44 SEPTEMBER 2019 | gardenandhome.co.za
ENTRANCE HALL
“Choose furniture that doesn’t block the passage and makes
a strong first impression,” says Tracy, who repurposed an old
cabinet from Block & Chisel and painted it white to give
it a modern look. “To maintain the light effect, I placed a
collection of white ceramic items on it and even painted a tall
blue vase white to match.” She gave the arrangement more
impact by hanging a large painting above it. “In entrance
halls, I also recommend using a strong statement fabric such as
the zebra print on the side chairs.”
LIVING ROOM
“If your existing furniture has the right proportions, it’s worth
updating,” says Tracy. Paint specialist Anri Barris lightened
the coffee table and armchairs with a white paint finish. “I
furnished the room with two three-seater sofas for a more
generous feel. Often larger pieces make a small room feel more
spacious.” To give the room a modern sophisticated look, Tracy
added elements such as a standing lamp from Weylandts, a
round side table from Block & Chisel, wicker accessories and
plants. She also ‘refreshed’ her existing cushions by placing
them against new ones in solid dark colours. “For windows,
shutters like these from American Shutters give a cleaner, less
fussy look than curtains,” she advises.
TV ROOM
“Wherever possible, open up rooms to the garden,” says
Tracy. She replaced the sash windows and French doors in
the TV room with doors that slide back completely to reveal
the courtyard. “These bring in light and extend the living
space.” The neutral furnishings were livened up with patterned
scatters. “I used pot plants to link the room with the garden and
replaced the curtains with shutters for a neat look,” she says.