OBJEKT South Africa January 2016 (Objekt 13)

When it comes to interior décor, trends are fleeting, here one day and gone the next. But a heritage brand is forever, continuously evolving to stay fresh and relevant to the consumer, permanently positioning itself in our minds. A shining example of such a brand is Smeg, and we look at its design journey and how it has managed to remain leading the pack since 1948. Also leading the pack in their own lane is Paco Rugs, one of the most impressive rug companies in the country, far from the generic, led by a culture of family and an ethos of excellence. Across the world in lavish Dubai, leading global property developer and provider of premium lifestyles Emaar Group has managed, in a short amount of time, to build the…

If we take into consideration how many brands battle to last for 5 years, it is incredible in this high paced age of innovation and technology when brands are able to weather the storm and survive. It is even more impressive however when brands are able to evolve and remain relevant in the current age that we live in. An ever changing consumer landscape in today’s economically uncertain times has seen many a brands crumble and disappear. SMEG has shown otherwise with real staying power that comes from being exceptional across the board as well as a passion for perfection that has remained constant for over 65 years. The brand boasts a rich history of technical innovation in the development of products that don’t merely exceed expectations – they transform…

Research shows that rug weaving is an ancient art that reached its pinnacle with the hand-loomed oriental and Persian rugs of 16th-century Turkey, Persia, and central Asia. By the 17th and 18th centuries, French and English rug designers were producing a variety of innovative styles and textures. The impressive European rugs were woven by hand until 1841, when Erastus Bigelow introduced the power loom. While some rugs are still hand woven, most contemporary rug producers utilise modern machinery and equipment. The last few years have seen a dramatic change in interior design, with a revolt against too much ornamentation and classical elements, and a focus on a truth to materials. We rarely see the classical treatments of interior spaces like we did through the ‘80s and ‘90s, and even elaborate…

There are a couple of options as a tourist, depending on your particular taste. Hotels range from traditional Dubai architecture that will take you on a journey through “old Dubai,” still not neglecting any of the creature comforts the luxury traveller would want. Then, of course, there is the flagship of the group, the Address Downtown. The Address Downtown Dubai - For anything to be a brand’s “flagship,” in a place where excess and the “wow” factor are a part of daily life, it has to be something remarkable, and that is evident on the proud smiles of the people that greet you as you enter the big, glass doors, and look at the mesmerising array of flowers, mostly fresh orchids. The reception area was designed with space and a…

THE RESIDENCE , with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, is very light. Natural light is channelled into the interior through the large windows, illuminating the open-plan ground floor, and the bedrooms on the upper floor. It emphasises the careful use of contrasting materials, directly visible in the entrance with its variety of approaches adopted towards the colours and surfaces. Entering the modern Los Angles home, designed by Amit Apel Design, the bold and contrasting colours and materials directly catch your eyes. Amit, “Colours and contrasting materials invite you to cleanse your mind’s eye, and explore the artful display of lines, shapes, and mass, integrated into a warm abode. As you pass through the grid-glass entry door, you witness the openness of a space you can dwell in, with well-defined areas…

BASED IN THE NETHERLANDS , with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship is a world leader in the field of custom superyachts. Each Feadship is defined by its superb craftsmanship, and sets the standard in every aspect of design, engineering, and construction. These bespoke motoryachts are created in partnership with owners who wish to invest in a wonderful building experience. Superyacht Como highlighted Feadship’s pioneering use of glass. The client requested large windows in the hull, and a wealth of glass in her superstructure. Following on from other recent launches that emphasised the art of glass, such as Hampshire II, Musashi, and Venus, thoughts now turned to the next logical, but seriously complex innovation, namely using glass structures to support structural loads from the decks above. According to its builders…