Latest Bathroom Series From Geberit
Geberit, our exhibitor, is synonymous with good design, outstanding functionality and first-class quality. You can expect the same from the new Geberit bathroom series. The bathroom series, which are manufactured entirely in Europe, are designed for both private bathrooms and public sanitary facilities. In 2017, Geberit will include the Citterio, Xeno2, iCon, Smyle and Abalona bathroom series in its product portfolio. We take a closer look at what’s on offer.
Thanks to their various styles, designs and prices, the bathroom series – which comprise ceramic sanitary appliances and bathroom furniture – have something to offer for any bathroom. A wide range of washbasins, both with and without cabinets, and cleverly designed furniture with lots of storage space and for every design requirement, make the Geberit bathroom series real eye-catchers. The Geberit Rimfree toilets without a flush rim are unique and, above all, functional. They are very easy to clean and feature an excellent flushing-out performance. And all with Geberit’s long-standing know-how.
Geberit Citterio bathroom series
Geberit Citterio combines puristic contours with organically flowing shapes, resulting in an unmistakable design language. It’s a premium bathroom series with remarkable originality, designed with timeless elegance and quality. The Geberit series reflects the unique design hallmarks of the renowned Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio. To ensure a particularly smooth finish, all ceramic sanitary appliances in the Geberit Citterio bathroom series are sealed with the Geberit KeraTect ceramic glaze.
Geberit Citterio
Geberit Xeno2 bathroom series
The Geberit Xeno2 bathroom series is synonymous with architectonic design minimalism. Clear geometric lines outside – soft, natural shapes in the inner basin. This combination of features creates the impression that the inner basin has been washed out with running water for decades. Geberit Xeno2 boasts a perfectly coordinated product range of intelligent, well-thought-through elements created in an identical design language. To ensure a particularly smooth finish, all ceramic sanitary appliances in the Geberit Xeno2 bathroom series are sealed with the Geberit KeraTect ceramic glaze.
Geberit iCon bathroom series
The Geberit iCon bathroom series offers an extensive range of ceramic appliances and bathroom furniture in a clear and modern design language. The series shines with its linear design and is impressively versatile. The aesthetics of the Geberit iCon washbasins are defined by clear, sleek lines along the outer contours. Geberit iCon bathroom furniture is coordinated with the Geberit iCon washbasins in terms of its design and function. A storage space concept offering flexible combination options reveals many possibilities for conveniently creating order in the bathroom.
The Geberit iCon series also helps to maintain clear room architecture even in small bathrooms as it includes washbasins with a small installation depth, solutions for corners, bathroom furniture, mirror elements that are perfectly adapted to small or awkwardly shaped rooms and offers stylish WCs with a reduced projection which provides room to manoeuvre in small bathrooms. Modern and straight-edged, Geberit iCon offers a complete product solution for nearly every bathroom.
Geberit iCon
Geberit Smyle bathroom series
Geberit Smyle brings harmony and lightness into family and guest bathrooms. With its contemporary design and ornate lines, the Geberit bathroom series creates a relaxing and positive bathroom ambience. With a clear sense of order and efficient use of a room, Geberit Smyle achieves the highest level of convenience in the bathroom from any structural situation.
Geberit Smyle
Geberit Abalona bathroom series
The Geberit Abalona bathroom series is the ideal solution for functional bathrooms. The series features timeless, classic lines and can be incorporated into any bathroom. To ensure this, the ceramic sanitary appliances are available in both a round and rectangular design. The series is also appealing, as guest bathrooms can be perfectly equipped with the Geberit Abalona Compact products. However, with a special product portfolio, the bathroom series is also suitable for use in cross-generational bathrooms. During the design process, the designers focused on functionality. The bathroom series offers excellent value for money. Geberit Abalona is the functional series for any private, semi-public or public bathroom.
Geberit Option mirrors and mirror cabinets
With Option, Geberit offers a comprehensive range of illuminated mirror elements and mirror cabinets that help a bathroom really stand out. Thanks to their simple, clear design, they can be used virtually in any room. In order to ensure high-quality, dazzle-free illumination, the Option illuminated mirror elements with widths of 600 to 900 mm have two light strips, while the larger models have a single one. The mirror lighting can be easily switched on and off using the switch. Geberit mirror cabinets provide plenty of visually appealing storage space. At the same time, they reflect the light and the room, making the bathroom appear bigger. Mirror cabinets therefore create brightness and space in a room.
For more information about this new range visit the Geberit website www.geberit.co.za or e-mail: sales.za@geberit.com
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Our Favourite Interior Paint Colours
2017 is an exceptional year for home décor and fashion trends. One major trend that stood out to us is interior color stories. Whether you are painting your entire home or just one room, we have you covered from wall to wall. Our exhibitors, Ashley Furniture Homestore gave us a glimpse of this year’s powerful colors with accessories to add.
First up is the oh-so popular, Navy Blue.
Navy is the new black. It’s tonal depths are full of wonderment. It’s also quite easy to brighten up this bold shade with brass or gold. Your guests will be captivated by the brilliant pairing.
Next up: Aqua and Gray.
Painting a wall gray may be scary at first, but trust us when we say, you will not regret it. These color combinations are inspired by mermaid musings. The soothing Caribbean blue and sandy hues balance each other out to create a space you’ll never want to bubble out of.
Last but not least, Tan and White.
These two very similar hues work together to create a space like no other. The bright and light palette works well year round and embues smaller spaces with a sense of increased scale.
Discover more about Ashley Furniture Homestore at their website: www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com
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This House Is 100% Off The Grid
Our Johannesburg exhibitor, Foo Dog Design House was founded by Bradley Clark. Aside from creating funky eco-friendly home furniture and accessories, he is a qualified interior designer and architectural technician who has worked on some of the biggest commercial design projects both locally and abroad over the past 23 years. A true green movement champion, Bradley built a composite off-the-grid house for himself…entirely from scratch.
Located on a farm in Gauteng, the house has a small organic veggie farm, an eco-pool and a tennis court made out of recycled car tyres, among other green design features. We spoke to Bradley about this proudly South African example of eco-conscious innovation.
Can you tell us a little bit about the green features of the house?
The house is not just designed with a high conscience of its impact on the planet but it is also completely off-the-grid.
People have not come to realise that there are two separate philosophies at play. Off-the-grid houses are sometimes termed as green when their construction process could have been extremely damaging to the planet. Similarly, a house designed and developed with a high conscience of its impact on the planet can still get all its energy, water and services from the “Grid”.
Our house embraces both of those principles and generates all its own energy and processes all its own waste while having a very limited impact on the environment.
How does it “operate”?
It operates like any other home would. It used off the shelf appliances and most people who come into the home for the first time do not realise that all the power being consumed, water and waste used are not supplied but generated. I fill the batteries with distilled water every 6 months and move my 4 bovine lawn mowers around every few weeks.
Then there is the usual house work – just like the “Jones” next door.
What is it made of?
The entire house has been designed with materials that can either be recycled easily or be redeployed in another structure in a second life. One of the most important factors I focus on when designing a structure is what happens to it when it reaches its “end of use”.
I also prefer using “accurate material” – this means material that are factory produced to be straight and can be prefabricated in a factory for greater accuracy. The accuracy of a building has a direct relationship on how much waste gets produced by the construction process. It also impacts on the construction time. I have also employed an “honest” approach to finishes – this means if the floor is concrete it stays concrete and gets sealed. The solid timber floors that you see are part of the structure. There are no applied finishes other than paint and tiles on the shower walls. The structure materials are steel, steel sheeting and glass. The interior finishes are 22mm solid teak, plasterboard, concrete exposed copper pipes and steel. I added some insulation here and there with neoprene curtain liners to add more insulation to the large windows.
Are you able to power the whole house through the solar panels?
No, we also use LP and natural gas. The solar powers the lighting and appliances. The gas is used for hot water and cooking. Heating is via two convection closed door fire places. We burn all the invader trees we cut down on the farm and use the ash to add potassium to our compost.
What compelled you to go off-the-grid?
I was working on a very large corporate construction project for a large bank in 2009 and the “city” could not supply power to the project so the project had to fund and build its own substation. It was before the days of load shedding and I saw the writing on the wall. I have also always been a bit of a tree hugger and it’s the right thing to do. I wanted my children to grow up with different mindset by living a less consumer driven life. I am very fortunate to have a wife that shares my ideals.
What does it mean exactly to live “off-the-grid”? Did you impose any rules or restrictions on yourself?
I think true creatives shudder when they hear the word “rules” or “restriction”. It’s not every day that you get the chance to design your own home. The only rules I applied was not to adhere to any. I started by breaking Architecture’s golden rule number 1. “Though shalt design the structure taking into account all the site has to offer.” I designed the building completely and then went looking for a suitable site.
Off-the-grid for some people can encompass a different way of life. They are those people lugging their recycling to recycling spots, buying organic food, drinking home pressed juice, going to the homeopath and not the local quack – OH (shit) that sound like us.
More and more people are choosing to go off-the-grid. Why do you think that is?
It seems to have a bit of a fashion element to be off-grid, so I hope they are doing it for all the right reasons. If it’s good for the planet then it’s good for me. I think, in the not too distant future, state supplied energy will only be available to the very rich and the very poor and everyone in between will have to sort themselves out.
Foregoing comforts of city living must have been a truly life-altering experience. What were some of the big life lessons you learned along the way?
That’s funny. I grew up on a farm and then spent 22 years living in Parkurst and Greenside – now that was uncomfortable and noisy. I traded body corporate for cows, taxi hooting for bird song, traffic for a walk across my garden, club base beats at 2am for our release owls hooting – I think you can see where this is going.
How feasible is it for anyone to make the change and go off-the-grid? What advice do you have for our readers?
100% feasible even on an existing house. In urban areas the only real challenge is potable water. If you want to treat your own sewage you will have to put it back into the “grid” sewage system. Your biggest hurdle in not how to do it , it’s how the authorities view it, let’s be blunt by going off grid you are depriving them of an income stream so they play the game – just persist. My 6 year old does not even know what load shedding is.
Visit Foo Dog Design House to see their selection of eco-friendly home products: www.foodogdesign.co.za
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In Conversation With: Ashleigh Harrington
HOMEMAKERS Expo exhibitor, Ashleigh Harrington of Flaunt Concepts has an uncanny talent for creating simplistic furniture that doubles as functional art. We caught up with this design maverick recently and she clued us in on what inspires her.
How did you get into design?
I have a very curious nature. I’m a creative. Right-brained and inquisitive. By day, I’m an interior architect. I love knowing how things work and the process they go through to be manufactured.
Your furniture is completely unique. How would you describe your particular aesthetic?
Flaunt’s mantra is ‘Furniture is the Form of Functional Art’. Design first, followed by functionality, aesthetics and last but not least I indulge in the details. Flaunt’s true aesthetic lies in the definition of its name. Flaunt: “to display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance.”
What informed the decision to use the materials in your latest range?
I do research and ask a lot of questions. Natural finished products are so much more appealing to me than anything else. Warm woods, colours, black textured metals and copper plated items are juxtaposed by concrete, and naturally beautiful plants. Hence I’m always searching for natural finishes or products which works in favour of Flaunt’s sustainability policy. I also check and control as much of the carbon footprint as I can.
What does great home design mean to you?
Creating a desirable object that is also functional or making a statement with simplicity. If a designer is able to meet the needs of the brief and have people talking, good or bad, that is great design. It solicits a reaction.
What inspires you?
Anything! And everything! Maybe not at that particular moment, but it manifests in my design process when I’m patient.
You mentioned that you take a lot of inspiration from Scandinavia. What is it about this specific design style that appeals to you?
We lend from the minimalism approach of its design principles. It’s why I think some of the most beautiful designs come from the Scandinavian region
What do you love about what you do?
I create aesthetically beautiful pieces that are functional and artistically beautiful.
If you had to choose three items that you feel are the perfect representation of your aesthetic from the your latest range, which items would you pick?
The Showstopper Closet, the 2-Faced Mirror and the Soft Shelf.
Is there anything in particular that strikes you about South African design? Particularly from Johannesburg…
It’s unique and has potential to compete with any other international competitor.
What is on the horizon for the next year?
Possibly a new home for Flaunt. Expanding on a range – our international request for shipping is quite big. Maybe the next step is going international?
Take a look at some of Flaunt Concepts exciting products by visiting their website: www.flauntconcepts.co.za
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The Latest Collection From David Moss Ceramics
Exhibitor, David Moss launches his new collection of ceramic lighting at this year’s Port Elizabeth HOMEMAKERS Expo.
The range sees David exploring creative ways to bring his favourite, tranquil scenes into the home. Each light fitting is a piece of art that is sure to inspire and capture the imagination. The collection includes a variety of hanging lights and free standing lamps all with their own flair and expands on his extremely popular tealight dome/sculpture range.
David says, “Africa is a source of raw creativity, filled with a rainbow of colour in its fauna and flora. With all of this to feed the senses, it is not difficult to find inspiration in Africa.”
Inspired by the beauty of creation and the natural environment, David Moss incorporates elements of plant, animal and water life into each artwork. His preferred medium is porcelain as its crisp, white surface is the perfect platform to compose his artworks.
David incorporates elements of his life and environment into each item of the new collection. He says, “Each piece I create holds a part of me and is born out of my respect for nature and the life around me which I was taught at an early age, it tells a story, or is created with an underlying theme. I endeavour to inspire my clients with a sense of serenity and hope from each item, and I encourage them to interpret each story for themselves.”
If you are looking for that unique ceramic item for your home from bird and animal sculptures to basin/prep bowls and handmade tiles, individually painted to create a personalised floor plan or wall display to be the envy of all your friends, contact David Moss Ceramics – www.davidmossceramics.co.za
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A to Z of Today’s Best Trends
HOMEMAKERS Expo exhibitor, Ashley’s Furniture Home Store gave us an indispensable A to Z guide of today’s best trends in home furnishings and décor.
Artisan-crafted. Bring home an honest feel with goods that have the look of a hand touch.
Bold geometrics. Geo patterns are still trending strongly. They’ve gotten bolder in color and scale.
Copper. This metal can warm up any room.
Deep blue. If you haven’t heard already, “Navy is the new black.”
Edison bulbs. Combined with minimalistic lighting designs, these are a showstopper.
Florals. The more opulent the better. Poppies, especially, are on the rise.
Green. Indoor and outdoor have merged. Outdoor living spaces are as important as bringing natural elements inside. Green is trending as a result. The 2017 Color of the Year is even called “Greenery.”
Hygge. This Danish way of living by creating and enjoying blissful moments has certainly inspired us.
Into culture. Trends from around the globe are mixed and matched on various materials with vivid colors and patterns.
Jewel tones. So rich and luxurious, these tones bring an upscale appeal to any material.
Keeping it natural. The natural aged patina of metal is increasingly appreciated.
Low contrast. Take a step back from the high contrast of 2016’s black and white trend. This is all about muted colours and calming environments.
Modern bohemian. Feel free to indulge in eclecticism.
Noir. Shades of black, rich berry hues and iridescent finishes reflect an alluring aesthetic.
Of course, grey. Grey is not going anywhere any time soon. It continues to evolve. Combine it with lilac for a fresh take.
Polished and aged goldtone finishes. This is another warm metal that we just can’t get enough of.
Queue the country music. Vintage farmhouse style has taken over our hearts.
Refined luxury. Make a stylish statement without going over the top.
Sleek marble, including faux. Whether the real deal or a fabulous fake, lighter coloured marble gives off an ultra contemporary vibe when combined with brass or gold.
Tactility. It’s all about the texture, baby.
Uber cute birds. Delicate birds are a fresh take on springtime designs.
Velvet. Trickling over from the fashion runways into our homes, velvet continues to be one of our most beloved fabrics.
Wood grain. We love seeing the natural grain of wood. It’s another piece of nature that we can bring inside.
X marks the spot for matte. Take a break from staring at all things glossy to enjoy matte texture.
Yellow. Intense yellow hues work well when applied to quality textiles and combined with eggplant purple or grey.
Zen. Peaceful yet attractive outdoor living spaces have made themselves known. Enjoy a staycation or two.
Ashley’s Furniture is one of the biggest furniture manufacturers in the world. Head over to their website to see their extensive furniture and home accessory ranges: www.ashleyfurniturehomestores.co.za
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Surface Design Trends From Granite Projects
For chic, practical surfaces for your kitchen or bathroom, we spoke to our Port Elizabeth exhibitor Granite Projects PE about surface design trends and the best materials to add durability and elegance to your home.
What’s new or trending in surface design?
The market is shifting towards quartz surfaces, which is a more durable surface. Quartz is one of nature’s strongest minerals, which makes it the practical choice for any kitchen. The natural look, which mirrors natural stone, is gaining popularity and we’re seeing a move away from the “busy, speckled quartz” surface towards a marbled look with intricate veins and bold textures.
Another popular surface is one that mimics the industrial look, where the patterns and textures combine together for a more bespoke, coarse concrete look.
What is your favourite material to work with?
I don’t even need to think for this answer! By far, the quartz surfaces are my favourite to work with. Quartz is more than just a beautiful surface. It is impermeable to stains, scratches and cracks and is heat resistant up to certain temperatures. With quartz surfaces, we are able to offer our customers the latest trends, combining new styles and textures with the lasted cutting edge designs. Clients are always thrilled with the end look whenever they choose quartz surfaces.
What was your most memorable project?
We have worked on many exciting, unique and memorable projects, but one that does stand out is a job we did for Tsogo Sun Hotel Group. We refurbished the bathroom vanities, pulling out the old granite and replacing it with a more modern look stone surface, using Caesarstone Quartz surfaces and combining two colours, with build-ups and undermounts, to fuse into one vanity. It was exhilarating to see the whole project come together along with all the other sub-contractors doing the tiling and furnishes. It was a privilege to be able work with the Hotel Group.
Are there any exciting projects you’re working on?
At the moment we are working on households and shop-fitting in general, but we do have a more exiting project in the pipeline lined up for later in the year. Watch this space!
Are there any colour palettes you’re more partial too right now?
White and off-white colour quartz surfaces have always been popular and I think they will remain one of our bestsellers. Another popular colour trend in the market at the moment is the grey, washed concrete look in our quartz slabs. One other very popular colour palette is the natural marble look, with delicate veins which look like grey swirls through the slabs.
Home surfaces should always require minimal maintenance, durable surfaces, with a beautiful finish. You shouldn’t need to spend your time constantly worrying about cleaning and maintaining on your work surfaces. You do life, we do stone.
Hop over to the Granite Projects PE website to see the various stone and granite ranges on offer: www.graniteprojectspe.co.za
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Product Spotlight: Moonlights by Pure Creation
Pure Creation’s enchanting Moonlights are both functional and decorative. The silhouette lighting and shadow elements create a beautiful soft light – adding a relaxed atmosphere to any living space.
They’re carefully crafted from mdf supawood, each one displaying an intricately cut nature-inspired motif. The Moonlights are rounded off with a luxurious matte white finish.
Pure Creation’s Moonlights are easy to install with a hook at the back to hang on the wall – the same way you would hang a painting on a wall. The energy saving light bulb fits at the back on a light fitting. The wire and plug point come attached.
Dimensions: 40 x 40cm, and hangs 7 cm from the wall.
Visit the Pure Creation online shop for more products: www.purecreation.co.za/products
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Product Spotlight: Two Faced Floor Mirror By Flaunt Concepts
The eye-catching Two Faced Floor mirror by Flaunt Concepts indulges in simple detail, simple geometric form and unexpected colour. Ashleigh Harrington, the designer describes it as a piece that endures, inspires and aspires to be inherited. We couldn’t agree more.
Finishes
Base • White Oak finished in Walnut Monocoat
Mirror • Bronze or Grey Mirror
Visit their website to see more products from Flaunt Concepts: flauntconcepts.co.za
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Threads That Bind Us
Cape HOMEMAKERS Expo exhibitor, Threads That Bind Us is a collaboration between two South African sisters, Emma and Leila. They believe that there is an invisible thread that binds them as sisters, as a family and to Africa… which is why after more than ten years abroad, they chose to come home and have embarked on an incredible journey of discovery and creativity.
Growing up with an artist mother, creativity surrounded them. They recall having a very free childhood and spent years exploring the beauty of Swaziland. Their imaginations ran wild as they adventured through the forests and river below their home, coming back mud splattered and full of wonder.
The sisters have a passion for travelling, and over the past decade have collected many treasures. To this day they are always on the hunt for special things for their home, a desire that led them to exploring the art of making and crafting.
Moving to Cape Town in 2015, they were determined to turn their love of craft into their own enterprise. They draw inspiration from Cape Town’s natural beauty, “There is something about the light here that inspires us.” says Emma.
They produce handmade, African inspired, unique tableware and soft furnishings for the home. The designs are a celebration of what surrounds them – the natural beauty found on mountain walks. Every design is hand drawn and then stitched using free-motion embroidery, which gives the feeling of “drawing with thread”. The freehand machine embroidery technique used to “draw” with thread means that each product is one of a kind. Their products are all embroidered with motifs that take inspiration from the Protea and fynbos family predominantly.
Threads That Bind Us offer a bespoke service as well, if they can draw it, they can stitch it!
Visit them at the Cape HOMEMAKERS Expo this year and hop over to their online shop for more inspiring products.
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