The Verdict on Design Indaba 2015 (Lotsa Taste, More Furniture Needed)

South Africa’s ultimate design festival – Design Indaba – aimed at inspiring people to create a better future through design and creativity ends today. Louise Ferreira, an advocate of the High Court and member of the Cape Bar (as well as the mother of an 18-month-old), delivers her verdict on Design Indaba 2015…

The Verdict on Design Indaba 2015 – by Louise Ferreira

Disclaimer: These are the views of a lawyer, who begrudgingly accepts that obsessively buying 15 decor magazines a month does not a designer/architect/artist make. In other words: Read at your own risk.

1. Least Favourite Moment

Arriving at Cape Town Convention Centre only to find “parking full” signs.

2. Hold on a Sec!

Attendant Masonde transforms least favourite moment into first favourite thing at Indaba. He finds the last open parking bay in Parking Garage 3.

3. Favourite Thing No. 2

Artymiss’ laser-cut stationery capturing the vibrancy of the Mother City (if not the commotion of our chambers on Keerom Street!). More: www.artymiss.co.za

4. This Man Needs a Lawyer! (To protect his designs from copycats, that is.)

One of the up-and-coming young designers bursting with creativity and passion at Indaba, Bentley van Wyk is a master potter from Port Elizabeth.

He uses unique surface decoration techniques to create mesmerising earthenware and porcelain bowls. Buy them before the Chinese knockoffs come out!

5. Favourite Things Nos. 3 & 4

During her/his career, the average lawyer…will generate a paper trail long enough to circle the earth 37 times (yes, even environmental lawyers!). Good thing, then, that storage solutions are getting so easy on the eye. Which brings me to Favourite Things Nos. 3 & 4:De Steyl’s stackable storage system. More: www.desteyl.co.za

… and Leg Studio’s honeycomb modular shelving. More: www.legstudios.co.za.

6. That’s Wool?

At the forefront of functional design in mohair and merino wool is textile artist and felting doyenne Ronel Jordaan. Her internationally acclaimed hand-felted pebbles and rocks epitomise the perfect union of function and design. (At least that’s what I tell my engineer husband when I have to defend my latest buying splurge.) More: www.roneljordaan.com.

Jordaan’s merino wool Lalibella chair made me stop and smile.

Also at the Cape Wools SA stand were Krafthaus’ handmade green merino “Kanu Throw”. More: www.krafthaus.co.za

7. Monkey Business as Usual

Okay, so full disclosure: I’m a sucker for Monkeybiz’s vibrant and quirky designs, and already have a zoo of them at home. The beadwork animals and dolls attest to the limitless imagination of its bead artists, who have not only uplifted themselves through their work but have gotten into Sotheby’s and Conran Design. www.monkeybiz.co.za

8. Family Ties

I cannot even pretend to be objective when it comes to the gorgeous jewellery of the talented and gutsy Henriëtte Botha (who happens to be my second cousin). Her collections are cutting-edge, yet classic. Her “desert rose” pendant and “bananas” necklace were some of my favourite statement pieces. More: www.henriettebotha.com

9. The 18-Month-Old has his Say

My son David pretty much took over the Skog Kids stand. Ergonomically correct, indoor/outdoor, sustainably sourced, scratch resistant, flatpack, well designed…where do I order? More: www.skog.co.za

10. Who turned the lights on/off?

Here’s hoping Eskom can keep the lights on long enough to admire the vintage-style light bulbs of Hoi P’Loy. More: www.hoiploy.com.

And so, another Design Indaba comes to an end. Thankfully for my wallet (and my marriage), furniture designers were quite under-represented. While disappointed, I at least have another 12 months to save up for my favourite splurge.

Here’s hoping the mix will be better at Design Indaba 2016.