Smile and Cloud lamps by Makers of Stuff-Makers of Stuff (MOS) is a new design consultancy in Johannesburg run by three women who proclaim that they're not designers. Inspired by the shapes of clouds and the Cheshire Cat's smile, Antonia Morgado seems enthralled with the process. "You get so involved, you stop seeing what you've created," she says. "It takes a long time to look back." Seen here, the Smile.

Eames House of Cards, $15-$50

Holiday Cards by Autograph

Japanese brass utensils, $98 each, from Poketo. Handmade in Setouchi, Japan, by artist Ruka Kukuchi, these utensils will "warm" and patina with age.

Ray Eames, House of Cards (with Charles Eames), 1952.

A series of Dutch telephone cards.

To push the public's idea of what letterpress printing can look like, this year they displayed large fantasy animal prints by local artist Donna Solovei on archival-quality bamboo paper. They were a big hit with teenagers on Friday, when students visit the Design Indaba Expo en masse. Adults continue to prefer more realistic designs, such as the new Sugarbird cards. The Letterpress Company's bestseller for the past few years is a set of six cards of indigenous trees of South Africa (seen here).

Grid of all the promo cards included in the separate envelope.

Charm Cards by Egg Press.

LATTJO Card Game by IKEA, $10 at ikea stores These beautiful playing cards are ideal for memory games that increase visual recognition, concentration, and even social skills. Thick paper and laminated surfaces make for durablity as well. See IKEA's entire new LATTJO play collection here.

Smile seating by Nendo for Kartell

A perfect stocking stuffer, the Minim Playing Cards are a minimalist take on traditional playing cards. This refined deck will help traveling friends pass the time, and is a great set for home use as well.

Every weekend away needs a deck of cards. Designed by graphic designer Clara von Zweigbergk, the CVZ Playing Cards are recast in a minimalist, design-focused style. With new graphic icons, these cards also feature a bold red backing that will add rich color to a tabletop.

Designed by graphic designer Clara von Zweigbergk, this deck of cards is recast in a minimalist style, taking it up a notch from traditional playing cards. Design-seeking kids will love the graphic print while they’re playing Go Fish or War.

Yeehaw Mini Trees Letterpress Cards, set of 8, $20 Available at Etsy

Ceramic faux-tin mug from Poketo, $12 at poketo.com With their distressed edges, these glazed-stoneware mugs evoke the worn, tin vessels that many of us used for a quick warm-up on a childhood camping outing, and are just as good for a pick-me-up before heading to that 9 a.m. class. Available in red, white, blue, and mint.

The designer screen printed his own business card in 24 different designs, some of which are "basically useless as business cards." Gold on 130lb natural paper.

HFC's stationery and business cards, with a color palette inspired by pastel hued macarons.

'Smile Stool' by Studio Hindia from Indonesia

Nan Na Hvass & Sofie Hannibal of Hvass & Hannibal created this special custom set of holiday cards with colorful pie charts.

Joe Doucet's Minim playing cards are now available in a sleek black set.

A monoprint from the Stedelijk Museum’s archive cards.

A monoprint from the Stedelijk Museum’s archive cards.

CVZ Playing Cards, $12 at the Dwell Store These playing cards will reimagine the way kids of all ages play cards. The cards include distinctive, graphic renderings of suits and face cards and a bright backing.

We recently introduced the Line hotel, one of our favorite new hotel renovations in the Los Angeles area, located in the booming Koreatown neighborhood. On the ground floor is the must-visit design and lifestyle boutique, Poketo, owned by entrepreneurs Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung. The boutique’s name is borrowed, endearingly, from Myung’s Korean grandmother who pronounced “pocket” as “poketo.” This flagship store stocks everything from apparel to books, magazines, stationery, and apothecary items. 3515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010

Angie Myung and Ted Vadakan founded the lifestyle design brand Poketo in 2003; they opened their flagship shop in Downtown Los Angeles in 2012.

The Poketo wallets are shipped flat then fold up to jean-pocket size.

The marbled countertops in the ground-floor bathroom are by Smile Plastics, a company that melts and reuses discarded milk bottles and chopping boards.

Here is our daughter and her friend choosing their supplies to make cards.

Leave a Smile on a PikCanvas More info at pikbuk.in/can...

Brooklyn designer Joe Doucet's playing cards are as minimalist as they come. $12 for a pack at the Dwell Store.

The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.

Here are a few testers I did before I started printing on my cards.

What’s your favorite kind of towel? We use our Turkish Pestemal towels. Hand-woven by traditional methods, using 100 percent Turkish cotton, and dyed with vegetable dyes, the pestemal is famous for its absorbency and softness. We also love using it as a tablecloth, a picnic blanket, a light throw, or even a beautiful shawl. They’re so versatile. Turkish pestamel towels, $39.

Purdy, Eva Luna, and Simon play cards under a Louvre Light by Established & Sons.

An Eames-like house of cards could often be seen in various buildings around the little city.