South African Design at West Elm
I love that West Elm has partnered with Elle Décor magazine to bring South African design to America with sixteen lovely collaborations with artists and designers who live and work there. I love this! You can catch a peek here of the collection – everything is simply divine.
I particularly love the elephant lamp by Shirley Fintz and the ceramics from Gemma Orkin who describes her style as, “Happy and uncomplicated.” So, so pretty, right???
What do you think of these gorgeous, colorful designs? I am smitten!
(images: west elm)
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Flickr
LinkedIn
June 7th, 2012 at 1:27am
We have those little elephants at home! :)
xoxo
Natasha
June 7th, 2012 at 1:50am
I love the ceramics, so happy and vibrant!!!
Igor´s last [type] ..5 Happy Inspirations: Eye-Catcher
June 7th, 2012 at 2:19am
Amazing. I brought home a ceramic giraffe from Shirley 4 years ago. I cherish it still.
Kari McIntosh´s last [type] ..French Countryside Bebe Fete
June 7th, 2012 at 2:27am
Love this! Always been a fan of west elm…love this collab.
June 7th, 2012 at 2:55am
Oh wow, now I’m going to have even more things to buy from West Elm.
Chrystina´s last [type] ..a beautiful card from virginia
June 7th, 2012 at 3:27am
holey moley I WANT those patterned plates & cups from Potters Workshop!!
Colour and pattern ~ two of my most favourite things :)
julie @ tractorgirl´s last [type] ..Food : Grandma’s beetroot patties
June 7th, 2012 at 4:14am
I was lucky enough to live in South Africa for two years and brought home lots of furniture. The chairs with the riempies (leather straps) are iconic in southern Africa. Makes me homesick for my second home!
Congrats to West Elm for promoting South African design!
Sandra´s last [type] ..Photographers Who Inspire – Kasper Tuxen
June 7th, 2012 at 4:49am
funny, was just blogging bout the same thing. Love West elm.
June 7th, 2012 at 6:54am
Gotta love it!
Have a nice day!
Greetings from Norway!
S & H´s last [type] ..Bildevegg= FERDIG!!
June 7th, 2012 at 8:44am
That elephant lamp is too cool! Way to go West Elm – such a wonderful idea!
Amberly @ The Good Life´s last [type] ..DIY: Herb Wall in the Kitchen
June 7th, 2012 at 8:56am
The lamp is fantastic! Love the ceramics! Absolutly pretty! Thank you for sharing, Holly!
Nicole´s last [type] ..Kitchen Queen
June 7th, 2012 at 2:04pm
I too am smitten with them. I adore the texture on the plates from Gemma along with the color palette ~ pretty, pretty! The rug in the dining room picture also has me drooling, but those hardwood floors under it are taking my breath away!
June 7th, 2012 at 2:33pm
I’m loving West Elm’s collaborations! I am in love with the elephant lamp! I really don’t need any more elephants at home, but I might have space for that lamp!
Ashley {GirlyObsessions}´s last [type] ..From Fresh Prince to Legend: Will Smith.
June 7th, 2012 at 2:36pm
Love the ceramics. The colours are bright and bold. Thanks for sharing
Yemi@baby Nursery ideas´s last [type] ..Unique Ideas for Baby’s & Kids to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee
June 7th, 2012 at 4:49pm
Oh My Gosh! I love everything on here! I have a few African pieces, but now I have to have more!
Julie
June 7th, 2012 at 5:14pm
I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and Gemma Orkin’s ceramic bird plate series decorates an entire wall of my local coffee shop… a beautiful space to enjoy a latte!
Very proud to see our local talent being recognised abroad!
thank you for sharing this, Holly. xo
Megan´s last [type] ..Snap! #13
June 7th, 2012 at 6:20pm
Any idea where to get that last white desk with the cool legs? When I search the West Elm website it doesn’t come up. Thanks!!
June 8th, 2012 at 1:19am
I love theses accessories!
Linsi´s last [type] ..Breathing Down Your Own Neck
June 8th, 2012 at 7:18am
I grew up in Tanzania (East Africa) and am very pleased to see fellow African artists gettign the recognition they deserve. So much talent here. The elephant lamp is my fave too.
Sukaina´s last [type] ..Creamy Pea and Mint Spaghetti
June 8th, 2012 at 9:27am
Oh I just have the biggest smile on my face after looking at this post, Holly. So gorgeous. I learned from a smart woman named Holly Becker to take the time to really look at design that touches us and find out what exactly it is that gets us so excited. I am going to do that right now. Thank you for this post that gave me goosebumps!
kalanicut´s last [type] ..A Course In Self Care
June 8th, 2012 at 9:41am
The South African design scene ROCKS! Married to a South African I’ve been coming to Cape Town for the past 24 years, and have seen huge chance during the past 5 years South African and Cape Town in particular is now cutting edge and very exciting! If you haven’t been there Holly I would suggest you go and check it out! You will love it!
June 8th, 2012 at 11:26am
Thank you Holly for showcasing the amazing design talent coming out of South Africa – my home!! I was recently in a “Mud” shop in a small country town and saw a few of the spectacular chandeliers that you covet – made me think of you and, having now seen them close-up, I realise why you want one!! (and I had to explain why they are so expensive to my husband – the amount of craftsmanship going into them is astounding!!)
June 8th, 2012 at 11:44am
I love this it is sooo pretty. Proud to be a South African.
June 8th, 2012 at 3:31pm
My husband is South African so we have a lot of unique art and artifacts in our home. I love to see west elm branching out and showcasing unique patterns, textures and and colour combinations from artist.
Love!
P.s Those ceramic plates are beautiful! I want one of each!
shabby chic decor´s last [type] ..Office Reno – King Street
June 8th, 2012 at 5:38pm
I like that this gives the pieces more of a story behind them, and I’m a big fan of the collaboration. I think they do a lot with 20 x 200 as well.
And those furniture pieces that are paint dipped with bare feet? Wow.
Rachel May´s last [type] ..Things to Check Out Online & Off
June 8th, 2012 at 10:00pm
I love those chairs!
June 9th, 2012 at 6:42pm
I love their products and the ethnic character. It’s so good to see so many smaller designers emerging from different parts of the world. Inspiration just keeps coming.
Joanna´s last [type] ..Introducing: Jaime Hayon
June 10th, 2012 at 1:02am
Loads of inspiration! I love the little elephants.
June 10th, 2012 at 4:28pm
So pleased to see you celebrating South African style Holly. I have a Gemma Orkin vessel next to my bed that is crammed with pens – i love its irregularity. We have so many talented here in SA and it’s great to have companies like West Elm appreciate them too. V x
Vicki´s last [type] ..Another Lovely Wedding Digizine
June 10th, 2012 at 9:56pm
these are really cool, love the ceramics.
June 11th, 2012 at 7:24am
I know why i love so much this blog
Thanks for sharing this!
June 11th, 2012 at 8:23pm
Hurrah! I’m proudly South African and so excited to see how our design is slowly infiltrating the rest of the world. For two long we relied on design influences coming into the country; SA designers have matured and, with the confidence gained, now realise that they can stand tall amongst their international peers.
June 11th, 2012 at 8:24pm
Oops… TOO
June 11th, 2012 at 9:08pm
Beautiful, very organic, earthy. Thanks for sharing!
June 11th, 2012 at 10:19pm
Gorgeous! These spreads are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing this great mash up of design.
June 11th, 2012 at 11:57pm
This collaboration is fantastic! I especially love the white klismos chairs and the Gemma Orkin ceramics. There are so many lovely South African artists and designers, its awesome to see them recognized by West Elm.
June 12th, 2012 at 2:11pm
Good stuff, earthy tones all round. the fabrics have a cozy feel and the colourful ceramics are great.
June 12th, 2012 at 2:28pm
Fantastic, glad to see my home country being so well promoted :)
Rin Simpson´s last [type] ..Welcome to my world…
June 12th, 2012 at 8:49pm
gorgeous items.. i can’t decide what I love more.
hena tayeb´s last [type] ..Washington DC
June 12th, 2012 at 9:58pm
The Potter Ware dishes? Gorgeous! Those colors are just so vivid, and the patterns could make even the simplest of foods look gourmet. I. Want.
Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com´s last [type] ..How To Clean and Maintain Your Vacuum Cleaner
June 13th, 2012 at 2:56am
The red bench is so amazing. Great designs!
June 13th, 2012 at 6:23am
I do love me some West Elm!
June 13th, 2012 at 4:36pm
Lovely plates. Perfect for summer!
Jessica @shimmerkai´s last [type] ..Anchor Father’s Day Card + DIY Gifts
June 13th, 2012 at 8:35pm
I love all the plates mixed and matched together.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Teal and White Polka Dot Bib Necklace by jenndubs
June 14th, 2012 at 11:41am
These items are so gorgeous! I specially love the plates, the colors just pop and the patterns are beautiful. Love it!
June 14th, 2012 at 9:20pm
I absolutely adore west elm…the seem to always get it right!!
Love,
Jamie Herzlinger
June 15th, 2012 at 6:15am
Love the whimsy!!! So cute and fun!
Carly´s last [type] ..It’s My Spirituality, Not Your Spirituality
June 15th, 2012 at 10:14pm
Just lovely! We spent a year in South Africa and I love this modern twist on traditional African patterns and ideas.
Rebekah´s last [type] ..Modern Wood Fence
June 18th, 2012 at 11:16pm
The bright red bench seat is beautiful, that would look lovely on my slate grey veranda :-0
June 20th, 2012 at 3:57pm
Its so exciting for us South Africans who are in the States! can’t wait to get my hands on some of these – especially the kudu table lamp. Gorgeous! Well done, West Elm :)
June 28th, 2012 at 3:45am
these are beautiful! they have got to be my favourite by far!
i love the detail in each craft =)
July 11th, 2012 at 3:40pm
Oh, this is lovely. I just love the ceramics and the white chairs. {heart}
Esther.
Esther´s last [type] ..Tote bag in fuchsia with leather straps
January 10th, 2013 at 9:01am
So proud that my home town and the amazing designers that we have here are being celebrated internationally! Thanks West Elm! Thanks Holly, x
February 12th, 2013 at 4:41pm
Love the ceramics!
clayshapes pottery´s last [type] ..Ocean pendant, ceramic pendant by Clayshapes