RIGHT Plascon’s Black Beard (B7-E1-1) adds
drama to this bedroom. Reflected in the
mirror is one of the numerous bird images
interior designer Etienne Hanekom sourced,
printed and framed as his ‘budget plan for
colouring in the walls’. BELOW An en-suite
bathroom offers a calming setting in which
to unwind.Q&A WITH ETIENNE HANEKOM
What do you love most about this house?
The view of Table Mountain and being
surrounded by trees. Tell us more about its
connection to the outdoors. What makes
the house successful is its great outdoor-
entertainment area on the top floor with
a bubbling Jacuzzi and an amazing view
of the mountain, and down below there’s
a natural stream, swimming pool and a
canopy of trees. Perfect. Oh, and birds in
the trees singing along. What was your
interiors brief? To keep it dark, with spots
of colour. The idea was to give the space
a (look of) old-school Hollywood glamour
with the use of dark, muted greens and
blues. The wall colours were inspired by the
shades of a forest. You brought in some
interesting elements such as the taxidermy
birds. How did that go down? The overall
theme for accessories for the house was
going to be birds. We are under and above
the trees so there was no other option. I love
birds. They represent the human desire to
escape gravity, to reach higher levels. After
some convincing the client came on board
with the theme and before long started
sending me images of birds that he saw.
What is your design style? I like to push
my luck with pattern and colour. I think we
are way too scared of colour. I have never
tried to make friends with beige. She’s
a bitch. What are your design hates?
Beige; a silver bowl with orchids on a table;
pattern overkill; whitewashed furniture;
ceramic wood-look tiles (why would you
want that?); bad lighting. Where do you
find your inspiration? Everywhere. You
have to be on your feet, walking around
and sniffing out things. I have always
been a nosy person.1015_HL_080_089_House_Hugo_RFO.indd 88 2015/09/07 8:18 AM