Indaba Center Stage: Pewter Perfection

With the rise of contemporary stainless steel and plastic accessories/dish-ware, Pewter (once the domestic equivalent to stainless steel) quickly began to fall by the wayside. Whether it be pewter jugs, pots, plates or candleholders, consumers quickly began to swap out their large collections, for new alternatives. While pewters fate seemed to lay in old cardboard boxes collecting dust in attics across the nation – a few sharp individuals decided to host a bit of a revival.

While not everyone is catching on to to the pewter trend, for the right individual it’s potential is huge. Art and Antiques dealer Hilary Kashden, “loves pewter because it’s not pretentious. It was made by real people for real people. It doesn’t masquerade, and it fits in seamlessly with its surroundings.” Whether paired with other antiques or matched carefully with contemporary accessories, pewter’s class and timeless style is undeniable. Whether you are hosting guests for macaroons and rooibos, or ringing in the new year with a bottle of bubbly, pewter is sure to impress. While antique stores offer tarnished and overpriced pewter heirlooms, Indaba has a fantastic assortment of pewter styled classically, and ready to use. Here are a few of our favorite pewter options for inspiration.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Indaba Center Stage: Top 5 Father’s Day Gifts

Father’s Day is only three days away, which means there is still time to get Dad that perfect little something. If your family is anything like mine, Father’s Day seems to lack in comparison to the care and attention garnered during Mother’s Day. This year why not step up your game, put in a little extra effort, and show your pops you really care. There is no doubt in my mind that a father would rather spend some quality time with his loved ones, than receive a lavish present – but then again, a gift never hurts! Men are often extremely difficult to buy for, especially when looking for something meaningful. You can only receive so many golfballs, bottles of whiskey and polo shirts/sweaters, before the act of giving seems to blend into routine. Stumped for great gift ideas? Why not purchase him something stylish  and understated to compliment his office, because we all know how much time Dad’s spend at work. For the most part, people don’t tend to go out and break the bank accessorizing their workspaces, which makes it the perfect niche for gifting. Not only will the gift be a fantastic reminder of home, but it will also be something they probably wouldn’t consider purchasing for themselves. Let Indaba help this Father’s Day, with our Top 5 List, for Father’s Day Gifts!

Continue reading

Posted in Indaba Center Stage | Leave a comment

Indaba Center Stage: Bags, Bags, Bags

Indaba Trading prides itself in it’s distinctive home decor, defined by natural and organic styles, patterns and colours, and balanced design. While the bulk of our collection is designed to accent your home – we have a number of fantastic products purchased especially with you in mind. From handbags to jewellery and even scarves, Indaba continues to search near and far, handpicking an eclectic mix of products to allow your fantastic taste to be seen outside of the home as well. This week Indaba is featuring our lovely bags, boasting both exceptional function and style.

Continue reading

Posted in Indaba Center Stage | Leave a comment

Indaba Inspiration: Simply Black & White

Living in an overwhelmingly colourful world, I often find myself becoming more inspired and aware in the absence of color. Whether it be walking down a Vancouver side street, or sitting in a local coffee shop with white-washed walls, the simplicity and immense possibility of white and black tones get my stomach buzzing. Generally when it comes time to paint the home, homeowners flock to Home Depot intoxicated by the vibrant ocean of paint chips and color options. If you’re growing tired of hearing words like chartreuse or aubergine, put the paint chips aside and go back to the basics. White walls, black walls, and even black and white walls, offer an undeniably clean and contemporary foundation for home design. Let your accessories add a pop of color to the neutral backdrop, or if you’re feeling adventurous, continue the colourless trend with your accessories as well. Whether its the newest iPhone design, or the clothing choices of our kids, as scary as it may be, less seems to be becoming more. Here are a few of our favorite ways to pair up black and white, delving into the world of minimalist home decor and design.

Posted in Indaba Inspirations | Comments Off

Indaba Inspiration: Bedside Tables

Today Indaba’s inspiration goes back to the basics, honing in on a subtle piece of furniture that rests quietly within the bedroom. Often overshadowed by queen and king sized thrones of oak and brushed steel, the bedside table is a key component in any bedroom. A night table may not make your ‘Top 10′ list for exciting furniture shopping, but that doesn’t justify it being overlooked. A bedside table conveniently houses lamps, glasses, iPhones, alarm clocks, jewellery and paperback copies of Fifty Shades of Grey, all easily and efficiently within an arms reach. When it comes to choosing a bedside table, don’t let the extremely-fun-to-say Ikea names coax you into settling for a basic cupboard/drawer style unit. Take a step back, finish your Swedish meatballs, and get a little creative. Try using small ladders or stepping stools on either side of the bed to create a stylish and contemporary alternative. If a ladder isn’t your cup of tea, why not experiment with stumps, eye-catching chairs or vintage chests. Here are a few sleek examples to spark some inspiration in your hunt for the perfect bedside table!

Posted in Indaba Inspirations | Comments Off

Indaba Center Stage: Fabulous Frames

If you haven’t done so already, there is still time for some much needed spring cleaning! Don’t be afraid to get a little dusty, sorting through a years worth of accumulated knickknacks. While the process can often be daunting, nothing feels better than having a clean and organized home heading into Summer. If your home is anything like mine, you probably have a number of boxes (whether it be old shoeboxes or Tupperware containers) filled to the brim with new and old photographs. Some memories are probably best kept locked away to fade with time, but others deserve to be on display for the eyes of friends and family. To avoid being the embarrassing mother who habitually hauls out the old photo album (like every blockbuster romantic comedy,) handpick a few of the best ones and display them in style. Whether they be showcased on your fireplace mantle or home foyer,  Indaba has a number of fabulous frames to compliment your shots and style. For the young families or bachelor/bachelorettes lacking a photographic history, don’t be afraid to fill frames with thrift shop finds, magazine cutouts or retro record covers. Try mixing and matching frame colours, sizes, and shapes for a eclectic photo display! For more Indaba frames, see our online catalogue here.

Posted in Indaba Center Stage | Comments Off

Indaba Spotted: Retail News

This week Indaba has been spotted in the May/June issue of Retail News Magazine! This month Retail News has picked the brains of top style experts to offer you insight into upcoming trends, as well as roping in current and potential customers. From Pinterest and storyboards to trending Chicago housewares, this issue is overflowing with brilliant design. In addition to spotlighting a number of beautiful Indaba products, company CEO Irene Gillespie was also featured in the issues ‘Expert Panel’. While discussing hot hues, Gillespie encourages readers to keep an eye out for ‘Malachite, mossy greens and Tiffany blue,’ all colours that are sure to dazzle your home. To read the full story, be sure to subscribe to Retail News Magazine.

Posted in Spotted | Comments Off

Indaba Doings: Hosting the Perfect Garden Party

Spring is the perfect season for hosting! There is nothing better than gathering with good friends and slowly reacclimatizing to the great outdoors. The next time you feel the urge to entertain, let your dining room recover from the frenzy of winter, and explore the floral haven that is your garden. Obviously weather permitting, a garden party can be an elegant way to showcase both your broad culinary pallet and green thumb. Whether it be a classier formal dinner, or an afternoon tea with the ladies, remember to work with your landscape and get creative.

Continue reading

Posted in Indaba Doings | Comments Off

Indaba Center Stage: Curious Kitchens

Im sure that we have all heard the saying ‘the kitchen is the heart of the home,’ and while slightly cliche, the saying remains curiously true. Whether it be a dinner party of fifteen or a small gathering of five, more times than not the group tends to gravitate towards the kitchen. While the allure may forever remain a mystery, we can prepare for the steady stream of visitors. Design blogs and sources often focus on bedrooms and living rooms, offering effective tips for creating stylish atmospheres. The kitchen, a space used at least three times a day, tends to be sadly overlooked. This dilemma can easily be curbed however, by a little T.L.C. and a sharp eye for design. While there are many ways to spice up your look, here are a few that we think work well!

Continue reading

Posted in Indaba Center Stage | Comments Off

Indaba Inspirations: Jon Call – Mr. Call Designs

This week Indaba’s inspiration is taking a trip across North America to a trending interior design firm in downtown New York City. Mr. Call Designs, led stylishly by Jon Call – a former Seattle based architecture student – strives to balance scale and symmetry by utilizing a melting pot of styles. In homage to the scattered roots of American culture, Call wades through the US’ historical timeline carefully choosing pieces to craft a modern collage of inspiration. While all of Mr. Call’s designs are stunning, Call’s West Village Residence Collection is a perfect example of the power of simplicity. Using a rich base of neutral tones, Call accents with vibrant textiles and basic accessories. Reiterating his eclectic tendencies, Call carefully juxtaposes bold patterns and soft textures, as well as contemporary and vintage furniture. Find inspiration and try incorporating Call’s sleek New York style into your home or office. Peruse more of Mr. Call’s classy stylings here!

West Village Residence Collection

“Jon Call is both the past and the future of interior design; he is equally comfortable sketching plans for custom casegoods as he is posting fabric options for clients on Pinterest. A young designer with a savvy clientele, Call is embraced by the downtown (and Brooklyn) crowd, but his is not a sleek loft look. Rather, Call achieves a tailored take on classic style that is American in the broad, free-spirited sense of the word. It’s a palette that includes everything from Federal pieces to Mad Men Midcentury to clever details that conjure a wry smile. Above all, Call aims to give his clients spaces that balance comfort with “the luxury of a room with personality.” - Fred Nicolaus/The Franklin Report

Posted in Indaba Inspirations | Comments Off