The Uncluttered Colonial Look

This beautiful home, set in the historical valley of Franschhoek, Cape Town, was expertly renovated by Anthony Doyle and Craig Illman. Having recently decorated their beach front flat in Clifton, Anthony and Craig asked for my decorating expertise with their second home.

The result was an uncluttered colonial feel, but still with a modern look, where their exquisite paintings were the main focal point. We chose highly polished tiles, cool paint colours, soft furnishing, colonial outdoor furniture as well as UV resistant curtains and rugs.

The enormous veranda was the “piece de resistance” and as Franschhoek can be extremely hot, we created a cool, relaxed feel with the billowing curtains, light sofas and classic ceiling fans.

I adore the relaxed style of this home.

Thick, full gorgeous silk curtains with a pinch pleat heading, on wrought iron rods.

The embroided roller blinds in the bay window add a soft touch to the window as well as protect the silk from our harsh sun.

The deep, soft sofas were recovered in stone linen and the scatter cushions were made up in the statement fabric with hues of taupe, cream and blue.

The old cottage coffee table as well as the dining table and chairs were painted  in an antique cream. The dining chairs were covered in a duck egg blue and taupe check. The transformation was stunning.

The wicker tray with my client’s personal items and the large basket filled with pine cones just complete the relaxed look.

And to complete the look, two pewter chandeliers with a few dangling crystals. One placed rather low over the dining table and the other in the entrance hall.

Hot, Hip and happening. Ideal for a teenager.  White curtains and bed linen jazzed up with a patterned headboard, wallpaper and scattered cushions to flop into.

I just fell in love with the bedside pedestals, which added a touch of sophistication.

Elegant, but welcoming and comfortable to accommodate a family, with dogs and cats. My client and I work extremely well together and by changing a few items occasionally, the look is easily updated.

We restyled my client’s gorgeous taffeta striped curtains and used them for the main lounge. Hung them on mahogany wooden rods to pick up the wooden furniture in the rest of the room and ornate tassled tiebacks.

The look was updated by recovering the sofas in a luxurious Hertex velvet fabric, as well as striped velvet for the ottomans.

Classic Ambiente Luce chandeliers in the lounge and dining room helped to complete the look.

A beautiful soft floral Chobi rug was added with an abundance of scatter cushions and flowers to give the room a touch of my client’s personal style.

Entrance hall: An ornately framed mirror above an antique sideboard with an Bergere armchair in St.Leger luxurious velvet fabric and my client’s own scatter cushion.

Roman blinds on either side of the front door were lined with a classic striped fabric and a tassle on each scallop, look stunning from outside as well as inside.

Cindy works as a team with her clients as she turns their houses into homes or their boutique hotels into an extension of their personality. Once she has accepted a project, she eats breaths and sleeps this exciting opportunity. This shows her clients her passion and enthusiasm for creating beautiful spaces.

Cindy has a natural flair, and together with her extensive experience, and outstanding suppliers, she now has over 12 happy years in the industry.

“The interior decorating industry is a dynamic environment with its constant new trends, styles, designs and fabrics been launched continuously and I am never without inspiration”

What perhaps best distinguishes Cindy’s approach is her unique ability to make decorating an enjoyable and laughter-filled experience, with the final result ending in a delighted client and a beautiful home.

“My greatest reward comes from transforming uninspiring interiors into living spaces that promote positivity energy and harmony.”

Cindy’s diverse styles are seen in homes from Amsterdam to Franschhoek to Clifton.