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Before and After: How New Wallpaper Transformed the Entryway of This Johannesburg Home

The entryway of the Athol Oaklands home stands as a testament to the transformative power of some paint and wallpaper, executed with vision and creativity

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By House & Garden South Africa | April 19, 2024 | Interiors

There is a special talent that some interior designers have: They are able to see a room and reimagine it into something completely different, seeing every minute detail of the new space in their mind's eye. This is a talent that Keisha from The Homing Pigeon Interiors clearly enlisted when she completely overhauled the entryway in this historic Johannesburg home.

What is even more impressive is how this makeover was achieved without spending a lot of money. Upon closer inspection, you soon realize that all it takes reinvigorate a space is some paint and panelling, a few rolls of gorgeous wallpaper from wallpaperonline.co.za and a couple of well chosen pieces to completely transform this entryway.

Before the Makeover

The former entryway of this Athol Oaklands home was dark and imposing, with mismatched furniture contributing to an unwelcoming atmosphere. Image: Supplied.

Originally, the entryway of this grand Athol Oaklands home was described as dark and imposing. The mismatched furniture contributed to an unwelcoming atmosphere for visitors. This setting clearly needed an uplift to match the grandeur and potential the rest of the house held.

After the Makeover: An Entryway Where Blue Reigns Supreme

Image: Supplied. Interior design by The Homing Pigeon

Keisha’s redesign brought about an incredible transformation, making the entryway bright and inviting. The space now balances traditional English country style with contemporary elements, creating an engaging and energetic tension. The strategic use of paint and paneling, along with a few rolls of exquisite wallpaper (Aquitaine Outline from the Damask & Paisley section of wallpaperonline.co.za), was central to this transformation.

The application of the wallpaper not only added visual interest but also depth and texture to the space. A mirror was smartly placed to reflect light and the beautiful wallpaper patterns from the opposite walls, effectively doubling the visual impact of the design choices and adding a magical quality to the room.

The application of the wallpaper not only added visual interest but also depth and texture to the space. Image: Supplied. Interior design by The Homing Pigeon.

The addition of a pop of yellow against the wallpaper’s design introduced a complementary colour scheme that avoided monotony. This choice infused the entryway with a soft, welcoming, and playful atmosphere.

The mirror is strategically placed to reflect light and the beautiful wallpaper patterns from the opposite walls, effectively doubling the visual impact of the design choices and adding a magical quality to the room.

This makeover showcases how minimal changes, focused on colour, light, and strategic furnishing, can completely redefine a space. It's a brilliant example of how interior design can make a significant impact without the need for extensive renovations or a large budget. The entryway of the Athol Oaklands home now stands as a testament to the transformative power of some paint and wallpaper, executed with vision and creativity.