Not too long ago I photographed a lovely apartment in the heart of Cape Town, just off bustling Long Street. Owner, Sarah, totally transformed a sad-looking old bachelor flat into a Moroccan inspired one bedroom apartment with the help of local interior designer, Lei Lester. This apartment is a great example of how to maximise a small space.
A home with HEART. By combining classic design with mid-century style, the Lesters have created a warm, contemporary home. After house-hunting for some time, Lei and Dijon Lester finally found a home in Bishopscourt Village and signed the deal in 24 hours.
“We loved the dramatic view of the mountain but more importantly, the house had good energy and flow. It felt right as soon as we walked in,” says Lei, an interior designer and retail consultant.
The interiors feature an eclectic collection of art and photography from around the world, as well as treasures, often quirky, discovered on their travels or weekends away. Lei and Dijon believe in choosing the right pieces over time, often trawling second-hand shops for special finds.
Lei’s virtual e+design service offers a unique and dynamic approach to interior design. The service provides an accelerated and affordable approach for you, the design savvy client. Her virtual design packages are for those clients who don’t need or want to spend money and time on full service interior design. Here is a little bit more about her approach to design, and her virtual service offering:
My designs are always slightly eclectic, developing and adapting to the client’s needs. My passion remains firmly fixed on creating a space that tells a story, a reflection of who or what the space is to be used for.
Mid-century modern with a little side order of quirky, and a Scandinavian twist.
Really thinking about the global impact, trying to reuse pieces where ever possible in sourcing reclaimed vintage pieces and reworking, rather than always buying new.
On a softer note, darker shades of green will become the new must have interior colour…although indigo and midnight blues remain my go to colour.
Wherever you are in the world, I can help you makeover your space! This service offers flexibility to clients who don’t want the time and expense of having a team of people in their space, but rather to have the styling guidance with more of a DIY approach.
The packages provide me with the opportunity to extend my existing international client base, and extend my offering of how clients interact with me.
Anyone needing design advice.
No, that’s the beauty of these packages. They allow for an easy to follow approach to redesigning a space, created in a virtual capacity.
International clients or non–Capetonians who like my approach to design but can’t get me on site.
Anyone who wants to makeover a space they love but doesn’t necessarily need or want the space project managed.
Connect with me via email, skype, whatsapp, call me or even send a courier pigeon! Whatever works for you, we will make it happen together.
Absolutely!
Explain the differences between the three packages you offer.
A quick and easy to follow guide, perfect for someone who is looking to breathe new life into a tired space. A quick coat of paint, a splash of colour & texture, and some new accessories can make all the difference.
The perfect package for someone who wants to take their existing space to new levels, or is moving into a new space and wants direction on how to make it their own. This package is perfect for someone who already has quite an established base, and needs advice on what to add, how to style and where to place it. Often all the pieces of the puzzle are there it’s just about finding that silver thread to tie them all together.
Everything but the kitchen sink (although, it may very full well include options for this too)! This is the closest you can get to full design overhaul without the project management. The perfect package for someone who is moving into a new space and needs a complete bird’s eye view approach to the design, budget, and process.
Its that time of year when car hooters are used with great gusto (ok, that be all year round for me!), everyone is rushing around frazzled with dark rings under the eyes and a million to do lists in hand (again, might just be me all year round!). Patience is wearing a little thin, but you can see your holiday is just within reach.
With your home being the sanctuary at the heart of it, makes sure it looks like a million bucks without the price tag to match.
Call it a festive gesture, but we decided to make your life just a little easier and offer a full bedroom makeover delivered to your door….can’t get more festive than that (OK, OK, of course you can, but work with me here)!
We only have a limited number available so contact us now to avoid disappointment.
We will deliver the full makeover kit indicated below (sorry guys, Cape Town only at this stage). Each one will be slightly unique, so don’t worry if you, your sister, your aunty and your mother’s cousin all want one.
For R 9 999 you get the full benefit of our design service fast and efficiently with all the elements you need, handpicked and looking fabulous. Your makeover kit will include all the following elements:
CONTACT US NOW to order your makeover kit and avoid disappointment. Offer ends 18 November or while stocks last.
FOR SALE ~ ONE OF A FIND collection #4.
It makes a lovely addition for a playroom or nursery or even as a retro pop of colour for the bedroom.
Dimensions : Length 360mm x 920mm Width x Height 360 mm.
Price: R1400
A Scandi-Inspired Vintage + Modern Mix in Cape Town
Lei and Dijon had been house hunting for awhile when they came across this place; they knew it was the one at first sight. Lei is an interior designer and retail consultant and instantly saw the potential. They signed the deal within 24 hours!
Photography by Alex du Toit