How beautiful is this paper? Brings our furniture to life.

The paper, along with the rest of the wallpaper range, costs R900 (incl VAT) for a roll which is 2.5 metres long and 500mm wide. We’re also stocking Mineheart’s felt pendant lights as well as their cute ‘n quirky mousepads, see below. Stationery nerd alert…

We’re mad about Design Team, Amanda Haupt and Lise Butler’s wonderful textile design company based in Pretoria. Klooftique has stocked their fabric for quite some time now, and judging by the rate at which their designs fly out of our shop, we’re just one of many who covet their South African-inspired iconography. We’ve just made up a new batch of cushions in their fabric and we’re loving the comfort and warmth that they bring into the shop right now.

Scatter cushions in Afrique du Sud

Scatter cushion in Karoo

The cushions, which work so well with our furniture, range from R495 to R695. Pop in and take a look.

Share/Bookmark

I’ve been feeling a little blue of late and this colourful, joyful house I found on boligmagasinet.dk has made me feel just a little bit better about most things. Colour does that to me. I’m also a huge fan of all things Danish (aside from the herring) and love how the vibrant, folksy touches throughout this home soften its modern edges. This is my kind of nest.

Danish artist Maggie Kempinska lives here with her husband and two children and it is mostly her work that has livened up the black, grey and coffee coloured hues throughout the home. Kempinska has balanced the rainbow colours and neutrals with enough white space and natural light (and greenery too, thanks to the extra large picture windows) and it all adds up to a living space that makes you want to sling on a bit of Andy Williams and dance about, if you know what I mean.

I like this woman's bold way with colour and neutrals

A wall of black & white prints to counterbalance all the colour. Love the pink Vitra 'Slow' chair.

Fearless use of colour and totally fierce 'My Beautful Backside' red sofa on the right by Doshi Levien for Moroso.

Gorgeous ceiling light by Moooi.

Feeling inspired by the way the owner has used her family portraits throughout her home. Great idea. Affordable!

Simple, smart and plentiful storage options in that kitchen.

So much light, so very Scandinavian.

A wonderful, inspiring space for a child

The artist's lair

What appeals to me the most about this home is its sense of delight, humour and playfulness. It feels to me like the archictectural/design representation of an adult completely in touch with and expressing their exuberant inner child. I hope that doesn’t sound too daft or stupid or pretentious.

Later, Julia

Share/Bookmark

Caravaggio pendant lights by Cecilie Manz

We are so excited to announce that we’re stocking the Caravaggio pendant lights by Danish designer Cecilie Manz. Simple, versatile and functional – like all good design classics – the pendant casts the most beautiful and ethereal light, is glare-free (thanks to the depth of the shade) and is available on order in a range of sizes and colours. Ideal for dining areas, hallways, kitchens – anywhere really.

Perfect drops of light

Warning: we’ve gone a little table bonkers. It’s winter and everyone needs a cool surface to plonk a hot chocolate or glass of red on as the temperature plummets and we all head indoors. First of all, we’ve made a slight tweak to our stylish bedside tables and changed the feel a little with a new handle. These tables are great sellers and we love the drawer/shelf combo, so handy for hiding the clutter and showing off the limited editions or the Monocles, ha! From R2600 each (incl VAT), depending on your choice of wood and finish.

Bedside table in MDF & steel

Recently we introduced a tapered leg dining table and sideboard to the shop, and the coffee table version of the now-popular design joined them this afternoon. So in love with the elegance of this new addition to our design family. The kiaat version, pictured below, retails for R4200 (incl VAT) and is available in the wood of your choice.

Tapered leg coffee table in kiaat

And finally, the classy and unobtrusive steel-and-glass version of our Curve side table is perfect for small spaces that need as little clutter as possible. Easy on the eye and fab for an evening on the sofa with a bowl of soup or snacks. From R1800 (incl VAT).

Curve side table in glass and steel

Share/Bookmark

Tunisian designer Tom Dixon's gorgeous Etch Light Web from his MOST exhibition.

The effect.

The Milan Furniture Fair is one of the largest furniture trade fairs of its kind in the world. Held annually in and around the city, it’s the highlight of every design/decor enthusiast’s creative calendar and showcases the latest in furniture, interior and lifestyle design from countries around the world.

I didn’t attended the fair this year but thanks to the internet and all its manifestations, it’s really easy to keep up with all the eye candy. And the silliness too – one of the contenders for that genre being rocker-turned-designer (ahem) Lenny Kravitz, who covered Philippe Starck’s Mademoiselle armchairs in fake animal & reptile skins for his collaboration with Milanese furniture manufacturer, Kartell. Stick to your day job, Lenny.

Lenny Kravitz for Kartell. No, me neither.

I’m mad about carpets, and the Canevas collection of cross-stitched rugs, pouffes and cushions by Charlotte Lancelot for Gan Rugs by Gandia Blasco is gob-smackingly stunning and original. Love the threadbare effect.

Canevas by Charlotte Lancelot for Gan Rugs.

I also like the Lluvia, a contemporary motif handmade rug by Pablo Gironés, also for Gan Rugs.

The Lluvia rug. I like to think of it as woven Prozac.

The La Cornue W free-standing hob and oven system by french architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte is made for lovers of architecture and design. And serious gourmands too, obviously.

The Big Vaulted Oven Tower

The Alma bookcase modules by Studio 63 for Casamania are manufactured and finished in white powder-coated metal. The possibilities are endless.

Alma cabinet/bookshelf system

The Brera district is one of my favourite parts of Milan. It’s peaceful, elegant and charming, the buildings are beautiful and it’s filled with exquisite antique shops. The Secret Garden installation, a collaboration between Paola Navone for Murano glass crafters Barovier&Toso and Zaha Hadid Architects (for Citco, natural stone experts), was set in the Orto Botanico in Brera. When I see work like this, my faith in humanity – and the Italian imagination – is restored.

It’s like something out of Alice in Wonderland. Utterly magical. (photos © The Secret Garden).

Later, Julia

Share/Bookmark

Cubist IV armchairs & 60mm kiaat coffee table

Make the most of the great indoors this winter and take advantage of the first of our fab seasonal furniture deals. The elegant Cubist IV is one of Klooftique’s best-selling chairs and is hand-crafted to suit your individual requirements. The chair, available in any shade of locally stocked leather, usually retails for R7500 but is on promotion for R6950 (incl VAT) until the end of May. Team it with a 60mm kiaat coffee table on stainless steel legs, also on promotion at R3800 (incl VAT) until the end of May. *

Mayfair chairs in copper

These spanking new Mayfair chairs arrived in the shop last week. Roomy and luxurious, they make a perfect nest in which to ward off the winter blues and are available in a range of colours. We really love the versatility of the earthy tones of weathered Zambezi leather, in copper. Special launch price from R7500 each, incl VAT. *

Dining table with tapered legs, in kiaat

Server with tapered legs, in kiaat

And finally, we’ve gone back to our roots with a modern take on a Cape Country classic. We’re loving the simple lines of the new tapered leg dining table and server in solid kiaat and both are on promotion until the end of May. The solid kiaat dining table retails at R11200 but is available on order for R9999 and the server, which usually sells for R4650 is available at R3800 for the same time period. *

* All prices exclude delivery

Share/Bookmark

Pendant lights as lovely as the Pulp Lamp by Enrique Romero de la Llana feel (and are) as organic and natural as the trees they are made from. I’m coveting these babies made from old newspapers; these are some of the most beautiful lights I’ve seen in a very long time. Thanks, @designmilk.

I’ve been visualising decadent, break-the-bank antique Venetian crystal chandeliers strewn liberally all over my house but nothing has magically appeared as yet. The Medusa chandelier (below) by Italian lighting company Slamp is a fun take on an old favourite and is available along with the rest of the range on order from Klooftique.

And fairy lights. So affordable, romantic and atmospheric and cosy-making. Turn your lights down low…

Friends of mine have taken a whole bunch of Consol Solar Jars to AfrikaBurn, lucky devils. Put these jars in the sun and they’ll impart a lovely glow for up to 6 hours. Planet friendly, versatile, what’s not to love? Order them online at www.solarjar.co.za.

I stumbled upon this cool DIY project via theforgestyle.blogspot.com. Wrap string around a clean old jar, spray paint it white, let paint dry, remove string and voila! A super mega tea light holder. Anyone can do it, it’s dead cheap and it’s as green as you choose to make it. Visit the blog for a quick tutorial on how it’s done.

Later, Julia

Share/Bookmark

The design duo’s ‘Loveable’ range works beautifully with our furniture, and their cheeky and eco-friendly range of wallpaper can transform a room into a book-filled space or a Renaissance palazzo with a slick of wallpaper glue and a squeegee. Such an easy way to sex up and add a little texture to any interior.

Their lighting is amazing. The Lotus folding lamp, inspired by Japanese Origami flowers, is available in cream and black. Like Origami, the lamp is made from one single sheet of natural felt, folded and tucked. Aren’t they beautiful? We think so.

Share/Bookmark

We’ve been having a lot of fun with our new range of faux fur throws made from poly cotton. These warm, durable, machine washable throws are ideal for the bedroom and the lounge and add a sense of luxury and comfort to any interior. Prices start at R700.

Curl up in this with a good glass of red and a book. Yes please.

Lovely earthy colour scheme. Very Marianne Faithfull/Redlands.

Sofas are always key here at Klooftique and a green leather version of our Mayfair sofa is such a sexy, stylish seating solution. This quirky take on a classic Chesterfield always make us smile. From R19 500.

Mayfair sofa in green leather.

These squidgy, comfy ottomans by Nguni Africa (more on them later) are available in all kinds of brights and neutrals. Ideal for kids’ rooms and for extra seating when the hordes start to arrive…

Ottoman in red leather from R1800

Share/Bookmark

I'm mad about this witty garden – talk about taking the inside out!

Marianna has innate style and impeccable taste, and I’m always blown away by my sister-in-law’s ever-evolving retail space. I’m even more inspired by her home and have admired its slow and considered transformation over the past thirteen years.

What I especially love about la casa de Furman is the outdoor space. It functions as both a garden and as an extension of the house itself, and we’ve spent so many special evenings eating and drinking under the stars and cementing (and ok, sometimes testing) the ties that bind.

We were doing just that last Friday night – the last Indian summer night for a while, I fear – and it got me thinking about what the husband and I need to do to spruce up our own outdoor area. I love the concept of a ‘green’ living room and our long, hot summers lend themselves to loads of outdoor, nocturnal entertaining.

It may seem a bit weird to be mulling over this kind of thing at the end of summer but before you know it, winter’s over and you’ll spend the next summer grumbling about how shoddy everything’s looking and how much better it all could be. And planning and executing everything now means that all the paper-based work can be done, contractors found and booked, and decisions made in time for the work to begin before next summer sets in.

With all this in mind, I’ve been trawling design websites and such for ideas for a contemporary garden and living space extension that my family could live with. I feel an obsession coming on. And a massive dent to my bank balance.

The painted panels are a great way to hide an ugly wall, and an artfully placed mirror will make a small space appear a little bigger (via Living Etc)

Don't you love the succulents tucked into repurposed shutters in this contemporary, urban garden?

So beautiful. Can't go wrong with decking and I love how it's softened by the dutch irises, ginko tree etc

This garden features strawberries growing in the walls and along the table top. And Panton chairs. Scream!

A 'Louis' outdoor table, bench and stool in galvanised steel makes for a stylish alfresco experience. Who says outdoor furniture has to be boring?

A strictly potted garden is a fabulous low maintenance option. Loving the shots of vibrant orange, so effective here.

And if all else fails, just one (pricey) visit to The Modern Garden Company and I'm done. Happiness.

Later,
Julia

Share/Bookmark

Sounds like she is really pleased, as are we with her response!

Share/Bookmark