Interview with our interior designer Helene De Waal

Meet Helene de Waal, one of Incanda’s in-house interior designers and showroom manager in Hermanus. Helene has been a member of our creative team for the past 11 years. Recently she has completed the interior design of local resident, Landie Visser’s, home. Helene shared some insight into her creative approach when embarking on such a project, by discussing a couple of photographs of the client’s house.

“My client’s love of colour was the aspect that stood out! Most clients choose a more neutral pallet to stay safe, but being more creative and bold with colour choices can create a very special and personal space with lasting effect.”

“In the dining area we tried to play with colour and texture as much as possible. We chose a yellow carpet to have under the dining room table, and balanced it out with dark textured, chunky chairs at the ends. Our beautiful Doringbaai chairs with yellow straps filled the remaining open spaces. We also added lots of indoor plants and baskets to incorporate natural elements. The view is so beautiful and we wanted to create the feeling of being outside, even on rainy days!”

 “My client loved the Chesterfield couch right from the start. It is such a spectacular piece which brings all elements in the lounge area together. Even with the bright colors and textures used, the Chesterfield still demands its own attention. We chose a rug that mimics the sea’s foam but also mirrors the black of the window frames. To introduce colour, we chose a palm patterned fabric for the Clarens chairs. We then matched a stunning blue from the palm pattern to upholster the Caledon couch. This allowed the Clarens chairs to tie all the stunning elements together!”

“In the Main Bedroom, we chose charcoal as our base colour, and decided on our lovely, extra-long Kimberley headboard. The Swazi bedside tables in oak blend very well with the finishes chosen for the rest of the house. To add a pop of colour to the room, we added bright yellow patterned throw pillows and a stunning yellow quilt. The fabric used for the ottoman matches the room’s overall colour scheme, while also being a very versatile piece with ample storage and seating space.”

“When you have a small space to decorate like this server, the golden rule is to avoid clutter. I used a textured mirror, a vase with some gold to mirror the gold in the rest of the house, as well as something flat with a bit of greenery to balance the look. Simple and clean, yet striking! This way the focus will remain on the furniture.”

“What I enjoyed most about this project was working with my beautiful client! She trusted me and allowed me to guide her. I kept her great love of colour in mind throughout, and am really proud of how it all came together. It truly reflects my client’s personal style while also showcasing the lovely Incanda brand.”