Caxton magazines staffCape Contributing Editor Sarah Stuart-Reckling is thrilled that Ardmore Ceramic Art has branched out into soft furnishings by launching a new designer brand called Halsted
One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is attending the launches of new products and hotspots. I’m always excited to see what I’ll discover; admittedly sometimes a little more than others, like when I heard that local brand Ardmore Ceramic Art was previewing a range of soft furnishings including tablecloths (left) and throws.
Ardmore’s fantastical ceramics (pictured below) are produced by talented Zulu potters, sculptors and painters in KwaZulu-Natal and have found fans in SA and abroad – Queen Elizabeth is rumoured to own a piece and one day I’d love to too.
Not long ago Ardmore teamed up with local fabric house Mavromac to launch their first fabric range. The success of this collaboration inspired Ardmore’s founder Fee Halsted, the company’s MD Jonathan Berning and entrepreneur Fleur Heyns to create a new brand called Halsted that’ll focus on turning art into design.
Halsted’s debut homeware range, The Ardmore Collection by Wonderboy, was inspired by the work of one of Ardmore’s most iconic artists, the late Wonderboy Nxumalo. He was known for imaginatively incorporating his love of words with images like hares, flowers and weightlifting monkeys:
Wonderboy’s playful designs have now been printed onto 100 percent linen and made up into colourful soft furnishings (below) including cushions, tablecloths, throws and pouffes. What I love about this collection is the quality of the pieces and that it’s unique take on truly African design.
These arty pieces are currently only available by direct order, so to find out more e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]
Happy shopping,
Sarah
