Ever noticed how your mood changes when you walk into a beautiful room? That’s precisely why Marion Pearce is intrigued by décor and design – as she’s found, with just a few scatters, some gorgeous pieces and a soothing palette, you can transform someone’s world.
Marion may only have established her consultancy, Home With Marion Interior Design, in 2020, but she was playing around with design elements long before that – even as a child, she would change her room around regularly, and it became a habit to mentally rearrange the furniture of any house she visited.
Her decision to switch her background in business for this creative space came about when she could no longer ignore her fascination with how people interact with their spaces – and, since the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to spend so much more time in those spaces, it was a fortuitous move. Marion completed a diploma and took the plunge, turning her hobby into a profession at a time when most people were deliberately playing it safe. “It was scary to launch myself into this new space, but then again, it was exciting to do something that allowed me to combine my business experience with my love of creativity. Besides, people were ready for this type of service – because we were all at home, many of us were hungry for ideas about how to refresh our spaces.”
This is where Marion excels: she is a big believer in tweaking what you already have, which can often carry just as much impact as a costly, disruptive renovation. “Although I love working from a blank canvas, I also relish the challenge of taking a tired space and, by applying thought and creativity, changing it into something fresh and exciting. The look of delight on my clients’ face when they see the change is priceless.” ‘
‘Careful thought’ is a key phrase here. Although Marion’s approach to design is rooted in her belief that it’s human nature to desire to be surrounded by beauty and style, she is also keenly aware that there is a scientific aspect to design. “It’s about bringing the different elements together in a calculated way so that you end up with a flow, rather than a mishmash,” she explains. That’s why her designs are influenced not only by the space she’s designing, but also its context. it’s a good idea to ‘keep the house in its shoes’, as a French saying goes, and take cues from the style and feel of the home and its environment. Add in pattern and texture, and you have a sanctuary that speaks to each sense. “I like to layer as I go – you don’t want to have a room that makes you feel like you’ve fallen into a catalogue,” she adds.
Marion embraces projects that challenge her in more than one way – where she has to source soft furnishings that add the perfect finishing touch while also overseeing joinery, for instance – and she’s looking forward to applying her skills to commercial spaces in the future. “I love the thought of being able to bring people joy by giving them the advice and insight they need to change their space.”
Marion’s guide to festive entertaining
- Enjoy the festive season! We tend to get stressed by worrying about every detail, so remove the angst by preparing as far as you can and then going with the flow. Remember that your guests aren’t the entertainment police – they love you and they’ve come to have a good time with you.
- Forego the traditional Christmas meal. South Africa is just too hot! Instead, dish up something light and colourful – think salads, prawns, a braai and beautiful platters laden with fruit.
- Get outdoors. Set up a buffet; you can add a touch of glamour by adding an outdoor bar and serving decadent cocktails. Don’t forget to add a playlist that sets the mood.
- Keep your décor simple. A bit of greenery from your garden, like ivy, is highly effective. Candles add ambience, and Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling are magical.
- Think about your colour scheme. Traditional gold, green and red always work well but consider something fresh like green and yellow (maybe using lemons from your garden), pink and orange or even neutrals.
Text: LISA WITEPSKI • Photographer: Nicole Moore. Details: nicolemoorephotography.co.za • Make-up: Makeup by Ryno, 071-688-0242.
