Styling your home can be very challenging when you’re working within a tight budget. We sat down with interior designer, Deborah Tilbrook, who shares how she furnished and decorated a three-bedroom showhouse on a budget of just R150 000.
The brief
“We commissioned Debbie to furnish and decorate the showhouse at Lalela Estate where we wanted to highlight more than just a space with beautiful furniture. We wanted her to create a practical but inspired look within the home that was also very achievable for most people when choosing to buy and furnish an off-plan home. We asked Debbie to incorporate sustainable living into her design and to be led by nature,” explains Melanie Clarkson of Collins Residential.
Budgets and practicality
“Determining your budget is important and you need to be honest about what you can or cannot afford. It’s easy to design a space when you have an unlimited budget. However, the smaller the budget, the harder it becomes and the more hours you will have to spend trying to make things work,” says Debbie. “I began with the living room, which, to me, is the heart of the home. The first piece of furniture I bought was a couch to anchor the space. It was the most expensive piece of furniture in the house but I wanted to ensure that it not only worked aesthetically but was comfortable in the tranquil surroundings.” Using the couch as a guideline, Debbie focused on maintaining flow and ensuring that spaces were not closed off. The back section of the couch is low and welcoming and it orientates the TV and guides the profile of the coffee table, built-in TV unit, and the occasional chairs that tie the room together.
The importance of space planning
Space planning directs the functionality of a room. Critical things to think about include furniture placement and the flow of movement. “When I first walked into the house, I identified what already existed and couldn’t be changed and worked around that,” says Debbie. The custom-designed homes at Lalela Estate are configured with living in mind. You enter through a courtyard instead of an entrance hall, which would normally steal square metres from the living room. The glass doors on either side of the living area not only let in light but create a connected space that brings nature into the home while creating an expanse.
Colour creates character
The colours used throughout the house were inspired by the greens and the yellows in nature. “When designing for a larger audience, I recommend using neutral tones which appeal to the majority of people. When working on your own personal space, you can be more creative and use colours that appeal to you.”
How to use texture
“Using texture to bring character into a space is important to me. As an example, I’ve used mustard cushions with a patterned texture creating visual depth and dimension. The light reflects differently off the different patterns and that adds visual interest and saves a neutral pallet,” she says. When you are working with a limited budget, Debbie say you may have one standout feature that will be your hero in the space. Overcrowding a room with only expensive items runs the risk of you losing a standout element that demands your attention. Choosing how much texture and colour you use is a matter of feeling but there is also a fine line between all or nothing. “The couch is a neutral, soft grey and has a soft texture that’s not overbearing. From here I would advise that you add one texture at a time. So just add one of the cushions to start with, and then you keep adding more until it feels right. So, first use something that contrasts it and then try to find something in between to marry the two together.”
Multipurpose living
Post-Covid, people are spending more time in their homes, and we have realised the importance of having a comfortable place to live and the value of our most precious asset. “These days most of us are cooking and answering emails at the same time. The eat-in kitchen is a perfect example of a multipurpose space that’s used often by both young and old. It’s a homework area for kids and a place to host dinner. The kitchen table was second-hand and refurbished. The chairs were also refurbished and painted black to match the table.
Local is lekker
Designing and decorating a 3-bedroom house can easily run upwards of R350 000, which is certainly not in most people’s price bracket. Debbie managed to strike the perfect balance of style and budget. One of the secrets to her success, she says, was repurposing furniture bought at second-hand furniture shops (furniture passed down from a family member would also work). She intentionally used local artisans to manufacture custom pieces and repurpose furniture.
About Lalela Estate
Situated in Sheffield, Lalela sits on approximately 104 hectares of lush greenery with natural wetlands, 5km of walking trails and a wonderful community clubhouse. It is one of the fastest-growing nodes on the KZN North Coast and offers relaxed, beach living.
Details: Lalela is situated on the western side of the N2, in the direction of Flag Animal Farm, www.lalelaestate.com, [email protected], @lalela.estate
