Spotlight: Sumari Krige of La Grange Interiors

La Grange Interiors is a curated furniture and décor destination – offering luxurious interior design alongside bespoke and elegant pieces for the home. We spoke to owner, Sumari Krige, about what inspires the brand and what trends she draws from…

What’s your go-to classic colour choice?

I have always loved burnt orange and rusty colours.

Is there a hotel, interior or building that has most inspired your work?

Our clients and briefs are always so different – so I would rather say that certain iconic designers have always been a source of inspiration, Axel Vervoodt, India Mahdavi, Piet Boon, Kelly Wearsler

A place you love to visit?

A real treat for me is a couple of girly nights away at Babylonstoren with my daughter. It’s the perfect escape and a feast for the eyes and senses. A little bit of pampering and bonding goes a long way in this manic paced world we are living in.

Where do you go to spot new styles?

I travel to design shows and factories all over the world. I come up with a lot of our designs while visiting suppliers and seeing the raw materials. I have actually just returned from Vietnam where I spent a week with a supplier dreaming up our latest accessory collections in sisal, bamboo, lacquer cement and resin.

Do you have a favourite restaurant?

Janse & Co is definitely on my top 3 list. I also really like True Italic and when in Joburg, Marble is a must…

Any interesting projects you are working on?

Right now we are busy with a contemporary renovation in Bantry Bay, a boutique hotel lobby, and a house in Noordhoek. We are also very busy designing our stand for Rooms on View for Design Joburg.

Private Villa in Ibiza, interiors by La Grange, Photography by Elsa Young

Established in 1996, La Grange Interiors was initially set up in a 200-year-old barn in the picturesque town of Franschhoek. In the following two years Sumari Krige expanded the brand to open a second outlet in Pretoria and shortly after a third sprawling showroom in the décor hub of Kramerville, Johannesburg. The most recent retail space was opened in 2015, located in the heart of the supremely trendy area of Woodstock in Cape Town.

The brand has a unique offering in that each item is handpicked or custom designed be Sumari herself, and invariably has an unusual tale or experience attached to it. Her passion for the extraordinary takes her all over the word – to little known crafters’ exhibitions, dusty antique stores and to artisan families who have been plying and perfecting their skills for generations – all in a quest to uncover distinctive, handmade items that speak to her and that she knows her clients will covet. New stock is unpacked weekly, ensuring discerning visitors to the La Grange showrooms are always treated to some new inspiration.

For more visit La Grange Interiors.