With a deep appreciation for its architectural heritage, renowned interior designer Dean van Aswegen has created a space that seamlessly marries retro charm with contemporary comfort through a luxurious yet refined approach to design.
Dean, a former decor editor of House & Garden, now private-client interior specialist, was entrusted with the project by a young couple who share his passion for design. ‘They were an absolute dream to work with,’ he says. ‘They loved the process, were eager to be involved and truly appreciated the integrity of the original architecture.’
Tucked away among a cluster of mid century dwellings in Hyde Park, the home is an iconic, thoughtfully reimagined Michael Sutton-designed masterpiece. It retains many of Sutton’s signature elements, from striking terracotta floors to distinct stretch plaster wall finishes.
Dean approached the redesign with a light hand instead of modernising frivolously, ensuring every intervention felt like an extension of the original vision. With architect Ben Baggett, he carefully refined the home’s proportions, enhancing the bathrooms by raising the ceilings for better light and spatial flow.
The aesthetic direction takes inspiration from both Palm Springs and Spanish mid century influences — an effortless blend of warmth, nostalgia and sophistication. ‘The house has this beautiful retro energy, so we leaned into that, but in a way that feels inviting and liveable,’ says Dean. The material palette was kept deliberately tight, with warm walnut, travertine and oak forming the foundation, complemented by subtle injections of brass and bronze mirror for added depth. ‘There’s nothing overly cold or austere — everything has texture, warmth and a sense of ease.’
The couple actively sourced furniture and furnishes with Dean through vintage stores and design hubs in Cape Town. The result is a careful curation of pieces — some custom-made, some vintage, some contemporary — that feel inherently at home in the space. The entrance hall, for instance, sets the tone with oversized terracotta pots and a sculptural Jean du Plessis artwork. The mezzanine lounge, lined with deep, khaki-upholstered Ligne Roset linear sofas, offers a moment of quiet grandeur.
At the heart of the home is the kitchen and dining area, conceived as a singular, flowing space that encourages connection. A sculptural brass server anchors the room, while richly grained walnut cabinetry, crafted by local artisans (including many pieces by Laterale) introduces a tactile warmth to the space. In the living room, generous proportions and a pared-back colour palette emphasise the architectural bones, with plush seating creating an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. The guest bathroom, however, adds a sense of drama to the otherwise lightness of the home. ‘I wanted it to feel like you were stepping into a completely different world — almost like a moody, retro lounge,’ Dean says. Deep hues, layered lighting and statement finishes create unexpected theatricality.
Outside, the transformation continues in the expansive, built-in seating area showcasing screed floors and low, sculptural solutions for easy entertaining. The landscaping, by Werner Botha and the team at Apple Landscape, creates a balance of Palm Springs minimalism and tropical lushness to ensure the garden feels like a natural extension of the interiors.
The abode is a masterclass in respect and restraint, an interplay of past and present through carefully considered materiality. ‘It’s about amplifying what was already there rather than imposing something new,’ Dean says. ‘The best design feels like it’s always belonged.’
