There’s never been a better time to promote South African design, says Abigail Bisogno, the creative whizz behind The Trading Company at Spice Route.

Spice Route near Paarl is an exciting Winelands destination with a variety of retail, dining and craft offerings. This is mostly thanks to co-founder Abigail Bisogno, who ditched 35 years in retail for life on the farm. Abigail is the brain behind the creative direction and project management of the renovations at Spice Route, but The Trading Company store is her special “love” project.

The store stocks a wide range of local products that express Abigail’s bold, colourful personality. “I enjoy bringing my character into the spaces I live and work in. I’m a happy person and I like my surroundings to be happy too.”

While she keeps a close eye on international trends, Abigail is passionate about South African design and about encouraging local entrepreneurs. Some of her favourite suppliers are Isobel Sippel, Sera Holland and Juditha Sakinofsky, all of whom, she says, are “simply brilliant”.

“There’s a quirkiness and cheerfulness to local talent. It’s very special. During these difficult economic times we should be encouraging entrepreneurs and helping them hone their business skills so that small businesses can survive.

“I believe people want to partner with me because they feel the love I have for colour, design and fabrics. Most of the people I’ve worked with have been successful – our collaborations have been great.”

“Local design means job creation to me in possibly the most rewarding way. It’s important for me to empower and escalate home-grown talent and to bring what they have to offer to my customers and the store.”

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From whimsical vessels and creative notebooks to sophisticated chairs and a seriously chic Mercedes-Benz, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 131.

1. Katriina Nuutinen’s Lyyli Vessels

“These amazing mouth-blown glass, birch and maple vessels appeal to my inner child,” says content producer Michaela Stehr. “They look like they hold something magical inside.”

Image credit: design-milk.com

2. Inspiration Pads by TM

Says features editor Tracy Greenwood, “I am nuts about notebooks. And pens. And sticky notes. OK, I admit it, I love all stationery. So I was fascinated by these inspiration pads, which are designed in Belgium and printed on sustainable paper. The thing is, while I acknowledge they have been designed to ‘break the hardness of the typical lines found in notebooks’ I imagine the wacky composition might send me over the edge if I put pen to this paper.”

Image credit: tmsprl.com

3. Daniela Conti at The Trading Company

“This beautiful sling bag with leather trim and tassels, as well as beaded hand embroidery, is now available at The Trading Company at Spice Route, Paarl,” says online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “Pretty!”

Image credit: The Trading Company

4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Virtual Reality

“I’d love to spend the day riding around the contours of Cape Town in this beautiful machine,” gushes editor-at-large Malibongwe Tyilo.

Video credit: Mercedes-Benz South Africa on YouTube.com

5. Woodbender Arabella Lowback Two Seater

Managing editor Lise Avis adores the classic look of the new Arabella Chair by Woodbender. “And you can select your own timber finish and fabric!” she exclaims.

Image credit: woodbender.co.za

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 131 on picks of the week 258.

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From a statement OKHA lamp and a cool local store to a solar-powered bicycle and creative colouring books, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 109.

1. Custom To Be One Standing Lamp

“I love the angular shapes of this powder-coated mild steel floor lamp,” says editor-at-large Malibongwe Tyilo. “Perfect for my apartment!”

Image credit: okha.com

2. The Colouring Book by Liebet

Enjoy colouring in? Pretoria-based illustrator and painter Liebet Jooste has created a fun 50-page colouring book for “creatures of all ages”. Online editor Lindi Brownell Meiring loves all the quirky illustrations.

Image credit: liebet.co.za

3. The Trading Company at the Spice Route

“The Trading Company store at Spice Route near Paarl in the Western Cape is a great destination store (within a great destination). Filled with gorgeous product by local designers — leaving empty-handed is unthinkable,” says features editor Tracy Greenwood.

Image credit: spiceroute.co.za

4. SunCycles

What makes this bicycle special, says copy editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen, is that it is retrofitted with an electric motor and a solar-powered battery. SunCycles is a Windhoek-based venture started by Bernhard Walther and Marita van Rooyen with the aim to create “a more sustainable, affordable and environmentally friendly form of energy and mobility”.

Image credit: suncycles-namibia.org

5. John Bauer Bowls

Special projects manager Cecilia du Plessis loves the fact that these beautiful bowls are inspired by local flora and fauna.

Image credit: Cavalli Estate

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 109 on picks of the week 337.

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