How to interior design a luxury living room
Designing a high-end living room in South Africa involves blending practicality with style, considering both the aesthetics and functionality. Here we share some of our considerations when creating that special place
Proportion is everything
Ensuring that your furniture and décor are proportionate to the size of your living space is critical, for this reason we like to design and manufacture bespoke furniture, as opposed to buying from a wholesaler or retailer. This guarantees that the scale of each furniture piece sits perfectly within the environment, maximising comfort and the visual aesthetic. For the record, bespoke furniture is often a more cost-effective option to buying out.
With bespoke furniture one can maintain flow around the living space. Purchasing off the shelf furniture will compromise flow as one cannot control the exact dimensions of sofas, chairs and tables which can create clutter and restrict pathways.
When designing your living space, consider zoning, which creates distinct areas such as seating, a reading nook, and possibly a bar or entertainment zone, while maintaining visual cohesion.
Lighting is key
South Africa has an abundance of natural light, perhaps not so in the winter months in the Southern suburbs of Cape Town but we are blessed in comparison to most European countries. For this reason, we like to maximise the natural light through large windows and glass doors. The natural light still needs to be ‘managed’ using UV resistant glass, automated blinds, sheer curtains etc.
With the natural lighting painting the picture, we then use a mixture of ambient, task and accent lighting to create the luxury ambience one sees in interior design magazines. We frequently call upon the services of one of our local artists to create a ‘hero’ chandelier, custom designed and manufactured for that ‘wow’ factor.
HVAC; heating, ventilation and air conditioning
Climate considerations are directly proportionate to the comfort levels in any living space in South Africa as temperature variables can be extreme. Interiors by Wanda Michelle work closely with HVAC specialists to ensure adequate ventilation and an indoor-outdoor seamless flow for entertaining and relaxation. We encourage our clientele to invest in automation and smart home technologies for lighting, climate control and security to enhance convenience and luxury.
A neutral colour palette
If you look at the photos on this website, you will see our signature statement is to create a neutral base of whites, stone greys and beige or ‘greige’ as is now a common term. By creating this neutral palette, we are investing in the longevity of your investment. We have clients whose home was designed and decorated over fifteen years ago but their design aesthetic is still contemporary and relevant fifteen years later. We then accent the neutral palette incorporating rich wall treatments, bold colours or metallics through cushions, rugs, artwork and furniture pieces.
Manufacturing bespoke furniture
By designing and manufacturing our own furniture, every interior by Wanda Michelle is completely unique, nobody will visit your living space and say “Oh, we have the same sofa” as each piece is a once-off interior statement. We only work with professional furniture manufacturers who are not only experienced artisans but also offer substantial guarantees against their works.
Curating art and accessories
Interiors by Wanda Michelle specialise in the sourcing and curating of statement pieces for investment be they artworks or sculptures. We ensure these pieces are purchased within budget parameters and serve as focal points to reflect the homeowner’s personality.
We like to individually select your décor like vases, books and unique finds that enhance the design and add character without overwhelming the space.
Media and entertainment
With today’s large format screens dominating room spaces, part of our signature design is to create custom backdrops and cabinetry so that the screen integrates seamlessly into the rooms interior design. All modern technology is applied discreetly, ensuring it compliments rather than dominates the design.
By focusing on these elements, Interiors by Wanda Michelle designs luxury spaces that are not only stylish but are functional and ultimately tailored to the needs of our clients.
Interiors by Wanda Michelle offers professional interior design, decorating, and décor services throughout South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
