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Aug 14, 2019

Get to Know the Cape Town HOMEMAKERS Expo Judges

The Cape Town HOMEMAKERS Expo is known for showcasing top talents in design, décor and home lifestyle. To ensure that the Expo only brings you the best, each year they put together an impressive panel of expert industry leaders who judge and award the exhibitors for their efforts. This year, the four judges are top names in interior design and lifestyle journalism. 

2019’s judges include none other than our own dame of decor, Marcia Margolius, Editor of SA Decor and Design and our Award Winning Blog: Marcia loves it, Marius Hitge, Owner of Marius Hitge & Co,  Vicki Sleet, Deputy Editor at Good Housekeeping Magazine and editor of interior and lifestyle blog I Want That and Wicus Pretorius, Editor of Tuis|Home magazines.

Ahead of Cape Town HOMEMAKERS Expo 2019, we find out about coming trends from the judges, bringing raw comfort into your home and what makes a winning stand.

Tell us a little more about yourself.

Marcia: I have over 2 decades of experience in the décor and design industry. I am a qualified designer and decorator and a member of The South African Institute of the Interior Design Professions (IID). My writing career began in 1994, and my writing credits to date include Create a Stylish Home, Skep ‘n Tuis met Styl, Leef Ruimtes, Living Spaces, Bed and Bath, Kitchen and Dining, as well as SA Décor & Design The Buyers Guide (published annually 23rd edition). I also tutor design colleges and am a regular contributor to a number of interior magazines and exhibitions.

Marius: For the last 33 years I’ve run a small creative company. I’m passionate about client service and attention to detail. The landscape of interiors is shaped through innovative design and concepts that communicate the client’s brand and expectations. I live with two dogs, a cat, a peacock, a parrot, and some geese on a small olive grove in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town.

Vicki: I am the Deputy Editor at Good Housekeeping Magazine and the editor of interiors and lifestyle blog I Want That. I’m passionate about homemaking, decorating and especially making lovely for less – I’m always on the hunt for a cost effective way to beautify my space and those of my readers. I also love discovering new and interesting products and services to help make life a little easier.

Wicus: Ex teacher, turned journalist. Have always been a renovations junkie. Love the smell of wet paint and wet cement!

The theme for this year’s Expo is “Raw Comfort – a place of realness”. What design choices do you make to bring “Raw Comfort” into your living space, and do you have any advice for visitors?

Marcia: RAW is a great way to connect with nature’s elements and soothing powers.  Embrace this organic feel that will create warmth, comfort and coziness.  Make use of recycled and reclaimed materials that reinforce the sense of re-purposing.  Natural materials such as raw wood, stone, and metals dominate this look and create an interior that resembles the simplicity and beauty found all around us in SA. Raw style has no predictable lines or patterns. The overall feel is effortless often described as simple, coarse, and inviting!

Marius: Our lives are incredibly busy and we get bombarded by so much information on a daily basis – whether relevant or irrelevant – that it’s important to create a beautiful home where we feel comfortable, relaxed and happy. Personal preference plays a huge role in how we decorate our homes, but natural materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, reed and metals can help to create a sense of calm. One should also not be too precious – homes are for living in, so be practical in your choices, whether you have young kids or animals.

Vicki: I love this theme and am such a believer in keeping things real in the home – your space should reflect the soul of you and your family. From a design perspective, I think this means keying in to your life style and decorating around that – slipcovers if you have a young family so you can chuck them in the wash when they’re grubby and elements like floor cushions too if your kids are younger. It’s about not being too precious about your space and the items you use to furnish it. I think it also refers to the movement to tactile fabrics like linens and hemp which are so versatile and add such depth to any space.

Wicus:  I think a space that is too “done up”, i.e. overdecorated is not inviting nor comfortable. But it is a very personal preference. If it works for you, go for it. Myself? I prefer a very organic approach to décor. Layer your home over time. Buy pieces you fall in love with, not “just stuff” because there is a gap somewhere. A home is a place where dogs can jump on the couch, and kids can play, and adults can put their feet up!

Which colours will be big this season?

Marcia: Living Coral and Mustard

Marius: Metallics, yellows, blues and greens including turquoise.

Vicki: Mustard is a huge colour trend and given that Pantone’s colour of the year is Living Coral, I think we’re going to see much more if it in interiors – it pairs well with so many colours

Wicus: Impossible to say. Grey remains popular, but black has grown hugely in popularity. Blue – in all its shades, has always been a firm favourite.

Are accent walls in style?

Marcia: Floral patterns and abstracted but personally instead of a loud wallpaper, try out a textured element.

Marius: I honestly believe accent walls will never go out of fashion. We just dress them differently with e.g. subtle textures, wallpaper, etc.

Vicki: I think they are! But there’s an additional element in the form of texture and elaborate lifelike patterning.

Wicus: Yes. Always.

Metals – Gold, silver, bronze or rose gold?

Marcia: Gold and silver.

Marius: Rose gold is currently very popular. Metals are still used in combination with other décor items, especially powder coated steel.

Vicki: Metals are still huge – especially mixed together.

Wicus: Black metal…

How can one bring natural elements into your home?

Marcia:  It is so easy to fill your home with ROAR materials  fits into any style – it’s so inviting and effortless.

Marius: Recycling is still big. Many people opt to re-purpose or re-use. Natural elements such as raw wood, cane, bamboo and baskets are making a comeback, as are house plants including hanging baskets, macrame, etc.

Vicki: Not since the 70’s have plants been so big – it’s ALL about plants at the moment.

Wicus: Textured products such as woven rugs, wicker chairs and pendants.

Get your tickets for Cape Town HOMEMAKERS Expo at CTICC from 29 August – 1 September here.


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