This eatery and bar in the heart of De Waterkant, Cape Town, received a much needed facelift. Known as one of Cape Town’s oldest gay institutions, the new interior celebrates the colourful lives of the LGBT Community worldwide. Inspired by sexy Texas, bold Mexico and off course, wild Africa. The spaces are now lighter, brighter and so much more fun. It oozes a welcoming warmth and a special positive energy.
Restaurant/ Hospitality Interior
Onnah Design was appointed to revamp and re-brand the courtyard space at Villa 47 in Bree Street Cape Town. The space at the back of the main restaurant, previously sponsored/ branded by Absolute Vodka, is now called Terrazza Martini, branded by Martini.
The project interior look and feel, including signage, were executed in line with the prescribed brand identity, with red as the main accent colour. The brief was to create an authentic, stylish yet relaxed space, Italian style. Furniture and fittings were sourced from a wide selection of local suppliers and manufacturers, to create a unique, fresh and layered look and the project were executed in a record period of three weeks total.
The main lounge was converted into a new breakfast room and the breakfast room in turn, converted into a new self contained guest room. The new guest room is a perfect example of how to best manipulate small spaces. Every inch in the new guest room has been utilised yet the space still feels very comfortable and spacious. Neutral soft greys defines the main shell internally with warm earthy tones as accents. A perimeter bulkhead with concealed led strip lights, a curtain recess with floor to ceiling curtains and strategically placed down lighters defines the new breakfast room. The main wall is celebrated with local African basketry and a German antique drinks cabinet as the focal point.
A tight budget equaled careful procurement for this interior design project! The living space consisted of only the sofa and dining room setting so plenty gaps required filling.The house also lacked proper lighting throughout.The bedroom wing had luckily more of a blank canvas so we went back to the basics here: comfy headboards, good reading lights, stylish wardrobes, wave track curtains and for fun and colour, a unique throw and scatters for each room. The now laid back yet contemporary look with subtle African and nautical undertones provides a welcome sense of place and contextual relevance to the German client.
Photos courtesy Karl Rogers!
The house was recently completed and the client needed some final finishing touches to the home. There were a few underutilised and unresolved spaces that needed attention. Negative spaces have now been transformed into positive, functional spaces which are aesthetically pleasing and which now contribute to a more meaningful whole.
Upon entering the lobby the powder room to one side of the front door now makes the desired first impression. The work here involved the addition of bold black and gold wallpaper with a ceiling now painted black. A stylish welcome and intimate space.
A room to the left of the lobby had no real function. A large timber table with benches, a sofa and armchair filled the space, accompanied by storage boxes. This room is now the dedicated family TV room with a feature oak display unit framing the cavity sliding door leading out to the garden and the stunning views beyond. Dark walls and roller blinds enhance the room function with the black tv fading away into its own dark wall recess.
The main living room terminated into a lounge area centered around a large TV, a rather missed opportunity. The TV made space for a floating bench for both seating and object display. An old vintage sofa received a new lease on life with paint and new upholstery, adding to a subtle eclectic look. A new comfy sofa, with console behind, and a large rug pulls the space together into a now lovely laid back and comfortable lounge.
Upstairs the main bedroom also received a lovely make-over by introducing an abstract landscape wallpaper as backdrop to the bed and headboard. The space was freed up by centering the bed on the one window, allowing for a intimate seating in the one corner; ideal for reading or early morning coffee. New nightstands, scatters and throws complete the pretty picture.
Also upstairs, an open space between the children’s bedroom was transformed into a kiddies TV and playroom. A banquette corner unit maximises the space with drawers and mobile storage baskets below with family holiday photos gracing the walls above.
The upstairs patio was enhanced by the introduction of a large raised daybed with a display shelf for some greenery. Now one can chill in the sun in comfort and style whilst taking in the spectacular view of the Hout Bay Harbour.
Photos: Mat van Niekerk, viewfinderphotography
An 80’s style residence receives a cosmetic interior makeover. The home was characterised by an outdated interior and impractical rooms that did not maximise the space available. The project focused on the main living and circulation spaces with attention paid to bold new wall colours, wallpapers, locally sourced wall art and custom made joinery pieces, functional yet aesthetically pleasing. The two boys bedrooms are characterised by masculine charcoal grey linen and block out roller blinds offset by bright accents in orange and lime greens and neutral light grey joinery for balance.The one son, who is a keen musician, received a graffiti wallpaper to keep him inspired whilst his younger brother now proudly displays his extensive soft toy collection. An SA Wallbed in his bedroom allows for the space to free up when friends come over to play. After photos courtesy Mat Van Niekerk.
This one bedroomed apartment at Dolphin Beach was in desparate need of an update. The layout was rather restrictive and uninspiring and the finishes and furniture very outdated. The extensive refurbishment now allows for relaxed open plan living and easy circulation through out. Finishes, furniture and objet choices ooze understated style and laid back comfort. New engineered timber flooring adds warmth and a mix of stainless steel and polished concrete counter tops define the contemporary open plan kitchen. Perimeter bulkheads with deep shadowlines introduce depth and more artificial light whilst textured wallpaper forms an eye catching focal point in the bedroom. A modern slatted screen wall defines the lounge and study area without compromising the open plan feel of the living space. The contemporary theme is continued through out to the en suite bathroom, defined in a timeless black and white theme with a marble and wallnut double vanity and freestanding bath that radiates luxury.
Photographs courtesy Karl Rogers, karlrogers.co.za
Originally a face-brick 3 bed-roomed house with timber windows and doors, restricted living and entertainment space,an impractical, dark kitchen and only one real functional bathroom gets a much needed face-lift, inside and out.
The living space is transformed by opening up the kitchen and converting one bedroom into a TV room and linking these two spaces with the main living and dining area. An unused out building is converted into a cool new pool pavilion, living right out onto a new pool, with a laid back outdoor lounge as an extension of the new built in barbecue and mobile braai pit.
The house now enjoys plenty more light, improved internal flow and a stronger connection with the exterior.
A typical 1970’s style house receives a major transformation and facelift to give it a more contemporary and modern look and feel. My partner and I developed the property together with the aim of introducing modern principles such as open plan living, yet still retaining some original elements such as the fireplace and roof tiles.
The flow through the house was simplified and improved by demolishing a few walls, reconfiguring some door openings and creating larger windows and sliders, that also allow more natural daylight inside. The garden is an ongoing challenge due to severe wind in the area and water restrictions.
An add-on room to an existing 1970’s style dwelling receives a contemporary make over. This refurbishment was a major exercise in space planning and the manipulation of small spaces. A long, thin and compact kitchenette extends into an L-shaped built-in bench that serves as lounge and dining area. A fold-away wall bed allows the space to be freed up when required, whilst a feature tiled wall in the shower adds some fun and drama.
