As VISI’s 100th collector’s edition hits the shelves, we chat to artist Jody Paulsen about his artistic journey and what his 2014 VISI cover meant to him.

Five years ago, for VISI’s 2014 collector’s Design Issue, Jody, in collaboration with photographer Nico Krinjo, created four different covers based on his hand-cut felt artworks. “For me, whenever I look at that magazine, it represents such a transitional space in my life and in my career,” he says.

The covers of VISI’s 2014 Design Issue

Watch the full video above and stay tuned for more one-on-one interviews.

VISI’s 100th Issue is on sale now at selected retailers (full stockist list here). You can also buy the digital version of the issue via magsathome.co.za, zinio.com and magzter.com.

The post WATCH: VISI 100: Jody Paulsen appeared first on Visi.

SJOE! 100 issues and counting… What a pleasure and memorable adventure it has been to put together the biggest-ever issue of VISI.

Since 2001, I have been fortunate to work on this very special magazine alongside some of the most inspiring and talented people in South Africa. Every one of us here at VISI has always pulled out all the stops to delight and surprise you, our loyal followers in print and online, and has gone all out to nurture this important local love-brand.

Thank you to all who have let us into their homes over the years, and all the super-talented architects, artists, crafters and designers who have shared their work with us.

For me, André Eksteen of Earthworld Architects sums it up best: “VISI defined a whole new approach. For the first time someone was making it ‘cool’ to be South African.”

– Sumien

Which cover is your favourite?

#1

#2

Want the print magazine?

Subscribe to VISI now and receive a 25% discount off your one-year print subscription. You’ll pay just R270 for six issues delivered directly to your post box. Use any of these methods to subscribe or renew your existing subscription:

• Call 087 405 2005 (local) or +27 21 045 1809 (international) with your credit card or banking details for debit order arrangements.
• E-mail subs@magsathome.co.za
• Visit magsathome.co.za

Want the digital magazine?

If you prefer to read your favourite magazine in digital form, on your iPad, tablet or desktop computer, you can subscribe to the digital edition of VISI via the below websites. It will cost R252 for a one-year subscription – that’s a 30% discount on six issues.

• magsathome.co.za
• zinio.com
• magzter.com

The post VISI 100 IS HERE appeared first on Visi.

So, in this issue, we showcase 21st-century spaces in the Karoo, the Cape, Gauteng, Zambia and Copenhagen, and shine the spotlight on some of the artists, designers, curators, architects, and other movers and shakers to watch in 2018.

As we were preparing to send the magazine to the printers, National Geographic named its happiest places in the world, and Denmark was one of the three – the others being Singapore and Costa Rica. I was incredibly fortunate to spend a few days in the Danish capital of Copenhagen at the beginning of September 2017, days filled with stimulation, loveliness and design. Afterwards, I said to my children that if I had visited the city when I was in my early 20s I might have never come back. Copenhagen for me is the epitome of a city where everything is designed to make people’s lives easier. See on page 108 how much you can actually pack into four days in this beautiful city!

Another recent highlight was the visit to the magnificent Gideonshoop, a nearly-200-year-old farmhouse near Klaarstroom in the Great Karoo that Marielise van der Merwe saved from demolition and transformed into a stylish retreat. It was the end of November, and Jan Ras and I were not prepared for the unseasonal cold. It was freezing! But I will suffer that cold again any time to see that modern farmhouse in the first light of day.

When I grow up I want to be a nomad who designs beautiful things and lives in hotels all around the world, just like Karien Belle. Her Sea Point apartment is like a jewellery box: magical and glittery and filled with surprises. I could just bring my sequinned handbag and move right in, and never leave again! May your year be filled with inspired design.

– Sumien

Want the print magazine?

Subscribe to VISI now and receive a 30 % discount off your one-year print subscription. You’ll pay just R231 for six issues delivered directly to your post box — that’s a saving of almost R100. Use any of these methods to subscribe or renew your existing subscription:

• Call 087 405 2005 with your credit card or banking details for debit order arrangements.
• E-mail visisubs@ramsaymedia.co.za
• Visit mysubs.co.za/VISI or magsathome.co.za
• SMS the words “Subs VISI” to 40573. An SMS costs R1.
• Fax to 0866 704 101.
• Post to VISI Subs, Freepost CB0209, PO Box 596, Howard Place, 7450.

Want the digital magazine?

If you prefer to read your favourite magazine in digital form, on your iPad, tablet or desktop computer, you can subscribe to VISI on My Subs.

• Go to mysubs.co.za/VISI to subscribe or call 0861 697 827.

The post VISI 94 IS HERE: THE DESIGN ISSUE appeared first on Visi.

I felt a strong leaning towards pink – because it is my all-time favourite colour – but when Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, announced Greenery as the colour for 2017 I was very happy. This vibrant green hue, inspired by nature and the great outdoors, is sure to provide us with the hope we collectively yearn for in a time of social

and political turmoil. It should satisfy our growing desire to revitalise and unite, and it symbolises the reconnection we seek to make with nature and a greater purpose.

It’s no coincidence that the majority of the buildings featured in this, our annual Design Issue, are surrounded by abundant greenery. We are proud to feature some exceptional examples of local architecture and a number of buildings that received Merit Awards in the biennial Corobrik SAIA (South African Institute of Architects) Awards.

All these buildings are excellent examples of immersive architecture, whereby the design of the structure is determined by the natural environment, such as a space-age structure in Dullstroom that clings to the slope of an unspoilt koppie, a minimalist home in a lush Cape Town suburb, and a dream house on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein that enjoys views across the city. And then there is the utterly remarkable Malapa Fossil Cave cover and viewing platform in the Cradle of Humankind, which takes the concept of touching the earth lightly to the next level.

In keeping with the green theme, we feature the revamped Glenelly Winery in Stellenbosch, where a rectangular building surrounded by lush green vines seems to jut straight out of a slope as though it were a tunnel that might lead you beneath the vines and into the soil.

It is incredible connections with the soil on which they are built that make all these structures so very special, and I feel extremely privileged to have visited most of these buildings as part of the Corobrik SAIA judging panel.

My motto for 2017 is that this is truly the time to go green.

– Sumien

The post VISI 88 IS HERE appeared first on Visi.

For this, our VISI 82 Design Issue, Anton has worked extremely hard to create a modern look by simplifying the typefaces we use and introducing white borders around images.

By using very little text on the pictures he has allowed them to shine. We love the fact that our photographers always go the extra mile for us and we think they deserve to have their work take centre stage. And Anton has outdone himself in achieving that in this issue.

I am crazy about all the spaces you will find on these pages, not only the homes but also the places that anyone can visit, like the new additions to Babylonstoren in the Cape: the Farmhouse and the extension of Babel restaurant. In Johannesburg there is the exciting urban reinvention in Newtown by Julian and Trevyn McGowan, founders of Source and Southern Guild, who collaborated with Maira Koutsoudakis of Life Interiors + Architecture + Creative Direction. If you are on your way to or from Lanseria Airport and you love exquisite custom-made cars and excellent coffee, do pop in at the dynamic Dutchmann showroom and Coffee Lab, run by Gavin Rooke and Stefan Gutstadt.

Food design is big business in South Africa right now, and we were lucky enough to attend three special events where it was in the spotlight. Flower enthusiast Alwijn Burger’s food and flower installation at Jackie Burger’s Salon 58 stole my heart. Do try some of his easy decor tips for your next event. Alwijn was also responsible for the design of the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards gala. Elmi Badenhorst took cork to the next level at the multisensory dinner Tracy Lee Lynch designed for the launch of the Krone Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2015 with its Helix twist-to-open cork stopper.

So many new design ideas to try and I haven’t even mentioned our “31 Reasons to Celebrate Design” section, which starts on page 113.

Just as we were sending this issue to print, Pantone unveiled its Colour of the Year: a blending of two shades, Rose Quartz and Serenity. And here they are on our cover! I hope you enjoy our first design-fuelled issue of 2016!

– Sumien

The post VISI 82 IS HERE appeared first on Visi.