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."
