The Master Lair

Your master bedroom says a lot more about you than you realise, do you know this? Now, don't stress too much about that; this is something I read whilst doing some research earlier this week. And whilst it often does - WHO CARES? It's your room and it should be the way you want it despite what someone will 'read into' about the deepest part of your soul.

It's so easy to get our knickers in a knot when trying to 'adhere to the laws' of the latest interior design magazine. My recommendation is that whilst we do want to keep up to date with materials, shapes, textures and lines; we never want to become a slave to fashion and trends. Your room is unlike a child's room where everybody, including the new neighbour who you barely know that drops in unannounced, visits. Your room is your private space that only you and if you have a spouse need to be happy with - how does that fit so far? It does and you're happy - well Good Night then!

It doesn't? Well let's get to work!

Colour
Choosing a colour that helps to accentuate your room is vital. The colour of the walls should never be the defining "decor item" in the room. The colour of the room sets the mood of the room, it defines the tone and is the 'primer to the canvas'. Bright is stimulating and generally speaking too upbeat for a master bedroom, pale can set a washed out tone. Your key word for a master bedroom is intimate, employing colours such as; light shades of rose, violet, green and blue. Depending on how much natural light the room receives, this should give you direction as to what shade you should be leaning towards. A larger room with lots of natural light copes better with a darker colour than a small room with very little light. Lighting positioned correctly is able to give you a hand but be careful when making a seemingly trivial decision like the shade on the walls.

Whilst "playing" with the colour is the easiest way to change the look and feel of the room, remember that the colour is the primer for all accessories to follow.

While I am passionate about helping my client choose a shade that is going to enhance the room, I'm not going to spend time on this today - I will discuss this in a post sometime soon. The walls of a room make a major impression on the eye and it's important to have a flawless wall.

"Line"
My wife loves referring to a home that is renovated on top of a renovation on top of a room addition as a "spoeg en plak" project; she may have a point with this. Actually, she does. When looking at the line of your room, it's vital that the lines are kept simple and clean. If you are renovating (or need to after reading this bit), ensure that you don't end up with nooks and crannies and small little spaces of nothing once changes have been made to the structure or walls of your room. Your bedroom needs to have a clean and definite look with a twist of surprise - such as a hidden bathroom / closet or a movable module. The shape and layout of the room should be inviting and be an intimate space which allows you to unwind and...well that all depends on you!

Accessories
This includes beds by the way! Don't clutter. Less is often more. Understand that the size of the room determines how many accessories you should use - and not what you have that determines the accessories you use! Hard, I know but everything from curtains to dressers to cabinets and side tables all fit the bill for accessories.

Your classic pieces mixed up with a modern accessory or two such as a light fitting and a beautiful set of bedding is a far wiser choice than decking the room out in the most modern of looks only to feel it date six months down the line. Don't be consumed by what you see in each magazine, they all interpret things slightly differently, and if you become a slave to chasing what's in, you'll soon be feeling like a chicken without a head trying to keep up!

The En-suite
It goes without saying that to maximise value on your home it is imperative that your master bedroom has an en-suite. Besides the shot in arm to your asset, it has to be the most convenient lifestyle perk; ask anyone who has ever gone camping and needed the bathroom in the middle of the night...it's part of the adventure until you have to go more than once over the weekend! As I mentioned in my Bathrooms post, a spa feel is certainly what you would do well aiming for; it really completes the whole intimate ambiance!

But in saying this, simple bathrooms with elegant minimalist partitions that compartmentalise the room for various functions do very well to enhance the master lair too! Black and white backgrounds with wood and mirror accents have become talking points in many design forums. A word of caution though is to never over decorate a bathroom as the accessories and materials make up the decor. It needs to complement the master lair not be the master's lair! Till next time - ciao!

Little and not so little Children's Bedrooms

I thought long and hard about the title of today's blog; whilst its okay I suppose to call a 10-year-old a child, I'm not sure about what a 15-year-old is happy being referred to as?  Well, children's bedrooms it will just have to be today!

Something I do know, is that regardless of a child's age; they love colourful, fun, bright and interesting bedrooms!  Unlike adults who I find are mostly very serious about their rooms, children love their rooms to be fun and they need it to be functional for their age.  A child's room also needs to be designed so that as they grow and want to change things that it isn't always a headache for dad who has to continually fork out a load of cash!

The average child spends more time in their bedrooms than what adults do, whether its playing, reading, doing homework or just chilling with friends - I'm not inclined to sitting with my mates on my bed in my room anymore, not sure about you though?  And its this that we have to keep in mind when designing a space that needs to be comfortable, practical yet creative and ultimately a room that they WANT to be spending time in.

When designing a space and creating a bedroom for an infant or toddler, the emphasis is on the layout and space for items other than a bed such as changing compactors, prams, toys, a play area and did I say toys?  As they get older, more thought needs to be put into how the room is set up and what furniture pieces and accessories are needed.  A room for a scholar needs to be more practical and have a layout that is uncluttered to assist with keeping it tidy; it needs a working space - shelves for books and CDs and a desk for your inspiring 'student'.  Adding a cabinet to the room lends a nice touch of decor whilst again offering an answer to practicality.  Whilst not forgetting space for sports kit, surfboards and IT related gaming consoles!

Now the inundated supply of visuals today has nothing to do with my loss of thought but more to do with painting possibilities of what can be done and to share ideas of what is 'out there'.  I find that looking at lots of creations and ideas helps me to design what will work for me whilst at the same time being inspired by what I see happening around me.

Looking at just the shell of a bedroom, the first consideration (and the easiest way to give it a new look down the line) always has to be the colour on the walls, the colour and type of flooring - what is practical for the age of the child in the room, the room's furniture and lighting.  A dimmer is good for all ages as it lets you create a distinctive mood and again adds to practicality.  Accessories, softs and blinds / curtains will change from season to season and with discernment needn't all be changed simultaneously every time your child or you for that matter get tired of the look. 

Its in a sense easier to design a room for a little one, they know no better - you design it for you ultimately.  You want a fun, beautiful and charming room.  One that echoes lullaby's and fairy tales....  A room for a pretentious 16-year-old girl is a whole different ball game - and thankfully so!  It makes what I do so much more enjoyable and challenging!  So whilst a room doesn't necessarily have to have a distinct theme it is a good idea to interconnect the decorating elements creating an ambiance and a functionality to a space called a child's bedroom!

Bathrooms.

What's in a bathroom you may ask?!  Surely its a place to direct a few splashes in the right direction and exit looking and feeling fresh? 

Nope.  Bathrooms are SO much more.  Think SPA.  Think of an inviting retreat with loads of space, jet baths, multiple heads at different angles in a frame-less step-in shower and lots of natural light... 

A must for a master bathroom is a dual basin - she needs her space and actually, so do you.  It gives a new meaning to spending quality time together!  The trend has also shifted slightly to partitioning the toilet or in the case of many new designs, having it completely separate; I can hear the ladies cheering this one! 

Accessories
Towel warmers may not have been top of mind in Durban 6 months ago but with the chilly weather lately, I think it may just become a wanted item.  It's a very popular accessory in homes across the globe despite the weather; it's a lovely feature and makes perfect sense when re-designing an expressive bathroom.

Flooring
While most homeowners think tile in the bathroom, many are now happy to opt for a more modern screed (cement for those pulling the left side of the lip up), the application can either be sealed in its natural colour or it can be stained.  One screed is never the same as the next, they each have an individual look and feel to them which makes this application very unique!  As I mentioned in my post last week; bamboo is becoming very popular.  Now, it looks beautiful but it has a 'sell-by-date', timber flooring needs lots of TLC in the bathroom and with the bathroom being a 'wet' room, it will eventually pull away in areas...  But then again, it will be time for a new look! 

Now, you may sit and scratch your head at the next sentence but hopefully you'll be scratching your head imagining what your bathroom will look like with this application, and not doing so thinking that I'm a bit confused.  Remember the old linoleum?  That nasty looking poorly applied vinyl flooring in the home of the girl from Woodstock, the one that your sister found to be different yet sssoooo cooool?  Yes, THAT flooring - well, its making a BIG comeback in the high-end fashionable homes!

Cath Kidston designs are sought after in this application and if you take a look at the Harvey Maria website, you'll be surprised just how high-end vinoleum is today.  If solid timber like parquet is more your style, to put things in perspective, you could lay a solid floor for the same price as this linoleum!

My passing thought today would be to keep the bathroom bright and open; treat it as another room in your home that has thought and feeling put into the design - it works wonders in rejuvenation!

Ciao Alain

Kitchens...

The kitchen has to be my favourite room in the house, I'm not sure if its because of my rich food-loving Italian blood or because the kitchen is a room that is the most versatile and exciting to design, construct and live in!

The kitchen is a room that reinvents itself daily with new appliances and materials making their appearance.  But, just like rich flavours which we 'discover' only to be told by our older wiser mothers that 'that was an old Cook & Enjoy favourite', so we find ourselves using the materials from yesteryear in new and different ways.

Countertops
Highly polished surfaces like granite and stainless steel were the 'wanted item' a few short years ago but, with the green initiative gaining popularity from globes to cotton socks, the kitchen has followed suit.  Today, homeowners are favouring natural materials that not only offer more warmth and character to their favourite space but its also more eco-friendly (depending on the materials used however).

Stone countertops are still sought after but be aware of the drawbacks such as staining, this however can be said for any porous surface even for a hardwood like teak.  Bamboo is very appealing to the eye, its dense due the layering of the fibres making it 'watertight' and it keeps bacteria at bay provided that you don't cut on it.  Caesar stone; a synthetic material is very durable and with its currant popularity is a good option for a 'working' kitchen.  But like most things, its budget that drives our end decision...

Colour
Its so easy to refresh a kitchen by simply making a few colour changes; with colour being so vogue at the moment you'll find yourself like a kid in a candy store for choice of style and design.  Appliance companies like Smeg are taking this trend to its max with all the bright vibrant colours which you'll the find the latest fridge in.  I love it!  A word of caution though on colour trends - they can be very tricky to navigate when trying to get flash colours to enhance and not detract from the overall style of your kitchen.  On the subject of appliances, high-end appliances are on every shopping wish list from Twee Rivier to Modderfontein,  you are spoiled for choice and good quality is always a sound buy.

Cabinetry 
Ultimately, the kitchen cabinets call the style of your kitchen!  Flat panels are definitely the way to go, they are more modern and stylish and in the long run easier to re-design.  Whilst the major demand for 'dark woods' such as mahogany still outweighs 'light woods', maple is definitely starting to experience an increase in popularity as people start leaning towards the warmer months of spring and summer. 
A change in colour to your cabinets and a new set of handles is a great way to give your kitchen a shot in the arm if your budget doesn't allow for a complete makeover!

Flooring
Not so long ago when I discussed flooring with clients, it basically began and ended with the question "What style and colour of tile do you like?'  Nowadays thankfully, there are plenty different options!  It makes design so exciting when we have different materials, colours and textures at our disposal!  Epoxy has to be one of my current favourites; I've laid it for a number of clients and each has its own unique look and feel.  Its easy to choose an array of various colours to send a kitchen's style any which way!  But, the option isn't just Chicken or Beef!  Today we have at our disposal; cork, concrete, stone, epoxy, brick, tile, laminate, timber, rubber, bamboo - the list is endless.

All this chatter makes me hungry - AGAIN!  Got to love an Italian and his kitchen!

Ciao Alain

'New' Beginnings...

They say that to stay with the pack, we need to keep ourselves abreast with technology and social media.  I have for a long time been thinking of ways to keep my clients acquainted with new ideas, trends, news and tips on their homes and commercial spaces; my wife with her social media pedigree suggested this medium!  So here goes!

Rule of thumb for Re-designing
Ensuring that we get maximum value when our home is renovated / re-designed needs to be top of mind at all times.   Paying attention to trends without jumping on the latest bandwagon craze needs to be considered to be certain that our number one asset appreciates in value.  After all re-designs date as soon as the project is completed!  I hope that with my ear to the ground, I can assist you by directing you through a minefield of 'the latest trends'!

To know where trends are now and where we'll be safe in the foreseeable future, keeping an eye on high-end homes is our best bet.  I do like modern, but my philosophy has always been to stay functional for what suits YOU whilst keeping it fresh.  By 'checking up on the Jones' we are merely able to forecast the next five or so years.

My number one priority when working on a project is keeping in mind that durability is key.  By investing in quality materials we invest in making it 'go the distance'; choosing an inferior spec could mean the need to replace it within five years - an expensive decision. 

Another key note is to consider the next buyer; you might not be thinking of selling today but you never know what comes of tomorrow, in saying this remember that the eccentric black and gold leopard skin bathroom might not be a winner with the possible new homeowner.  Often people also don't want a home that looks just like number 10 next door but instead, they're after a home that has an appeal of individual tasteful flair!  So choose neutral colours for floors, countertops and hard surfaces; then infuse your personality with paint, decor and accessories.

What's vital is timeless re-designing that matches the style of your home.  If you have a 'cottage style' home it just looks better with a complementing 'cottage style' inspired kitchen, not an ultra-modern waxed up version from the latest Wallpaper magazine.

Enough for tonight, thanks for your support; bookmark us and we'll work on adding some gems every few days.

Ciao Alain