Top design and decor tips for your Mossel Bay property
Category Home ideas
There's no place like home, and with it comes the power to unleash your creativity. With bold colours, harmonious layouts, clever lighting, and unique accessories, you can transform your space. But, where do you start? Century 21 Mossel Bay reached out to Janet Kruger, local Interior Designer and owner of Janet Joan Interior Design.
Since 2005, Janet has created functional creative spaces that are both beautiful as well as practical. She has an Interior Design Diploma from the prestigious BHC School of Design and a passion for using her technical skills to realise her vision. Highly sought after locally and overseas, she has earned much praise. Janet's keen eye has even earned a nod from Elle Decoration in a bedroom-design competition.
Janet, you're based in the Garden Route. How does living in the area inspire your interior design?
I have many clients with holiday homes in the area, so that beach, feet up-on-the-couch, chill-out feel is what I get asked to do a lot. Also, our beautiful mountains with their abundance of trees and greenery is a huge inspiration for me.
What home interior design trends are making a splash?
I often get asked about trends, and I find that being in South Africa, we tend to get the trends a bit later than the overseas market. Also, trends are heavily influenced by the city you live in. On the Garden Route, clients are tending to move away from the big city feel of slick design for a more homely and organic feel. Textured fabrics are big at the moment, and rusts and warm colours are also right on trend.
How can one incorporate these interior design trends into one's home?
Small additions like scatter cushions and décor items are one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to incorporate these trends into your home. Artwork can also have a huge impact - whether you buy ready framed from a store or channel your inner artist to create unique pieces.
You're a huge fan of playing with colour. What is this year's hot colour, and what advice do you have for using it?
I love the rust colours! But, use them in moderation. Keep to a neutral base and use these as eye-catching points of interest. Along with colours, keep textures in mind - you can create interest in combining textures like a heavy weave with a finer fabric or pattern.
Have you found COVID-19 impacting local interior design trends?
I think that because COVID-19 kept people at home it gave them time to contemplate all the areas that needed to be improved upon and brought on a real nesting instinct. People had time to reconsider how they use their space and to look at their homes in a new light. It happened to me at least! Certainly, many clients are asking for a homely, warm ambience because they want to feel welcome and comfortable in their homes.
Let's talk about decor. What are 2021's home decor must-haves?
Ready-made and framed artwork are worth considering. I love these as one piece can literally change the feel of a room. (Hertex has a great range in all sizes).
Texture, texture and texture should be your mantra. Baskets and woven items like rattan pendant lights are great for this.
Plants always make a huge difference to a room - whether in hanging planters or in a big pot as a bold statement.
Home decor is so important for new homeowners and sellers looking to stage their properties. What are simple ways to use decor to upgrade one's space?
Consider repainting walls in a neutral shade to give a clean fresh look which can then be used as a blank canvas. For instance, Plascon's Mandarin Tusk is a wonderful neutral pale grey that miraculously seems to work with any décor scheme.
Consider wallpaper on a focus wall - there are so many different patterns to choose from you can let your imagination run wild. Oversized botanicals are hugely popular right now, anything from bright jungle prints to monochrome fern leaves.
Lighting is an easy way to make a difference to a room, but its potential is often overlooked. Even changing lampshades can have a huge impact.
What are the most common mistakes people make when designing and decorating their homes?
Declutter! I think that people hold on to furniture and bits and bobs for the sentimental value. I'm not saying throw out your grandmother's antique chest of drawers but use such pieces in moderation. Pick a few of these items and use them thoughtfully rather than using them just for the sake of having them. These items are worth far more when used in a focal area than cluttered together with similar items.
Let's say I'm new to interior design and decorating but want to transform my space. What advice would you give me?
Invest in a decent 'base' of furniture like a couch with a timeless design and a beautiful rug. You can make small changes every couple of years, and the good 'base' lets you change your styling without too much hassle or expense.
Where are the best places to shop for interior design and decor items in and around Mossel Bay?
If it's custom-made items that you are looking for, it is best to work through a designer. An Interior Designer always has a 'little black book' of artisans and suppliers who don't work directly with the public. Off the shelf, Arabesque is always great to walk into. In George there is Bespoke but online stores are also great.
With a beautiful setting, design stores, and local experts like Janet, Mossel Bay is the perfect place to set up your dream home. View Century 21 Mossel Bay's properties for sale, and contact us today.
Author: Century 21 South Africa
