Indaba Trading Ltd.

Indaba Center Stage: Pewter Perfection

indabatr — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:30:02 +0000

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.

Indaba Center Stage: Top 5 Father’s Day Gifts

indabatr — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:52:00 +0000

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!

Top 5 Father’s Day Gifts

1. Glass Cloche W/Mango Wood Base - 12-2141-4
Whether it be sports memorabilia, a bottle of premium liquor or his lucky socks – this cloche will make almost any possession look classy and professional.
Wholesale: $42-

2. Leather Bound Journal, Fleur de Lis - 21-0100-1
Whether Dad is an aspiring writer, or simply a gentleman who receives many calls and messages, this leather journal is a sleek alternative to scrawling on scraps and envelopes.
Wholesale: $22-

3. Buffalo Skull & Horns - 01-6127
Men by nature, love manly things. Nothing is more manly and appealing than a buffalo skull to hang above his desk. With this gift comes the brilliant opportunity for exaggeration, offering Dad the chance to tell employees about his days as a bare-handed-buffalo-hunter.
Wholesale: $80-

4. His Recycled Canvas/Leather Day Bag - 17-0412
It doesn’t have to be just one or the other… Dad’s 15″ MacBook Pro, his iPad 2, Blackberry, blueberry or any other kind of berry, can all fit comfortably within this sleek satchel.
Wholesale: $80-

5. New York Street Map - 10-5693-2
Help Dad avoid office decorating cliches, steering as far as possible from the motivational work posters displaying words like ‘Leadership’ and ‘Courage’. Any man can appreciate the grit and power of New York City, that is unless he is a Boston Red Sox fan…
Wholesale: $110-

For more great gift ideas, be sure to see our online catalogue.

Indaba Center Stage: Bags, Bags, Bags

indabatr — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:27:41 +0000

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.

From the colourful streets of India, come our vibrant collection of embroidered bags, available in sling, bowler, and conventional handbag. Whether you’re going for a casual lunch with your girlfriends, or something a little fancier, these bags are sure to make you stand out, in a good way. If punchy colours and intricate embroidery isn’t for you, don’t worry – our recycled canvas day runners are a great alternative. Classy, contemporary and beautifully neutral, these bags are a perfect pairing for business/pleasure travelling. The day runner bag makes an ideal checked bag, while it’s partner is perfect for holding any MacBook, iPad, or other necessities as carryon. If its something a bit more casual that you’re looking for, our Jaipur, Agra, and Hampi messenger bags will be perfect hanging off of your shoulder for any day-to-day activity. Their durable canvas bodies allow them to easily be thrown in and out of trunks or worn on bicycles, without having to worry about damaging an expensive designer bag. Explore, and don’t let your bag deter you from having fun. Here are a few of our favourite bags to consider, when purchasing your next new friend.

Indaba Inspiration: Simply Black & White

indabatr — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:19:13 +0000

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.

Indaba Inspiration: Bedside Tables

indabatr — Fri, 31 May 2013 03:36:23 +0000

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!

Indaba Center Stage: Fabulous Frames

indabatr — Mon, 27 May 2013 01:23:47 +0000

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.

Indaba Spotted: Retail News

indabatr — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:45:40 +0000

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.

Indaba Doings: Hosting the Perfect Garden Party

indabatr — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:30:20 +0000

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.

#1. Keep Things Simple

Don’t sweat the small stuff. You don’t need to slave in the kitchen for a week in advance to impress your guests. Try working with local cheeses, meats and bread to create a lovely picnic board (pun intended) and garnish with fresh fruits, nuts, tapenade etc. Odds are that your guests will be focusing on their cocktail and basking in the sunshine, not critiquing your food. With that being said, why not create a signature cocktail to liven the mood and make your garden soiree memorable.

#2. Pick A Theme

Now I’m not referring to the wild themed parties from your college years, though that could be equally interesting… Instead of toga’s, strive to create a color scheme that compliments the fresh flowers in your garden. If you’re stumped by the abundance of colours, pick a few and create a table bouquet and work from that.

#3. Set The Scene

Don’t be afraid to take accessories and accents from inside the home and use them outside. While you may be tempted to use disposable or plastics cups and plates, leave those in the pantry for the family picnic – try pulling out your nice dishes and glassware, they will look even better in the sun. If your garden party runs a little late, set the mood with strings of lights or floating tea lights, it’s cool to be romantic.

Remember that the point of a garden party is to socialize and have fun. If you’re lacking decor or inspiration, let Indaba Trading help. Here are a few of our fantastic products perfect for your home and garden.

Indaba Center Stage: Curious Kitchens

indabatr — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:26:54 +0000

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!

While étagère’s are a great way to display vases and curiosities throughout the home, they can also be a great addition to the kitchen, simultaneously adding a vertical dimension and a bounty of storage space.

Curtains are no longer just for your living room windows. If you’re looking to create an intimate barrier between your kitchen and dining area, try adding a chic curtain to seamlessly divide the open space on special occasions.

Working with an overly modern kitchen? Try juxtaposing the contemporary elements with rustic furniture and accessories to soften the sleek feel.

Lastly, Indaba suggests one of the many beautiful accessories from our current collection. Peek and peruse, choosing the perfect set of products for your store or home.

Indaba Inspirations: Jon Call – Mr. Call Designs

indabatr — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:49:08 +0000

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