder. Made from carbon fibre in a single piece, it’s easy to carry [...]]]> Thought I’d find some interesting ladders to help our dear readers climb over the mid-week hump as we head towards the weekend.

This one is simply brilliant – who thought anyone could reinvent the ladder? Well it’s been done with the Cima Ladder. Made from carbon fibre in a single piece, it’s easy to carry (less than 1kg), easy to store, and feels just like climbing a tree.

On the other side of the ladder continuum is this exquisite maple Hangman ladder by Paul Loebach , inspired by 19 Century orchard ladders.

Also by Paul Loebach, these Shaker-inspired nesting Step Stools pull out to create a step ladder.

And finally, Belgian company Casimir Meubelen have come up with a nifty bookshelf-cum-ladder. Ladder No.1 is made of solid oak and comes in three different sizes.

Well, that should have got you to to the top of the hump – from here it’s downhill towards the weekend!

Hayley and Andrew Roberts’ small apartment in the new Durban Point Waterfront is a place that’s full of surprises, not least of which is Andrew’s evolving body of paintings, drawings, and [...]]]> Delighted to present our second “Saint Verde’s-eye view” post from Neville Trickett, featuring interiors he’s visited. Keep visiting, ‘cos he’s becoming a fixture around here…

Hayley and Andrew Roberts’ small apartment in the new Durban Point Waterfront is a place that’s full of surprises, not least of which is Andrew’s evolving body of paintings, drawings, and sculpture. He works in solitude from a small desk in their lounge. How he produces the volume of work from such a tiny space is testimony to his conceptual integrity. This man does not understand the word compromise. Hayley, the person responsible for designing the ladies’ shoes at Mr Price, has the eye of a true artist – this must have something to do with the fact that she received her training in Milan. Those Italians – they just get shoes right.

Every item in Hayley and Andrew’s home has deep meaning, demanding that its placement be given the consideration it deserves. Hope you enjoy this little tour as much as I enjoyed taking my happy snaps.

Photographs: Neville Trickett

The Surprise! tea cup has a little space underneath, so you’ll only find the biscuit there when you pick up [...]]]> The Efrat Gommeh Industrial Design Studio works with clients to develop and produce new products. Their website has some really fantastically imaginative ideas on it, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as much as I did.

The Surprise! tea cup has a little space underneath, so you’ll only find the biscuit there when you pick up your cup!

The Twins stool is made by two identical elements leaning up against each other.

And Lock Cup really tickled me. It’s made for people who share a workspace with others but feel strongly about having crockery that’s exclusively theirs. Lock Cup has a plug that the owner can remove when not in use, rendering the cup unusable, and therefore, unshareable.

See more clever ideas at the Efrat Gommeh Industrial Design Studio website.

(thanks, Nikki, for the link!)

Like these [...]]]> I’ve been pleasantly surprised lately by the interesting things that Urban Outfitters sells in its homeware section. America’s hippest chain store is introducing some emerging young designers and artists to a huge market across North America (I counted 123 locations in the US alone), which seems to me a win-win situation for everyone.

Like these cushions made from prints by Valerie Lueth:

Lueth is a printmaker and artist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she owns and operates Tugboat Printshop with her husband and fellow artist, Paul Roden.

You can find examples of her original drawings and prints on the Tugboat website. These are in the same series from which the Urban Outfitters cushions were made:

I find them beguilingly beautiful.

For other Urban Outfitters stuff, check out their custom bike shop, some fab patchwork throws, this cushion by Melissa Moss, their latest collaboration with Blu Dot and tons of crafty DIY supplies.

Built just a few years ago, this home seems to defy neat pigeonholing, as it borrows liberally, and successfully, from diverse cultures and eras house. Built from half-bricks for texture, the house is blessed [...]]]> Libby and Gerard de Villiers’ Stellenbosch farmhouse is a wonderful mix of the new, the traditional, the recycled and the bespoke.

Built just a few years ago, this home seems to defy neat pigeonholing, as it borrows liberally, and successfully, from diverse cultures and eras house. Built from half-bricks for texture, the house is blessed with high ceilings prescribed by the salvaged windows and doors from a demolished building in India.

The kitchen, shown here, really is the heart of this generous home, with most rooms and balconies leading off this double-volume space.

If you have a copy of Issue 61: Back to Basics, turn to page 76 to see Libby’s little black book of contacts for some of her fantastic finds.