Klooftique Blog

Vintage Market Trays from Love Warriors (©HannahLemholt)

It’s been one of those Mondays, I’m afraid. One of those days you should have stayed in bed with a cup of tea and the phone off the hook and the laptop uncharged, y’know? My mood is pretty much reflected in the images posted today which appealed to me in their stripped down, back-to-basics kind of feeling, and most of all their unadorned simplicity. Black and white is always a good starting point and is the kind of palette I always go back to when I’m confused and unsure of which way to turn, especially when it comes to interiors which is what this blog is all about. There’s a not-so-hidden metaphor in there as well, I think! Anyway, I found this amazing online shop which sells some seriously stylish stuff and these 3 images give a hint of the cool industrial chic they stock at Love warriors. I’m holding thumbs that they deliver to South Africa…

Fine Art Prints by Hannah Lemholt from Love Warriors (©HannahLemholt)

Another print by Hannah Lemholt from Love Warriors (©HannahLemholt)

And then whilst travelling deeper into the monochrome universe I stumbled upon the home of Swedish art director/typographer Therese Sennerholt whose home is a reflection of her work which is predominantly in black and white. There’s something very soothing and peaceful about the space that she lives in and the earthy textures and patterns take the edge of what can be an incredibly cold and sterile look. It’s so easy to get black and white wrong but she gets it so right. (Photography: Kristofer Johnsson via Design Studio 210)

Later, Julia

Our winter stock is arriving on a daily basis and we’re slowly but surely getting into a winter frame of mind, despite the mini Indian Summer that’s blessing Cape Town right now. Winter’s all about comfort and cocooning and we hope you love the buttery rich leathers, luxe fabrics and gorgeous woody grains that we’ve been playing around with. Take a look at the first drop…

Loving this low-slung coffee table in kiaat, perfect for quiet fireside suppers a deux or a spot of Scrabble.... R4820 (incl VAT)

Library chair in leather, R7500 (incl VAT)

Minima Lights by Jacques Cronje (can't keep up with the demand for these best-sellers!), from R1150 (incl VAT)

The Sahara sofa is a brand new design. It gets full marks for comfort and style and is the perfect place for an afternoon nap or cuddle. R12900 (incl VAT)

Miami Daybed, R11900 (incl VAT)

Love, Marianna X

Hi there

We’ve just received the most stunning order of African artifacts and Nilfah has worked her magic and placed them artfully around the showroom floor. Do pop in over the weekend and take a look – these pieces fly out of the shop and it’s a constant struggle to keep up with the demand. Here’s a sneak peek….

Love, Marianna x

Malawian cane chair in cool grey, R2500 (incl VAT)

Mirror in pressed ceiling frame, POA

Makenge baskets on stands (also available in grey), POA

Cacti balls, R750 each (incl VAT)

Assorted wooden platters from Swaziland, POA

Carved waterbuck head from Swaziland, POA

Kuba cloth from Zaire, POA

A new version of the Miami daybed, from R11 000

I found this sweet home on lovelylife.se, my new favourite decor blog. Trundling over there requires a lot of time on Google Translate but it’s more than worth the effort – the homes featured are amazing and up my alley and I fell for this home situated in Gothenburg, Sweden. Even my little boy Matteo agrees and he’s a tough customer – as I was scrolling through the pictures of Nanna’s home he told me to stop when I got to Palle’s bedroom, exclaiming ‘that’s a nice room, mama’.

I love the whole shabby chic look but it’s tricky to get it right – too much of it can look twee and on the grubby side of vintage – but the owner of this home really gets it, just adding a touch of it here and there to create an interior that is stylish yet modern with just the right touch of whimsy. White, light gray and light pastel shades are used as the foundation colours with a mix of graphic and floral prints, old and new. A selection of toys, prints and furniture work well in every room, this is such a playful, joyful home to live in. Do visit the owner Nana’s blog at ‘Så fint Jag vill’ (‘As nice as I want’) and all pics here courtesy of lovelylife.se…

The living room features a fantastic art wall, great idea for fledgeling collectors

Lovely mix of fabrication and prints

My kind of mag storage

View from the kitchen into the living area. Stunning William Morris wallpaper...

Lovely patterns and textures, all living well together

Kitchen detail 1

Kitchen detail 2

Main bedroom – I see I'm not alone in my pom-pom obsession

So relate to this – rooming with the newborn....

Home office tucked into a corner of the main bedroom

My son loves this kids' bedroom, especially the colours

Hours of playtime, guaranteed

Kids' bedroom detail – the owner has such a good eye...

Later, Julia

The Vipp table in gloss white

I stumbled upon this amazing table by Danish company Vipp. Made from untreated and recycled teak planks and popped onto a sturdy, powder-coated aluminium frame, this table has the raw, industrial look that I love and it would look so good in my living space. I wonder if they deliver to South Africa? Visit them online at vipp.com and take a look at their super cool range of homeware, especially their bins, which is how they got started…

Vipp table in matte black

The Vipp pedal bin (Marianna, this is for you)

I don’t usually blog about fabric but I am so in love with comedian and now textile designer Amy Sedaris’ collection for Windham fabrics which I saw on the fab Anthology blog a while ago anthologymag.com. The collection is called ‘I Like You’ and it’s as exuberant, kooky and fun as I imagine her to be and reminds me so much of the some of the clothes I wore as a yank tank kid – something about that Sedaris family… (Photo of Amy Sedaris by Todd Oldham for Anthology Magazine. Swatches from Windham Fabrics.)

Amy Sedaris

From the 'I Like You' collection for Windham Fabrics

Also from the 'I Like You' collection for Windham Fabrics (love this)

I’m a sucker for knots and the Knotty plaited floor cushion by Prague-based company Kumeko is just the kind of seating option I like. Inspired by traditional weaving and basket-making techniques, Knotty is made from soft jersey tubes stuffed with foam and I’m thinking of all kinds of applications right now. Hmmm.

Knotty by Kumeko

Knotty by Kumeko, aerial view

Also, take a look at their ‘Snug’ chair. Soft and pillowy, it becomes a cozy shell that envelops you, and you can even adjust it into a variety of positions by using the integrated belt on the top of the sleeve. How great is this? Visit kumeko.com for more…

The 'Snug' chair by Kumeko

The 'Snug' chair, close up. See the adjustable, integrated belt? Want!

Later, Julia

Making summer last a little longer with a scoop of the prettiest pink

We’re enjoying a bit of an indian summer in the Cape right now and I’m loving the cool misty mornings that hint at autumn lurking just around the corner. I’m a winter girl at heart, so being drawn to pastels right now has nothing to do with winter denialism. In fact, it has everything to do with wanting to add colour to a predominantly white home without ruining the airy, contemporary, dreamy feel that I love. And what better way to do that than play around with touches of soft, yummy pastels?
I do think simplicity is key when you’re playing with this palette, unless you’re after the ‘shabby chic’ look, which I’m not. For me it’s no frills, no fuss – a very modern take. Take a look at some of the eye candy below…

Pastels on charcoal – a fabulous combination (image via Bodie & Fou)

Retro pastels, so much better than retro brights

I love the 'Nerd' chair by David Geckeler for Muuto

Subtle pastel shades add warmth without dominating a neutral arrangement

Frilly, but so pretty...

Even the more intense pastel relatives get me hot and bothered

I think those chairs look amazing in the soft pink and peach

More furniture by Muuto (am loving this Danish brand)

Later, Julia