Styling your home can be very challenging, especially on a tight budget. Interior designer, Deborah Tilbrook, shares how she was able to furnish and decorate a 3-bedroom showhouse for Lalela Estate on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast on a budget of only R150 000.
The brief
The new Lalela Estate showhouse is set amongst greenery with the grand Manor House visible in the background. This idyllic setting with natural grasses sprouting hues of yellow in contrast to beautiful blue skies set the perfect colour palette and base for Debbie to draw her base colour inspiration from.
“We wanted to highlight more than just a space with beautiful furniture. We wanted Debbie to create a practical but inspired look within the home that was also very achievable for most people when choosing to buy and furnish an off-plan home here. We asked Debbie to incorporate sustainable living into her interior design and to be led by nature, which are both fundamental cornerstones of Lalela,” explains Melanie Clarkson of Collins Residential.
Space and practicality
“I started the interior design scheme in the living room - for me, this is the heart of the home. The first piece of furniture I bought was a couch, this anchors the space. It was the most expensive piece of furniture in the house but I wanted to ensure that it not only worked aesthetically but was comfortable for relaxation in the tranquil surroundings,” says Debbie. Using the couch as a guideline, Debbie focused on keeping and maintaining flow and ensuring that spaces were not closed off. The back section of the couch is also low and welcoming. It orientates the TV and guides the profile of the coffee table, built-in TV unit, and the occasional chairs that tie the room together.
“The couch I’ve used in the living space is a lovely neutral and soft grey, and has a soft texture that’s not overbearing. From here I would advise that you add one texture at a time. So just add one of the cushions to start with, and then you keep adding more until it feels right. So first use something that contrasts it and then try find something in between to marry the two together.” It’s key to choose something that will lead while everything else needs to sing the same tune. Layering and using texture and colour in the cushions and curtains can help you make the space feel like your own.
The design
The interior design homes at Lalela Estate are configured with living in mind. You enter through a courtyard instead of an entrance hall which would normally steal square metres from the living room. The glass doors on either side of the living area not only let in light but create a connected space which brings nature into the home while creating an expanse. “Having a separate dining room means you’re losing square metres from other living spaces. With this design, you are maximising utility and although the living area is open plan, each area has its own identity and use,” says Debbie.
This home truly maximises style on a very minimal budget, making it practical and affordable for everyone to have an interior designed home no matter the shape or size.
