Sometimes I’m a very slow designer. I’ve realised this as I go through a very high-energy week, in which we’re launching a brand new print called Shard at Decorex Cape Town. While it is a visually energetic with Op-Art vibes, the idea for Shard came about during those slow, peculiar weeks and months when the …
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New: Shard print
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Introducing Flower Ring
Our brand new Flower Ring design is a pretty two-colour floral print screenprinted on cotton slub fabric Look a bit more closely though, and you’ll notice that the little flowers on the head of the plant are travelling upwards – it’s almost like a little animation. I like to notice weeds – often beautiful, frequently …
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Ribwort Plantain – inspiration for a textile design
When people ask what inspires my pattern designs, my answer may sound a bit unhelpful. That’s because in fact, I can find almost anything inspiring! In our product range, we have textile prints inspired by an architectural feature, and a silk scarf inspired by an apartment block. Also, textile ranges inspired by the way plants …
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Start a pattern habit
My New Year’s resolution was to get in the groove of a daily pattern habit. The rule is that every morning before I start work, I fill a page of my pattern journal with some kind of pattern. I spend 15-20 minutes using the grid lines in my notebook to work through what a simple motif can do. Then, …
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Who looks for treasure in the same place twice?
Nobody looks in the same place for treasure twice, right? Well, it depends on how you define ‘treasure’, I guess. For designers, like me, creative thoughts & fresh ideas are hugely valuable. This is the ‘treasure’ I look for, and I definitely need to look more than once to find it. Here’s what I mean: …
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How to Look Better – tips for seeing treasures every day
I’m a good looker. I don’t mean I’d win a beauty contest, just that LOOKING is part of my creative toolbox as a designer, and I’m good at it. I’m in the habit of using my eyes in an enquiring way that helps me make the creative connections and leaps that are needed for new …
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La Fonda de Sol
Have you been known to hoard things like paper napkins? I wouldn’t think I would, but actually, since 2016 I’ve had four unopened packets of Alexander Girard paper napkins in my cupboard – unused souvenirs from my visit to Vitra Design Museum in 2016 when I got to see the Alexander Girard retrospective, A Designer’s …
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Sunshine baskets
Has it ever occurred to you that a lot of African basket designs look like sunshines? Well, it occurred to me, so I made a selection of fine specimens found in our friend Binky’s shop Design Afrika, and took this gorgeous sunshiney snap. Find these, and other beautiful African baskets from Design Afrika in the …
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Thinking Pink
Looking for a sweetly feminine selection of Skinny laMinx goods? We’ve put some ideas together in our Gift Guide this week, and more here too: Breeze Coasters I’langa Chair in Flower Fields Table Runner in Ovals Soft Buckets in Orla and Flower Fields Tray in Tall Protea Change Purse in Orla Teatowel in Borrowed Spoons Table Mountain …
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