Christmas Shutdown

It's hard to believe that it is that time again already. End of another year and we can finally put our feet up for a well deserved break. Projects have wound down, suppliers are closing and the telephone is ringing less frequently. We look forward to sharing next year with you. Merry Christmas!

Designer Decor

If you are considering a sculptural artwork for your home there is no one I would recommend more than Astrid Dahl. Her unique aesthetic and sensitivity when working with clay is unlike anything we have seen before. Striking organic shapes are deceptively strong offering striking silhouettes in white clay.

For more information, please feel free to contact us at Jossi Design.

Inspired Design

All my internet trawling has paid off again - have a look at this masterpiece by ONG&ONG Singapore. This residence offers a calm balance between interior and exterior spaces. The ground floor incorporates the living and dining areas with free views to the pool and manicured garden beyond. A central staircase leads upstairs to the bedrooms and family area on the first floor and finally a spiral staircase to roof terrace above.The house has a strong horizontal element to it with clean lines creating a sense of space. For me this is a perfect example of why one shouldn't over decorate a space. Keep it simple and keep it functional.

If this sense of style and elegance is something you would like to see adapted to your own home interior be sure to contact the team at Jossi Design!

Rather Busy Monday!

I don't know what it is about Mondays. Doesn't matter where you work or what you do, Mondays have a habit of throwing you curveballs all day long.

I found myself all over the place today. A brief stop in at the office in the morning, then it was off to Hillcrest for a site meeting, then back to the office by way of one of our tile suppliers, cup of tea (yay!), dropped of tiles on site, back to the office, loaded the car again, then off to site in Musgrave to check a curtain installation and drop off some bed lamps, then off to South Beach to drop off 2 (heavy!) rugs for a client to approve and finally back to the office again. Don't know about the staff members, but I am knackered.

If you don't believe me, I have pictures to prove it!

Penthouse on South Beach - A very Bright Kitchen

House in Hillcrest - Pool House & Rondavel

House in Musgrave - Bedside Lamp Bases (Need to find a shade!)

House in Musgrave - Curtains & TV Unit

 

 

 That brings us to the end of Monday. Just enough time to wind down for the day before it all starts again tomorrow. Bring it on!

Project Progress

I had another site meeting this morning in Hillcrest. My client had a few concerns with discrepancies in the kitchen layout and design. Unfortunately these things do happen from time to time, especially at this time of year when everyone is under such pressure to get the job done on schedule.We tweaked the layout ever-so-slightly, discussed a few other minor issues and we all left feeling far more confident with the project than when we arrived.

A few other site pictures for all you loyal Jossi Design blog readers:

 

 

Couldn't help but admire the progress out in the garden as well. Hopefully the pool will be ready in time for the children to enjoy over the school holidays.

 

Even the lighting installation is starting to take shape with the main staircase chandelier going up last week. Don't know how they managed to get it up but it looks fantastic.

Designer Lighting

Lighting. Probably the most important element in enhancing your interior, whether it be subtle ambient lighting, feature spot lights or even your dimmable downlights. It sets the mood and shows off your designer interior by attracting attention and visually leading the eye through a space.

Well... that's the conventional theory behind lighting anyway. Those clever designers at European design studio Moooi are known for pushing the norm. How would you feel about being greeted by one of these life-size floor standing lamps on entering a room? Standing at 2.4 meters tall, you certainly need a bit of space for this fella.

You want to make a statement? This should do it.

COPYRIGHT MOOOI B.V

Moooi products are available in South Africa. Speak to us at Jossi Design and we can point you in the right direction.

Inspired Design

Every now and then the designers at Jossi Design see something fantastic and from today we are going to share our exciting finds with you. Whether they be bespoke furniture pieces  or even noteworthy installations, we want you to see what our clever international colleagues are up to. That way when inspiration strikes; you know that the team at Jossi Design shares your desire for cutting edge design!

We start of our search into cyberspace with probably the most exciting pool installation we have ever seen. This installation by OFTB (Out Of The Blue) in Australia have helped us find our own personal nirvana.

 

 

The acrylic wall makes this designer pool defy the laws of gravity and appears to slice directly through the pool steps. Why not? Why shouldn't you be able to see all the carefully thought out skill and aesthetic detailing it took to make this installation the statement that it is? Have a look at this and other amazing projects by OFTB, truly inspired design.

The vote from Jossi Design HQ: Yes please! But best you start saving up for this one as I'm sure acrylic that thick doesn't come cheap! What do you think?

House in Hillcrest

It has been a big push by the clients to try and get into their house by Christmas, but finally we have resigned ourselves to the fact that it just is not a possibility.
 

That being said, impressive progress all round with walls being painted, ceilings and bulkheads being complete, kitchen cabinets starting to be assembled and the garden landscaping almost being completed.

House in Glenashley

So we are in the middle of the 'silly season' and Jossi Design is frantically trying to get projects wrapped up before builder take their long overdue holidays.  I know I am pretty tired but I am somehow managing to push through despite the pressure from our clients. 

So needless to say I am looking forward to the holidays, but first I had to go to site in Glenashley and see the progress here.  As you can see from the photos there is alot that still needs to be done here.  The client has been in Hong Kong so alot of the work was put on hold and now that he is back he is keen so see things moving again. 

There are some important decisions still to be made in terms of paint colours and finishes.  However I do have alot of work still to do in terms of the TV unit designs, Bathroom tiling layouts and specifications, Exterior design in terms of the paint colours and finishes to be used on the facade.

The ceiling completion has been held up by the Home Automation that the client has suddenly decided to incorporate into the house.  Thank goodness the ceilings were not boarded!  So as soon as the work has taken place within the ceilings we can board up, skim and move forward.

We will keep you posted with this project.

IID Christmas Cocktail Party

On Friday, 18 November, the KZN chapter of the IID had their annual Christmas function at The Square Boutique Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks.

A beautifully contemporary interior and a fantastic venue for members to socialise and unwind while sharing stories from the year.

Under the leadership of Jossi Design's own Jocelyn Jones, we toasted to 2011 and the (well deserved!) upcoming Christmas break.

The IID AGM 2011

So here I am sitting at Joburg International Airport waiting to fly back to Durban. I have just been to the IID AGM, this was held at the Pretoria University yesterday the 1st November 2011.

Although the AGM did not reach Quorum so no voting could take place, the AGM went ahead with the very comprehensive IID presentation and the report on the Financials.

The presentation was given by Madelaine Biezanek, and it was truly impressive to see the strides that the IID has taken in the past year, for example:

1) Membership has increased by 12% in the last year

2) The IID has a new legal team giving members support and advice where required

3) The IID and the legal team have travelled to all the regions conducting seminars on the Consumer Protection Act that affects all out business activities

4) The Legal team has produced a standard contract that IID members can use

5) The IID legal team is working on a standard fee structure for IID designer and decorator members

6) The newsletter is being sent out and members are advised to make use of this advertising opportunity as well as to keep informed of what is happening in the industry through the use of the newsletter

7) The IID website is getting several hits from members of the public therefore this is also a valuable marketing opportunity for members

The new National Council was introduced to the members present at the AGM:

• Myself, Jocelyn Jones being the KZN Regional Head

• Helen Buhrs - Pretoria Regional Head

• Dave Nemeth – Johannesburg Regional Head

• Trish Strydom – Eastern Cape Regional Head

• Heidi Jager – Eastern Cape Regional Head

The National Office is made up of Secretary Stefan Blignaut, Executive Manager Madelaine Biezanek, Membership and Public Liaison Manager Fehmida Jordaan. Then of course there is the current President Desmond Laubscher. The new President Elect (due to take over from the current President when his term is up) is myself, Jocelyn Jones.

It has been great working with the above mentioned National Office and current President and I am looking forward to working closely with them this year and with the new National Council.

Now it is pretty much time to board my plane back to Durban. I will keep you updated with progress about the IID but for more information visit www.iidprofessions.com or www.jossi.co.za

ARTWORKS

If you love contemporary design (as I do) you will probably be tired of the same old framed prints you see at the traditional decorating shops and professional framing companies.
Don’t get me wrong, it is not that I do not like prints, I have bought and displayed these in homes before at clients’ requests, there is just something that is more inspiring about original artworks. I find that you can almost always tell the difference between a print and an original, there is just more depth in a genuine artwork and for reasons I cannot explain, they capture and hold your attention much more than a print.


I think many people out there feel that original artwork is just too expensive and therefore they go straight to a supplier of prints and get these framed.


However I am here to tell you that if you look around and keep am eye open at markets, furniture retailers, designer showrooms, even some restaurants and coffee shops display artworks to sell, then you will find something right up your street, whether it is contemporary or traditional that you are after.

 Here are some examples of contemporary artworks that I have displayed at the moment. The first one is actually a mass produced oil painting from @ Home. This might not be what everyone has in mind when I say “original” artwork but it is an oil painting (not a print) that has depth due to the thickness of the oil on the canvas. The only draw back here is that each one at the retailer looks identical to the next one, but unless all your friends shop at the same shop as you, you will probably get away with this and no one will know the difference (also this shop is continually changing stock).

The next artwork is a photograph that has been produced onto photo-board. This one does not have depth in terms of paint on canvas, but the colours are so vivid and move across the canvas to create a vibrant and totally original piece. This artwork was purchased from a furniture retailer in Johannesburg.

And finally there is a true original artwork which is a combination of watercolour and oil on the canvas. This one I had commissioned for my daughters bedroom. The artists go by the name AHHA, and they will come to your home and see the room where the artwork is to be hung. They bring with their colour fandeck and choose the colours on site so that the artwork will work in that space. You give them the concept that you have in mind or you can visit their website and get inspiration from their previous works www.ahha.co.za. I have used AHHA many times on the various homes and commercial spaces that Jossi Design has designed and decorated and I have been thrilled with the artwork every time.

The best thing about all 3 examples above, they are affordable. If you look around at all the retailers and establishments already mentioned and cannot find something that grabs you consider contacting someone to create the artwork for you as AHHA does, and they are not the only ones out there.

Take it from me, a print might seem to be inexpensive, but by the time you have had it professionally framed it has cost you the same as one of the above mentioned artworks.

All I am saying is don’t go straight for the prints, explore other options and then if you go back to the prints at least you know that you are sure about your purchase.

The Consumer Protection Act

The South African Institute of the Interior Design Professions (The IID Professions) held a workshop for its members last week on the Consumer Protect Act and how this affects those in the Interior Design and Decorating Field.


The IID has formed a close relationship with Write Rose-Innes Inc. Attorneys, who have travelled to the various regions and held these workshops for IID Members. Members who attended had the benefit of not only learning more about the Act and how it affects their businesses, but also got to ask some in depth questions and had many of their concerns put to rest.

The CPA seems to have become a word that creates fear in the hearts and minds of all those who run their own business. However the experiences I have had over the past few months with contractors and suppliers has left me disheartened and I can actually see why the CPA has come about. The consumer has put up with so much rubbish service for so long now that I think it has come to a head and the result is the dreaded CPA.
Some examples of the service I have received in our line of work recently on just one project:
1) My client saw a dining room table made of a stainless steel base and a glass top at a show recently in Durban. The client asked me to order this for her from the supplier at the show, but wanted the glass top in a 1600mm diameter top instead of triangular as seen at the show, the supplier agreed and I promptly ordered the table (in writing). Low and behold the table is delivered with a triangular glass top, but the supplier kindly wrote 1600mm diameter in black marker on the glass top. Perhaps he thought by writing it there the client would be fooled into thinking it was round!? Of course I complained, the top was removed by the supplier and a few weeks later a round top was delivered, but this was now a 1500mm diameter top – not the 1600mm diameter I ordered. Of course the client is now loosing patience and somehow this has become my problem (even though I didn’t even attend the show in question). So The 1500mm diameter glass top was removed and a few weeks later (now over a month late) a 1600mm diameter glass top arrives on site with a beveled edge (which I did not order but by this time I could not care that it was beveled), but the top edge of the glass was not polish… you could have cut your finger off on this glass edge it was so sharp. The glass top has now been rejected and another company is making this for us.

2) At the same house (the house is jinxed I tell you… jinxed!) I ordered a chaise with a right hand arm. We ordered the fabric, delivered it to the chaise manufacturer, but when it arrived we saw it was a left hand arm chaise. Of course this was duly returned. The upholsterer agreed to remake the chaise but wanted Jossi Design to pay for the new fabric… But why, we did not make the mistake! Of course we eventually got this concept through to the manufacturer and now a new chaise is being made, and lets hope it arrives with the arm on the right side.

3) Again at the same house… (I kid you not) 2 upholstered bed bases are delivered. They arrive with oil marks all over them, of course I send them back. They arrive again with the one now clean, however the other one is still marked and now has a tear in the fabric. When we complain the supplier collects the bed bases while the client is out, I later get a call from my very confused client to say that they collected the wrong bed base! They took the one that was perfect and left the damaged one behind. We had to wait 3 days for the bed base to be returned (complaining daily) and for the damaged one to be collected. The supplier has since called Jossi Design to complain that they now believe the fabric is inferior. I have tried repeatedly to tell them that not only is the fabric contract upholstery weight but each bed base had fabric for different fabric houses (surely the common denominator here is the supplier and not the fabric). But of course when a supplier wants to be stubborn you can argue till you are blue in the face and they will never admit that it might be a problem on their side. Somehow both fabric houses delivered marked fabric to the supplier, that makes much more sense!
What I want to know is, is there no quality inspection done BEFORE the items are delivered? Does no one take pride in their work today? This is just and example of what we deal with on one project, and I have at least 10 projects going at one time. It is incredibly frustrating.
All I can do is apologies constantly to my clients for things that are out of my control. No matter how well Jossi Design is run, no matter how hard we try to please our customers, it seems we are constantly being let down by our suppliers and contractors.
It is time for a change, perhaps the Consumer Protection Act is the answer, perhaps it is the dreaded monster we all fear. As it is still new and relatively untested, we will just have to wait and see.

Jossi Interior Design - last week of August 2011

We are making headway on the new bar/ lounge area that Jossi Interior Design is working on, this is on Florida Road in Front of Spiga D'oro but will be the Upstairs section.

It is always fun working with creative and passionate people, and this is definitely the case here.  We all want to see this come together so we are hard at work choosing pantone colours, fabrics, stain samples and finalising designs, as well as tweeking the budget of course!

Another of our projects is moving along, this is the house right on the beach in Glenashley.  The views from this house are fantastic and I can't wait to get the furniture and finishes in.

Yesterday I had a brief meeting with the client and the shopfitters for this same hosue, we finalised the designs of the Bedroom headboards, dressing tables, BICs and tv units.  The end result should be impressive.  I then forwarded on the paint colours for the exterior walls to the client, I am hoping to see the builder painting these samples on the walls next week so we can make some final decisions here.  Next week I need to look at the fabrics, carpeting, interior paint colours, wood finishes and sprayed supawood colours.  Lots to do!

And tomorrow I am meeting a client about their wallpaper options for their Lounge area of their House in Zimbali.  All the other rooms have been confirmed in terms of the decorating but now the entire lounge scheme hangs on their wallpaper decision.  And after this I am meeting a potential client on Silverton Road...

What a week!

Jossi Design, the IID and KZNIA

Jossi Design has been working closely with the IID regarding important seminars, contractual documents and legal matters that may concern IID designer and decorator members.

The IID has now managed to negotiate with their attorneys to host a seminar on the Consumer Protection Act and how this may affect Interior Designers and Decorators and the way they conduct business.

I am very happy that we have managed to bring this together. IID members are going to greatly benefit from this. I am also extremely happy that it has come about in time to be announced at the IID ZKN General Meeting this evening. This evening’s meeting is being hosted by Cobra Watertech and The Dawn Group. The Dawn Group are now founding members of the IID which is a great achievement and we look forward to a close working relationship there.

Jocelyn has also been busy speaking with KZNIA regarding their upcoming events and functions as this may be of interest to IID Members as well as Interior Designers and Decorators within the KZN Region. There are some upcoming functions that we are now greatly looking forward to such as the Annual Architectural Education Conference, this year’s theme is Architecture, Education and Housing. Speakers include Peter Rich (giving his Sopia Gray Lecture) and notable Mexican Architects Oscar Hagermann and Paloma Vera. This takes place on Thursday 15th September 2011 all day at the Innovations Centre, UKZN. Attendance fees to be approx. R650 for non-members. Kindly contact the KZNIA for more information.

For more information on the IID please visit www.iidprofessions.com and for KZNIA and their list of events and functions go to www.kznia.org.za

This Zimbali Holiday House is one of my favourites.  Going on for 4 years now it has become a project that has slowly evolved and the results are finally starting to show off all our hard work.  We are still confirming the furniture with the client, but otherwise the house is finally complete.

The bathrooms look fantastic with different feature tiles and mosaics used to make each of the 4 En-Suite's unique.  The stained Panga-Panga timber floors have a glossy finish and reflect the light beautifully.

 

Colours and finishes vary in each bedroom to ensure that the same look is not repeated.  We are looking to add in some wallpaper and other features to some of the bedrooms, and once the headboards, casual seating, dressing tables, artwork and scatter cushions come in the effect is going to be amazing.

The bathrooms have a hotel feel about them which is great for a holiday home.  The large vanities and mirrors add a dramatic but elegant quality.





More pictures will be posted once the decorating is complete so watch this space.

Advice on Choosing Paint Colour

The most common request from clients is for the interior designer to help with the selection of the paint colours.

Repainting walls is the easiest way to give your interior a new look and add new life to the space.  However choosing the colour and making that commitment is often extremely daunting.  This is probably due to the fact that there is such a large variety of paint colours and finishes available and there is also a sense of permanence about painting your walls that keeps people second guessing their choices.  That is, once you have painted the colour on the walls you are going to be stuck with it!

Even as an interior designer, specifying paint colours for an interior, and exterior for that matter, is always a hard task as these colours can change so much depending on the time of day and the way the natural light and shadows fall on the area being painted.  Often the colour, when painted on the wall, will look different from how you remembered it on the paint swatch in the paint showroom.

Here are some tips when choosing paint colour:

1. Before you go to your local paint supplier, try to visualize your ‘dream room’, think of the furniture, fabrics, and the paint colour on the walls and the overall effect you would like to create.  Taking a picture with you of an interior from a magazine is probably an easier solution.

2. Know what you are looking for before you get there, do you want to stick to the neutral colours, are you adding in any feature walls?  When you are faced with a huge selection of colour it can get confusing so stick to the colours you have in mind and don’t get side tracked.

3. Look at those colours that appear to be made up of a mixture of more than two colours, in other words the colour should not be a primary or secondary colour, it needs to be a bit more ‘complicated’, often the muddy colours work the best.  Even if you are looking for a beige or sandy colour you will find a huge variety and this tip might help you to make a decision.  The ‘simpler’ colours are great for a child’s playroom and sometime will work well on a single feature wall in the room.  Otherwise the more complicated colours will add interest to the room. 
   
   
4. Narrow your choice of colour to a minimum of 3 colours and ask for sample tins.  These sample tins are charged for so do not get too many.  Go home and paint large squares on at least two of the walls within the room.  Remember the colour will look slightly different depending on how the light hits it so try one wall that is in the natural light and one wall in the shade.  Try turning the lights within the room on and off to ensure you are happy with the results.


5. Choose the best colour of the 3 samples on the wall and go buy the paint.  If you are not happy with any of the colours try again.  Rather get it right than paint all the walls in a colour you are not happy with.  Ask other people’s opinion of the samples on the walls if this is going to help you make up your mind.