Looking to update your home or office space? These experts are here to help!
Taryn Flanagan Interiors
Taryn Flanagan Interiors started in 2012 from a love of ever-changing spaces, fabrics, textures and design inspiration. Their passion is creating grand and timeless interiors that seamlessly merge with the architecture and landscape. The mixture of old and new, combined with beautiful textures and organic feels, makes the spaces they create unique, personal and original. Offering a bespoke service, their original and creative style combines to deliver beautifully crafted and layered residential interiors, as well as creating imaginative interiors for the hospitality industry. “We are a small team of exceptional women, each bringing their talent and expertise into every project, big or small. We specialise in high-end residential spaces and game lodges and have been part of incredible corporate projects. We work on turnkey projects alongside construction teams, architects and landscapers,” explains Taryn. Her team has worked on some incredible projects within the residential, hospitality and commercial industries, as well as spaces for kids.
Taryn Flanagan Interiors can assist with interior design, interior decorating, project management, furniture design, home staging, hourly consults and furniture design. So, what trends does Taryn love for spring 2020? “I am loving three trends for spring 2020. One is fun bathrooms. I adore a wallpapered bathroom; this makes these weird spaces fun and interesting to be in, especially the guest loo. Dark painted doors are also making their way in as well as the layering of old and new, which I always love as it tells the story of a home.” Her top piece of advice for anyone doing a spring makeover? “Get your bones right first. Also, pick pieces of furniture that suit your needs and not just because they look pretty. If your ‘bones’ are right, you can always layer up correctly on top of that. Don’t be afraid of paper, it changes a room in an instant.”
031 001 1010
www.tarynflanaganinteriors.co.za
Nottingham Road Top Carpets and Floors
Situated in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, the Nottingham Road Top Carpets and Floors branch is run by Gareth Melle. This store has been in business since 2006 and continues to value its integrity in all aspects of the business in the guarantee that its clients receive a committed service from the whole team. The branch offers carpeting, vinyl and laminate flooring, under-floor heating as well as provides a carpeting cleaning service. “Currently, we are seeing a movement from your expensive natural wood and tile options to laminates and SPC ranges as their quality and cost-effectiveness improves. The ranges are becoming more and more like their natural counterparts, for example, our newly launched Legacy range. The wider plank, as well as a V-groove, makes it look more like wood. This allows it to still be low maintenance and an eco-friendly floor solution while still looking like hardwood flooring.” What is their top piece of advice when doing a home makeover? “Never underestimate a rug to freshen up a home. It is a simple adjustment to a floor that can make a huge difference in style and comfort.”
Shop 2, The Junction, Nottingham Road
gareth@topcarpetsnottinghamrd.com
Facebook: @topcarpetsnottinghamroad
Richards Architects
Richards Architects strives to create quality design solutions that have an integrated approach to architecture using innovative and cost-effective design drivers. “Our intention is to create timeless and resilient architecture in light of our client’s requirements and vision for the project.” Richards Architects is a full-service practice, specialising in commercial office design, industrial and mini-factory design, medium-scale retail outlets and multi-unit residential developments as well as custom design homes. Their expert advice for spring makeovers? “Spring epitomises new life and should be celebrated this season by opening the windows and allowing nature to flow into your home. If you are planning major renovations, redecorating of a room, changing your furniture or simply a fresh lick of paint, make sure you plan ahead! We carefully consider energy efficiency, functionality, budget constraints, materiality and ‘spirit of place’ in order to deliver quality buildings projects.”
082 447 4190
nicole@richardsarchitects.com
Kate Elizabeth Creative
Kate Elizabeth is a freelance, creative brand that focuses on creating contemporary fabrics and products, inspired by Africa. “I am really inspired by the focus on shopping local and supporting the amazing creatives that South Africa is home to. Whether these creatives are ceramicists, carpenters or other artisans, there is something inspiring and beautiful about bespoke, artisanal objects. These objects can enhance any space by their uniqueness,” says Kate. Her top piece of advice for home makeovers? “Think about which items in your home makeover are ‘splurge-worthy’. Products that would be a feature in the space or that are going to be used the most may be worth the higher price tag in your budget, especially if you are on a tighter budget.”
vrdoljakkate@gmail.com
www.kate-elizabeth-creative.myshopify.com
Facebook: @kateelizabethcreative
Dargle Poles
Dargle Poles is a family-run, local business that farms, harvests and treats CCA poles for sale to wholesalers and directly to the public. Their poles and intingus are SABS approved and are used in farming, building, gardening and so much more. “We are really loving the trend that overflows the formal structure of the home into the gardens and vegetable gardens, all with a natural feel. Landscapers and builders are using a lot of stone, imitation rock paving and, of course, CCA poles to create structure, levels, partitions, entertainment zones or chill areas and different clusters in gardens. Think intingu fencing partitions or boundaries, raised beds lined with poles, pergolas, benches or retaining walls, and it’s all so easy to do!” explains owner Julia. Their top piece of advice for home makeovers? “The garden and outdoor space should be an extension of the home, and carry through the same feel and design, whether contemporary, English garden, bushveld or minimalistic, amongst others.”
071 485 8116
sales@darglepoles.co.za
www.darglepoles.co.za
Ruby Orchard
The Ruby Orchard’s formula is natural, homely and refreshing. The store offers homeware and décor that is stylish and timeless with a country edge. The refurbished furniture items are once-off pieces with a raw and natural finish. “2020 and the lockdown have given me time to reflect and step back from our business and reassess the direction we are taking. I have taken the plunge to expand our staff and to grow our creativity within our furniture workshop. We are so excited to have Robyn join our team as our workshop manager and furniture designer – watch this space,” says owner Hannah Keppler. Her top trends for spring? “2020 is seeing earthy tones and natural materials in interiors with colour pops and accent walls. I love the neutrals of natural stone, greys and soft eucalyptus greens paired with the textures of sisal, jute and wicker.”
033 330 2673
info@therubyorchard.co.za
Rajasthali Cloths
It was love at first sight when Erika Whitby saw the beautiful block printed cloths in India a few years ago. They are of the finest craftsmanship and no two designs are the same. Decorating your table with a colourful cloth for loved ones to gather around will create wonderful memories. The handbags are hand-stitched by local artisans and offer a combination of original Indian cloth and locally sourced leather. Enjoy your handbag knowing that you are supporting a truly handcrafted product made by artisans from across the globe! “My passion for colour and handcraft has been realised in my products and are a true reflection of my love for quality craftsmanship,” Erika says. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind product right here in the Midlands!
082 749 0245
www.rajasthalicloth.co.za
EMZ Décor
Emz Décor is a mother-daughter run business and has been for seven years. Previously based in Kloof, Durban, the team has now moved to the beautiful countryside in the Midlands. You can find them at Natal Forest Nursery, Old Main Road, Howick North (just off the Tweedie off-ramp). Emz Décor is a small yet overflowing store filled with décor, clothing, gifts and footwear. They are deeply passionate about every product they stock and take pride in offering a personal touch and quality service. “We love every item in the store from the tiniest tablecloth weight to the most striking scatter cushion or vintage chair. Our passion and excitement guarantees customers are equally as enthusiastic about our eclectic offering of odds and ends. Our shabby chic store has something for anyone, as we don’t believe in following trends. We prefer to go with what we fall in love with because you should have faith in your own taste, as trends come and go but nothing you really like is ever out of style,” explains the owner, Emma Wood.
While Emma says that they don’t follow trends, there is one trend now that she’s always loved, which is bringing the outside in. Light wood is now becoming dark wood, the best scatter cushions and wallpapers are inspired by nature, and indoor gardens are blossoming. She has always been inspired by nature, which she believes is at the forefront of what makes a house a home. “Use natural wood textures in your kitchen and have indoor plants, which have heavily been promoted as well-being essentials, as more people focus on their mental health and inner well-being through times such as these,” says Emma. Her top piece of advice for those planning a home makeover? “Once the large pieces of furniture are in place, your job is only beginning. The last layer and the finishing touches will elevate the overall look. This is where the room comes to life. From the texture to wall art and decorative accessories to greenery, these finishing touches will enhance the personality of the space, so make it your own. Enjoy the journey and, most importantly, be inspired by the trends, don’t follow them!”
073 861 7125
emzwood7@gmail.com
Facebook: @emzdecor