In a true rags to riches tale, plastic bottle tops and other discarded items have been transformed into magnificent chandeliers that are lighting up the private residence of Barack and Michelle Obama in the White House.

The chandeliers were made by the Magpie Collective, an arts collective based in the small Klein Karoo town of Barrydale.

They were selected by Michael Smith, a celebrity Los Angeles-based decorator, who has been hired by the Obamas to redo their private quarters.

"We are very proud, very honoured and extremely excited at this," said social entrepreneur Shane Petzer, who makes up the Collective together with designer Scott Hart, artist Sean Daniel and administrator Richard Panaino.

Erica Elk, executive director of the Cape Craft and Design Institute, said: "Well done to the Magpie Collective, this is another great accolade for South African design.

"The work of local creative industries is increasingly recognised internationally for its fresh approach, individuality and resourceful use of materials. We hope this success story will inspire other creatives and also raise awareness of how great South African craft and design can be."

Petzer takes up the story: "We got a call from our agent Trevyn McGowan of Source (a South African sourcing agent for the international retail market) telling us the good news. Trevyn has been facilitating our pieces into Anthropologie (high-end US outlets selling apparel, accessories and home furnishings) for some time now.

"Anthropologie has purchased four of our chandeliers over the past two years and, recently, Michael Smith has been very interested in Magpie's work displayed at the One of a Kind Anthropologie Gallery at the Rockefeller Centre in New York. He has bought two which have been installed in the White House."

Regency-inspired creations

These chandeliers, one named the Princess and the other the Showgirl, are both six armed, Regency-inspired creations. The Princess is produced from coloured plastic doppies (bottle lids), interwoven with glass beads and crystal drops and illuminated by candles. The Showgirl is made from an assortment of recycled plastic trinkets and containers, doppies, and crystal drops.

Michael Smith has designed the homes of household names such as film director Steven Spielberg, actors Dustin Hoffman and Michelle Pfeiffer, model Cindy Crawford and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, according to NBC News.

"The family's casual style, their interest in bringing 20th century American artists to the forefront and utilising affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home," he said on his appointment to the White House.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Obamas have a long-standing interest in modern art and design and President Obama included $50-million for the National Endowment for the Arts in his economic stimulus package.

Leading American museums and private collectors have been swift to loan bold, abstract art works for the public and private rooms of the White House as the new occupants wish to round out the collections which have been dominated by 19th century still lifes, pastorals and portraits.

Magpie Collective, +27 28 572 1997, www.magpiehomefineware.mfbiz.com

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