Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i South African Home Owner

Winter has finally arrived – this is one of the best times to get those renovations done if you have been thinking about it. With the rains at bay for most of the country, this period offers us a chance to start small, even if it is just a new coat of paint, or go big and redo the kitchen, bathroom … and if you are brave enough, the entire house! In this issue, we bring you expert advice on renovating. Our kitchen feature on page 138 offers a read packed with advice from industry leaders on how to tackle a kitchen reno, and on page 150, Shereen Lurie has put together tips for a successful bathroom revamp. On page 178, there is an informative feature on creating truly engaging…

OLALA INTERIORS’ FOUNDER AND CEO SCHANÈ ANDERSON OFFERS ADVICE ON HOW TO CHOOSE AN INTERIOR STYLE Bring joy. Every day as you walk into your home, you should experience a sense of joy and belonging. Your space should generate a spirit of gratitude, an innate appreciation of your surroundings – those little details that are truly you need to be incorporated and woven into the fabric of your new living space. BE INSPIRED Consider what makes your heart sing, what is functional and comfortable and what works for you and your loved ones. Take inspiration – in today's world, inspiration can literally be found at the touch of a button (or the tip of your finger!) – browse through magazines, online articles and mood boards like Pinterest and Instagram or…

For years after I started working with interiors, I wondered what made South African interior design different to global design. Is there a difference or do we just follow trends that filter through from the rest of the world in a “copy and paste” type of style? I could not answer this question until I spent some time in the industry, started building my own design style and had the opportunity to engage with clients, suppliers and other designers. WE MAKE IT OUR OWN As in all aspects of design, such as fashion, cars and so forth, emerging global trends influence interior design in South Africa. However, with all design industries, South Africans have an amazing ability to localise design and make it our own. We celebrate our rich heritage…

KEVIN LLOYD FOUNDING PARTNER AND DIRECTOR Kevin Lloyd Architects is a specialised practice with local and international experience in projects of all sizes. Through its dynamic skills and by using the latest tools, the firm creates buildings that form an extension of the client. Why did you decide to become an architect? As a young child, I loved using leaves, sticks, rocks and sand to create structures, and it followed that I developed an interest in designing habitats. From where do you draw inspiration? I draw inspiration from the natural environment and culture of the people in the area where we are designing the building. This helps ground the design, making it appropriate and in harmony with the rest of the built and natural environment. Three things that define great…

PHILLIP FOUCHÉ PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECT AND DIRECTOR F-Architecture lives by the Greek word ‘Meraki’ (μερáκι) Why did you decide to become an architect? Growing up, I didn't even know what an architect was, but looking back, I don't want to do anything else other than architecture! What other professions are there where people actually live in your artworks? From where do you draw inspiration? I grew up in the vast open landscape of the small town of Schweizer-Reneke in the old Western Transvaal. The farm-style living of the countryside had a definite influence on the art and architecture I create. Keeping art and architecture simple and minimalistic – that is where the true beauty lies. How are you creating homes that are future-forward? By taking a regionalist approach to design and…

LINDIWE MABIZELA CEO AND FOUNDER Witbank-based Signature Room takes on projects throughout South Africa and the rest of Africa. It prides itself on providing unique, practical interior design curated most tastefully and elegantly. Why did you decide to become an interior designer? I have always had a love and eye for beautiful spaces. From a very young age, I enjoyed window shopping in furniture shops and thinking how I could have done the set-up differently. However, I found myself in the world of engineering and project management before I could pursue my one true passion – design. I started a career that I thought was the right one for me, unfortunately I wasn't passionate about it. As the years went by, my passion for design pulled me closer and closer…

Whether it is geometric shapes or images of landscapes that tell a story, when it comes to adding patterns to interior spaces, your options are unlimited. Patterns are a great way to add depth, texture, colour and interest to your interiors, and they allow you to create unique spaces and add your personal stamp to your home. “You can add depth and interest to your interiors with patterns, whether in the wallpaper, scatters or even an accent chair,” says Michéle Fortune, from Design Team Fabrics. ADDING PATTERNS IS EASY “Cushions are the most effective and convenient way to add patterns to your home, but there are many other ways too,” says Stephen Black, managing director of Stuart Graham Fabrics. He mentions that curtains, although a bigger investment, will also allow…

FOUNDER OF CARA SAVEN WALL DESIGN CARA SAVEN DISCUSSES FOLLOWING INTERIOR TRENDS I think that designing interiors should be approached as if they were a combination of choosing clothing, a new hairstyle and a tattoo. Some aspects are easy to change, some not so easy, and some parts are near impossible. It's really about working with what you have and ensuring that you've carefully considered your choices, especially big-ticket items. When it comes to the question of how influenced you should be by trends, it's easier to answer with a statement. A home should feel like the people who live in it. What is the point of people walking into your space and it feels like a hotel lobby? Unless, of course, a hotel lobby is your vibe – and there…

PROPERTY Meticulous planning went into positioning this home set in a hectare of indigenous forest to ensure that the forest remained intact. “We used a land surveyor to pinpoint every tree, which we then marked. We had to build meticulously around trees and did the build by hand,” says the home owner. The floor-to-ceiling windows, paired with wooden floors and ceilings and glass walkways “create the feeling that we live in a modern treehouse floating in the forest”. Every detail of the build, with its modern, minimalist look, reflects the owner's love for nature. “The exterior blends and disappears into the forest of trees and birds. You would not believe this is in Pretoria East,” he says. “Here, you are safe and have all the privacy you can dream of.” –…

The creativeness brought into SA interior design emanates from the soul of Africa. It can be fused easily with any international product or design. It is wholeheartedly honest in its application, which makes it easily recognisable. It is flexible, different, out-of-the-box thinking, and it is a joy to be surrounded by it all. CHARACTERISTICS OF SA DESIGN Different materials are used to create sensational products and the designer is very in tune with how to apply such jaw-dropping creative ideas and products. I think the future of SA interior design is already in the present, already being recognised and appreciated. And, most importantly, followed and commissioned by internationals. We use vibrant or muted colours – colours taken from the African earth and those that reflect our warm and dazzling sun.…

JEAN-PIERRE DUVENHAGE PROJECT AND OPERATIONS MANAGER JK Design Architects is an architectural firm and interior design studio that challenges the mundane and motivates emotive design through dedicated client relationships, harmonious integration of technologies and distinct and unique visions. Why did you decide to become an architect? The idea of designing something from a few guided ideas and turning it into a reality by utilising various material trades and nature incorporated into the final product drew me to this industry. From where do you draw inspiration? I am inspired by how innovative people can be and come up with something new after using so many existing things. We as humans are resourceful with no limits but our minds. What do you love about SA architecture? The way various styles, from the…

CARIN VAN HEERDEN MANAGING DIRECTOR Carné Interiors is a well-established, local and international residential and commercial company with ongoing exposure to contemporary and global trends. This benefits its clients, who receive expert advice, innovation, and relevant and worldclass service. why did you decide to become an interior designer? Interior design chose me. Working and creating spaces is not only my absolute passion, but also my talent, hobby and life. As the saying goes, “no passion, no point”. Who would you collaborate with and why? Kelly Wearstler is an American designer. She founded her own design firm, Kelly Wearstler Interior Design, in the mid-1990s, serving high-end residential, commercial, retail and hospitality spaces. I love her work – not only is she always thinking out of the box, but her work is…

LYNNE BLUMBERG FOUNDER AND OWNER Lynne Blumberg Interior Design is an award-winning, well-established national and international brand synonymous with excellence, quality, great design and superb service. It is considered one of the top interior design companies in SA. why did you decide to become an interior designer? Both my parents were involved in fabric. My mother owned and designed clothing for her store, Lady Cotton, and my dad imported fabrics. As a toddler, I had any early introduction to different fabrics. As a young mum, I decided that I needed to work and chose a career in interior design, which has always been and still is my passion, my business, and my life. Who would you collaborate with and why? It would be with Dolce and Gabbana. I adore their…

When entering a home, one of the most striking features is undoubtedly the balustrade. Its intricate design and delicate curves offer a visual delight that can transform even the simplest staircase into a work of art. Crafted from a variety of materials, such as wood, wrought iron, or even glass, balustrades elevate the entire atmosphere of a home. Adding ornate carvings or decorative patterns brings a touch of sophistication and elegance to any space. A balustrade's smooth curves and graceful lines create a sense of harmony that can complement the surrounding décor and architecture. TRENDING STAIRCASES Dalene Wills and Venessa Pelser from Metal Sculpting say metallic colours are very much in vogue at the moment, especially rose gold and rich gold. For modern houses, straight plain balustrades seem to be…

ALL ABOUT POOL SAFETY COVERS DESIGNER POOL COVERS OWNERS WILLEM DE WET AND LORAINE WEBSTER SHARE THEIR EXPERT ADVICE Combining their many years of experience in the industry, Loraine Webster and Willem de Wet started Designer Pool Covers in 2012. They make a formidable team – their dynamic and complementary management style, strong work ethic and customer focus have positioned Designer Pool Covers as one of the driving forces in pool safety today. What services and products do you offer? Designer Pool Covers has carefully selected partners from world-leading suppliers of both automated and manual pool covers. Having been involved with pool covers since 2007, we selected tried and tested products to form part of our arsenal of high-end quality products. How do pool covers work? Pool covers work exactly…

SIVIWE JALI DESIGNER Siviwe Jali is the director of industrial consultancy uMugqa Studio. uMugqa melds African tradition and modern techniques to craft contemporary products reflecting cultural values. Fundamental principles guide the design consultancy in producing functional, emotional and modernist objects. My goal as a designer is to create the best products I can and see them in as many places as possible. I aim to create as much as I can and a body of work that reflects my inspirations. uMugqa offers consulting and product development to sample. We also offer a range of products designed in-house. We specialise in furniture design. I grew up in Durban, going to the beach, swimming in the ocean, and trying to get home before the streetlights came on. I spent a fair amount…

This new build on a golf estate offers glorious mountain views in a peaceful setting. The owner wanted a residence that would incorporate the breathtaking vistas. With its 360-degree views from the living area, this home more than delivers. “Our previous home was far less spacious and did not offer outdoor living,” the owner says. From the imposing double-volume entrance to the highperformance sliding doors and windows, natural light is an important feature. Large windows in the kitchen ensure that the views remain a focal point of this crisp, open-plan space. Described as “homely with a blend of modern and traditional styles”, this contemporary home is designed to be enjoyed with family and friends. The décor incorporates a fusion of textures and materials combined with natural, earthy tones. It offers…

QEFATE LEROTHOLI FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR With valuable years of experience, Think Design Studio comprises a diverse team of architects, designers and creatives whose skill sets embody great knowledge in architecture, design, interiors, and architectural visualisation graphics. Why did you decide to become an architect? Since childhood, I dreamt of following architecture as a career path. By nature, I am a curious being. With age, I developed an interest in how things are put together and how they are conceptualised and developed. It all started at a young age at home. My father, a structural engineer, introduced me to the built industry at a very young age. My choice of architecture emanated from that exposure – the day I fully understood the built industry cycle of professions. The rest of the…

DHERSHAN NAIDOO CEO As a specialist in turnkey projects, Dhershan Naidoo takes great pride in his ability to render services. He has extensive experience in interior design in the residential, commercial and hospitality industries. why did you decide to become an interior designer? I have always been interested in art, but social media and small home renovations made me choose this career path. What do you love about SA interior design? Its combination of the diversity of cultures, which creates a unique interest. SA interior design is multifaceted. The design world has experienced trend after trend, but there remains a fascination with South Africa. We are a diverse nation with a wide array of tastes, yet we build harmony. We are many things, but basic is not one of them.…

CATHRIN BOLT OWNER JHB ANÉ COERTZEN MARYKE DU PLESSIS Nowadays Interiors offers services to the residential, hospitality and corporate sectors. The company is committed to providing personal and tailor-made services for each project. Why did you decide to become an interior designer? The love for design has always been in our blood. As sisters, we (Cathrin with a studio in JHB and Ané with a studio in Tzaneen) grew up with our mum and her interior decorating business. We added the interior design division after seeing a gap in the industry, where interior decorating and interior design were often conflicting and not planned together. A room was either “overdesigned” with no space for personalisation or “overdecorated” to compensate for poor design. What is your design philosophy? To accomplish a result…

EUGENE OOSTHUIZEN DIRECTOR OF HFX SYSTEMS Established in 1989, Hi-FiExcellence – now known as HFX Systems – has become internationally recognised as a specialist supplier of high-performance audio equipment. Over more than three decades, the company has remained at the forefront of audio-visual and automation equipment by evolving to keep pace with trends. My interest in audio-visual (AV) equipment started when I was living in the Vaal Triangle. I shared a passion for audio-visual with some of my classmates while at North-West University. I turned my hobby into a career and pursued a career in the audio-visual business. I grew up in the golden era of rock and pop music, which sparked my love of music. It was impossible not to be influenced in one way or another by the artists…

BRINGING DUTCH DESIGN TO SA Premium Dutch design brand Eichholtz has launched a standalone store on African soil. Located in Woodstock, Cape Town, the showroom provides a local stage for a wide array of the brand's luxury furniture pieces, lighting and accessories. Imported by Core Furniture Concepts, Eichholtz was founded in 1992 by Theo Eichholtz. The brand has become a stalwart of elegance and sophistication with a subtly classic edge. The showroom offers a glamorous space where style-sussed retail customers and design trade can enjoy an immersive shopping experience. www.corefurniture.co.za JEHZ SOFAS OPENS ITS FLAGSHIP STORE If you are in the greater Durban area and looking for handmade furniture, pop into the Jehz Sofas store in uMhlanga. Housing furniture that is comfortable, functional, semi-customisable and easily accessible, Jehz Sofas has…