Decorex designer gives behind-the-scenes
Decorex designer gives behind-the-scenes look at her newly-styled Hillcrest home
Renowned for its incredible representation of local designers, Decorex Durban 2019 will continue this tradition with the inclusion of Jennifer Jones Interiors as this year’s Decorex Designer Spotlight. Her eclectic style and unique vision will be revealed in this exquisite installation that forms part of the extensive Decorex Durban feature programme, taking place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 21 to 24 March 2019.
“We are so delighted to welcome Jennifer Jones to the 2019 Decorex programme and are intrigued to see her take on the ‘Designing for Africa – feels like home’ theme,” said Sian Cullingworth, Portfolio Director at Reed Exhibitions. “It was at Decorex Durban in 2001 that Jennifer first launched her interior design business and she astounds us, every time she returns, with her beautiful creations.”
Commenting on her upcoming Decorex Durban showcase, Jennifer said she was excited to be involved in this exciting exhibition: “Decorex always provides an endless array of creative inspiration for the design year ahead and I’m so looking forward to sharing my favourite 2019 décor trends.”
In the home of Jennifer Jones
As a way to give visitors a sneak preview of the unique Jennifer Jones style, the Hillcrest-based interior designer has decided to reveal her personal tastes as reflected in her new home. Having recently moved to the Spanish-style town house from her period home on the Berea, Jennifer had to downscale and re-work her furniture and décor into a whole new space.
Taking it room by room
– Kitchen
Jennifer explained that many modern kitchens are incorporating seated areas to offer a space for intimate meals, an alternative work space or just a place to relax. For her kitchen, Jennifer – converted an old desk into a kitchen table by changing the top – using natural timber to add a different element to the room, and then re-fashioned a couch, simply by adjusting the height, so that it could be used at the kitchen table.
“I wanted to add mood to the townhouse, using paint to give each room a different feel. I painted the kitchen walls quite a strong shade of grey – Mr Grey from the Shaves Colour Collection – and created a conversation corner as a place to entertain and chat,” she explained.
The grey creates a perfect backdrop for the Moulin Rouge inspired wallpaper and framed family pictures that together create a lovely warmth in the kitchen while fishing basket-style light fittings add to the ambience with their dramatic shadows.
– Dining room
“This is a smaller space which had an existing built-in cabinet with down lighting along one wall, that I painted in charcoal, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the wallpaper behind. I enjoy using darker feature walls for smaller spaces balanced with a lighter colour and mirrors to add light, as it creates depth in a room.”
The ball and claw dining room suite is in a mix of German silver and ebony, giving this traditional furniture a whole new look. The dining room chairs have been finished in a German silver technique, while the table is stained in a satin ebony finish.
– Lounge
“The challenge in this space was the brickwork fire place,” continued Jennifer, entering the inviting room. “I painted the room in Maui Beach from Plascon – a subdued shade of teal green which offsets the white velvet sofas beautifully. The brickwork was painted in Mr Grey to delineate the fire place, with a screen placed in the corner to draw eyes away from the flat area.”
– Veranda
“This was a really fun scheme to put together,” she said of the outside area. “The vintage lounge suite was sprayed in a matt black duco, picked up by the black piping on the apple green upholstery. I am having loads of fun accessorising this striking combination with everything from brightly coloured beads in various colours, to simple pops of colour in both flowers and cushions.
The dining table is sprayed in apple green duco to continue the colour of the upholstery, contrasting beautifully with the black and white chairs. This is picked up in the black-and-white striped curtains crafted in an outdoor fabric. This provides protection and creates quite a cosy nook, particularly on those nippy Hillcrest days. This is a great alternative to the traditional outdoor, roll-down blinds.
– Bedroom
Jennifer Jones, known as ‘The Queen of Bedroom Success’, re-worked her design from the 2018 Decorex Durban She Shed using a gold and grey colour palette for her own bedroom. “This was a big space that happily allowed for my gold, 4-poster bed!” she explained.
Her love for layering different tones and textures of grey, paired with accent colours, is evident here.
The walls were painted in Mr Grey, with the grey colour picked up in the sheer curtains. The room was then accessorised with gold, seen in the lampshades, wallpaper and refurbished bedside pedestals. Without question, the standout piece in this luxurious room is an exquisite chair, covered in Ardmore velvet with rust accents. The inclusion of gold, grey and a touch of pink finishes off this masterpiece.
Design tips from Jennifer Jones
“Many people live in homes with older architecture and furniture that can easily be adapted to make a new space,” she explained. “These days, people are decorating more economically, taking it room by room. There’s a much more eclectic feel with people using existing furniture and reviving it. This is important because anything you’ve invested in reflects a part of your personality.”
Commenting on a few trends she’s enjoying, Jennifer said: “There’s a much braver use of colour. People are moving away from the neutrals, or they’re adding a vibrant pop of colour. A lounge suite in a neutral shade is always a good idea, with feature fabrics and colours used on chairs and cushions to create an updated look.”
Her overall design advice is: “Start with what you have, and plan from there!”
In addition to the exciting Decorex Designer Spotlight feature, the 2019 exhibition programme boasts a number of inspired new installations which will speak to the upcoming trends. Some of this year’s exciting features include:
· Decorex Urban Living Trend House
· InStudio Trend Theatre
· Designing for Africa Project by IID
· The Playroom Children’s Décor Project
· The Lighting Project by Springlights
· The Kitchen Trend Project
· The Bathroom Project
· The Design Project
· Global Trends Project
· Wine & Bubbly Bar
· The Gin Bar
· Gourmet Cooking Theatre
· Rummery
· The Harvest Table
· The Illy Experience
· The Mint Café
· The Wine Tasting Cellar
· 1-Day Pop-up Market in collaboration with TINGG
For a full list of the Decorex Durban show features, visit www.decorex.co.za
DECOREX SA 2019 DETAILS
Decorex Durban
21 – 24 March 2019
10am – 6pm daily
Durban Exhibition Centre
Trade-focused day: 22 March 2019
Ticket Prices: Adults – R95
Student/Pensioners – R85
Kids U12 – R20
Trade – R85
Exhibitor – R85
Decorex Cape Town
1 – 5 May 2019
10am – 6pm daily
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Trade-focused day: 2 – 3 May 2019
Ticket Prices: Adults – R110
Student/Pensioners – R100
Kids U12 – R20
Trade – R100
Exhibitor – R100
Decorex Joburg
7 – 11 August 2019
10am – 6pm daily
Gallagher Convention Centre
Public holiday: 9 August
Trade-focused days: 7 – 8 August 2019
Ticket Prices: Adults – R120
Student/Pensioners – R100
Kids U12 – R20
Trade – R100
Exhibitor – R100
For more information, email decorexinfo@reedexpoafrica.co.za
Visit: www.decorex.co.za
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Blog: http://www.reedexpoafrica.co.za/decorexblog/