This week clients were rushing to get work / drawings to council in order to get approval for construction and renovations to take place over the festive season. So far we've had to deal with lots of small spaces that were not functioning properly or working well for the household. Clients are not prepared to spend thousands of Rands on renovations, so they expect the smallest of improvements to work. However, the addition of 2-5 square metres or the cheaper flat roof they intend using is sometimes pointless, not worth the trouble or just down right not pretty looking. I've been fortunate to be given the platform to design or improve the spaces of some of these homes. Our most recent project was trying to get as much natural light into an old Victorian house. The house is south facing with plants and trees all round. They don't want to loose or demolish any of the existing building. The existing hallway and new guest loo gets no light at all and tube lights are not possible because of the loft space in the attic (which I think is quite cool). So our best options (which the clients prefers) are clerestory windows on the internal walls which will allow light to pass through from room to room. Not the most genius of ideas but certainly the most effective for the space to function well.
There were plenty of other design challenges that had to be met and I'm looking forward to the week ahead.
I've been putting my Intertior Decorating Diploma to good use for the last two weekends. Redecorating and choosing colour palates for a holiday home in Hermanus. Painting wasn't part of the course but there I was-standing on ladders for 8 hours.
I suppose the most rewarding part of the business we're in, is the foresight we have and the ability to creatively apply design solutions that will improve, enhance and liven up the spaces we move in each day- adding comfort, pleasure and value to some insignificant spaces.
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