Moving home is stressful. But moving home, downsizing and renting is triple the stress. However it needn’t be. Interior decorator Paula Grobbelaar shares her ideas on how to make a rented home feel like your own
Moving from a large Durban North home to a smaller rented Mount Edgecombe home made sense for Pete and Nicci.
With two of their three children away at varsity and boarding school, the time seemed right for a change, and as they’re both avid golfers, and members of the club, Mount Edgecombe seemed the most natural location.
To help make the move as smooth as possible, the couple called in good friend and interior decorator, Paula Grobbelaar, who was able to advise on “what to take, and what to put into storage”.
Over time Nicci had collected a substantial number of sentimental antiques that she was not keen to place in storage. These were used as a starting point in the new home – around which the decor needed to work.
Large cream slip covered sofas, combined with crisp white servers and antiques give a classic yet very much “today” look to the open plan home.
One could describe this style as understated and simple yet classic. After all … “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.
The rented home needed to be easy and comfy to live in, and with all living rooms leading off of one another the decor needed to flow to give a sense of continuity.
This was achieved by using Nicci’s love of pastel colours as the palette for cushions and objets d’art.
Large mirrors and artwork were hung creating the feeling of “home” immediately. *
Tips for decorating a rented home
- Don’t buy custom made furniture for a home that is not your own.
- If the paint colour on the walls is not to your liking, then negotiate with your landlord to repaint in a pale neutral – Bleached Lichen, Egyptian Cotton or Khaki Mist are good choices.
- Hang all your favourite artwork and mirrors. When you leave the property repair and repaint walls that have been affected
Contact: Paula Grobbelaar 0832540720