The Interior Scoop

Lee Shelly has always loved art, design, and décor, and in 2006 she started her own design business, Lee Shelly Interiors. She’s based in Hillcrest, but her design projects have known no bounds; from South Africa to overseas, she’s decorated homes, hotels, offices, and game lodges.

But there remains a special place in her heart: “Being a born-and-bred Midlands farm girl, I love the projects I get to do here; it just feels like home,” she shared. Lee loves a mix of old and new and describes her work as timeless. What also makes her approach unique is that most of her furniture is custom-made, veering away from “copy-and-paste” homes. According to Lee, emerging interior trends she’s seen include people being drawn to natural, organic textures like raw wood and rattan. Pops of colour like painted furniture add character to a space.

She also recommends not being afraid to paint; it can always be stripped back if you get tired of the colour. Using the correct lighting makes a significant impact on a space, including layered lighting from overhead lights, standing lamps, table lamps, candles, and rechargeable lights. Rugs can often be the wrong size for a room; layering them can help. For example, if you have a rug that is too small, try adding a larger one underneath.

Lee’s Top Picks:

• I do love to shop at The Ruby Orchard in Howick. They provide unique finds and one-off pieces.
• Another Midlands love is the Art in the Country every year. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to local artists.

“Enjoy your home, have fun putting it together and mostly do what works best for you.”

http://www.leeshellyinteriors.co.za