It’s been far too long time since we posted one of our completed projects. Truth be told, 2017 was a fast paced marathon to year end closing, and we started off 2000 and greateen seriously running. When I say running, I’m not talking about a gentle jog through the forest, I’m referring to something out of a horror film where the girl is racing, crying and screaming, whilst being chased by some monster. Get the picture?
I’ve been so excited to post our stage 1 completion of Mr and Mrs North and South’s magnificent home, since we completed last November. The landscaping part of the project is still underway and should be completed end April.
For me, this project truly epitomises why I started LLD and do what I do. Working with interesting clients, with a sense of style, who understand good functional design.
A colleague recommended me to Mrs N&S and she contacted me urgently needing to find a designer that could run her project for her whilst she was overseas for the European summer holidays. She had already appointed a builder and project manager, had plans approved, and needed a designer to run the aesthetic side of the 4 bedroom renovation/ build, choosing all fixtures, finishes, and furnishing the entire home, down to cake forks (actually, can’t remember now if I did ever buy them those cake forks!). With them being far away during the key aspects of the build/ renovation, they needed someone on site to assist in making the key decisions that crop up daily during site walks. Pairing a leopard print jacket with yoga tights when I met her, I knew this would be a match made in heaven. Sign me up, I said!
It was a refreshing break for me to work on the interior side of the project only and not run the renovation itself. Truth be told I was little relieved, as we ran into major waterproofing issues on the project, and I was glad to have the experience of the builder and project manager at the helm!
Whilst I was very much involved with every aspect of the build and most decisions made, it was an interesting change to be allowed to focus intently on the aesthetic, being truly creative, and then communicating with the clients through a million voice notes. Many of the pieces we sourced were totally unique items from India and Morocco, and I scoured my antique resources constantly looking for those interesting bizarre pieces that could give this home the uniqueness it deserved. Sometimes I went a little left field, but then Mrs N&S had to gently reign me in again from moments of total insanity. But mostly she trusted me, and most importantly we shared the end vision of what each space could be transformed into. My entire family were often roped into sourcing trips where we found the incredible antique shutter doors from France for the main bedroom, the antique rugs scattered across the rooms, the bizarre rusted metal headboard for the guest bedroom, to name but a few.
Mr and Mrs North and South are well traveled and spread their time between Europe and SA with their two young girls. It was a complex project with many stumbling blocks along the way, but they had a great team on board that tackled each obstacle together in a fair and uncompromising way. This industry is tough, anyone who has done even a small renovation, on their own, will tell you how hard it was. To have solid team members alongside you who can communicate well, and clients who respect the role you have and need to play, is a key aspect to getting through the process unharmed.
The end result truly is breathtaking (am I allowed to say that?). A unique combination of old and new…pieces that tell a story, that embody handicraft and skill. A striking home that one can truly relax in, combining an eclectic bohemian mix of colours, materials, and finishes that mirrors the family’s own essence and quirkiness.
The BRIEF:
Run the interior side of the project, working closely with the builder and project manager to achieve the client’s desired end result.
BEFORE:
THE TRANSFORMATION:
- The kitchen design, including all joinery and appliances
- All joinery work
- All lighting, including assistance in electrical layouts
- All taps and bathroom fittings, including the full design of the 4 bathrooms
- All tiles
- All paint colours and wallpapers
- Floor finishes
- All furnishings and décor accessories
- All plants and landscaping
- All window treatments
- All outdoor furniture and accessories
- Freestanding fireplace
BEST FEATURE(S):
I know I say this at the end of each project but there really are so many here! I absolutely love the antique Indian daybed on the terrace, am obsessed with the all the Moroccan kelim cushions, the beautiful peacock beds in the girls room, and the guest loo with its wild yellow wallpaper.
AFTER:
MASTER SUITE AND BATHROOM
GIRLS BEDROOM AND BATHROOM
GUEST BEDROOM AND BATHROOM
GUEST LOO AND LAUNDRY
OPEN PLAN LIVING
STUDY AND BATHROOM
OUTDOOR TERRACE
