This crossword wall art is perfect for kids! The natural wood letters are assembled to form a crossword puzzle with each letter paired with a cute symbol of an object that starts with the same letter shown.
(available from Posh Tots)
The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) is thrilled to announce that there are now three buildings in South Africa which have been certified under the GBCSA’s Green Star SA rating system, one of these achieving both a Design and an As Built Certification.
These innovative buildings are starting to set the standards in terms of commercial green buildings and are the first to achieve independent certification in SA, with many more in the pipeline. “We are excited that we are covering both office and retail centre buildings with our current ratings tools, and very pleased with the take up of these tools in the South African market.” says Bruce Kerswill, GBCSA Executive Chairperson.
The GBCSA, after launching the first and second tools in the Green Star SA green building rating system toolset – these being Green Star SA Office v1 and Green Star SA Retail Centre v1 – have awarded four certifications to date and received applications from 15 other projects.
“While a number of projects are working towards the Green Star SA standards and benchmarks and even more using the tool as a guideline, four certifications have already been awarded,” explains Manfred Braune, Technical Executive of the GBCSA.
The first projects certified are:
1. Nedbank Phase II in Sandton, is the first project in SA to achieve a 4 Star Green Star SA Office Design v1 rating in October of 2009 as well as a 4 Star Green Star SA Office As Built v1 rating in September 2010;
This 45 000m2 extension of Nedbank’s existing head offices in Sandton Johannesburg, scored highest under the Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ), Management and Transport categories of the Green Star SA tool. The building is designed to capture and recycle rainwater, which will save significant volumes of water daily by reusing it in the building. The project has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment for an onsite blackwater treatment plant (sewage treatment) that is pending approval from the authorities.
Nedbank Phase II has provided increased fresh air rates to the building (as compared to national building code), a CO2 monitoring system and maximised external views – these are all initiatives that improve the indoor environment quality, and impact on the occupants’ health, comfort and productivity. To save energy the project has also included an efficient central air-conditioning plant, variable speed drives for air-conditioning and an individually addressable digital lighting control system. The water savings will largely be achieved through the use of water efficient fixtures and fittings, as well as the rainwater treatment plant. The development is in close proximity to the Gautrain, and to regular taxi and bus routes, as well as to amenities that are in walking distance, which are all aspects that contributed towards the high scores achieved under the transport category.
2. Nedbank Ridgeside in Durban North received a 4 Star Green Star SA Office Design v1 rating;
Nedbank Ridgeside, the first project in KZN to achieve a Green Star SA rating, is a 9 300m2 new office building in the Ridgeside office park development on the Umhlanga Ridge. Developed by Zenprop, with Nedbank as the tenant, the architecture is “contemporary, but with a strong ecologically sustainable design influence” says David Talbot of dhk architects, the lead designers.
The project scored highest under the Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ), Energy and Water categories of the Green Star SA tool.
In the IEQ category, this was achieved largely through increased fresh air rates to the building, CO2 monitoring and control of the office space, as well as maximising the daylight into the building, maximising external views and using low VOC paints (Volatile Organic Compounds), low formaldehyde composite wood products. To save energy the Nedbank Ridgeside project has included an efficient central air-conditioning plant, highly efficient fluorescent office lighting design and a light switching zoning strategy. The water savings will largely be achieved through the use of water efficient fixtures and fittings, as well as through rainwater capture and recycling, as well as reduced potable water requirements for landscaping.
3. The Villa Mall in Pretoria received a 4 Star Green Star SA Retail Centre Design v1 rating in October of this year.
Villa Mall is the first project in South Africa to achieve a Green Star SA – Retail Centre Design v1 rating. This new, 130 000m2 shopping centre in Pretoria, which is being developed by Capicol, plans to have over 300 tenants, and scored highest under the Management, Energy, Transport and Water categories of the Green Star SA tool, says Braune.
In the Management category, this was achieved largely through committing to extensive commissioning of equipment, quarterly monitoring for the year after practical completion, as well as the development of a ‘green lease’ that tenants are signing. The main aims of the green lease are to ensure that quantities of energy, water and waste are monitored, tracked and improvements targeted annually, with related responsibilities between the landlord and tenant recorded in the green lease. To save energy the project design has included energy efficient Variable Refrigerant Volume systems for air-conditioning of tenancies, a highly efficient lighting design as well as a large photovoltaic (PV) array on the roof of the parking deck. According to the design, the PV array will be the largest in the country to be located on a building – approximately 2MW peak power.
The water savings will largely be achieved through the use of water efficient fixtures and fittings, as well as through grey water (shower and basin water) and rainwater capture and recycling, and reduced potable water requirements for landscaping due to selection of plants that will not require irrigation - these are all aspects included in the project design.
Green Star SA is a voluntary green building rating system under which developers may apply to have their projects rated and certified by the GBCSA.
The Green Star SA tools are designed for use by owners, developers and consultants (architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers, building contractors etc.) to independently rate and certify property developments via a common green building ‘language’ . The tool encourages these stakeholders to minimise the environmental impacts of their developments, and to receive recognition for their design initiatives.
Braune advises that the key objectives of the Green Star SA rating tools are as follows:
Nicola Milne, CEO of the GBCSA says that the GBCSA is currently working on its third tool, Green Star SA for Multi Unit Residential buildings, which it aims to launch in PILOT form in December 2010.
“We are very excited to have awarded our first 4 Green Star SA certifications and with the number of applications coming in. It is a significant task for developers to put together a submission and the fact that we are seeing good uptake of the tools shows that the South African property industry is ready to adopt global best practises in green building,” concluded Milne.
For more information about Green Star SA, certification and professional accreditation and courses offered by the GBCSA, visit www.gbcsa.org.za or email [email protected].
Article from www.gbcsa.org.za
Article from:
NewspaperWood (KrantHout)
Every day, piles of newspapers are discarded and recycled into new paper. Mieke Meijer has come up with a solution to use this surplus of paper into a renewed material. When a NewspaperWood log is cut, the layers of paper appear like lines of a wood grain or the rings of a tree and therefore resembles the aesthetic of real wood. The material can be cut, milled and sanded and generally treated like any other type of wood.
status | Mieke Meijer is currently working together with designlabel Vij5 to develop NewspaperWood and in a later stage products will be included into the product
collection of Vij5. This project is realised with the help of the Dutch newspaper ‘Eindhovens Dagblad’.
"I love creating functional art from discarded non functional junk"
Interior designer Katie Thompson began Recreate last year – a redecorating and renovating design label that transforms discarded junk in to unique and useful interior design pieces. Here are some of her more recent items…
In her latest collection she has made the suitcase chair, milk pail ottomans, tea cup and saucer lamp and coffee table tub. All these are really special statements and yet so functional and practical.
Katie blends South African craftsmanship with high end finishes and makes use of her own eclectic and perfectionist flair for design. Her original pieces are created with honesty and integrity and are always full of surprises.
Recreate’s philosophy is to continuously strive for the unconventional in every project. While her pieces may be unusual, they are timeless.
Graduating with a distinction from Design Time School of Interior Design in Cape Town, Katie has seven years experience in the design, furniture and fabric industry in London and Cape Town behind her name.
The inspiration behind Recreate was Katie’s passion for transforming the ordinary in to the extraordinary.
Katie never works within established stylistic boundaries. She creates an eclectic combination of styles, materials and finishes; this skill highlights her passion and her ability to find the intrinsic beauty and new, hidden purpose in the old, discarded items she chooses for her pieces.
She admits to being a hoarder of all things useless, impractical, broken, colourful and shiny. Many of us would cast away such things but her creative mind resurrects such items and gives them a new lease on life.
By nature an extremely energetic, bubbly and creative individual, Katie’s energy filters through to her work and into her pieces and the lives of her clients.
Recreate is a beautiful, modern and contemporary design line with plenty of possibilities.
Source: Recreate
In between projects I keep myself out of trouble with a bit of creative doodling. Generally this has included making a bird feeder, sewing lamp shades, making scatter cusions, and of late... I've gone moggy over beading. I've made some beautiful pieces, some vintage style, some whimsical, some outrageous and daring. I'm now selling these uniquly individual peices on Jamtin. Just in time for Christamas gifts!!!
I use the highest quality findings, Fresh water and cultured pearls, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, semi-precious gems, designed locally by yours truely. Jewellery can be ordered from the Jamtin store and will be delivered via courier, within 1-3 days,
Overseas orders: Please use an online currency converter to convert the ‘South African Rand’ or ‘ZAR’ prices into your currency.
How to order: Send me an email at [email protected] and let me know what you would like to purchase. I will email you an invoice and you can pay via an EFT.
Here are some great tips to improve your home in more ways than one.
Research and planning...
1. When you're planning your budget the last thing you want to do is spend money unnecessarily on your home so it's worth researching which improvements will boost your home's value and those which won’t.
2. An extension could add between 10 and 50 percent to the value of your home, depending on its size and how well it's finished - the key is to get it right.
Plenty of rooms but a tiny kitchen?
Add on a downstairs extension. Got a huge garden but a small house? Build upwards to create the family home of your dreams. A loft conversion could add up to 10 per cent to the value of your home and, unlike a ground floor extension; it won't steal space from the garden. The ideal? Get a bedroom and extra bathroom up there.
In the kitchen...
3. Planning a new kitchen is an absolute must for anyone seriously looking to boost their home's value - adding up to as much as 10 per cent in value to your home.
It's the first thing a potential buyer will look for if you’re looking to sell in the future, and it's also the room you're likely to spend most of your time in, particularly if it is a kitchen and living space all in one. The secret? Pick one that matches the style of your home - so choose a contemporary kitchen for a modern home, or something more traditional for a period property.
Replacing your kitchen doors and old appliances with new, good quality appliances will go a long way to giving your kitchen that just-renovated feel, but at a fraction of the cost while replacing kitchen wall tiles and worktops will instantly smarten up a tatty kitchen, as will new hard flooring throughout.
In the bathroom...
4. Squeezing in an en suite bathroom could add up a further five percent to the value of your home. The best bet is to put one into - or steal space from - a large bedroom. Revamping your bathroom will add to the appeal of your home. You needn’t hire a plumber if you’re a competent DIYer – fitting a new sink isn’t as hard as you’d think, while re-tiling the walls and floor, grouting and sealing around a basin or bath is easy too.
Decorating...
5. Redecorating is an easy - and not necessarily expensive - way to improve your home. Paint is the cheapest way – and there are lots of easy to live with, space-enhancing colour schemes to choose from. With a little practice, anyone can create their own paint effects in a colour scheme to match their taste.
Stenciling is really making a credit crunch comeback, too, because it can create an expensive look at a minimal cost.
Carpets, repairs and saving energy...
6. Replacing outdated carpets can transform a room instantly. Current trends are bold and patterned, but go for something classic and easy to live with instead.
7. Dealing with problems your house has while you’re staying put makes sense – trying to do so in the run up to putting it on the market will be stressful and pricey. Instead, spend money now and sort out plumbing issues. Identify and deal with damp and restore fittings and fixtures if need be.
8. Find ways to save energy and use extra cash on eco-friendly improvements. Do this by improving insulation in your home. The bonus? You’ll cut your electricity bill!
Garden fixes...
9. Turning a neglected plot into a glamorous garden can have a real impact on your home and how you feel about it. You needn’t spend a fortune – just a few clever ideas and regular maintenance can do the trick.
10. If you have a large garden and want to add a little more indoor space without building an extension, why not consider an outdoor room? This will give you space for anything from a home office to an extra lounging area, to somewhere for the kids to play. Of course, you might want to spruce up your garden by simply adding a new garden dining set, whether wooden, metal or funky and contemporary. The only effort involved is paying for it.
Source: Tips from Janice Anderssen: Women24's Decor and DIY expert. Visit www.homedzine.co.za for more.
Paint, sketch, strut, act, design, sing, read, write, play? Yes, we can. Watch us.
OK, yes, Cape Town is cliquey. There's the music photographer set, the fine artist in-crowd, the independent film maker clique, the actress slash waitress bunch– so many. But you know what's so marvellous about it all? It's art; in essence, the practise of it means its practitioners mix and merge with each other and with the rest of us. They want to be seen and we want to see them. Or, at least, what they do. Far from the last colonial outpost, the jealous and the inspired agree; Cape Town is bristling with creative talent.
Why are we so inherently arty? I suppose because we're show-offs and snobs. The city's beautiful, its people are too. It isn't a fashion and film location destination for nothing. I bet its challenging history also plays a part – the impulse to analyse, romanticise, and satirise a complex past is pretty universal. To Cape Town. Bottom line is, if you're talking traditional and aesthetic and artistic expression, you're going to get an eyeful here. And an earful. And if you have cash or credit, even a handful.
Cape Town Bids for Design Capital Award
Did I mention that we're competitive, too? After hosting the World during the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the city is trying for a design related title in a bid to have its collective talents internationally recognised. The "World Design Capital 2014", from the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (LCSID), is awarded biennially to cities "that use design for social, economic and cultural development." Recognition like this opens a global stage showcasing those in local film, design, architecture, music, performance and craft sectors and attracts local and international investment.
So, I don't mean to be twee about the Rainbow Nation (or maybe I do? ask the artists), but the gateway to Africa is covered in colours, from fine art to fashion, literature to live music. This overview is your key.
Literature – read, write, rewrite
What illiteracy rate? Cape Town is really rather wordy. We've seen the technodrastic future in Lauren Beukes' books Moxyland and Zoo City, we've seen our dreams drawn by Nikhil Singh in the graphic novella, Salem Brownstone: All Along The Watchtowers, and in Saracen At The Gates by Zinaid Meeran, we've lifted the veil on the secret lives of well behaved women. The city is also known for conscious publications like the journal Chimurenga and poetry gatherings at local bars.
Find local literature at: The Book Lounge, Kalahari.net, Clarke's bookshop (old, rare, out of print publications), and our Top Ten Cape Town Book Shops.
Local Literature events: The annual Cape Town Book Fair(July), Badilisha poetry exchange(November) , Monday night poetry gatherings at A Touch Of Madness, Observatory.
Theatre – onstage, offstage, what stage?
Sure, South Africa is a dramatic country. And what better way to get to know its people and past and present than acted out in front of you on stage? From an opera house at Artscape to physical theatre in public spaces, local storytellers have a lot to share.
See it at: The Baxter Theatre, Artscape, Athol Fugard in the historic District six, Magnet Theatre (mobile), The Little Theatre and check our Top Ten Cape Town Theatres.
Film – action, cut, copy
After the worldwide success of the locally shot District 9, we know we have talent. The local film industry is not all imported advert producers and exported film locations, however. Film professionals also make their own independent films. They tend to be short, because budgets are too, but they tend to tell stories you don't read about in the newspaper, as well.
See them at: Labia, and film festivals on main screen throughout the year (often free).
2010 Releases: Visa/Vie (Durban, July), Sweetheart (Cape Town).
annual event : Encounters Film Festival (August)
Look out for work by: Sean Metelerkamp, Be Phat Motel, JAR C.a.f.e., Elan Gamaker, Roy Zetisky
Music – shred, bleed, mix
With acts as disparate and self defined as afro-pop darlings Freshlyground, rock out rogues, Taxi Violence, and the electric excellence of Indian classical/jazz fusion outfit Babu, your ears are in luck.
See them at: The Assembly, Mercury Live, Zula Soundbar, Barleycorn, Asoka, Rainbow Room, Albert Hall, Speedway Cafe (acoustic), The Waiting Room (acoustic) and our overview of live music venues in Cape Town.
Live Music Events: Cape Town Minstrel's carnival (January), Cape Town Carnival (March), Cape Town Festival (March), Cape Town International Jazz Festival (March), The Pan African Space Station (September).
Get your own copies at: The African Music Store, Mabu Vinyl, Rhythm Online.
Visual and 3D arts – look, again, my friend
Whether it's fine or contemporary or both, there's art on the walls, in adverts, and even on the railway tracks. Look around and you'll find fine sculptures, too.
See local art at: João Ferreira, What If The World, The Goodman Gallery, The South African National Gallery, Misael SA Art and Design and check out our Top Ten Art Galleries in Cape Town.
Look out for artist collectives/collaborations: Am I Collective, Word Of Art,
Some mural artists to tag: Falko, faith47, mak1, Buffy
Major art events: Spier Contemporary(March to May), Infecting The City (February)
Photography – click, click zoom
Sure, the advent of digital photography means almost everyone is a photographer these days - but some are sharper, softer and quicker. See Cape Town through the eyes of its happy snappers.
See contemporary photography at: João Ferreira, Exposure, 3rd1, Focus Contemporary, Erdmann Contemporary and The Photographers' Gallery Za,
Photography events: Cape Town Month Of Photography (October)
Design - cut, crop, clip.
It's hard to separate design from our everyday lives, especially in the city of pretty where we expect professional, slick finishes on everything (including our rubbish bins).
See graphic, industrial and fashion design at: Design Indaba (February), The Loeries (October)
Fashion – snip, sew, swoon
From beach to table top, Cape Town looks good. So, too, do its residents. Following global trends, and sometimes starting them, we are not being sarcastic when we point out that Cape Town is sartorially fantastic. Wear in the world? Right here.
Buy local fashion at: Darkie, Mungo and Jemima, Memememe, Stiaan Louw
Fashion event: Cape Town Fashion Week (August)
Craft – twist, tweak, tune
Visitors are sometimes disappointed when they arrive in Cape Town. "where are the lions and zebra" they ask around the braai. Instead of hearing 'you're eating them', lucky art collectors may be told that Cape Town craft goes beyond miniature recycled plastic pigs and 3D canvases of Khayalitsha Township. The CCDI coordinates the 40 000 crafters at work in the Cape, encouraging incredible craft design and improved marketing. Some of those oil tin guitars you can even play.
Find craft at: major traffic junctions, Heartworks, The Neighbourgoods market , boutiques, galleries, and gift shops.
Jess Henson
Source: Capetownmag
The intriguing, beautiful works of Imiso Ceramics (imiso meaning ‘tomorrow’ in Xhosa) are earning their creators accolades around the world.
The burgeoning business was started four years ago by Andile Dyalvane and three contemporaries. Of the founders, Andile and Zizipo Poswa remain, and they’ve since been joined by Lulama Sihluku.
Andile talks to Genevieve Fisher about going glocal, how his cultural
identity informs his work, and what the Japanese have to teach local
designers.
What do you understand the term ‘glocal’ to mean?
Local going global! In terms of design this means we have something
unique to offer the world, something that can fit in anywhere and that
is as good as any of its global competitors, if not better.
To what do you accredit your success in the European and
American markets?
My work reflects my background and personal experiences of
having been brought up in the Eastern Cape according to Xhosa
traditions. The pieces I create are not only of a high quality, but are
also aesthetically pleasing to many people from different walks of life.
People like to surround themselves with beauty and are always looking
for something unique and original. European and American markets have
recognised this and appreciate our work because of it. They’ve found
something original and appealing with a hint of its origin. I like to
think that the success of my products is due to the fact that I create
culturally relevant, beautiful pieces that slot into a contemporary
context.
What, in your opinion, is key to South African designers
making a success of their products globally?
In order to create something beautiful and eye-catching, one shouldn’t
have to look too far – you’ll find inspiration in your backyard if you
need to. Most SA designers I know who have made an impact globally use
what they have at their disposal in their immediate surroundings. Heath
Nash is a great example: he not only uses material that many consider
junk – plastic – to make beautiful products, but he also educates people
about recycling and being environment friendly. In my work, I take
African artefacts and reinterpret them into contemporary items. The fact
that we can be innovative with the little infrastructure that we have,
yet still be able to produce high-quality original products, is the key
to our success.
How does your nationality inform your work?
I draw on my experiences as a young black Xhosa man growing up in the
Eastern Cape. My personal experiences are reflected in each piece I
create. Through my work, I try to educate the world about African
culture. I incorporate certain symbols that bear cultural significance.
One of these is scarification, which is a prominent cultural practice of
Xhosa people as well as other African cultures and symbolises the
process of healing or the ritual of circumcision, among others. I like
to create a space for enquiry, to talk to people about it if they ask,
or for them to find out about it on their own terms. Questioning is
encouraged and our shop attendants are well versed in every aspect of
the design process, from the symbols employed to the materials used.
The certificates of authenticity that accompany each product explain
the source of inspiration for that particular piece.
World Cup aside, why do you believe the world is falling in
love with our design aesthetic?
SA design is vibrant. We are also a flexible people, always looking to
collaborate. It allows for innovation. There’s also an element of hope
in South African design, which we can attribute to what we’ve been
through historically as a people. No matter what we’ve been through or
where we come from, we can elevate people’s lives through the products
we make. Our design products have a lot of substance.
Which SA designers do you admire?
I’ve already mentioned Heath Nash. I’m also inspired by Haldane Martin –
his work is African in a contemporary way, which is important as it
shows where he comes from. More than this though, his creations could
fit into any context around the world. He’s talented, doesn’t shy away
from his background and retains originality.
You’ve just returned from the Milan Furniture Fair. How was
it?
I’m grateful that I get to travel to different parts of the world – it
expands my mind. My attending the Milan Furniture Fair this year was a
chance for me to explain the philosophy and inspiration behind my work.
What I realised is that the world really is looking at South Africa,
particularly with the World Cup imminent. It was also a wonderful
experience to be able to educate people about my work and all that
informs it. Seeing people’s reactions to the transformation of a simple
piece of clay was very rewarding.
Who stood out for me, though, were the Japanese designers. They’re inspiring! They work with something simple, but they master their craft and technology and are totally dedicated to what they do. It reflects in their work, and this resonates with me. It is what I aim to achieve in my own work – attention to detail and mastering my craft so that people can see that I’ve taken time and applied a lot of thought to producing a piece.
Imiso Ceramics, +27 (0)21 421 1071,
imisoceramics.co.za
Source: The Property Magazine
How music, fashion and art has influenced this furniture store owners career
Eddie Zoom is certainly one of Lower
Kloof Streets more prominent stores, with it’s bright red exterior. It
invites furniture collectors, but also those who are simply curious to
learn what this store is all about. A step inside this unusual furniture
store can only be described as travelling back to the 60’s and 70’s -
an era when chrome, aluminum and plastic reigned supreme. There’s a
story behind all this furniture, not merely regarding the era that it
represents, but within the extraordinary life of the shops owner, the
original Eddie Zoom. He supplies retro furniture to the
international film industry and has even designed for the likes of Billy
Connolly. I caught up with Eddie, keen to find out more about the major
influences that music, fashion and art have had on one man’s eclectic
design career.
What sparked your interest in 60’s and 70’s
furniture? Did your parents occupations involve furniture?
Eddie:
“My father is an antiques restorer in Jersey, Channel Islands, although
I have never been involved with his business. I started off as an
antiques dealer, some 20 years ago, collecting 17th and 18th century
French decorative items and chimney pieces. I would regularly frequent
antiques dealers in Newark, United Kingdom, where some 5000 dealers
would attend.
“It wasn’t until a visit to an eccentric friends
house, that I became transfixed with eccentric, retro furniture. His
home was fitted with aluminum, chrome, plastic chairs and retro light
fittings – an inspiration to start collecting myself. I started to
display retro furniture in the shop window of my antiques store on Lilly
Road, Fulham, United Kingdom and, at first, people scoffed: ‘Where did
you find that, Eddie? In a skip?’, but I knew it was going to happen.”
You spent seven years at design art college. Where were you
based and what did you study?
Eddie: “I studied ladies
fashion and textiles and fine art, at what is now known as the
University of Lancashire, United Kingdom. My studies also touched upon
photography and printing and it was during this time that I began to
make one-off-design pots. When I left university, I went on to work at
popular London fashion house, Harold and Geoffrey Wallace. I have always
had an interest in fashion, as I feel that it bears such a large
influence on interior design. For example, the tassels and bell bottomed
trousers of the 50’s and 60’s.”
You travelled the world for
16 years. Did you draw any inspiration from your experiences?
Eddie:
“I was particularly inspired by Italy – this country is home to natural
born designers – some American and other European designers. I
particularly love; Pier Giacomo & Achille Castiglioni, Italian
designers, for their 60’s floss, ‘Tio floor lamp’, with it’s marble
base; Verner Panton, a Danish designer, for his independent,
mushroom-style light fittings; and Eero Sarinnen, a designer from
Finland, for his tulip-style chairs. I enjoyed the arts and crafts
period and believe that the likes of Charles Rennie Macintosh and Frank
Lloyd Wright were ahead of their time.”
What influences have
you drawn from your experience in the music industry?
Eddie:
“I spent my younger days managing bands. I played percussion for the
Rolling Stones and, in 1969, performed at the Hyde Park Concert. I also
ran London’s legendary Marquee Club, which hosted some of the most
influential bands of the 60’s and 70’s such as, David Bowie, Jimi
Hendrix and Led Zepplin . The 50’s and 60’s was the era of my youth and I
am reliving it through my passion for furniture from this period.”
How did you come to help compile Millers Antiques Books?
Eddie:
“Having visited my original store in London, Zoom, Millers Antiques saw
that I had the most amazing collection. It was something new that
captured the changing art, fashion and music of the 60’s and 70’s. I
started to provide photographs for collectors all over the world. My
photography is mainly of 20th century designs, for example, a Charles
Earnes Chair.”
You rent props to the film industry. How did
this come about?
Eddie: “I supply props to the
international film industry. For example, I was asked to provide props
for Daniel Craig, of Bond movie fame such as, Albini lights. Rather
notably, comedian, Billy Conolly, once asked me to design a studio with a
stone age feel.”
Has your move to South Africa inspired
your work?
Eddie: “My son is based here, so this is one of
the main reasons I moved to South Africa. However, I am inspired by the
basic, natural forms of design synonymous with South Africa.”
What
makes Eddie Zoom unique compared with other furniture stores in Cape
Town and can you describe some of your more prominent items?
Eddie:
“It’s an original store that is inspired by the classics. I am a firm
believer in one-of-a-kind collectors items and even design my own. For
example, I have designed my own lamp. This lamp is heavily influenced by
Verner Panton and Joe Columbo and is a floor standing lamp that gives
the impression of four floating Saturn’s. I currently stock a Tecno
Adjustable lounge chair, which has an incredible 486 positions, and a
genuine, Eero Sarinnen table.”
How would you describe a
typical Eddie Zoom customer?
Eddie: “Our customers are
people who are new to retro furniture, but are excited about it and want
to know more. Conversely, we also get avid collectors coming through
our doors who are well read on the subject.”
What does the
future hold for Eddie Zoom?
Eddie: “I just want to keep
doing what I love most. I would love the opportunity to help decorate
more interiors and would like to continue helping the film industry. I
am not just a shop keeper; I am a dealer’s dealer and I am passionate
and knowledgeable about what I do. I welcome anyone to come and have a
browse and an informal chat.”
For more inspirational and
unusual stores, be sure to visit our popular Shopping
Section
By Lisa Nevitt
Source : Cape Town Magazine
With its narrow streets, quaint
cottages and soaring oak trees, Newlands Village seems to have come
straight out of a brochure for a suburb in North West London. You
couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting for a fine-art gallery, and it’s
here that you’ll find The Barnard Gallery. It’s across the road from
the Kildare Centre and its boutique stores (Lulu Tan Tan, Hush Clothing,
Tanya Wheeler and Rosenwerth) and diagonally opposite Melissa’s, so the
‘ladies who lunch’ will have a fine time getting their art fix.
‘I believe the exhibitions we will be holding will encourage more people to come to the area,’ says owner Christiaan Barnard.
The Barnard Gallery is not Chris’s first foray into the arts. The son of famous heart surgeon Dr Chris Barnard and mom Barbara, Christiaan was raised in a home filled with magnificent artworks. ‘My mother worked for Sotheby’s and my grandfather was a big collector, so art was a part of our world.’
Chris is quick to admit that his personal collection is still a work in progress: ‘I have some beautiful pieces, but I definitely need to add more. I recently renovated my home, so there are lots of empty walls that need filling!’ He describes the décor in his home as ‘safari lodgy’ and that the works he owns tend to have more of a rough African texture: ‘Peter Beard and Dylan Lewis are my style.’
In his younger years, Chris studied graphic design at the A A A college in Cape Town, and then studied interior design through correspondence. He’s dabbled in various aspects of design for the past 11 years, starting off in residential interior design before turning his hand to the commercial side of the business. ‘I tired of the residential side,’ he explains. ‘You work so hard, yet few people get to appreciate what you’ve done. And clients can be so fickle. It all got a bit tedious.’
So Chris entered the property market, where he could buy land,
develop it and carry out the commercial design work himself.
Today he owns several prime properties in Cape Town, including the
Newlands building that houses the new art gallery.
His talent for interior design can be seen at the popular Mouille Point
restaurant Pepénero, which is run by renowned restaurateur Paul
Kovensky. Chris and Paul are also part-owners of Paranga restaurant in
Camps Bay.
And it’s not only these businesses to which he’s applied his skills. In 1999 Chris ran an art gallery in Napier Street in trendy De Waterkant, and he currently owns the upmarket décor store, Pa Kua at the V & A Waterfront, which showcases a mix of South African and international wares.
The young entrepreneur describes his decision to open The Barnard Gallery as a strategic one: ‘I realised that many art galleries have closed or been sold recently, and it made me think it was a good time to enter the market – that there was a real need for a new gallery, because the industry is in turmoil.’ Regardless of these troubles, there has still been considerable investment in South African art recently, and Chris believes it’s because people see art as a reliable investment.
Chris’s other reason for opening the gallery is more sentimental: ‘Too many people are looking for financial reward from art. I’m really doing this out of passion! My dream is to sell art that I love,’ he says. ‘I know that this might eventually become a problem; art is so much in the eye of the beholder, so I might have to draw the line somewhere.’
The Barnard Gallery is a large, airy, double-volume space, essential for maximising the artwork’s appeal. It’s modern and sparse, with a spiral staircase in the centre leading upstairs to Chris’s business offices.
Chris is excited about his future line-up of artists. May saw the launch of a joint exhibition by Willie Bester, Rachelle Bomberg, Robert Slingsby, Norman Catherine, Gail Catlin and Uwe Pfaff. This will be followed by solo exhibitions by Rachelle Bomberg, Robert Slingsby and Willie Bester. Previous exhibitions showcased the works of Philip Briel and Paul du Toit. ‘All the artists we have are fantastic, and their reaction to the gallery has been so positive.’
Chris is a true Capetonian. He admits he’s considered leaving South Africa, though he can’t see himself making the move: ‘My brother, an investment banker, now lives in Zurich, which he loves, and although I visit him often, it isn’t for me. I haven’t found anywhere else in the world that suits me as much as Cape Town. Really, where else is there to live?’
In his downtime, Chris loves nothing better than being outdoors, preferably in False Bay on his surfboard if the waves are good. Otherwise he enjoys jogging in the wild or mountain climbing. ‘I also play a bit of guitar!’ he confides laughingly.
This year is proving a busy one for Chris. In addition to lining up artists for The Barnard Gallery, he’s getting married in October. The Barnard Gallery, +27 (0)21 671 1553
Source: Thepropertymag
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