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Q&A with San-Marié Vogel
As owner of the Creative You Market (formerly known as the CY Market), San-Marié is deeply inspired by local talent and design.
Q: What excites you about local design in 2023?
A: It’s clear that design is not reserved for those with qualifications – this arena is open to anyone who’d like to contribute. SA is full of creatives who spot opportunities and manufacture products that appeal to their audience.
Q: How does the quality of local products compare to imported products?
A: We have wonderful natural resources, and our manufacturers are world-class. When passion and quality materials are combined, you’re assured of top-notch products. Mass-imported products are, of course, cheaper but I believe the South African consumer has developed a taste for local offerings.
Q: Which new trends in décor inspire you?
A: Individuality is where it’s at! Nobody can be told what is beautiful, what colour must be used and where items should be placed.
• Colour is making a welcome comeback! However, whites and greys remain popular.
• We’re getting rid of excess bits and bobs and we’re starting to enjoy cleaner work surfaces and spaces.
• Biophilic design (greenery and indoor-outdoor living) is here to stay. Expect indoor plants in every room – even trees are making an appearance in interiors. Don’t have green fingers? Play with plant motifs on tea towels, tablecloths and linen.
• Natural materials, such as linen, are once again gaining in popularity.
A LOVE AFFAIR!
Passionate about printing on ceramics, Sonja Müller started her business Môigoeters (beautiful things) as a hobby.
In 2021, she opened a studio on the beautiful wine farm Spice Route in Paarl where you can buy a variety of local décor products as well as paint your own ceramics. “My story is simple,” says Sonja. “I love what I do, and I do what I love.”
Check out moigoeters.com.
MADE TO SERVE
Inspired by a passion for beautiful things and fuelled by the love of serving others, Served Co was brought to life by a dynamic father-and-daughter duo, Alicia and Dawie Swart. Together, they have crafted a collection that captures the essence of style and functionality.
“Our meticulously curated selection features an array of serving trays and cake stands that cater to every taste,” says Alicia.
“From the sleek allure of deep black glazed trays to the timeless charm of crisp white and oak, each piece is thoughtfully designed to make a statement.”
For details, go to shopfox.co.za/served-co.
TABLE ART
Helena Higgins of The Cape Art Company offers a fresh take on side tables (R1 118 each, thecapeartcompany.co.za). You can choose from 85 different designs for the birch plywood top and between birch wood or metal legs.
A TACTILE BEAUTY
Clay cups or goblets add a tactile dimension to taste and look lovely on open shelving in the kitchen. We love these from Marietjie Kock of Afrisjiek; each item is carefully decorated but remains dishwasher- and microwave oven-proof. Take a look at instagram.com/afrisjiek_sa/.
IT'S A CUSTOM
Lize Rossouw of Hartspotterì runs a studio on a farm in the Koo Valley outside Montagu. “Blue is my passion, but I’ve also fallen in love with green,” she says.
“Shoppers can create their own crockery set by mixing and matching different types of clay, glazing and designs. They can also order custom pieces after the Creative You market.” Visit hartspotteri.co.za.
SPRUCE UP YOUR CUPBOARDS
The Re-Create by Incanda range is all about sustainability – each item is crafted from off-cut materials from the factory (including leather, fabric, wood and steel).
These stylish leather handles (from R50 each, incanda.co.za) work beautifully on cupboard doors and drawer pulls. They’re made from strong leather and come with a screw-in bolt and nut.
FLAUNT IT!
A beautiful handbag is right at the top of our list of must-haves!
Hanici Bredenkamp and her team started Moss Leather in Simon's Town in 2015. Shoulder bags (from R935, moss-shop.co.za) with floral prints on the front remain their most popular product. The leather is sourced from Wellington, Paarl and Cape Town and it takes about four days to process, cut, print and polish each bag.
A SOFT TOUCH
After five years of working as a sales consultant at a fabric house, Marise Kock left her day job to follow her dream: designing and manufacturing unique scatter cushions.
Trading under the brand name Verstrooid Kussings, her scatters boast interesting motifs and patterns created with beadwork and delicate trims. Check out instagram.com/verstrooid_kussings.
THE BEST IN BASKETS
Rope baskets have become hugely popular over the past couple of years and Nadia Cohen of Namico Baskets has been producing beauties for more than three years. “I love creating new and exciting handmade products every day,” she says. Find Nadia on instagram.com/namicobaskets.
