t

ake me through your

initial impression of

the apartment. From

the get-go, what did

you hope to achieve?

The home is in de Waterkant

and, typical to the historical

neighbourhood, is quite

narrow. What made it so

special was the natural light

that infiltrated one side of

the property from both ends,

and a glass roof that stretches over the staircase.

It made the entire structure feel lighter and

immediately connected you to the views of the

harbour to the front and signal hill to the back.

I wanted the space to become a sacred escape from

the daily urban grind while maintaining a strong

connection not only to site but also to the client’s

identity and lifestyle.

This aspect really comes through, the collaboration

between you and the client.

We approached it as an artist would a canvas

or a musician a piece of music – it had to tell

a story of light and dark with spaces that offered

comfort and blur the line between simplicity

and opulence. The key touchpoint that we kept

coming back to was creating a space that allowed

the art to come to life and merge effortlessly with

the furniture pieces in a contemporary way.

Before we get to the art, let’s talk about how you’ve

really made amazing use of light in the space.

We removed all existing curtaining and, instead,

opted for black electric sheer roller blinds that

control light and mood much better. Maximising

the natural light, air and views is what makes

this location so enchanting. also, by opening

the home up more, we were able to introduce

a darker palette on accent walls and furniture.

an absolute favourite of mine is the floor-to-ceiling

nero Marquina slabs used in the bathroom and a

Plascon‘starlightexpress’green-paintedstaircase

walloppositeacourtyardthatreallyextendedthat

atriumfeel.

This muted, moody use of

colour and tone, along with

furniture in strictly natural

materials, further conveys

the idea of open-air living.

The existing space had

wooden floors, stairs,

internal doors and

architraves of different

wood types, and we wanted

to make it all appear

the same without going

through the unnecessary expense, and ecological

harm, of replacing it. Introducing the darker stain

created an instantaneous harmony and we found

balance by painting most of the walls white so

that the art could start filling in the story between

the various rooms. It was therefore a conscious

decision to allow the materials for the furniture to

complement the function of each room and take

on a form for effortless living, comfort and flow.

What was a personal highlight for you?

Laying down a fresh, plush, fitted carpet always

gives me goosebumps. It is then that you realise

the furniture is about to get placed and how it

will start taking on a life of its own.

For all its considered aesthetic and impressive art

collection, this is still a home for living. How did you

balance these factors?

as interior designers, practicality and usability

have to be top of mind. since we couldn’t change

the positions of built-in cupboards and storage

due to space constraints, we had to reconsider

the organisation, length, depth and volumes.

When your space is sorted, you are sorted. Living

areas that open to an internal courtyard are a

wonderful way to invite the outdoors in without

compromising security, and this allows not only for

seamless living but circulation without limitation.

It is the ultimate to live like this – organically but

without ignoring the mechanics. I always feel that

thebestwayisanatural way. n

ApaxDesign 8 apaxdesign.co.za

apax_design

78 house garden september 2019