gardenandhome.co.za | SEPTEMBER 2019 43
BEFORE
W
hen interior designer Tracy Lilford and
her husband Neil downsized from a large
Constantia home to a small townhouse, they
knew they had their work cut out for them.
On the plus side, the house had high ceilings, deep cornices
and skirtings, but, as the before photos reveal, the floor tiles,
Grecian-style pillars, coloured bathrooms and striped awnings
were dated. However, Tracy was confident that with the right
approach, she could lighten the interiors and give them a fresh
new look using most of their existing furniture.THE POOL COURTYARD
“It’s always a good idea to turn outdoor spaces into stylish,
comfortable living areas that are a continuation of the
interiors,” says Tracy. “Extend the floor space by removing
unnecessary plantings and architectural clutter like old-
fashioned pergolas as we did here.” Then unify the space with
a smooth, clean floor such as these limestone-look tiles. An
L-shaped sofa provides plenty of seating as well as around the
dining table, while a large umbrella adds the necessary shade.
“In a courtyard with high boundary walls and no view,
create a strong focal point,” says Tracy. With the help of
Lavender Blue Landscapes, the shape of the plunge pool was
emphasised with a low buxus hedge. “Limit the number of
plants and make sure they are low maintenance,” says Tracy.
A new braai was built to give the area structure and
whitewashed to soften the brick and make it less obtrusive.
“Use succulents and cacti as pot plants both inside and out.
They add a soothing splash of green and are incredibly easy to
maintain,” says Tracy.