The book I've been waiting for has arrived at last. Hot Afro by Craig Fraser .... Hot off the press! This book is packed with distinctly South African energy and flavour. Interiors decorated by some of South Africa's most innovative and creative individuals.
A corner of the studio in the Trickett home.The Trickett homestead is "defined by its delightfully haphazard character, where roomscapes divulge the couple's fascination with the flotsam and jetsam of various eras, cultures and design, and artistic and scientific disciplines."
The 70-something-year-old Johannesburg home of Gerhard Swart and Anthony Harris.I was drawn to the home of Gerhard Swart and Anthony Harris, two wildly wacky ceramic artists I have already mentioned, here. Not surprising since they too are voracious magpies who continually need to add to their vaste collections.
"The interior is defined by a sort of satorial madness and Renaissance scientists' curiosity that is suggestive of a Wunderkammer...."
"The veranda is an almost year round place to meet, relax, entertain or even to work on ideas."
"Comfortable furniture, an eating area, a collection of interiors magazines and ornate lighting are evidence that this area is considered as much a room as any inside the house."
Work related paraphernalia and stationery in the home of design consultant Laureen Rossouw
Kitchen in the home of editor and style icon Karen Roos
The Free State home of Werner and Philippa du Toit was once a dilapidated barnlike building used as a church by missionaries.
One of my favourite images in the book is this display of some of Immie Mostert's collections.
As Craig Fraser points out these homes are not decorated to impress or follow fashion trends. "Rather, they are canvasses that reflect the consciousness of those who live in them; they're honest and idiosyncratic spaces that are, above all, forged from the heart."
Okay, okay. The book is on my list! You find the B.E.S.T. stuff Robyn! I love the colors, the textures, the interesting shapes - its like living in a work of art. I just wonder - who dusts all that stuff?
ReplyDeleteThe pictures from the book are great and I can see why you were on pins and needles waiting for the book to arrive.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I am going to have add this to my holiday wish list now.
Thank you for sharing and have yourself a great weekend,
Egmont
alway always there is an earthy taste of things in perfect placement.. I imagine you are re assessing your "roomscapes' as we speak!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, that is a problem....dusting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Egmont, I think you will enjoy the book.
Grrl, you better believe it!I've just been eyeing out my dining room and wondering if I could possibly squeeze a wall of old school lockers in there.
Wow - but I'm worried about the dusting, too. It would be wonderful to have someone come and do it in the night.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the book. Outdoor spaces like the veranda are always to me the most interesting - connecting to nature and being in a "room", what could be better.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see people's real living celebrated as design for a change instead of all those sterile spaces.
It made me think of your art a a house with many rooms, niches, each one a secret behind a door waiting to be discovered.
Corrine
Beautiful book! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete"Roomscapes", I like that. These homes are beautiful, but comfortable, made for living.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to recognize the vibe of South Africain culture, thanks to you. More!
Fascinating places and I'm sure fascinating people who live there, but I could never live there. My mind is as busy as these rooms. My environment needs to be warmly stark with a bit of colour and texture. Interestingly enough I love collections but I have very few physically. I have them in books. This looks like a fascinating book. Thanks Robyn.
ReplyDeletetalk about living your art.. just amazing inspirational living spaces. Leslie is right.. you always do find the BEST stuff and I wondered the same thing as I looked at those photos.. who does dust all that?.. Love the book..another one to add to my list. Thanks for fueling the artistic fires again!
ReplyDeletejust view the new st verde video and now this! I think I am tanked up on inspiration for the day!!!
ReplyDeleteDarn it Robyn-- here is another book I have to search for and own-- I am running out of money buying books!
ReplyDeleteBut these are stunning and I love 'stunning' as you know.. another great post!
Your site is so rich and informative...I haven't yet commented on the previous post...it is all so interesting! The photos you have posted are a tease I'm sure, the book must be a beauty. I am excited about viewing this next video. Robyn,thank you so much for sharing South African design. I dream now of sitting on the veranda!
ReplyDeleteAren't other peoples' Homes fascinating, Robyn - there are some really beautiful artefacts in those photographs.
ReplyDeleteI MUST have this book. Thanks for letting us know about it. I'm so excited!
ReplyDeletea whole lot of YUM!
ReplyDeletei want (i rarely say this these days) i want those funky green cabinets in that 70 year old house...
ReplyDeletei am living like a monk compared to all that stuff!
thanda
Inventive, creative interiors. I must look for this book!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos - thanks for sharing. African interiors are so distinct - I still lovingly remember the amazing hotel room I had in Cape Town and I surf over to the Weylandts site often thanks to you!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, you always have the most wonderful things to share! Coming here is like a visual feast!
ReplyDeletei love how each of these creative souls decorates with found objects!!!
ReplyDeletehello beautiful~
ReplyDeletesending over a great big Thanda Hug and images of health health health ... tickles! :)
moodling onward...
Wonderful book, and a great video.
ReplyDeleteDusting, well I live in the house of clutter and find a feather duster invaluable when I havent time for a proper dust!
All the colors ( lack of)and textures I love !!! some day I will get to go!! I think the art is one that inspires me the most , but you would never tell from my work. One of the first art books I bought was african masks.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, fairies who dust in the night ....that would be nice :-)
ReplyDeleteCorrine, especially the big wrap-around-the-house verandas ..... old farm house verandas. I love your thoughts about my art ...thank you.
Black and White, my pleasure :-)
Shayla, glad you like the vibe.
Margaret, there are also the more minimalist spaces in the book. I chose these because they are so full of interesting objects..... and I do tend to pack my house full of bits too.
Lisa, I have several gimmicky battery operated dust thingees that I will pick up when walking through the house and just re-disperse the dust :-) until I have time to dust properly.
ReplyDeleteLa Dolce Vita, so glad you are inspired!
Donna, there are so many beautiful books out for christmas and my list is getting longer and longer.
Mary Ann, South Africa is perfect for veranda living..... we also call them stoeps.
Weaver, I love looking at other peoples artefacts!
Kim, the joy of sharing on my blog is introducing people to new "everythings" whether it is a good book, an exciting artist, new links ...
Jeane, ditto!
Mansuetude, I want too! Thanda
Pamela, Amazon didn't have it the last time I looked but Kalahari.net did.
Heather, I'm wondering where you stayed in Cape Town.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Sharmon.
Julie, some of those objects are amazing. Imagine finding an elephant or rhino skull!
Mansuetude :-) :-) :-)
Penny, I especially enjoyed the video.
Julie Haymaker thompson, actually I think the first art book I bought was aabout african masks too!
The interiors you shared are just the type of rooms I would like to live in. Each is a room with a story, a room to inspire, a room where daydreams can roam about. I enjoyed the video and when I have more time I'm going to watch the other one. Have you been to this more than a store?
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely incredible at finding the most wonderful things. Your eyes are certainly tuned in to every little detail.....everywhere. Thanks for turning me on to so much beauty.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your book. I love the arrangement/collections in the last photograph!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
robyn....i adore homes like this, with people who are the "magpies", loving and living with what they love. that is what a home should be. hard to imagine having an "interior decorator" create a "create a stage/a set" for an authentic person to inhabit!!
ReplyDeletethanks for another journey, another book on the list!
Now those are interesting interiors!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking book- definitely seems to be something right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this book Robyn, particularly for those of us who don't have the cash to pick it up right now! (Thank heavens for the internet). I see such collections as shrines, homages to the things we love and the symbols that inspire us. We can incorporate collections into our spaces without cluttering. As I prepare to move into a new home/art & yoga studio, I am studying Feng Shui to bring the best harmony to my space; and this includes the intuitive placement of objects and images. Along the same lines, the dusting is easier if you look at it as a loving ritual of caring for your inspirations.
ReplyDeleteGreat string of posts. I have been very lazy recently and have not been carving or commenting. I have however been avidly reading and digesting. I loved the drift wood in Shades of Grey and the doll in Reasons to Smile.
ReplyDeleteKind regards Dave
just what i needed...another book to add to my wish list! wow! too cool!!
ReplyDeletethank you, i've enjoyed reading over your shoulder...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I always think I'd like to live in one of those serene minimalist oriental type interiors until I see these and then the little magpie in me just jumps up and down with pleasure! Some more books on their way to you... at last! Hope you enjoy them too :) and I loved your interview with Leslie - so lovely to have a further glimpse into what makes you, you! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteBeen away for a while, so just catching up with several of your posts ... I've missed a lot! Lovely images, as always. Especially loved the snake, and pictures from your lake-side vacation. Sounds heavenly! Enjoy your new book.
ReplyDeleteWonderful homes and so much to see. Definitely not a hint of minimalism to be seen. I love to see other peoples' collections. I like the studio photo with all those cupboard doors hiding secrets and treasures.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a book on my must have list. I'll put my order in now for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYummo!! I love the Craig Fraser quote at the end - they are all homes of such authenticity - each beautiful in it's own way. Thanks for a window in Robyn.
ReplyDeleteTheses interiors and collections are awesome... I love the page of the turtle shell and seahorse. I have a little seahorse somewhere... it was a gift and is only about an inch long... I wonder if I could photograph it... see, you have my creative spirit dancing again... have a beautiful weekend! Roxanne
ReplyDeleteYou always have the most wonderful things to share, Robin. The photos you have posted are fabulous. Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed the visit today! Have a good one! Gaby
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treat to see someone getting it right. That place has a soul, a vibe. So enjoyed it... thank you...
ReplyDeleteI love these spaces which are so filled with the people who live in them. Frankly I have never understood this whole trend of minimalism & it really leaves me cold. I love the kind of work and homes and generally everything I see on your blog :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful book.on my wish list too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful collection of images - love the concept of wrapped objects. Inspiration to fire me up. Thanks for all the links and a peek at the book which I will now seek out. A gorgeous post.
ReplyDelete