From left: Anthony Fourie from A-Z Design Boutique, Lara Roets from A-Z Design Boutique, Judy de Villiers from JDV Interior Designers, Martin Harris from Martin Harris Interiors, Michael Prinsloo from Michael Prinsloo Designs, Erica Schalkwyk from Form Interior, Audi Snÿman from Audi Snÿman Interior Design and Carin van Heerden from Carne Interiors.
A highly sought-after design team with striking sophistication.
JDV Interior Designers creates effortless elegance perfectly matched to the unique needs and desires of each client with a portfolio incorporating urban living and luxury residential.
What does good design mean to you?
It is the feeling of good proportion in a space and the sense of wanting to linger just a little bit longer when you enter a room.
What separates interior design from interior decorating?
Interior design involves working with the entire space of the room, creating good proportions in the space, adding colour and textural elements to your palette. Interior decorating is purely working with colour and texture and adding décor elements.
What are your current design inspirations?
I am very careful to have a current “design inspiration”. I have my own sense of style and luxury that I like to bring to a space, which leads to the creation of our own trends, exclusive to JDV.
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
When it comes to budget, it all depends on what the client is trying to achieve. The space we are creating and the items a client has requested to keep will determine the starting point of the project and the advice I offer, allowing us to go from there.
If money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
If budget is no object, I always concentrate on designing the main living areas first to create the lifestyle we have decided for the client and then produce the same look and feel in the other spaces in the rest of the home.
Contact: 081 051 8772, info@jdvinterior.co.za, www.jdvinterior.co.za
Judy De Villiers, Owner
Offering full turnkey interior design for residential and corporate properties.
A-Z Design Boutique specialise in helping turn newly designed residential properties into dream homes thanks to key relationships with industry suppliers and treating every client like family.
What does good design mean to you?
Good design produces elevated living conditions and lifestyles.
What separates interior design from interior decorating?
We like to think interior design is the process of the creation of a house, including all the technicalities, such as planning structural elements, and interior decorating is the art of transforming a house into a home by adding beautiful embellishments and creature comforts.
What are your current design inspirations?
We always turn to nature for its perfection of colour combinations. Currently with our modern, uncluttered furnishing and living style suggestions, we find nature’s inherent splendour only further enhances the furniture pieces with inspiring colour palettes.
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
Initial lighting planning will transform a minimal furniture plan and allow it to look established and modern instead of sparse. Paint functions primarily in cocooning the home, so careful colour selection can be incorporated into a minimal budget for maximum impact.
If money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
High-end bathroom fittings and kitchen cabinetry always add value to a home. We like to escalate the budget on these items to further elevate the level of luxury. And we’d definitely advise adding large-scale art works for the investment potential.
Contact: 011 027 5731, info@a-zdesignboutique.com, www.a-zdesignboutique.com
Lara Roets and Anthony Fourie, Interior Design and Architectural Specification Specialists
Transforming interior design from ordinary to great.
Audi Snÿman Interior Design listens to you to create a space that reflects your personality, dreams, desires and aspirations – a home where you are at ease to be yourself, and excited to share these spaces with those you invite across your threshold.
What does good design mean to you?
When you interpret a client’s ideas, moulding them into an interior design in such a way that the client is even more excited than the original idea.
What separates interior design from interior decorating?
Interior designers are spatial planners and help design and renovate interiors – from drawing up the initial floor plans to placing the last decorative accent. Interior decorators are skilled at coming into a room and whipping it into visual shape. They help choose a colour scheme, purchase furniture, and accessorise.
What are your current design inspirations?
Finishes should completely envelop the space and generally should be textural rather than patterned for a chic modern look. Comfort is key. From soft, luxurious carpets underfoot to a sofa so comfortable you want to lounge for hours.
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
Adding soft furnishings and new accessories in the form of books and plants, hanging new art or reconfiguring your existing furniture arrangements will go a long way in giving your space a new lease of life.
If money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
The living room is where you spend most of your time, alone or with family and friends. This is where you should invest in good furniture, art, rich colours and comfort.
Contact: 083 271 1305, audi@audisnyman.co.za, www.audisnyman.co.za
Audi Snÿman, Interior Designer
A well-established and leading company creating innovative interior design solutions.
Established in 1991, Carné Interiors doesn’t subscribe to a particular “style” or “look”. Each project is individually customised for each client according to the unique character and needs of the project.
What does good design mean to you?
Good design means creating a unique identity for every client – an identity that shows who they are, within the framework of balance, focal points and fashion.
What are your current design inspirations?
There are currently four lifestyle trends that inspire me. The first is New Romanticism, which features coral and blue tones with modern contemporary furniture and décor pieces. Second is Shared Individualism, which focuses on pale, light colours with a bright and airy feel. Third, the Working Home, which incorporates vintage pieces and wooden furniture. With this style we feature inherited and sentimental pieces. The fourth is called Considered Luxury, a neutral style of pastels that emphasises the detail of accessorising.
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
The golden key here is creating definite focal points and creating balance with furniture and accessories. Banish the superfluous, stow the clutter, and rethink furniture and décor arrangements to overhaul the space. And there’s nothing paint can’t do!
If money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
The kitchen and master bath. These are the interior spaces where the most value can be added to your home. But, from my personal point of view, I would suggest focusing on the living room as this is where most time as a family is spent.
Contact: 012 348 0869, admin@carneinteriors.co.za, www.carneinteriors.co.za
Carin Van Heerden, Founder and Owner
A company that adds value to your home with a focused vision.
Form Interior was founded on the desire to create beautiful, practical spaces that are both enjoyable to live in and say something special about who you are while striving to include South African art and design in every project undertaken.
What does good design mean to you?
It’s about form – the perfect balance between texture, colour, shape and pattern to create a space that is beautiful, practical and meaningful to the person. It must say something about who you are.
What separates interior design from interior decorating?
Interior design is about form following function. It’s about space planning and creating value before making it beautiful. Interior designers have to consider the exterior surroundings, walls, floor, ceilings, the client’s investment and compliance while creating sophisticated comfort and style.
What are your current design inspirations?
A combination of textures like felt, leather, wool and cotton has always and will always be an important trend. And bringing nature into the home by using greenery and earthy tones is a must.
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
Paint is always the winner here. It’s my absolute favourite money saver and makes a space look brand new. Then spend money on the couch, the bed and the dining table. These items must be high-quality and timeless that you’ll use forever.
If money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
Definitely the art and designer furniture pieces. These will be the best investment, create meaning and be heirloom pieces to be loved for generations to come.
Contact: 072 631 5334, erica@forminterior.co.za, www.forminterior.co.za
Erica Schalkwyk, Creative Director and Designer
A specialist in domestic decorating and project management.
After more than a decade of decorating experience and working closely with well-known fabric suppliers, Martin Harris launched Martin Harris Interiors in 2013.
What does good design mean to you?
Being creative and clever at utilising space and listening to your clients’ needs to guide them while also keeping their individual desires top of mind.
What separates interior design from interior decorating?
Interior design is a more formal, structured way to create beautiful, functional spaces whereas interior decorating is more personal, with a focus on adding the final finishing touches.
What are your current design inspirations and why?
Right now, I love to use a lot of colour. I have always been the “black and white” guy, but I have recently discovered the joys of colour and all I can say is, “Wow!”
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
As a general rule, the choice of fabric always makes or breaks a décor budget. Getting guidance from an interior designer or decorator as to which options to choose here will help you get more for your money.
If money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
Bespoke heirloom pieces! I love fabric and the imported options are generally the best. I would suggest investing in furniture pieces that you would be happy to pass on to your relatives. It’s also a great idea to spend the most money on a practical kitchen that has all the bells and whistles.
Contact: 061 644 7200, martin@mhid.co.za, www.martinharrisinteriors.co.za
Martin Harris, Owner
Offering exclusive boutique interior design, bespoke furniture and project management.
MPD is able to provide the right solution by tailoring every facet of the design process, from inception to completion, to ensure a proud and satisfied client.
What does good design mean to you?
Having the ability to read a client, understand their needs and to execute their desired design to be a beautiful and functional one.
What separates interior design from interior decorating?
A well-designed interior is about the ability to utilise a space in the best possible way to suit the client’s everyday needs, whereas interior decorating is more about adding soft furnishings and accessories to complement the room.
What are your current design inspirations?
I always take the architectural design of a client’s home as my initial design inspiration. Each project is different in design and certain elements of the home will inspire me in various ways.
When budget is a concern, how can home owners create the maximum impact in their homes with the least amount of spend?
Where a constricted budget comes into play, one can use what the client has available by repurposing certain items – reupholstering sofas and chairs, or repainting pieces of furniture to give it a fresh look. The same look can be achieved by using more cost-effective products from local suppliers in the design.
And if money is no object, which part of the home should our readers consider investing the most in?
I would suggest investing the biggest part of the budget in the spaces which the client will use the most frequently, with the kitchen and bathrooms offering the biggest return on investment.
Contact: 082 490 9662, m.prinsloo@vodamail.co.za, www.mpdesigns.co.za
Michael Prinsloo, Owner
Leave a Comment