Meet Erica Schalkwyk From Form Interior Decor & Design

Form Interior Décor & Design is the realization of a lifelong dream for Creative Director and Designer Erica Schalkwyk who started the company in January 2014. It is built on the love for homes and the families who live in them.

Today we chat to Erica about her design inspiration and how Form Interior Design & Decor continues to evolve…

Erica simply loves residential design and aims to create a style that is specifically curated to not only embody the principles of laid-back sophistication but to be a gallery of who you are and what you love.

After many years of being a full service design studio, Erica has gone back to a more personalised and boutique service offering in order for her valued clients to enjoy the most sustainable and aesthetic interior design as well as the most economical and strategically effective project management. She strives to deliver incredible design and service as she understand and appreciates that your home is the most important and personal space in your life.

“Form Interior creates spaces that pay tribute to you.”

What inspires you to create such beautiful interiors?

I absolutely love homes and the science behind how we live and love in them. I love how spaces work to make people’s lives better and that this sanctuary and safe haven is the most important space in our lives.

You are known for your classical contemporary spaces – what draws you to create this look with such pizzaz and confidence?

Being an interior designers is about being creative and strategically practical. We have to think of so many factors when making design decisions and finding solutions for our clients. Form always follows Function and is of as much importance to create not only a visually appealing but a practical and enjoyable space. I love layering my interiors as it pays tribute to the people who live in them as they also have many sides and layers to them and their lives.

What interior has left you with a lasting impact?

Definitely my own home. We bought the property in 2018, had our first son in 2020, demolished and started building in 2021 while our second son arrived in 2022 as the home was completed. The home was not only a project but a labour of love and the start of our brand new family.

What is your personal style preference?

I love earthy neutrals of layered textures and an eclectic mixture of Japandi Heirloom pieces. An interior space is a gallery of the person who lives there.

What have been your career highlights?

Being chosen for House & Leisure top 40 young creatives in 2018 and being able to have had the opportunity to be able to turn my art form into a commercially viable and sustainable business while being able to be a mom. A creative career is a huge privilege in itself.

What do you define as ultimate luxury?

Time. There is absolutely no bigger luxury and one of the biggest aspects of good design is that it ultimately optimizes life in order to create more time.

Tell us more about the latest interior projects that you have completed?

The first project in the 2022 portfolio was my own home as mentioned above. The brief was laid-back sophistication and family friendly. Neutral colours but accented tones and textures. Minimalist yet layered in heirlooms, art and meaningful pieces.

5 Quick Questions with Erica…

My favourite thing to buy for my home is….

It was my Douglas and Douglas Carter Drinks Cabinet and all my art.

The easiest effective design technique is…

Paint. There is absolutely nothing you can’t achieve with paint.

One thing I never do in an interior is…

Not consider how it needs to be lived in.

My biggest design mistakes are..

Opting for cheaper options due to budget only costs more money and time later on.