good buys - La Grange Interiors

SHOPPING
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great
good buys
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Add affordable chic to your interior with a choice
selection of clever finds and statement pieces
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PRODUCTION: DEAN VAN ASWEGEN, JULIETTE ARRIGHI DE CASANOVA;
PHOTOGRAPHS: COLLEEN COPPENHALL AT DIS, KARL ROGERS, SANTJIE VILJOEN
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1. MID-CENTURY ENAMELLED SILK-SCREEN TABLE, R2 900, DECADE 2. METAL ‘CORDELL’ FLOOR
LAMP WITH SHADE, R3 850, LA GRANGE INTERIORS 3. CERAMIC POTS, FROM R695 EACH,
BLOCK AND CHISEL INTERIORS 4. CORNER ‘CARIBBEAN’ SOFA WITH COTTON SLIPCOVER, R8 995,
SOFAWORX 5. MADWA ‘UMTSALA’ REED LAUNDRY BIN, FROM R879, PEZULA INTERIORS
6. INDIAN PRINT THROWS, R8OO EACH, SARAH ORD INTERIORS 7. FRAMED PRINT, R1 100,
MEZZANINE 8. ‘IKAT’ AND ‘SUMMER BRIGHTS’ CROCKERY, FROM R29.95 PER PIECE, WOOLWORTHS
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TEXT JULIA FREEMANTLE
PRODUCTION DARA CAPONIGRO
AND MITCHELL OWENS
PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON UPTON
W INTL HOUSE Jacqueline Coumans.indd 106-107
2011/07/19 10:30 AM
THE PERENNIAL BLOOMER TRADE SECRETS P76-79
he true test of any decor scheme is
the sea, the house has more of a country feel,’
longevity – with what’s in constantly in
says Coumans. The florals also have the added
flux and fashion perennially fickle, weekend escape is a fresh benefit of creating the illusion of more of a
creating a mix that remains relevant is a
garden view – the house has small windows
challenge. New York-based designer Jacqueline and feminine mix of so its outlook is not a strong point. ‘I love
Coumans’s Hamptons home is defiant of the
the feel of waking up in a garden, which is the
blue-and-white prints
changing trends and remains exactly as it was
effect the florals have,’ she explains. Where
when she put it together in 2001.
and vintage finds
Coumans’s bedroom is, there used to be a
‘When I bought the house, I was crazy about
garage, but apart from this and the removal of
blue. Everything had to be blue, blue, blue. And
a door between the dining and living room to
then one day the h ydrangeas out in the yard
maximise light, the structure has remained as
bloomed, and I w as so happy: they were blue
it was when she bought it.
too. And yet I still love it as much as I did when
As it was intended as a weekend getaway,
it was newly done,’ she says. A key element of
she took a relaxed approach with the decor.
this unwavering enjoyment is a base which is
Nothing too precious, in all senses of the word,
as classic as they come. The combination of
means that friends and family can relax in the
blue and white is a staple that year in and year
space. ‘I wanted a house that’s easy to live with,
out finds its way onto the runways, the decor
where kids and dogs can clamber over the
scene and every style guru’s hot list. When
furniture,’ she says. ‘It’s very casual here. The
Coumans bought the house in 1999, she set
Hamptons can be very social, but I think it’s so
about creating her ultimate country getaway.
much nicer to stay home.’
Walls covered in floral pattern fabric –
Most of the pieces in the house she found at
either from France or her decor store in
markets, so the rooms have a charming vintage
Manhattan, Le Decor Français – were her
look and a lived-in feel about them. When she
first port of call, variations on the theme in
first designed the house, flea-market finds
every room are a unifying device and link the
and special pieces were much more prolific.
rooms visually. Coumans is a believer in using
Before the craze for vintage had really taken
fabric as wallpaper for its ability to give a room
off treasures were readily available. ‘It’s hard to
an immediate sense of specialness. ‘Fabric on the walls takes a room to believe now that I found all the pieces for the house at markets over one
A Spanish Colonial-style desk
another level,’ she says. It also adds a sense of comfort and soften the weekend. I think that would be near impossible now,’ she marvels.
with hydrangeas from the
acoustics in a room. ‘I’m lucky that the climate here allows me to use A self-confessed collector Coumans’s house gives good insight into
garden OPPOSITE PAGE
fabric this way, as I spent some years in Brazil and it wasn’t practical her particular decor weaknesses – baskets feature prominently, as do
Jacqueline Coumans at home
there,’ she elaborates.
antique paisleys and American-Indian artefacts. She also collects milk
in Southampton, New York
Her time in this tropical wonderland can surely be attributed for glass, which is now very sought after but interestingly came about during
the jungle of fabrics within the house. Also in part the setting within the depression as a cheaper way of manufacturing decorative pieces –
her Eden-esque garden. A slight slant on traditional beach decor, adding colouring to glass gave them either an opaque or clear effect in
Coumans’s use of blue-and-white leans to the floral side, as well as the different colours. ‘I really enjoy working with clients too who have their
traditional clean coastal stripe à la Ralph Lauren. ‘Although it’s near own passions and collect things they love – it’s such a good starting
106 HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011 HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011 81
MANUEL CANOVAS
‘BEAUREGARD’
04709/02 FABRIC
IN ABSINTHE/
TURQUOISE,
R3 211 PER METRE,
MAVROMAC
‘SUMMER BATIK STRIPE’ FABRIC IN
BLUE, R175 PER METRE, BIGGIE BEST
T
THE PERENNIAL
BLOOMER
Jacqueline Coumans’s
COUNTRY VINTAGE
WOODEN CHEST
OF DRAWERS IN
BLACK, R13 950, LA
GRANGE INTERIORS
NICKLE-AND-GLASS
ITALAMP CHANDELIER
WITH DIFFUSED LIGHT,
R25 721, PURELIGHT SA
CERAMIC
POTS, FROM
R600 EACH,
LA GRANGE
INTERIORS
STEEL ‘CONIC’ VASES,
FROM R215 EACH,
LA GRANGE INTERIORS
PIERRE FREY
‘BRACIEUX BLEU
CAMIAIEU’ FABRIC,
R2 394.36 PER
METRE, MAVROMAC
‘TICKING’
FABRIC
IN BLUE,
R182 PER
METRE,
BIGGIE BEST
JACQUELINE
ON BOHO
BLUE AND WHITE
Mix fabrics from different
origins. The combination
of different heritages gives
a beautiful layered effect – for
example: English chintz with
batik, American cotton,
French ‘boutis’ and so on.
Only ever use pieces and
patterns you love. If you use
this as a non-negotiable condition
when selecting items, they
will mix well and also be
a reflection of your style.
To prevent the combination
of blue and white feeling too
cold, veer on the side of more
florals than geometric – this
softens the overall effect.
Create a balance of small
and larger scale patterns and
use at least three or four in the
scheme to create a sense of pace.
Be guided by your instincts
as far as the right proportions
of blue to white. ‘It’s not a
science – you have to feel it,’
recommends Coumans.
There is no such thing as a
decor scheme that’s too busy.
‘AVIGNON’
FABRIC IN BLUE,
R182 PER METRE,
BIGGIE BEST
OSBORNE & LITTLE GRAND
TOUR ‘GINEVRA’ WALLPAPER IN
LAVENDER/SHELLSTONE, R1 200
PER ROLL, THE FABRIC LIBRARY
CANE BASKETS,
FROM R52 EACH,
LA GRANGE INTERIORS
GLASS-FRONT
SLIDING
BOOKCASE,
R15 995,
BLOCK &
CHISEL
INTERIORS
FRENCH TOLE
CIRCA 1900
LAMP WITH
SHADE, R9 500,
TAKE IT FOR
GRANTED
TEAK TABLE
IN STONE,
R890, JVB
LEATHER ‘RETRO’ CHAIR
WITH OAK-STAINED
FRAME, R4 590, LIM
COTTON
‘IZMIR’
CUSHION,
R225,
LINEN HOUSE
TURQUOISE
GLASS TUMBLER,
R35, POETRY
‘JUTE TIGERS EYE’ RUG, FROM R2 295 (1.7X2.4M), WEYLANDTS
TURQUOISE
DRINKING
GLASS, R95,
WOODSTOCK
VINTAGE
WOODEN ‘THREE
STEP’ LADDER,
R4 890, THE
GATEHOUSE AT
MAVROMAC
PRODUCTION: DEAN VAN ASWEGEN, JULIETTE ARRIGHI DE CASANOVA;
P HOTOGRAP HS: KARL ROGERS, LAR LESLIE, COLLEEN COPPENHALL AT DIS
FAUX-BAMBOO TUB
CHAIR UPHOLSTERED
IN ‘VISCO’ PRINT,
R8 200, KLÛK CGDT
IRON ‘SERILLE’ DAYBED, FROM R10 500 (INCLUDING CUSHIONS), THE
GATEHOUSE AT MAVROMAC For stockists’ details, see page 142
80 HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011

SWEET DISPOSITION TRADE SECRETS P82-86
FROM TOP: LEE JOFA ASHLEY HICKS ‘KNOSSOS’
FABRIC IN 15 BLUE, R2 791.86 PER METRE, AND LEE
JOFA ASHLEY HICKS ‘CHENGTU DOOR’ FABRIC IN 513
BLUE, R1 966.50 PER METRE, BOTH ST LEGER & VINEY
WOODEN ‘ROUND BORDEAUX’ DINING TABLE,
R14 995, BLOCK & CHISEL INTERIORS
PEWTER CHAN 57 ‘BOSTON CAGE 500’
LIGHT, R5 643, MORGAN ASSOCIATES
LEE JOFA ASHLEY HICKS
‘KYOTO SHRINE’ FABRIC
IN 51 BLUE, R5 756.30 PER
METRE, ST LEGER & VINEY
DIPTYCH ‘INVENTION’
ARTWORK BY
GLEN JOSSELSOHN,
R8 500, ENTROPY
‘LIMELIGHT’
FABRIC IN
PASSION, R555
PER METRE,
HOME FABRICS
WOODEN-FRAMED
TUB CHAIR, R5 860
(EXCLUDING
FABRIC), HARTMANN
& KEPPLER
INTERIORS
PRODUCTION: DEAN VAN ASWEGEN, JULIETTE ARRIGHI DE CASANOVA; PHOTOGRAPHS: LAR LESLIE, KARL ROGERS
CERAMIC ‘BUBBLE’
LAMP WITH SHADE,
R2 350, HARTMANN
& KEPPLER INTERIORS
FROM LEFT:
MATTE PAINTS
ON SWATCHES
‘3B’ AND ‘17A’,
FROM R202.83
PER 5 LITRE,
PROMINENT PAINTS
PEWTER
LANTERN,
R770,
LUCKY
FISH
TRAY-TOP
‘VINCENT
DENIM’ SIDE
TABLE, R3 495,
BLOCK & CHISEL
INTERIORS
WOODEN
GRANDFATHER
CLOCK, R3 995,
BLOCK & CHISEL
INTERIORS
SILVER CHINESE
PORCELAIN
STOOL, R1 250,
IMAGINE NATION
ANTIQUE
SCANDINAVIAN
PARLOUR CHAIR,
R35 000 (PER
FIVE-PIECE SUITE),
ANTIGONE ARTS &
ANTIQUES
WOODEN ‘DANILA’
CUPBOARD WITH GLASS SLIDING DOORS,
R29 900, LA GRANGE INTERIORS For stockists’ details, see page 142
HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011 87

NATURAL GLAMOUR
Designer Michele Throssell’s mastery
of scale and proportion can be seen
in this bedroom where shape and
size are balanced. The natural
textures and tones are a signature
of the designer, always interpreted
however, in a contemporary way
TEXT JULIA FREEMANTLE
PHOTOGRAPHS ELSA YOUNG
SUNSHINE COAST
A KWAZULU-NATAL HOUSE COMBINES THE
BEST OF BREEZY BEACH STYLE AND AN
UPSCALED APPROACH TO HOLIDAY LIVING
Chalky off-white Fibonacci
tiles from Continental Stone
provide a clean cool shell
for the open-plan kitchen,
dining and sitting areas.
The furniture is unfussy and
easy – white bamboo-style
chairs and a warm modern
dining table look out onto the
expansive verandah. A Kurt
Pio etching hangs on the wall
S
imilar elements can be seen in the universal beach-house
vernacular, found the world over in only slight variations on
the theme of whitewashed wood, sea-life motifs and lashings
of blue and white. The game changers, though, are the
designers who take this foolproof formula and add another
dimension, without losing that unmistakable breathe-out-and-winddown
feel. Designer Michele Throssell’s recent redesign (she reduced
the structure to barely two walls and started over) of a house in Zimbali
offers this in spades, but also contains a level of polish not often found
in holiday bolt holes.
This was both intentional and as a result of Throssell’s inherent
pulled-together style. The owners – a couple with two teenage girls –
live in Jo’burg, but plan to make this their full-time post when their
daughters finish school. So their brief to Throssell was to create a
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88 HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011 HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011 89

BELOW A sitting area’s bambooclad
feature wall is in keeping
with the tropical tone OPPOSITE
PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM
LEFT The mezzanine TV area is
made cosy with patchwork Nguni
rugs. Lacquered console tables
introduce an element of gloss and
a painting by Kristin Yang picks up
the sea green; Paola Lenti poufs
available from The Modern Garden
Company on the verandah are easily
transportable inside; the living areas
all look onto the incredible views
space that would for the moment provide carefree holiday downtime
and would also be able to serve as a permanent home in the near
future. Here Throssell’s own style came into play – her signature use
of natural textures intertwined with carefully selected glamorous
pieces was further heightened by a determination to avoid the trap of
coastal clichés.
This fine line between real life and relaxation was walked deftly by
Throssell, who kept the scheme light and laid-back but also managed
to infuse it with a grown-up groundedness and a resolved sense of
sophistication. A consistency of shapes and shades eases you from one
room to the next with each space possessing an identity of its own
while also existing as a distinctive part of the whole.
Throssell’s choices of colour and texture were a nod to the setting’s
exotic undertone – the humid tropicality and jungle-like vegetation of
KZN’s seductive north coast conjured warm sea greens and flashes of
yellow as a twist on the expected cobalt and white. Reflective surfaces
and plenty of golden wood amplify the sunny lightness of the openplan
spaces. The view here is king however and from the generous
wide verandah all that can be seen is the dense foliage leading up to an
empty beach and the ocean beyond. Idyllic indeed.
A spectrum of whites provides the foundation for concurrent
themes of modern and natural, clean but warm. ‘My aim with the
space was to create something that felt easy and organic but on a clean
scale,’ says Throssell. Natural textures interpreted in a structured
90 HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011
HOUSE GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2011 91