THE COLOR ISSUE
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EDITOR’S NOTE
The Color Issue Summer ’22
L et me introduce myself: I am Trystanne Cunningham, Founder, Creative Director, and Editor- In-Chief of TrooRa Magazine. Beginning with The Color Issue Summer ’22— redesigned and reimagined—we will learn from one another what a magazine is and what it can be through TrooRa’s landscape and lens in our ever-changing world. To start, let me say that I am a magazine enthusiast, a sort of junkie who, from a very young age, has been obsessed with flipping through the pages of the pioneering Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and more... Born and raised in Haiti until the age of 15, I was intrigued and absorbed in their images and stories, and now have the privilege of editing my own. I truly believe that whether a magazine is delivered to your doorstep or your tablet/ computer, printed on glossy stock, cheap tabloid paper, or appears on your mobile screen, it is still and foremost the work of an editorial team for an astute audience. A beautiful and meaningful—we hope—package of ideas, words, and images that a group of experts prepares for its readers. I consider it a work of art and hope you will come on the journey with us every quarter. While technology efficiently delivers news stories to our desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, magazines are all about
context—how ideas and images are presented in relation to one another and within a larger point of view. Magazines are about trust and partnership. We, the editors, writers, and researchers, will strive to always keep you engaged. And you, the readers, are free to engage with us. Let me tell you about this transitional The Color Issue Summer ’22 of TrooRa Magazine. I wanted to create an issue to celebrate color in every category and sense of the word. I believe we are fortunate to live in a time where color can be customized in every field and area of our life— auto, print, beauty, home design, fashion, and so many other industries. On the other hand, business owners and minority entrepreneurs have increased significantly since the pandemic. So many have started their own ventures. They hail from all walks of life, and their diversity is being championed through inclusivity by corporations, banks, the entertainment industry, and more to provide additional resources and support small business owners. I am hopeful and believe these long overdue efforts will help increase comprehensive change for future generations. In the interim, we still have so much work to do to overcome stereotypes and the continued inequalities, boundaries, and inequities we face. TrooRa Magazine is the new magazine/
coffee table book providing a voice and platform to those individuals. TrooRa Magazine’s The Color Issue Summer ’22 is a celebration of these founders, their brands, projects, passions, stunning work, and fascinating stories. It is inspiring to see so many minorities able to follow their devotion and, in turn, provide us all access to so many truly rare remarkable products. In this issue, we feature the founder of watch brand Talley & Twine Randy Williams, Estelle Colored Glass founder Stephanie Summerson Hall, 10 Ways To Blend Contemporary Color With Mesmerizing Curves, and touch on so many more colorful stories. There are so many stories this month that I love, but I am particularly intrigued by the very talented Iguehi James (our cover feature story) because it combines a great read with intriguing photographs taken by our veteran photographer Charles Schoenberger. We photographed the founder of Love Iguehi at the three Urban Retreats, Hotels Zetta, Zelos, and Zeppelin in San Francisco. Her story describes how she made the leap from the healthcare industry to fashion designer, developed her own brand and label, and opened her first store
in Oakland, California. Light as the Essence of Photography by TrooRa
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contributing writer Cristina Deptula highlights the work of photographer Charles Schoenberger, whose art has graced our pages for several years. TrooRa Magazine proudly presents our first ever TrooArtist Spotlight Award to Mr. Schoenberger during our Issue’s launch event party on July 28th at Dirty Habit Lounge in San Francisco. The Color Issue’s launch party is one of several events through a partnership with The Urban Retreats of Hotels Zelos, Zetta, and Zeppelin of the Viceroy Hotel Group. TrooRa’s culinary contributing writer Cary
artist and photographer Kwame Acheampong, artists Ashley Adams and Serge Gay Jr., and the fascinating story of how, through a TrooRa Magazine previous feature and partnership, one of our favorite artists, Dameon Priestly, was commissioned to create the new album cover for the multi-talented, impressive, remarkable, and monumental, singer-songwriter Van Morisson. Lastly, TrooRa LaMarqq, brainchild of one of my own passion projects, releases its first product
this month. I’ve been blessed to work with the brilliant designer Basil Racuk to create this Packaged in Beauty Preserving Character unique tote. LaMarqq by TrooRa introduces our first limited edition New Luxe Leather Tote Bags. They will be gifted to our VIP guests at our Issue’s Launch event party and sold at our first-ever Shop TrooRa Virtual Live Shopping Experience. We are confident you will find captivating and charming articles in this issue and TrooRa’s promise to always introduce new rare brands and truly rare individuals. Be inspired, stay with us—and expect more!
Wong tells the story of Dirty Habit Lounge and its chef. Helmed by Executive Chef Thomas Weibull, with delectable cocktails and one of the city’s largest collections of small batch whiskeys from Bar Manager Raul Ayala, Dirty Habit showcases inventive seasonal share plates alongside crafted cocktails. Perched five floors above the streets of San Francisco’s bustling SoMa district and inside Hotel Zelos, Dirty Habit is an intimate hideaway for those seeking an exclusive yet sociable atmosphere to drink and dine. The very talented Filipa Araújo, another TrooRa contributing writer, profiles a collection of some of the most visually
stunning locations that will spark your
Trystanne Cunningham Editor-In-Chief Creative Director Founder
imagination and leave you in awe. We take you on a journey around some of the most magical places our world has to offer. As part of the group show at Institut Suedois de Paris from May 14th to August 14th, French artist Côme Touvay showcases five pieces of a series called WAKIMONKEYS. The exhibition is LONGING, Woven Strands, Woven Stories written by TrooRa Magazine’s own, London-based contributing writer and photographer Michael Daks. We also touch on stories about Nigerian-based
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CONTENTS
68 On The Curve 10 WAYS TO BLEND
CONTEMPORARY COLOR WITH MESMERIZING CURVES
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152 Life in Color
Culinary
126 136 144 152 158
THE AMERICAN-ITALIAN DREAM
CHEF THOMAS WEIBULL
FROM THE ROOT LIFE IN COLOR
86 Color Compact
WE ALL SCREAM FOR NICE CREAM
96 Art House
Home Design & Decor
68 76 86 96
ON THE CURVE ART OF LIVING COLOR COMPACT
ART HOUSE 104 WONDER WATER 1 14 COLOR & GLASS
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Wine with a Catalyst for Change
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Travel
226 234 248
NATURE’S COLOR PALETTE
RESCUED BY COLOR THE REAL HOT LIST
242 Kate Winslet’s Love For Adventure
190 Art is Life and Life is Art
Art, Music & Film
174
KWAME’S EYE- PHONE
182
WAKIMONKEYS!
190
ART IS LIFE AND LIFE IS ART
204 Serge Gay Jr.
198
DAMEON PRIESTLY
204
SERGE GAY JR.
210
CHARLES SCHOENBERGER PAINTING THE WORLD ONE STREET AT A TIME
216
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262 We Love Iguehi 276 BASIL RACUK 286 BENJAMIN BABADI 292 MADISON SAVILLE 300 TALLEY & TWINE 312 FACE OF TANZANIA 320 EIGHT ROYALE 326 TROORA LAMARQQ 332 ALICE BOW INSOLES 338 LUI JEWELRY
Fashion
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Founder TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM
CREATIVE ART DEPARTMENT Creative Director TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor In Chief TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM Copy Editor AMANDA ORAHA Editorial Design Director SHERDELLAH ANUNCIADO Proofreading CRISTINA DEPTULA Proofreading MICHAEL DAKS
ART DEPARTMENT Graphic Design Director MUHIRE ROBERT Multi Media Graphic Design MUHAMMAD ASIM ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Brand Outreach WILMA BASCO Global Brand Outreach KATIE LISTER European Brand Outreach MANSOUR NDIAYE
WRITING DEPARTMENT Contributing Writer MICHAEL DAKS Contributing Writer NIZIE LOKMAN Contributing Writer JESSE ADUMA
Contributing Writer SCHAE-ANN SALMON Culinary Contributing Writer CARY WONG Contributing Writer CRISTINA DEPTULA Travel Contributing Writer FILIPA ARAÚJO Fashion & Beauty Contributing Writer STELLA POLIZOIDOU Beauty Contributing Writer NEHA SURADKAR Contributing Writer GEORGE DIKE Contributing Writer ROBYN ALEXANDER
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT HR Director PETA-GAYE WILLIS
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT Operations Director PETA-GAYE WILLIS
Contributing Writer VICKI SLEET Contributing Writer GREG COX Contributing Writer MANDY ALLEN Contributing Writer TUDOR CARADOC-DAVIES Contributing Writer ELSA YOUNG Contributing Writer GRAHAM WOOD Contributing Writer TARA SLOGGETT Contributing Writer BIANCA FERNANDES Contributing Writer ARUNA NAGARAJ Contributing Writer KEVIN JEFFREY JAMES
ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT Administrative Director PETA-GAYE WILLIS Executive Administrative Assistant RONA MAGLINES Virtual Administrative Assistant INNAH MARIE ALMARENIA
MARKETING DEPARTMENT Marketing Director KWESI DONTOH
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING DEPARTMENT Social Media Director MATTHEW JOHNSON
FINANCE DEPARTMENT Finance Director RONA MAGLINES
STYLING DEPARTMENT Styling Contributor SHELLEY STREET
WEB & SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT Web Maintenance AMANDA POWELL Systems & Operations Director ALESSIO MONINO PRESS DEPARTMENT Press & Public Relations BARBARA WICHMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT Contributing Photographer MICHAEL DAKS Contributing Photographer GAELLE BELLER Contributing Photographer WARREN HEATH
Contributing Photographer KWAME ACHEAMPONG Contributing Photographer COURAGE MUEGBEYOGHO Contributing Photographer GILBERT ASANTE
LEGAL DEPARTMENT Legal CHINWE OHANELE
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Our mission is to remake, re-use, recycle, and repurpose for a prolonged life cycle.
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Beauty
346 Showing True Color
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Wellness
366 Magnolia Wellness
346
SHOWING TRUE COLOR
354
ETTA + BILLIE: ORGANIC BATH,
BODY, AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR DAILY RITUAL ANGELA SINNETT BRINGS DEPTH AND HEART TO HEALING THROUGH MAGNOLIA WELLNESS
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Special Interest
376 Chase Bank
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LASANDRA HUNT AT CHASE BANK:
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contributors IN THIS ISSUE 1 TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM Editor-in-Chief 2 SHERDELLAH ANUNCIADO Editorial Design Director 3 AMANDA ORAHA Copy Editor 4 MICHAEL DAKS Contributing Writer/ Photographer 5 NIZIE LOKMAN Travel & Wellness Contributing Writer 6 CARY WONG Culinary Contributing Writer 1
2 3
7 CRISTINA DEPTULA
Contributing Writer
8 ROBYN 9 NEHA
ALEXANDER Home Design/Decor Contributing Writer
SURADKAR Fashion and Beauty Contributing writer
4 5
10 FILIPA 11 STELLA
ARAÚJO Travel Contributing Writer
POLYZOIDOU Fashion and Beauty Contributing Writer
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8
6
11
10
9
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SHOP CONSCIOUSLY
be the change.
KHANUNBYMIMI
Instagram: @khanunbymimi facebook.com/khanunbymimi khanunbymimi.com
Inspired by a love of vintage pieces, flowing feminine dresses, florals, and life by the sea.
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photographers IN THIS ISSUE
AMOS NACHOUM ANDREW CURRY ANGEL FITOR ANITA B SPA ANTONIO CUELLAR ANTONIO FILIGNO BRO JACKSON
HANNAH WAGNER IAN DOOLEY JACEK DYLAG JAROD BARTON JEFFREY CZUM JO-ANNE MCARTHUR JOHN FOWLER JOSE FIGUEROA JUSTIN BUELL KALY JAY
RACHEL CLAIRE RALPH PACE RICHARD VAN RYAN TISCARENO TISCARENO
KARI ORVIK @K.BAARDE
LINDSAY MILLER LUKE GONHES MADDY BAKER MARK DECENA MATT BRINEY
SAMI ULLAH SARAH ARNOLD SARAH BUSCHO SARANG NAIK SOFI PENCHER SUSANNA SCOTT SHANE KALYN SIMON BERGER STEVE TIETZE TESSA CHEEK @THALIAGOCHEZ TIM SANTOS TORIN NIELSEN TODD TRANSPANI
CLARKE DRAHCE CHARLES SCHOENBERGER COLEEN QUEN COUTURE DARIUS TARELA DAVID ENLOE DONTAE BLINKS DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN DEVON JANSE VAN RENSBUR
MICHAEL ALLEN MICHAEL KEENEY MICHELLE K MIN MICHELLE K VALBERG MEHDI SEFRIOUI MEGHAN WHITE MOGLI MOLLY DECOUDREAUX LAURA MUSIKANSKI MORGAN OTAGBURUAGU MCKAYLA CRUMP MUYEE TING
ERIC WOLFINGER ERIC MUMAY ELSA YOUNG ELVIS VASQUEZ ETTA & BILLIE FEDE ROVEDA FRAN RUBIA ELIAS GURROLA GREG COX
@_NATALIEALEMAN NICK KANAKIS NICOLAS REUSENS NICOLE MORRISON PETER MATHER PIERRE BLACH
VICEROY HOTEL GROUP VICTOR MALYUSHEV WARREN HEATH YUNG-SEN WU
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STORY BEHIND THE COVER: The Color Issue Summer ’22 Cover Shoot Iguehi James BY CRISTINA DEPTULA Iguehi James, founder of Oakland clothing brand Love Iguehi, brought vibrant color and splash to her May photo shoot at the Hotel Zetta.
T rooRa Magazine Founder, Creative Director, and Editor-In-Chief Trystanne Cunningham assembled another crew of talented creatives for the cover feature shoot of The Color Issue Summer '22. The group included long-time friend and personal makeup artist Freddy Lopez, formerly of Mac and Tarte Cosmetics. Veteran Commercial Photographer Charles Schoenberger, whose crafted lighting combined with his moody color palette creates transporting memorable images. Former Vogue Italia Stylist Michelle Rivet and former Project Runway All Stars designer and stylist Emily Payne. Hair Stylist Robert Douglas and video content creators Westbound entertainment. Equipped with the final piece to the puzzle, friend and designer Iguehi James gathered for the two-day shoot at San Francisco’s Hotel Zetta one bright, spring day. With the help of cappuccinos and a snack-filled staging area, they composed a wide assortment of photos of the stunning designer Iguehi James, including the one on this issue’s cover.
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Iguehi James’ shots reflected different colorful moods: friendly, bold and confident, sweet, energetic, and even sultry. Her passion for creative style came through in each shot, and everyone involved with the photo shoot enjoyed working together as a team of creative artists. The makeup artists’ work blended with James’ natural features accentuated how she looked in the various outfits and styles she posed in that day. And the hairstylists pulled off quite a feat - changing her hair from blue to pink to go with a different set of clothes! She also posed for some images in her lovely natural dark hair. THE COMBINED WORK OF TRUE ARTISTS Iguehi James is a proud small business owner, a mother to three young daughters, and a designer who integrates colorful patterns from her Nigerian heritage into her clothing designs. She is a true artist, and so is everyone who took part in this photo shoot. Everyone's efforts came together to create the images for the cover feature of TrooRa's The Color Issue Summer ’22.
In a photo shoot, people take many more images than will make it into the magazine so they can choose which images best fit the magazine’s eventual layout. So the TrooRa crew shot Iguehi James in various dresses and outfits throughout the two days, including some of her own designs and a couple of different looks and hairstyles. FLEXIBILITY AND CREATIVITY Near San Francisco’s Metreon, the Zetta aims to be a “grown-up playground” for adults visiting the city. The Zetta’s common areas include a pinball arcade, dartboard, Plinko and Jenga games, old- style gaming areas, rock and roll posters, and quirky chandeliers. All of these became backgrounds, along with some solid-color walls. Serendipitous black and white graffiti outside the building and a bright pink door outside also found their way into the shoots, luckily sighted before the sun dipped behind the city skyline. With Cunningham’s vision, the photographer and crew showed remarkable flexibility throughout the day, shifting rapidly between indoor and outdoor shots and rooms with varying levels of natural sunlight. As a photographer will tell you, an indoor shot can require a very different setup than an outdoor photo on a cloudy day.
@LOVEIGUEHI @CHARLESSCHOENBERGER @SOCIALTRASH
@EMILYSUEPAYNE @FREDDYYLOPEZ @ITSMEROBD @_WESTBOUNDENT
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68 ON THE CURVE 76 ART OF LIVING 86 COLOR COMPACT
BY ROBYN ALEXANDER 10 ways to blend contemporary color with mesmerizing curves
BY ROBYN ALEXANDER Combining a covetable collection of contemporary art with a relaxed, bohemian aesthetic and an enviable location, this beachside apartment is the best of all worlds BY ROBYN ALEXANDER Interior designer Kim Stephen’s terraced home in Barnes, London, combines her signature flair for color with a clever use of its relatively compact spaces 10 WAYS TO DISPLAY WALL ART TO PERFECTION IN YOUR HOME BY ROBYN ALEXANDER From eye-catching ways to grouping artwork together to hanging decorative plates and making use of picture shelves, here are 10 great ideas for displaying art on the walls of every room in the house
96 ART HOUSE
104 WONDER WATER 10 OF THE BEST
SPECTACULAR SWIMMING POOLS BY ROBYN ALEXANDER From the breathtaking to
the beautiful, these inspiring swimming pools are arguably the ultimate in family-friendly domestic luxuries–plus, they add loads of value, style, and atmosphere to the properties they adorn 114 COLOR & GLASS BRINGS JOY, HAPPINESS, & JEWELS TO OUR TABLES BY CRISTINA DEPTULA Inspired by her grandmother Estelle’s love for antiquing, Estelle Colored Glass’ founder
Stephanie Summerson Hall pursues her passion project
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On The Curve 10 ways to blend contemporary color with mesmerizing curves
STYLED BY TARA SLOGGETT PHOTOGRAPHED BY WARREN HEATH WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER E ffortlessly to a space. For a look that’s right here, right now, combine their organic twists and turns with the latest in earth-inspired, contemporary shades. easy on the eye, curves add instant visual appeal
TAKE 1: POSTER CHILD Painting not your thing, but feeling creative nonetheless? Create a tabletop still life using all your favorite curved pieces, take a (hi-resolution!) photograph of your efforts on your phone and take the pic to your local print shop. Once it’s printed, simply grab a classic gallery frame and proudly display… Get the look with… Arched board, Obvi (obvi.co.za) and Portuguese-style crockery, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za), seen in still life print; A2 gallery frame, Country Road (countryroad.com.au); painted tray, see TAKE 3.
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TAKE 2: STICK ’EM UP Transform your space using color and curve–and without any pesky paint fumes–by choosing vinyl wall stickers. These are so easy to install and can also be moved around should you fancy a change and want to create a different configuration. Get the look with… Vinyl arch stickers, Stickaroo (stickaroo.com); vintage Tulip swivel chair by Eero Saarinen, stylist’s own.
TAKE 3: TRAY BIEN A handmade piece doesn’t need to be perfect to be charming: leave behind (for now) all that perspective stuff you learned in art classes and free-flow your way through a curve-filled design until your piece brings you joy. Get the look with… A plain plywood tray and poster paints from your local art-supply store. Choose complementary shades–here, we’ve used a cool coffee shade, a dusty pink, a deep ochre, and a soft terracotta that evoke desert sands and sunset skies.
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TAKE 4: GET MOBILE Add movement to your space with a simple, handmade mobile in the nature- inspired shades of the moment. This is also a great project to do with kids: it’s about simply gathering some colored cards, folding them, and cutting out cute shapes. Don’t be too particular–the more organic, the better. Plus, the folding method means you can hide the fixings inside ;) Get the look with… Scissors, painted or colored cards, two dowel sticks, artist’s wire, and double-sided tape–all from your local art-supply store. Use the dowel sticks (or chopsticks) to make a cross, and wrap some artist’s wire tightly around the cross-section to secure. Wrap more wire tightly around each end about 2 cm in, leaving a little piece to create a hook shape. Do the same at the cross-section. This is where the paper shapes will hang from. On the folded edge of the colored shapes, make a pinhole in the middle and thread through a length of wire, leaving a few centimeters at each end. We used 3-5 shapes per strip. Lay flat and space out your shapes, and when happy, secure the wire to the card on the inside using double-sided tape. Make a loop of wire at the top end of each strip, then hang each strip from the cross. Now, balance: you may need to move the strips around to get a good balance or add/take away shapes until your mobile hangs comfortably. Trim off excess wire. To suspend the entire mobile, attach wire to the central midsection, finish with a loop at the top and hang in your favorite spot.
TAKE 5: SHOP AROUND Seek out curvaceous shapes and spicy shades when shopping for decor accessories and crockery. A round tray, tactile vases, and handle-free coffee mugs instantly add a cozy and comforting feel. Get the look with… Dusty pink serving bowls, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); phone cover with strap, Zac and Gray (zacandgray.co.za); arched board and sand-colored vase, Obvi (obvi.co.za); off-white vase, H&M (hm.com); mugs, Nespresso (nespresso.com); mustard ceramic tray, Mr Price Home (mrphome.com).
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TAKE 6: ARCHWAYS Add an avant-garde touch to your coffee table or mantelpiece with arched vessels and a curvy candleholder. And remember, small vases aren’t just for flowers–they look just as charming when used to store stationery and art materials. Get the look with… Tall and small arched vessels, oval triple candle holder, hole vase, arched vase, and wavy wooden board, Obvi (obvi.co.za).
TAKE 7: SOFT TOUCH No sharp edges allowed! Choose vases with tactile curves that invite a casual caress–and look just as lovely displayed on their own as they do when filled with spring blooms. Get the look with… Off-white vase, H&M (hm.com); sand- colored vase and dusty orange vase, Obvi (obvi.co.za).
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TAKE 8: CLASSIC MEETS COOL Maybe it’s the swivel that makes us dizzy for the Tulip chair–or perhaps its sensuous curves? Either way, this classic design makes us fall in love over and over again. Combining the Tulip’s retro feel with contemporary colors and arched and curved shapes makes for an eye-catching, layered look. And the truly bold should add a graphic dried flower stem or (if you have the space!) entire tree branch for a look that channels the fearless style of 20th-century floristry maven, Constance Spry. Get the look with… Vinyl arch stickers, Stickaroo (stickaroo.com); vase holding branch and hole vase, H&M (hm.com); all other vases, Obvi (obvi.co.za); vintage Tulip swivel chairs by Eero Saarinen, all stylist’s own.
TAKE 9: NATURAL RHYTHM Combine nature-inspired shades with touch-me textures to create up-to-the- minute appeal: here, a fiber rug hung tapestry-style, offset by a supersized dried palm leaf, makes for a contemporary take on the inspirational style of 20th-century
floral designer, Constance Spry. Get the look with… Rug, Poetry
(poetrystores.co.za); dried palm leaf, Yes Exclusive Flowers (instagram.com/ yesexclusiveflowers/); dress, stylist’s own.
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TAKE 10: COLOR ME NOW If you’re naturally restrained when it comes to color, this is your moment. Right now, the most fashionable shades in decor and design are “off” their pure tones–slightly “dusty” or “muddy,” if you like–but you can still head for the sun, just one that’s a little more muted. Think softer shades of terracotta, taupe, turmeric, and the pinks of autumn dusk... all of which exude warmth, comfort, and a grounded sense of familiarity. Get the look with… Rug, Poetry (poetrystores.co.za); vintage Tulip swivel chairs by Eero Saarinen, all stylist’s own.
Plant-based designs bringing the outside in & celebrating the natural world
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Art of Living STYLED BY SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG COX WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER
Combining a covetable collection of contemporary art with a relaxed, bohemian aesthetic and an enviable location, this beachside apartment is the best of all worlds.
Véronique savors the panoramic view from her balcony. The wooden outdoor chair is from Marlanteak (marlanteak.com).
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A cquired just over a year ago its enviable beachside location with layered, eclectic interiors and a stupendous collection of contemporary art. Plus, it’s situated in an and subsequently completely reconceptualized by its owner, Véronique Savigné, and architect Craig Kaplan, this apartment in the heart of Cape Town’s exclusive suburb of Bantry Bay combines
by Michael Taylor and John Murray, which are reflected back at you in the multi-paned Argentinian mirror hung directly opposite the entryway. Once inside, contemporary artworks are simply everywhere in the open-plan main living space, with eye-catching pieces by Athi-Patra Ruga, Sthenjwa Luthuli, and Stephan Allwright vying for attention. In quick succession, you’ll take in sculptures by Cameron Platter, ceramic works by Ben Orkin, a tapestry by rising South African art star
Edwardian period piece that is one of the area’s most charming buildings, and sports glorious views of the iconic bay below it, too. Nevertheless, it’s the art that makes this home utterly unique–and a true reflection of its owner. Half-French, half-German, and brought up in South Africa, Véronique has “always been interested in art,” she says. “I used to be an interior designer, and during my marriage, I started collecting modern art, but it wasn’t until seven years ago that I was drawn to contemporary art.” At the time, she was going through a divorce, “my best friend married international art curator Kim Stern, and I started traveling with them to contemporary art fairs,” Véronique says. What she saw was “art that expressed what I was
Igshaan Adams, oils on board by Nabeeha Mohamed, and a bold abstract painting by Maja Marx–in short, a vibrant and multifarious display that makes for endless visual interest and must spark many a stimulating conversation. Asked about what attracts her most when she’s deciding what to acquire, Véronique again mentions Kim’s assistance and influence and adds that she looks for signs of “the artist’s hand” in the work, and is especially drawn to the textures and “sense of soul” in a piece. Her favorite work in the apartment, she says after lengthy deliberation, is the Igshaan Adams tapestry that floats above the kitchen-dining space.
Homeowner Véronique Savigné at the front door of her Bantry Bay apartment, which opens directly into the open-plan dining, kitchen, and living area. On the wall behind her is a mirror she bought in Argentina and reflected in its multi-paned surface are artworks by South African contemporary artists Michael Taylor (instagram.com/ michaeltaylorstudio) and John Murray, all sourced from Whatiftheworld gallery (whatiftheworld.com). The piece hung on the wall above the mirror is by Cape Town- based, Swedish-born artist Tom Cullberg (tomcullberg.com).
But above all, it’s the collection in its entirety and the way it represents “a bold, new, exciting beginning” in Véronique’s life that is clearly most important to her. “I am very much someone who collects from the heart, and so, in many ways, this collection is an affirmation of my own psychological journey into a new identity,” she says.
experiencing inside myself,” and as a result, Véronique embarked on a collaborative effort with Kim to build her own collection. The process of doing so has been “immensely gratifying and nourishing,” she says, and the results are nothing short of remarkable, judging by the selection that is on show in
Véronique’s apartment. Even before you step through the front door–painted in bold, glossy black–its elegant frame doubles up as a container for some of the host of art inside, with a work by Tom Cullberg visible above multiple pieces
Véronique’s main residence is in Bishopscourt, on the other side of Cape Town, and she uses this apartment as “a holiday space in the same city,” as she puts it.
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Unsurprisingly, she says she feels “instantly on holiday when I’m here” and explains that the apartment’s location close to the gallery-packed center of Cape Town makes it hugely useful when she has an art event in the city to attend or a late-night dinner date with friends. As her two children have recently left home, she is now at liberty to move from home base to vacation space at will. When Véronique is spending time in her apartment, she explains, a “different rhythm” in which the day begins and ends at a later time is prioritized. So, it’s no surprise that the warmly layered and genuinely eclectic interiors here speak clearly to an ultra-relaxed lifestyle. The apartment had previously been very austere
Positioned on the Provençal vintage server beneath the Argentinian mirror in the dining area are art ceramics by Ben Orkin (left; instagram. com/benorkin) cameronplatter. com). Both artists are represented by Cape Town gallery and Cameron Platter (right; Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com). The works on the opposite wall, reflected in the mirror, include pieces by South African contemporary artists Michael Taylor (instagram.com/ michaeltaylorstudio) and John Murray.
and “masculine” in its fixtures and furnishings, she says, and by contrast, her aim was to create “a richly textured, sumptuous jewel box.” A marvelous feeling of expansiveness is generated by the double-volume ceiling in the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, and it also enables the artworks and carefully collected furniture pieces to be shown off to advantage without creating any sense of clutter. Positioned to take in both
Providing an element of
separation between the dining area and kitchen space is a tapestry by rising Capetonian art star Igshaan Adams, who is represented by Blank Projects (blankprojects. com). The orange ceramic planter is from Pezula Interiors (pezulainteriors.co.za).
A beaker of beaded, hand-carved wooden stirrers, made by a Maasai artisan in Kenya, on the drinks tray.
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In the living room, an L-shaped, slip-covered sofa faces the views; both it and the ottoman are layered with throws collected on Véronique’s travels. The hand-embroidered cushions on the couch are from Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com), and the sculpture to the right of the server is by Cameron Platter (cameronplatter. com). The artwork on the wall is “Cursed Benefits” (2020) by South African artist Sthenjwa Luthuli and was purchased from Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld.com). On the ottoman, a vintage brass tray holds a trio of scented candles by Fornasetti (fornasetti.com).
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In the living
area, the panoramic views invite one’s gaze outwards, but the plethora of colorful, eye-catching artworks arrests the eye within. The composite artwork on the right-hand wall is “Fragments” (2019) by John Murray, who is represented by Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com), and is hung in a way that makes for a brilliant use of the apartment’s double-volume wall space.
ocean views and a panorama of the art collection is a classically elegant chaise longue, while vintage armchairs from Argentina face an L-shaped sofa in anticipation of late-night chats. Tucked behind the sofa along the wall, an industrial-style metal and wood server holds cocktail essentials, while the overall scheme is softened with beautifully layered suzanis, throws, and hand-embroidered cushions. Framed iron mirrors from Argentina magnify the plentiful natural light during the day, while multiple standing and table lamps scattered about the space–all of which sport colorful, patterned shades–suggest that evenings spent here are all about the easy intimacy created by a warm and subtle lighting scheme.
Similarly, the pair of en suite bedrooms exude an easygoing, bohemian style while also evincing total dedication to the comfort of their occupants. Both spaces feature walls clad in warmer, darker tones than the living room, luxe textures and textiles, and yet more carefully chosen art. For example, the pair of Michael Taylor works suspended above the bed in the master suite are both arresting and sensual–the ideal choice for such a space. And the room’s en suite bathroom is the last word in laid-back luxe, with a glass shower enclosure that connects its occupant with the expansive sea view. “Showering in it feels like you’re swimming in the sea,” says Véronique.
In the living area, the panoramic views invite one’s gaze outwards, but the plethora of colorful, eye-catching artworks arrests the eye within. The composite artwork on the right-hand wall is “Fragments” (2019) by John Murray, who is represented by Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com), and is hung in a way that makes for a brilliant use of the apartment’s double-volume wall space.
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The main bedroom combines clean lines with subtle texture and pattern. The pair of artworks above the bed are by Michael Taylor (instagram.com/michaeltaylorstudio), while the pieces on either side are all by South African artist Stephan Allwright, whose work is available via Cape Town gallery THEFOURTH (thefourth.co.za).
Holiday homes at the beach tend to come in two main categories–think nautical and fresh, or all about natural textures–but this apartment is in a realm of its own. While it absolutely embraces its beachside location and ocean views, there is something even more special on display here: its owner’s ongoing fascination with, and expression of herself through, collecting contemporary art. Véronique’s apartment is available for holiday rentals; for more information, email Sean Crawford at sdalecrawford@gmail.com.
The main bedroom’s en suite bathroom is open plan, sleek, and contemporary. The bath and tapware are from Still Bathrooms (still.za.com).
In the second bedroom, the oil on canvas above the dressing table is by South African contemporary artist Nabeeha Mohamed (instagram.com/ nabeeha_m), Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld. com). The ceramic piece on the table is by Ben Orkin (instagram.com/ benorkin), and the Jean Prouvé Standard chair is a vintage piece. The table lamp is from India Ink (indiaink.co.za). whose work is available via Cape Town gallery
Petite and cozy, the second bedroom is also en suite and features a moody wallcovering that beautifully sets off brightly colored kantha quilts and other Indian bed linen picked up on Véronique’s travels. The artwork above the bed is “Laughter and Tears, a Pair of Parentheses” (2021), an oil on canvas by South African contemporary artist Nabeeha Mohamed (instagram.com/ nabeeha_m), whose work is available via Cape Town gallery Whatiftheworld (whatiftheworld.com).
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Color Compact Interior designer Kim Stephen’s terraced home in Barnes,
A s it is situated in a row of brick the front door, however, and the uniquely colorful style that interior designer Kim Stephen has brought to her abode rapidly becomes evident. “I am naturally drawn to color… and I’ve certainly got a very wide range of colors in this house,” says Kim. She’s not exaggerating–from the bright blue and green ikat wallpaper in the guest cloakroom to the bright pinks and yellows in the open-plan dining, kitchen, and living space, a plethora of vibrant shades meets the eye all over the house. Asked where her affinity for color comes from, Kim simply says, “Color makes me feel happy and brings interiors to life. My use of it feels intuitive– I’m just drawn to it when given a choice.” As her mother owns an interior textiles showroom, she grew up being exposed to a huge array of interior fabrics, “and I think I just found the colorful ones more exciting and interesting,” says Kim. terraced homes that were originally built as workers’ housing, the facade of this house is almost identical to those on either side of it. Step inside As anyone who has tried to put together a decor scheme using a range of bright shades knows, it’s not easy to get this sort of look right. Kim says that to make color work in interiors, “it’s always important to temper with neutrals and texture,” and adds that here she made sure both of these elements were effectively used. STYLED BY SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELSA YOUNG WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER London, combines her signature flair for color with a clever use of its relatively compact spaces.
Originally built as a worker’s cottage, the house is one of a row of terraced homes with neighbors on both sides. Homeowner and interior designer Kim Stephen’s home office is situated in the room with the bay window. Kim says, “I use my bike all the time in summer. Sometimes I don’t use the car for weeks–I do everything around Barnes on my bike, and if I go into central London, I use public transport.”
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The best example of this is the textured charcoal wallpaper that covers one long wall on the open-plan ground floor and then wraps around the far end of the living space to subtly demarcate the lounge area. The wallpaper is one of Kim’s signature materials. She says, “It is the perfect ‘antidote’ to my full-on color, and art looks amazing against it [too]. It brings warmth and texture, and the light bounces off the linen-like effect of the paper.” Against this neutral backdrop, Kim has used a combination of boldly colorful pieces–the acid- pink rug and striking abstract artworks that feature various shades of yellow–as well as a cleverly chosen hanging light fitting to make the space come alive. But these elements all came together very intuitively and “organically,” says Kim. “I spend so much time meticulously planning interiors within my work sphere, so I quite enjoyed just letting this space develop its own personality over time.” Also a boon was the fact that the house had previously been given a considered structural renovation. This meant that its “classic London terraced house [layout]” had been enhanced with excellent built-in storage, high-quality appliances such as the kitchen cooker and extractor hood, and skylights that give a number of the rooms a greater sense of airiness and spaciousness.
The mirrors in the entrance hall are from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds.com) in Cape Town. The black and white rug was custom made for one of Kim’s previous interior-design projects and has been repurposed here. “The low white shelving (left) and the enclosed cupboards (right) are really the kitchen built-ins, storing everything that a kitchen would need,” says Kim. “The enclosed cupboards store plates, glasses, cutlery, and so on, whereas the open shelving has my pots, cookbooks, and baskets filled with smaller items–and this was all in situ when we bought the house. [When we viewed it] I realized that there was not one tiny detail that I would have done differently so we pounced on it.” In this open-plan dining-kitchen- living space, the dining table was custom made to Kim’s design by Moorgas & Sons (moorgasandsons.co.za) in Cape Town. The dining chairs are from Sika Design (sika-design.com) in Denmark. Kim says she “chose this particular Estiluz (estiluz. com) light fixture because I needed something that was beautiful and statement-making, but it [also] had to be really unobtrusive and not visually blocking otherwise it would crowd the room. It is made up of two of Estiluz’s Volta lights, which can be hung in singles or multiples across widths.” The bright pink rug is from Gonsenhausers Fine Rugs (finerugs.co.za) in Cape Town. The gallery wall on the left is a mix of pictures that Kim has collected over time and includes pieces by “some nameless abstract artists (bought at Cécile & Boyd [cecileandboyds.com] in Cape Town [and] inexpensive mass-produced prints, but also original artworks by [well- known South African artists] Deborah Bell, Lyndi Sales (lyndisales.com) and Willem Boshoff (willemboshoff.com). I have no problem mixing value and styles of art.” On top of the shelves on the left is part of a set of seven vases–all slightly different– ”bought at Block & Chisel (blockandchisel. co.za) in Cape Town years ago.”
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The pair of wooden armchairs were originally purchased from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds.com) in Cape Town, and for use in this space, they have been reupholstered using Carriacou fabric by Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com).
The home’s location–a stone’s throw from the high street in Barnes–is another key part of its appeal to Kim, her husband Graham, and their two children, Jamie (14) and Anna (7). “Barnes has a really village-like feel,” says Kim, “with a beautiful green, a pond with ducks, and a high street with mostly traditional independent shops.
Kim planted the star jasmine in the garden; its position just beyond the glass Crittall-style doors means that its scent wafts into the house when it is flowering. The white, outdoor, rattan couch is from Sika Design (sika-design.com) in Denmark, and the yellow and black patterned throw partially covering its upholstery (in Dove White) is made from Fujin fabric in Jaune by Pierre Frey (pierrefrey.com). The cushions are (from left) from Designers Guild (designersguild.com), from West Elm (westelm.co.uk), and made up using Jim Thompson Sampan Stripe in Pebble and Jim Thompson Tunis in Daisy (jimthompsonfabrics.com). The white side table is from Block & Chisel (blockandchisel.co.za) in Cape Town, and the gray planter is from Habitat (habitat. co.uk). The outdoor rug is from Swedish rug maker Pappelina (pappelina.com).
When we moved here from South Africa, Graham loved the idea of living in a country village, but I really wanted to be in London–and to our surprise, we got both boxes ticked when we arrived in Barnes.” While the entire family very much enjoys life out and about in their “village,” they must all equally relish time spent in their home’s more private spaces on the first and second floors. Here, Kim has created a cocooning yet contemporary master bedroom for herself and Graham that features an upholstered headboard in a bold blue pattern. Add more graphic pieces in the form of scatter cushions and punctuate with a mix of
In the main bedroom, the walls are painted in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com), the mirrors alongside the headboard are from Block & Chisel (blockandchisel.co.za), and the curved headboard itself is upholstered in The Wave fabric in Mineral by Linwood (linwoodfabric. com). The bedside pedestals are Terrace Side Tables from West Elm (westelm. co.uk), and the Gioalos table lamps are from OKA (oka.com). The scatter cushions with the yellow stripes are made up in Marina in Pastis by Lelievre (lelievreparis.com), and the pale blue scatter cushions in a plain linen bought by Kim from a local shop in Barnes. The yellow and blue throws are both from H&M Home (hm.com), and the bed linen is from South African bedding and linen makers Granny Goose (grannygoose. com). The bench at the foot of the bed is upholstered in a fabric from Mavromac (mavromacandthegatehouse.co.za). The artworks were found on Etsy (etsy.com) and placed in simple white frames.
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blue and yellow throws, and the effect is all breezy summertime–yet one can easily imagine a more moody blue atmosphere, created via the inclusion of velvety, textured throws and decor accessories in deeper blue tones. Also on the first floor is Anna’s room, and Jamie’s is situated on the loft level above. Both very much reflect the personalities of their occupants and clearly came together as a result of real collaborations between them and their mother. Jamie “wanted a room that felt like his own little den, which it is,” says Kim, while Anna “seems to acquire and collect all sorts of toys, artwork, and knick-knacks all the time, hence the emphasis on display in her room.” Back downstairs in Kim’s home office–situated at the front of the house–a monochrome patterned wallpaper repeats another of her regular signatures, this time the use of black and white as a “neutral.” The Schumacher wallpaper used here is called “Deconstructed Stripe,” and Kim says, “I find it jazzy and light, and it brings me joy while I work.”
In Kim’s home office, the “Deconstructed Stripe” wallpaper by Schumacher (fschumacher.com) forms an energizing backdrop to the trio of still life paintings of chairs by South African artist Aurelia James (aureliajames.co.za). The desk is from Cape Town furniture store LIM (lim.co.za), and the glass “leopard print” pen holders/brush pots are from Pezula Interiors (pezulainteriors.co.za), also in Cape Town. The Soft Pad office chair with gold detailing is from Cult Furniture (cultfurniture.com).
In Anna’s bedroom, the desk is from La Redoute (laredoute.co.uk) with a chair that Kim found in an old junk shop in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The rug was bought “years ago” from The White Company (thewhitecompany.com), as was the yellow velvet fabric used to upholster the headboard, which was sourced at fabric store Bbellamy & Bbellamy (https://www.facebook.com/ bellamyandbbellamy/) in Muizenberg, Cape Town. The bed linen is from Zara Home (zarahome.com), with a selection of scatter cushions collected by Kim over time–everything from Designers Guild (designersguild.com) to “something I picked up in India, [and] something from a Christmas fair here in the UK.”
“Yellow is probably the color that I use most,” says Kim, “but always in small quantities (accessories, a cushion), and I always make sure that it sits close to something black and white.” The abstract artwork in the hallway of the house was purchased from Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds. com) in Cape Town, and the rattan bench was picked up at a junk store in London, “as was the handbag on it, which is a play on an Hermès Birkin,” says Kim. “It’s canvas, with a Birkin design painted onto it.”
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