Living House

I have always wondered what happens to living walls during winter? Do they follow the seasons and wilt the in winter or do they stay evergreen, do they need watering and fertilizer?

This is one of my favorite houses around my hood, its red brick walls are drenched with a carpet of greenery. I took these photos in the height of summer, I'll come back in winter to see if there are any changes.

Salvaged Materials - Window Frames

Generally South Africans put up a lot of walls and fences around their houses, even though these are beneficial in making us feel a little safe, sometimes they hide the beauty of one's house and be quite depressing.

These salvaged windows frames transformed what would have been a simple unattractive fence to one that has a little bit of character. 

Salvaged Materials - Notice Board

This notice board is outside my favorite art supplies shop, Archineers in Pretoria. It looks like a piece of art made from salvaged wood with all sorts of old bolts and screws delicately welded on it.

I can only imagine how much fun making it must have been to make. I took welding classes as a student and it was fun to melt all that metal together, I made desk lamp. I wonder where it is, I should look for it and sell it... lol

In retrospect, it was'nt of great design but it functioned and I enjoyed making it :-) 

Salvaged Materials - Door Shutters

I have always had a love for old and salvaged things, I enjoy renewing them and giving them a new lease on life.
This office is close to my sons' day care center, it inspires me with its use of salvaged wood and metal. I wouldn't be surprised if these beautiful and strong shutter doors turned out to be older than the house itself. They look like they are made of old rail road ties, like they have been beaten by the elements but still managed to survive.

The complementary post box also looks stylishly unique, it was probably made of the left over wood from the door. You see, I can formulate all sorts of stories about such items :-) that's the romance of antiques, the story-making.

Although upcycling is no new concept, I find it amazing every time I see it in play. It is a "green" practice, which is great for saving our environment . Hopefully this saved an Amazon tree from being turned into a shutter door... I don't think so but, I can only hope and plead for humanity to  Save the Rain Forest and while at it, please Save the Rhino.

Basic Shapes for Basic Education

I noticed that the windows at the Department of Basic Education Head Office in Pretoria, were in basic shapes. I think its fun, and my son will probably think so too, once he starts pre-primary and sees the dept. that is in charge of his school.

I often imagine myself pushing giant blocks through the windows as if the building were a giant shapes puzzle.
Next to the building, and also part of the campus is what I call the gingerbread house.

I remember that for a long time it lay abandoned, until the DoBE restored it and build huge offices next to it.
I often dreamed of buying it and turning it into a coffee-food-books & magazines-antique furniture-vintage & once-off fashion & jewelry pieces-live music performance space shop.

It wasn't for sale and I probably wouldn't have afforded it. I still have the dream though... but it'll have to be for a different house, since this one is taken.

Font Love #2

Font Love #1

I have a love for words... and a love for typography was a natural progression. I can't help but notice the beautiful fonts around me, they each have character and such personality. From time to time, I will share this beauties with you, hopefully they will inspire you as much as they do me.

Flower Bomb

This bouquet was one of the most favourite things about my wedding. It lifts my spirits up every time I look at it's photo.

It was created by Wilhelm. The brief was simple, I told him that it must be organic, raw, nothing fragile and must have my favourite flower, the pink protea - it is a strong yet beautiful flower - like me and... its very South African :-) He was able to give me exactly what I wanted... and more, he gave me pincushions...

He is just amazing. If you want a flower arrangement that has personality, call him up on 0835424491, you wont be disappointed. Click here to view his refreshing succulent creation.

From the side of the road...

This beautifully made grass mat was bought on the N2 between Pongola and St Lucia, KZN, the photo doesn't really do it justice, it looks much better in real life. The fresh smell of grass and the texture, the hand-dyed colours are really pleasing to the eye. There is a group of old women are always sitting by the side of road, making and selling them...along with fruits and wooden sculptures. They come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes, this particular one was R350. They would look good in any room. I wish I had taken their number, if you are ever driving down there, make a stop, you wont regret it.

Flower Power

The wedding preparations - particularly, the search for inspiration for my wedding bouquet, has re-introduced me to the power of flowers. There is so much beauty and variety to these living creatures - they have an ability to transform any space to paradise... well, even though it is only for a moment.
I came across these flowers on my way to lunch-date with a friend... I could'nt help but buy them on the spot, it was R10 well spent. I got back home and putting them into a small ceramic milk jug (the last piece of a tea set) that I inherited from mommy dearest, seemed like it was the best thing to do.
I must say - I'm proud of my 1st "flower arrangement"... do we have an ward winning florist in the making?... mmhm... maybe ...lol

Photo by Thando

Plastic in Wood

Speaking of chairs... I'd love to eventually own this 2008 Maarten Baas re-interpretation of the common plastic "monobloc" chair in my favourite material, wood.
Growing up, my mother owned a set in white plastic, complete with the table and the big umbrella, tacky I know ...lol... but those summer memories, spent sitting on them, chatting away with her... are the sweetest :-)

Photo from Chair Blog

Feel it, It is here.

I saw this very patriotic house yesterday, while I was on my way to KZN. It was soccer fever at its best. I also loved the creative and colourful designs which were painted on the other houses of this humble homestead. The scenery evoked emotions in me...

Photo by dilo

Back to the Red-Stone Age

My love took me on a relaxing, semi-romantic walk at lunch time :-) Armed with a camera, desperate for some beauty, I noticed this beautiful building - which I have passed on numerous occasions but just never took note off. It's the Tshwane Tourist Information Center, every one who will be in Pretoria, especially for the 2010 FIFA World Cup should take a mental photo of this building, they might find themselves making a trip there for one thing or another. A lot of the buildings around it are magnificently made of beautiful stone but its red-stone really stood out to me.

Photo by Thando

Still in Love...

I saw one in the streets yesterday at lunch time, woke up this morning still thinking about it. I think I fell in love, all over again ...sigh ...I'd bundu-bash the whole of Africa in this.

Photo by Land Rover

Web of Lights

Saw this at Tribeca Coffee Co. in Brooklyn, Pretoria...very chic yet looks easy to install. It would be a cool DIY project.

Photo by Thando

Pop Antique Bottles

This collection of bottles got me asking myself alot of questions, like - What could have been in those bottles? Who used it up? What for? How long ago? The last question was... What would I use them for? They were just so beautiful...I eventually decided that, for starters, I would just look at them and appreciate their beauty.

Photo by Thando

Victorian Mansion

I'm hoping to visit Melrose House on just a regular day to experience its beautiful architecture. It really looked cool outside, made me wanna see the inside, apparently its furnished with Victorian furniture. Just had a thought, its huge lawn would make a great wedding venue ;-)

Photo by Thando

It's official: Rose Gold Rocks!

I am obsessed with rose gold and I don't know where this obsession originated from, even iPhones are getting blinged out in rose gold.
All I know though is that there is a Fossil watch made of rose gold and I want it...BADLY!