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A Stunning Contemporary Interior Design Project at Hartbeespoort Dam

A stunning contemporary interior design project at Hartbeespoort Dam.

This was one of our favourite projects as the client had purchased a very traditional home and our job was to renovate, interior design and most importantly of all, bring in the spectacular. The owner had offices in the middle of Sandton and was looking for a weekend retreat within driving distance for family and friends. Hartbeespoort Dam is just the spot, we also had to accommodate and moor his speed boat so this was the first time we had to build a jetty, after a wine or two, you felt like you were in St. Tropez.

The home offers incredible views and copious quantities of natural light; we utilised the architecture to its full potential and carefully planned our designs to use the openness and views in this perfect Johannesburg retreat home. The brief was to reinvent the property with the emphasis being on hosting guests and creating spaces for entertainment, some of them private.

Curated art and custom-made sculptures

The magnificent sculpture on the upper deck is the focal point of the entire home, the ‘hero’ statement piece as it were. From simple initial sketches we developed the theme to draw the eye toward the magnificent sunsets. While Interiors by Wanda Michelle developed the design, the sculpture was produced by ‘Cecilia Wilmot Ballam’ https://www.instagram.com/cecilia_wilmot_ballam/?hl=en
Cecilia’s talents speak for themselves and we utilise her works in many of our properties, indeed, they have also become investment pieces over time.

The magnificently simple yet effective fire pit and custom-made furniture is, in our humble opinion, the epitome of great design. Summers and winters are harsh in South Africa, with many of the outdoor furniture producers delivering furniture that will not stand the test of time. Furthermore, with Gauteng thunderstorms, in the event that cushions were not put away we had to ensure they remained in situ and not in the dam.

There are numerous examples of bespoke furniture in this holiday home, specifically manufactured for the client throughout the property. Many interior designers purchase directly from showroom floors, we prefer to design and build customised bespoke furniture and cabinetry solutions are a hallmark of Interiors by Wanda Michelle projects.

Custom manufacturing gives us, as designers, the freedom to colour co-ordinate and sculpt the furniture into the environment, we utilise specialist fabrics and finishes being an entertainer’s home so that in the event of a red wine spill, the fabric merely needs a wipe with a damp cloth. For the record, bespoke design and manufacturing offers better value than purchasing items from a wholesaler or retailer and with custom furniture, nobody will ever say they have the same couch as you. Read more about the benefits of bespoke furniture and the art of custom cabinetry

Our interior design ethos is to create timeless spaces

Some interior designers and decorators like to push home décor to the fashion limits to showcase their creative abilities, there is nothing wrong with this but following trends can become expensive as trends quickly come and go, leaving your interior looking tired and dated. Reversing this creative approach can prove expensive in the long run, so we always lean toward creating a neutral palette that can easily be refreshed as and when our clients decide to.

The living room evokes understated luxury, a comfortable environment to spend time in without becoming ostentatious. The neutral palette being accented by rich splashes of teal colour and local art in this case. Note the subtle integration of the LED screen framed by a custom wall piece.

Make an entrance!

What was a moderate entrance was transformed not only by the statement sculptures but in the subtle and clever, but practical use of glass and mood and accent lighting as well as the large format tiles. This transformation was practical and cost-effective using LED strips and creative cut mirrors to deliver the wow factor entrance.

We hope you have enjoyed viewing this home as much as we enjoyed creating it. For over twenty years, Interiors by Wanda Michelle have helped clientele avoid the potential pitfalls and risks related to interior design projects with our design ethos ensuring your aspirations become a reality. While creativity and great design are all important commodities, we believe that sound financial prudence and professional management are paramount to delivering any project on time and within budget.

Interiors by Wanda Michelle offers professional interior design, decorating, and décor services throughout South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.