Design Sponge Chevron Rug

I’ve been buying bits of furniture, re-upholstering, sewing and repurposing for over 4 months. The plan is to spend as little as possible for best results. So, I’ve been a mainstay at all local sales and junk shops – what fun! Bargains so far: white contemporary leather (jam droppingly straight-in-line) Weylandts sectional marked down from R15 999- to R4999-; retro tulip table base from Milnerton flea market: R50-; round wooden Weylandts coffee and side tables : marked down from R4995- and R2995- to R700- and R300- respectively (I do scratch and dents too!); also small lucite table: R60- plus many more!

However, what consistently eluded me was a nice contemporary rug. It seems in Cape Town the only options are persian, kelim or ugly – at least 2 of which I can’t afford.

So the search was on. I was keen to find a black and white graphic rug – 1st prize would be a chevron pattern, otherwise stripes, squares or something similar. I trawled shopping centres, independent stores, design centres, the internet, etc etc. And yet, no luck …

My rug hanging in-store ...

Found this great rug online from ikea but they don’t ship them to SA, and there aren’t any stores locally (about time that changes – wadda you say??). Thought about having one custom made (did i mention I’m on a budget?), thought about painting (I’m impatient), until finally a discovery was made.

It was early, with the smell of fresh coffee in the air (humour me), I strode trepidatiously into @home in Canal Walk. With little optimism, I flipped through their rug selection … there was a sharp intake of breath … I found my rug!

It wasn’t exactly what I’d originally hoped for. Initially the varying line widths left me a little unsure, but my options were limited (nonexistent) and the price was reasonable (R2200-). So, rug was rung up, slung over me shoulder and loaded into the magi-mobile (my I-can-transport-just-about-anything-red-Tazz).

Excited! I’ll post pics of the final room design and layout when (if) it happens.

I’ve had lots of other bargains and fun finds. I’ve had the time to gather whilst the construction has dragged on – so maybe it’s a good thing? Now I’ve got tons of stunning furniture with nowhere to put it all! I’ll keep you (or just me – anybody reading this?) updated!

Pictured is the delicious food from Salted Caramel … yummy!

Random Inspiration: Amazing LED dress as worn by Safura by CuteCircuit

My name is Chad Findlay. I am 24 years old and I am a creative. Why so broad and bold a title? Whenever I have to fill that little box on a form, or people ask me “so what do you do?” I hesitate. I do many things – all symbiotic in nature complementing one another. How can my directorial skills be completely divorced from my design work and performance abilities? Each harmonises with the other, each is integral to the successful end product produced, each makes the other better.

“The sorcery and charm of imagination, and the power it gives to the individual to transform his world into a new world of order and delight, makes it one of the most treasured of all human capacities.”  - Frank Barron

I think people are diversifying in their careers. More skillsets are needed in modern society – specialistaion in a number of areas instead of one seems to be the way to go, especially for a freelancer like myself. However, specialisation is still key. The term ‘jack of all trades master of none’ is a legitimate concern. It’s important that the knowledge-base throughout all skillsets is consistently high. An eye for colour, form, consistency and quality  is reliable in many wide-ranging disciplines and when developed can be a reliable base from w

Random Inspiration: Beautiful interior using bold pattern and even bolder colour.

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook

I think creativity leads to creativity. I am involved in a varied, wonderful world, where creativity is revolutionising society. Where creative solutions are prized among all others, where low-cost fashion and decor is available to all, where the commercial industries are starting to understand just what creative people can achieve towards the success of their projects. I prefer not to limit myself to just one branch of the creative tree, but rather offer my skillsets, and if they fit with what you require, you can be confident that the results will be self-evident.

I thought I’d highlight some of the successful acts we’ve created and now represent through the ProMagic initiative, starting with:

Olwethu Dyantyi is 17 years old from Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa. Whilst facing unbelievable obstacles and hardships he has found his niche as a successful performer and student at the world-renowned College of Magic. He has been studying the art of magic for the past 6 years focusing on his favourite genre – sleight-of-hand. Olwethu is the current Western Cape Junior Magician Champion with an act that combines his love of sleight-of-hand with playing cards, his phenomenal dance abilities as well as a trendy glam-rock aesthetic. His act has received overwhelming reactions with highly-rated performances at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas USA, at the Artscape and Baxter Theatres, in front of government officials and at festivals and events. This high-energy performance combines fantastic charisma, world-class magic skills, beautiful costuming as well as an exciting soundtrack and awesome choreography; guaranteed to appeal to every taste and enliven any audience.

For more information, please contact Chad at the College of Magic on chad@collegeofmagic.com.

Pics by Sam Burrows: www.bluekaroo.co.za

Makes me think of Doug Henning …