Gone are the days when cabinets simply housed fancy crockery, or when a lampstand provided only lighting and aesthetic value. Today, interior pieces do everything from interchangeably amplifying various portable devices’ audio to charging them, with some even doubling up as control centres.

What a relief not to have to turn the whole house upside down to find the charger, or even worse… your phone. Smart, savvy and downright desirable, here are some of our favourite modern must-haves.

1. Caixa by Paolo Cappello for Miniforms

Available in white, red or black lacquer or canaletto walnut, or a combination, this entertainment table comes with a universal iPod dock and Bluetooth-integrated stereo system. Connect your TV, computer, iPod and more. 

 2. Embrace from Spell

If you can’t afford the whole MyWorld couch, upgrade what you have with this sleek portable desk that hooks all your chargers in one place and gets rid of most cables in sight. Made from walnut and epoxy steel, not only is it a convenient resting spot for your phone or tablet, but it can also provide a perch for a cuppa.

3. Nomad Nightstand from Spell

This steel-and-wood nightstand simplifies life by organising and hiding unsightly cables, with the added bonus of being a charging dock and having only one main AC supply.

*The Spell range can be found at Establishment. For more information, visit establishment.co.za.

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Here are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 70 inspiration, features a beautiful gin distillery, an absurd work onesie and colourful artwork by Vladimir Tretchikoff.

1. Zulu Maiden by Vladimir Tretchikoff

Business Manager Diane Lubbe absolutely loves the colours featured in this famous South African artwork.

Image credit: vladimirtretchikoff.com

2. Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery by Thomas Heatherwick

“Thomas Heatherwick’s latest architectural feat is Bombay Sapphire’s exquisite new gin distillery in England. It’s just spectacular,” says online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring.

Image credit: Iwan Baan via dezeen.com

3. The Suitsy by Jesse Herzog

Features editor Tracy Greenwood was amused by this hilarious onesie. “Is this what most men have been waiting for?” she asks.

Image credit: betabrand.com

4. Anglepoise® Type75 Table Lamp By Anglepoise® + Paul Smith

Deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes could do with one of these designer beauties in her office right now.

Image credit: anglepoise.com

5. Lean Coffee Table by Sharon Sides for AA13

“Sometimes simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” says online and editorial assistant Chantél Hans.

Image source: haa13.fr   

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 70 on picks of the week 296.

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This year the Caesarstone Student Designer 2014 competition challenged participants to conceptualise the service station of the future. Themed Re_Charge, the brief was focused on electronic cars and how best to meet the needs of their drivers. Here are the top three entries.

1^st Place
James Mayer, Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Interior Design, Lecturer:  Rene van der Merwe

2^nd Place
Ian Winfield, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Department of Architecture, Lecturer: Donald Flint

3^rd Place
Dayle Wener, BHC School of Design, Department of Interior Design, Lecturer: Donna Fergus

The winning student and their lecturer will enjoy a trip to an international design fair of their choice worth R80 000. The runner up and second runner up won R10 000 and R5 000, respectively.

Be sure to check out the Caesarstone Student Designer 2015 brief available for download now. 

caesarstone.co.za

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Own this fruity trend with 6 fun local items you can buy right now.

1. Pineapple Print R150, Mono Online Shop

2. Pineapple Tote R349, Country Road at Woolworths

3. Green with Yellow Iced Out Pineapple Studs R1 013, wantitall.co.za

4. Pineapple Money Box R130, Mr Price Home

5. Pineapple Pouch R95, Zana

6. Blue Pineapple Scatter R620, 44 Avenue Range by Emeline Designs at Hello Pretty 

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Whimsical and quirky is the order of the day with colourful felt hats, driveless sleeper cars and clever optical illusions all making their way to the VISI picks of the week series – week 69.

1. Optical Illusions by Dudi Ben Simons on Instagram

Features editor Tracy Greenwood absolutely loves these witty optical illusions by creative director Dudi Ben Simons from Tel Aviv.

Image credit: trendland.com

2. Simon and Mary SS15 Campaign

“There is no denying that the felt hat has become the ultimate accessory, but the Simon and Mary selection of colours completely takes it to the next level. I want. I must have, in all the colours,” says editor at large Malibongwe Tyilo.

Image credit: simonandmary.co.za

3. Stained Glass Driverless Sleeper Car of the Future by Dominic Wilcox

Created as part of the London Design Festival 2014, online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring thinks it’s not only clever, but pretty cute to look at too!

Image source: dominicwilcox.com

4. Almke Treehouse by Baumraum

Deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes is smitten by the idea of taking treehouses to the next level of awesome.

Image source: baumraum.de

5. Interactive Dancing Traffic Lights by BBDO Germany and Smart

“Not pretty, but really cool,” says art director Anton Pietersen.

Image source: dezeen.com / designboom.com

6. Teapot by Jurgen Lehl for Babaghuri

“How adorable are these little handmade teapots moulded from gourds and coconuts?” says online and editorial assistant Chantél Hans.

Image source: analoguelife.com

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Forming an official part of World Design Capital 2014, Accidental Art (sponsored by Nando’s and directed by Yellowwoods Art) is aimed at bringing art to the public by taking art into public spaces.

The project was launched with artist Xolile Mtakatya’s spectacular mural (made in conjunction with hand painting specialists Colossal Media), an impressive 7m x 9m installation at Nando’s on Long Street. The latest addition is a stunning 20 sqm mosaic designed by talented artist Liza Grobler at Nando’s on Kloof Street. It was created from “half-square” ceramic tiles produced by the Yellowwoods Art Ceramic Studio.

Designed in order to draw attention to creativity and the way in which we use the urban environment, this project encourages passers-by to think, reflect and communicate with the art, the artists and the urban spaces in which we live and work. 

Both will be on show well into 2015, supporting not only the expression of creative thought, but injecting new life into the public realm by beautifying and improving the urban environment too.

nandos.co.za/art-projects
yellowwoodsart.co.za

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An eclectic mix of succulent egg cup planters, animal mugs, a book with absurd illustrations, a new watch boutique in Paris and an interactive screw installation (of all things) are keeping the top VISI picks of the week series – week 68.

1. Fox Mugtail by Kinto from Superbalist.com

“Who wouldn’t want to drink their morning cuppa like this?” asks online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “At R249, this fox tail mug from Kinto is now available at Superbalist. Bonus!”

Image source: superbalist.com

2. 36445+1screw:) by Studio Yumakano for Design East 05 Camp

Editor-in-chief Sumien Brink loves this interactive installation that challenges viewers to find a smiley face hidden in a thousand screws! “How cute! Takes DIY to a new level,” she beams.

Image credit: yumakano.com

3. Egg Cup Planters by Justina Blakeney

“What a cool idea it was to turn these adorable little egg cups into planters!” says editorial and online assistant Chantél Hans.

Image credit: blog.justinablakeney.com

4. Officine Panerai Boutique designed by Patricia Urquiola in Paris

“If you happen to be in Paris and you are one of those people that love to collect wristwatches, or maybe just appreciate beautiful minimalistic interiors, be sure to check out Officine Panerai’s newest boutique of marble, bronze and wood,” deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes suggests.

Image source: panerai.com

5. Variations on Normal by Dominic Wilcox

Art director Anton Pietersen was amused by this illustrated book filled with ridiculous solutions to real life situations. (Video below)

Image source: variationsonnormal.com / Video source: Dezeen on Vimeo

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Here are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 67, with the likes of a quirky local DIY diva making waves on YouTube, feel-good artwork from a local artist and a gorgeous halter bag from popular Cape Town designers. Inspiration from around the world includes a gorgeous floral photoshoot. 

1. A Scoop of Roses styled by Vintagepiken

“Perfect to welcome in the onset of spring,” says editorial and online assistant Chantél Hans.

Image credit: vintagepiken.blogspot.com

2. Boy Meets World IV by Michael Taylor

“Michael Taylor’s exhibition I was born yesterday at WHATIFTHEWORLD in Cape Town blew my mind. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room where I wanted everything so badly. This piece was my ultimate favourite,” says features writer Bibi Slippers. 

Image credit: whatiftheworld.com 

3. Park Hotel Tokyo

Deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes loves the idea of involving local talent in the developement of this hotel, in which various Japanese artists were involved in hand-painting the murals in the hotel’s rooms.

Image credit: parkhoteltokyo.com

4. Halter Bag by Skinny laMinx and Dark Horse

“Two great design teams coming together is always exciting. I just love this new halter tote, a collaboration between Skinny laMinx and Dark Horse. So pretty!” says online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring.

Image credit: skinnylaminx.com

5. Christmas Cake by Haagen Dazs, designed by Nendo

“Although a little early, this Christmas cake with little bridges connecting the ice cream villages looks like the perfect post-turkey treat for our hot Sumer Christmases! If only they were available outside of Paris…” brand manager Cecilia du Plessis sighs.

Image credit: haagen-dazs.co.za

3. SuzelleDIY

“Put a smile on your face this week with SuzelleDIY – because we all can!” says editor-in-chief Sumien Brink. (See video below)

Image credit: youtube.com/channel

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 67 on picks of the week 347.

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After a short break that involved raising her two small daughters, artist Haidee Nel is back and more inspired than ever. Her latest work in progress, Urban Masquerade, consists of a series of six life-sized, hand-carved sculptures of young girls all wearing different dresses and masks. Have a look at the completed artworks, all already sold, on display at Erdmann Contemporary.

Haidee Nel is a Michealis graduate, where she studied sculpture under the supervision of both Jane Alexander and Gavin Young. She is an award-winning artist and is included in numerous private and public collections and is also the mind and maker behind Hartedief – a well-known design series of heart-shaped objects and small sculptures.

erdmanncontemporary.co.za/haidee-nel

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A foldable bike helmet, an adorable porcupine canister and a beautiful elevated bike lane are just a few of the things that are keeping us inspired. Here are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 64.

1. Overade Foldable Bike Helmet by Ippinka

“For this week, I’m selecting this rad little fold-up helmet. I’ve delayed getting a helmet for my bike for ages, as they’re usually so unattractive and bulky to carry, but this solves one of those two problems,” says brand manager Cecilia du Plessis.

Image credit: ippinka.com

2. Stripe by Natali Ristovska and Miki Stefanoski

Managing editor Lise Avis’s choice is a multifunctional box that allows you to ‘design’ your own lightweight storage and shelving box with an endless variety of configurations and forms that can be constructed by using it.

Image credit: stripethebox.com

3. Chop Chop Kitchen by Dirk Biotto

“I need this!” says editorial and online assistant Chantel Hans. A beautiful minimalist, compact kitchen that is perfect for small space living.

Image credit: dirkbiotto.com

4. Foresta Porcupine Canister by James Ian Killinger for Umbra

This sweet porcelain canister (available at Superbalist.com) is not just pretty to look at, but practical too. “I need (and want) one of these!’ says online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring.

Image credit: umbra.com

5. Cykelslangen elevated bike lane by Dissing+Weitling

“I dream of the day we have beautiful bike-lanes like this in every city in South Africa. This new one was just built in Copenhagen,” features editor Bibi Slippers sighs.

Image credit: dw.dk

6. Turbo.roo

“Awww! This completely stole my heart!” exclaims editor-at-large Malibongwe Tyilo. “This little puppy was born with only his hind legs, but now with modern 3D printing technology, turbo.roo (his name) can run around like other puppies.

Image credit: twitter.com/RooTurbo

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